a.k Mireille had just landed a small job, barely two days, nothing easy, but for her it was a victory. What she did not know was that her gesture toward a stranger in the rain was about to change her destiny.
That morning, the sky was dark and the air freezing cold. Heavy rain fell nonstop, making the roads slippery and muddy. Mireille held her little umbrella tightly as she hurried along. She could not afford to arrive late.
As she approached the large crossroads in the neighborhood, she noticed an old woman standing in the rain. She was shivering from the cold, her clothes soaked, her feet bare, with no umbrella, no coat, not even a simple scarf to protect her. She looked lost, frozen under the pounding rain.
Mireille’s heart tightened. She quickly walked over, lifted her umbrella above the old woman’s head, and said gently, “Mama, here, take my umbrella. You’re going to get sick.”
The old woman slowly raised her eyes to her. They looked tired. She replied in a weak voice, “My daughter, I have nowhere to go. I just came from the village. I know no one here.”
Mireille felt a lump form in her throat. She searched her pocket and pulled out the one thousand five hundred CFA francs she had for the day.
“Here, Mama. It’s all I have, but try to find somewhere to shelter.”
But the old woman gently shook her head. “I cannot take what you need for yourself, my child.”
Mireille looked at her for a moment, thought, then smiled. “Then come with me. I’m going to work. You can stay there quietly, at least until the rain stops.”
The old woman’s eyes filled with tears. “May God bless you, my daughter.”
Mireille gently took her hand, and the two of them walked together under the umbrella.
When they arrived at the office, Mireille settled her in a discreet corner near the reception area. She gave her a towel to help dry her clothes a little.
“Do not worry, Mama. I only have a few hours left before my break. As soon as I’m free, I’ll take you home with me for a while.”
“Thank you,” the old woman said.
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?”
The old woman hesitated, then whispered, “She said she is the future wife of the boss. Her name is Émilie.”
At once, Mireille’s blood boiled. She stormed back inside, her eyes blazing with anger.
Émilie was still there, sitting like a queen, looking at her nails. Mireille walked straight toward her.
“Émilie, was it you?”
Émilie looked up with a mocking smile. “Oh, the little cleaner is back. What do you want?”
Mireille was trembling with rage. “Émilie, Mama… how dare you treat my mother like that? Who do you think you are to insult an old woman?”
Émilie burst into laughter. “Your mother? That beggar? I told Cyril not to hire you. You do not even deserve to be here.”
Mireille took a deep breath to calm herself, but it was too much. She snapped, “You do not even know whether Cyril is going to marry you. Look at yourself, arrogant and wicked. You think beauty alone is enough to make a good wife?”
Émilie jumped to her feet. “Say that again!”
“You heard me. If you can treat an old woman like that, I can imagine how you would treat your mother-in-law.”
Émilie sneered. “My mother-in-law is a classy, rich woman, not some homeless woman like your so-called mother.”
Mireille shook her head in disgust. “You’re pathetic, Émilie. You will never know true love.”
“I swear you’re going to lose your job!” Émilie shouted.
“I do not care. I do not want to work in a place where women like you exist. You insulted my mother. You threatened me. Do whatever you want. I’m leaving.”
Then she turned around and walked out.
Outside, Mama was still waiting. When Mireille came back to her, she took her hand tenderly.
“My daughter, you did not have to fight for me like that.”
“Yes, Mama. No one has the right to treat you that way. Come, let’s go home.”
