Late again! In three minutes she rushes into the bathroom, does her makeup, throws on her coat and boots, then catches the elevator.
Emilie jolted awake, already behind schedule. In a few frantic minutes she managed to get ready: applying makeup while heading for the front door, glancing at the mirror, slipping into a trench coat and ankle boots. Just three minutes after pulling herself out of bed, she was already inside the lift.
Stepping onto the street, she noticed a light September drizzle, but she had no time to fetch an umbrella. The alarm had treacherously failed her. Emilie sprinted for the bus, terrified at the thought of missing work. Her boss was unforgivingbeing late meant a lost day and the looming threat of dismissal.
Running through every possible disaster scenario for the day, Emilie had already said goodbye in her mind to her favorite clients, her bonus, and her remaining day off. The hurried pedestrians seemed lost in their own thoughts, indifferent to each other. Everything looked grey and gloomy, and the rain only added to the mood.
A few hundred meters from the bus stop, Emilie halted abruptly, spotting a tiny, drenched kitten beside a worn bench. It tried to meow, but only silent sighs escaped.
She hesitated. Keep running or help the distressed creature? She listened to her heart, knowing she would have to face her bosss wrath anyway.
Getting closer, she saw that one of the kittens paws was twisted.
My God! Who did this to you?
With doubt gone, she couldnt abandon it. The kitten shivered, soaked to the bone. She gently wrapped it in her white scarf and raced even faster toward the stop. She decided to bring it to the office and deal with the paperwork later. Her generous heart wouldnt leave the orphan behind.
Her covert attempt to reach her desk failed. Just as she was about to arrive, she saw door number12 and ran into her boss around a corner.
Dupont! An hour late! Where have you been? Whos supposed to do your work? Whats wrong with you?
Questions rained down, and her guilt grew. Trembling and speechless, tears welled up and bitterness filled her.
Look! she finally managed, unbuttoning her coat slightly.
The kitten poked out its sad little head. Slightly warmed now, it let out a plaintive mew.
Its paw is injured; I couldnt leave it in the rain It was alone
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 immediately to save the little paw.
Surprised by the sudden change, Emilie took the note, tucked her cold, reddened hands into her pocket, and hurried toward the exit.
And dont come back here, he said.
Emilies heart sank, but before despair could take over, her boss added:
Today is your day off. Tomorrow too. Congratulations on your kindness; expect a bonus for your love of animals.
Everyone knew the boss as SébastienLeclerc, infamous for his legendary harshness. Yet at the veterinary clinic the matter was quickly resolved: the kittens paw wasnt broken, just a severe sprain. While the vet bandaged it, Emilie explained how shed found the animal and the unexpected intervention of her boss.
Laughing, the vet revealed 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 began with his very first scholarship.
With people, however, Sébastien had always kept his distance, a change triggered by the tragic loss of his family. This revelation struck Emilie deeply; 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 suited him perfectly. Her quiet 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 long into the night.
What brought them together was mutual understanding and a shared love for animals. Together they cared for Minou and soon found a common passion for rescuing animals in distress. loneliness vanished for Emilie and her fourlegged companion, who now shared joy and comfort in each others company.
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.
