She nodded with a grateful smile. She watched Mireille with admiration. This young woman did not have much, yet she gave everything she could.
A few hours later, during her break, Mireille quickly left the office. The sun had finally broken through the clouds, and the warmth was slowly returning. She headed to a small shop nearby to buy a little food for herself and the old woman. She did not have much money, but that did not matter to her. Mama had to eat.
While Mireille was out, Émilie burst into the offices as usual. Her heels clicked loudly on the floor, drawing everyone’s attention. She loved showing up without warning just to remind everyone that she was the fiancée of the boss, Cyril, the company’s CEO. She already acted as if she were the boss.
As she walked in, she spotted the old woman sitting quietly in a corner, her hands folded on her knees, her eyes lowered humbly. Émilie frowned in disgust.
“Who let this filthy beggar in here?” she shouted so everyone could hear.
The old woman slowly raised her eyes, confused. “My daughter, don’t be angry. I’ll leave. It’s all right,” she said softly.
Émilie burst into mocking laughter, arms crossed. “You’d better, yes. This is my future husband’s company, not a center for poor people. Get out of here, old witch.”
The old woman sighed and shook her head. “You have a hard heart, my daughter. I wonder what kind of man would want to marry you.”
Émilie’s eyes widened in shock at her words. Her anger rose even more.
“You crazy old woman! You have no right to speak to me like that. Get out before I have security throw you out.”
The old woman slowly stood up, her hands trembling. She said nothing more. She quietly left the office, her eyes misty.
A few minutes later, Mireille returned with a bag of food in her hand. She entered with a smile, eager to give Mama what she had bought. But as she approached the gate, she stopped short. The old woman was there, standing in front of the gate, her face sad.
“Mama, what are you doing out here?” Mireille asked, her voice full of concern.
The old woman sighed. “My daughter, don’t be upset. A lady came. She told me to leave. She called me a filthy poor woman. She said I had no business being here.”
Mireille felt her heart leap. She clenched her fists. “Who dared?”
