I’m 47 Years Old. For 15 Years I Worked as a Personal Driver for a Senior Executive at a Major Tech …

Im 47 years old. For the past 15 years, I worked as a personal driver for one of the top brass at a massive tech firm in London. Throughout that time, he treated me fairlypaid handsomely, all the trimmings: bonuses, proper pension, even the odd Christmas tip. I shuttled him everywhere: business meetings, Heathrow, fancy dinners, and the odd family do.

Because of this job, my family lived comfortably. I managed to get all three of my kids into decent schools, bought a modest house in Surrey with a mortgage, and, truth be told, we never really wanted for anything.

Anyway, last Tuesday, I had to drop him off for an all-important meeting at a swanky hotel. As per usualfresh suit, car as shiny as the Queens crown, there on the dot.

On the way over, he mentioned this meeting was majorguests flying in from abroad and everything. He asked me to wait in the car park as the thing could drag on for ages. No problem, I told himId wait as long as he needed.

Meetings at nine in the morning. Im in the car, keeping myself entertained with the radio. Next thing you know, its lunchtime, then tea time, and still no sign of him. I send a quick text to check if hes alright or fancies a coffee. He replies, Alls going swimminglyjust give us one more hour.

Come evening, Im absolutely famished, but I dont budgedidnt want the man stepping out to find his loyal driver missing.

Around half-eight, I finally see him emerge, entourage in tow. They’re all laughing, looking chuffed to bits. I hop out, open the doors, making it all look effortless.

He asks me to take them all to dinner. I nod politely and off we go.

In the car, the guests start chatting away in English. Now, Id spent evenings for years brushing up my own English, just for personal growthnever let on at work, mind. But I understood every word.

At one point, one of the guests asks if the driver (me, naturally) had really been waiting all day. Shows real dedication, that, he says.

My boss laughs and says, Thats what I pay him for. Hes just a drivernothing better to do, really.

They all have a good chuckle.

I felt a lump in my throat, but I kept calm and carried on driving, pretending Id heard nothing.

When we arrived, he said the dinner would go on a bit, so I should grab something to eat and return in two hours. I smiled and agreed.

Found a dodgy sandwich at the newsagent nearby and tried to eat, but his words kept echoing: Just a driver.

Fifteen years of loyalty, crack-of-dawn starts, waiting all hourswas that really all I was to him?

After two hours, I picked them up and drove them back. He was pleased as punchmeeting was a roaring success.

Next day, I turned up at his house as always. When he jumped in the car, I greeted him and set off for the office.

But on the seat next to him, Id left my resignation letter.

He spotted it and, quite baffled, asked what it was.

I told him, with utmost respect but very firmly, I was resigning.

He was stunnedasked if I wanted more money or if something had happened.

I told him it wasnt about the money. I just felt it was time for a new chapter.

He pressed me to say what was really up. When we stopped at the traffic lights, I looked him in the eye and said, Last night, you called me just a driver with nothing better to do. Maybe thats how you see me, but I know I deserve to be somewhere Im respected.

He turned as white as a sheet.

He tried to backtrackdidnt really mean it, thoughtless joke and all that.

I told him I understood, but after fifteen years, it was pretty clear where I stood. I deserved a workplace where I was valued.

At the office, he begged me to rethink, even dangled a tidy pay rise. I refused. Said Id work my notice, then be off.

That last week was a slog. He threw in extra perks right till the end, but my mind was made up.

Now, I have a new job. Got a call from someone who offered me a rolenot as a driver, but as a coordinator. Better pay, my own office, decent hours. Said he valued loyalty and grit.

I took the job, no hesitation.

Later, my old boss messaged. Said he was wrong, that Id been more than a driverI was someone he relied on. Asked for forgiveness.

I still havent written back.

These days, Im settled in my new place, feeling appreciated. But sometimes I wonderdid I do the right thing? Should I have given him another chance?

Amazing, isnt it, how a five-second quip can unravel fifteen years of trust.

So, what do you reckondid I go too far, or was I right to hold my ground?