Late! In three minutes she darts into the bathroom, does her makeup, throws on her coat and boots, then hops into the elevator.
Emilie jolted awake, already behind schedule. In a blur of speed she managed to get ready: she applied makeup while walking toward the front door, glanced at the mirror, slipped into a trench coat and ankle boots. Just three minutes after waking, she was already inside the lift.
Stepping onto the street she noticed a light September drizzle, but there was no time to fetch an umbrella. Her alarm had betrayed her. Emilie sprinted to catch the bus, terrified at the thought of missing work. Her boss was unforgiving; a tardy arrival meant a lost day and the threat of dismissal.
She ran through every disastrous scenario the day might bring, already mentally bidding farewell to her favorite clients, her bonus, and the one remaining day off. Passersby, equally hurried, seemed lost in their own thoughts, indifferent to each other. Everything was grey and dreary, and the rain only worsened the mood.
A few hundred metres from the bus stop she froze, spotting a tiny, drenched kitten beside a worn bench. It tried to meow, but only managed a silent sigh.
Emilie hesitated. Keep running or help the helpless creature? She listened to her heart, knowing she would face her bosss anger regardless.
Getting closer, she saw one of the kittens paws twisted.
My God! Who hurt you?
With doubt gone, she couldnt abandon it. The kitten shivered, soaked to the bone. She gently cradled it in her white scarf and hurried even faster toward the stop, deciding to bring it to the office and deal with it later. Her generous heart wouldnt leave the orphan behind.
Her attempt to slip into the office unnoticed failed. Just as she reached the door marked 12, her boss appeared around a corner.
Dupont! An hour late! Where have you been? Who will do your work? Whats wrong with you?
Questions rained down, amplifying her guilt. Trembling and speechless, tears rose and bitterness flooded her.
Look! she finally managed, unbuttoning her coat slightly.
The kitten showed its sad little head. Now a bit warmed, it let out a plaintive meow.
Its paw is injured; I couldnt leave it in the rain It was alone
Now tears streamed, her words tangled, her hands shook. Still shaken, she thought of gathering her things in silence, but a warm hand stopped her. Her boss pulled out his phone, jotted an address on a scrap of paper, and ordered her to go there immediately to save the furry paw.
Surprised by his sudden kindness, Emilie took the note, tucked her cold, reddened hands into her pocket, and rushed out.
And dont come back here, he said.
Her heart sank, but before despair could take hold, her boss continued:
Today is your day off. Tomorrow as well. I commend your compassion and youll receive a bonus for your love of animals.
The man everyone knew as Sébastien Leclerc was rumored to be notoriously harsh. Yet at the veterinary clinic the matter was quickly resolved: the kittens leg wasnt broken, merely a severe sprain. While the vet bandaged it, Emilie explained how shed found the little creature and her bosss unexpected intervention.
The veterinarian laughed, revealing hed known Sébastien since childhood. Hed always been a hero for animals, rescuing puppies from water and defending kittens from bullies. As an adult he funded shelters with his earnings, a generosity that started with his very first scholarship.
With people, however, Sébastien had always kept his distance, a change that followed the tragic loss of his family. This revelation struck Emilie deeply, and she thought of Sébastien for the rest of the day, feeling the urge to encourage him.
That evening, as the kitten rested comfortably on her bed, Emilie set up a little nook for her new friend. Shed named him Minou, a name she felt was perfect. Her tender moment was interrupted by a phone callit was Sébastien.
Hows our little patient doing?
Blushing, Emilie animatedly described the kittens condition and expressed her gratitude. Sébastien invited her to dinner, and they talked late into the night.
What brought them together was mutual understanding and a shared love for animals. Together they cared for Minou and soon discovered a joint passion for rescuing distressed animals. Emilies solitude ended, and with her fourlegged companion she found joy and comfort in this new companionship.
Running Late! In just three minutes, she dashes into the bathroom, does her makeup, slips on her coat and boots, and then heads for the lift.
