Frank had always been someone who thought the rules didn’t apply to him. Over the years, I had witnessed countless times how he managed to scam restaurants, hotels, and anyone he could to get something for nothing. The first time I saw Frank in action was early in my relationship with Ethan. We were having dinner at a restaurant when Frank ordered a meal, praised the food, and then suddenly turned on the waiter, claiming his chicken was poorly cooked. The waiter, embarrassed and eager to please, quickly took the dish away, promising a replacement. Frank’s grin in that moment made it clear he had just pulled off another scam to get a free meal.
As I watched him, I couldn’t understand why he’d go to such lengths to deceive others. He wasn’t poor, nor was he starving—he was simply greedy. However, when I confronted Ethan about it later, he shrugged it off, telling me that Frank was just “always like this” and that it wasn’t worth arguing about. Even though I knew it was wrong, I felt powerless to change his behavior, especially since Ethan didn’t seem to care.
The Ongoing Pattern
As the years went on, I saw Frank’s scams escalate. It became a regular thing—whether it was a free meal at a hotel, a discounted service at a spa, or even free food at high-end restaurants, Frank would do whatever he could to avoid paying full price. His actions never seemed to have consequences, and I grew increasingly frustrated, especially when I saw how his behavior impacted innocent people. I tried talking to Ethan about it, hoping he would have a conversation with his father, but each time, Ethan dismissed it, claiming there was nothing he could do. Eventually, I decided it wasn’t worth fighting about anymore. But deep down, I knew that one day, karma would catch up with Frank, and it might be far more satisfying than any conversation we could have.
A New Opportunity for Frank
Then, one weekend, Frank invited Ethan and me to join him at a new, upscale restaurant near his office. He claimed he wanted us to experience it for ourselves, as he had heard the food was expensive and wanted to see if it was worth the cost. Despite my misgivings, we agreed to go, not realizing that Frank had already planned his next move.
This new restaurant was everything Frank liked: expensive, exclusive, and fancy. The menu was full of high-priced dishes, and I could tell right away that Frank was eyeing the most expensive item. He ordered a lobster, which seemed odd given his usual preference for simpler meals. I felt a sense of unease because I could tell Frank wasn’t here for the food—he was here for another opportunity to scam.
The Hair Incident
Sure enough, as the meal progressed, Frank did something shocking. I noticed him staring at his lobster, then, without hesitation, he took a hair from my head and placed it on his dish. At first, I thought I was seeing things, but then Frank called the waiter over, claiming there was a hair in his food. He exaggerated his reaction, acting disgusted, as if the hair had just appeared out of nowhere. I was horrified, but even more so when the waiter, looking apologetic, assured Frank he would inform the manager.
It was in that moment that I realized karma was about to catch up with Frank. I had seen him get away with this behavior countless times before, but this time, the stakes were higher. The manager arrived soon after, and I braced myself for what would happen next.
Karma Strikes
As the manager spoke to Frank, the situation took a sudden turn. Another waiter had recognized Frank from previous visits to other restaurants where he had pulled similar scams. The manager, now visibly firm, informed Frank that they had seen through his trick. He even told Frank that his photo and details would be shared with other restaurants in the area, effectively blacklisting him from any future visits.
Frank, who had always been quick to argue his way out of situations, was speechless. He tried to deny the accusation, but the manager stood his ground, and the entire restaurant watched as Frank’s deceit was exposed. It was a moment I’ll never forget—Frank, who had so often gotten away with his cheap tricks, was now facing the consequences of his actions. People around us were whispering and laughing, while Ethan and I sat there in stunned silence. It was both uncomfortable and satisfying to watch.
As Frank stormed out, the manager’s words rang in my ears: “You’ll no longer be welcome at any of them.” I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that Frank had finally learned a hard lesson. Perhaps now, he would realize that his actions had real-world consequences. For once, karma had caught him in the act.
A Bitter But Necessary Lesson
After Frank left, the tension in the air slowly faded, and I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “I never thought I’d see the day!” I said to Ethan, still chuckling. “Frank finally got a taste of his own medicine, and it wasn’t free.” Ethan, though a bit embarrassed by the scene, agreed that maybe this experience would teach his father a valuable lesson.
As I sat there reflecting, I realized that sometimes, karma takes its time, but it always finds the right moment to make its move. Frank had lived his life thinking he could cheat the system, but in the end, it was his own greed that led to his downfall. This was a lesson that couldn’t be ignored, no matter how hard Frank tried to escape the consequences of his actions.
