Late! In three minutes, she dashed into the bathroom, swiped on makeup, threw on her coat and boots, then stepped into the lift.
Emily jolted awakealready running behind! With dizzying speed, she managed to ready herself: smudging on mascara while stumbling toward the door, stealing a glance in the mirror, tugging on a trench coat and ankle boots. Barely three minutes after waking, she was already descending in the elevator.
Out on the street, she noticed the faint drizzle of an early autumn rain. No time to fetch an umbrellathe alarm had betrayed her. Emily sprinted for the bus, the thought of missing work chilling her. Her boss was merciless; a single lateness meant a lost days pay, with the specter of dismissal looming.
Mentally bidding farewell to her favourite clients, her bonus, and her last remaining day off, Emily braced for disaster. The other pedestrians, just as hurried, drifted past like ghosts, indifferent to each other. The world was grey, washed out, and the rain only deepened the gloom.
Just yards from the bus stop, she frozea tiny, drenched kitten huddled by a weathered bench. It tried to mewl, but only a soundless sigh escaped.
Emily wavered. Rush on or help the helpless creature? Her heart made the choice, knowing her bosss fury awaited either way.
Closer now, she saw the kittens paw bent unnaturally.
“Good lord! Who did this to you?”
Doubt vanishedshe couldnt leave it. The kitten shivered, soaked to the bone. Wrapping it gently in her cream-coloured scarf, she ran harder toward the bus. Shed take it to the office and figure things out later. Her kind heart wouldnt let the orphaned thing stay abandoned.
Her attempt to slip in unnoticed failed. Near her deskDoor 12her boss turned the corner.
“Harper! An hour late! Where on earth have you been? Whos meant to cover for you? Whats gotten into you?”
The questions pelted her; guilt swelled. Trembling, voice trapped, she felt tears rising, bitterness clawing at her throat.
“Look!” she finally blurted, loosening her coat.
The kitten peeked out, bedraggled but warmed now, releasing a pitiful little meow.
“His paws hurtI couldnt leave him in the rain He was all alone”
Tears spilled; words tangled; her hands shook. Bracing for the worst, she imagined silently packing her things. But a firm hand stopped her. Her boss pulled out his phone, scribbled an address, and ordered her to go at onceto save the tiny, furry paw.
Stunned, Emily took the note, shoved her chilled hands into her pockets, and hurried off.
“And dont come back here,” he said.
Her heart clencheduntil he added:
“Take today off. And tomorrow. Consider it paid. Andwell done. That kindness deserves recognition.”
This boss, known to all as William Sterling, had a reputation for steeliness. But at the vets, things moved quicklythe kittens paw wasnt broken, just badly sprained. As the vet bandaged it, Emily recounted the morning, including Williams unexpected softness.
Laughing, the vet revealed hed known William since boyhood. Hed always been a hero to animalsrescuing pups from rivers, shielding kittens from bullies. As an adult, he funded shelters quietly, generosity begun with his very first paycheck.
But with people? William had grown distant, especially after losing his family. The revelation struck Emily deeply. That evening, as the kittennow named Pipnestled into her bed, she fussed over a makeshift bed for him.
The phone rang. William.
“Hows our little patient?”
Flushing, Emily bubbled with updates and thanks. He asked her to dinnerthey talked all night.
What bound them was mutual understanding, and love for creatures in need. Together, they cared for Pip, then other rescues. No more loneliness for Emilyor her four-legged friendjust warmth, and an unlikely new family.
