An old man was hiding a secret that would change this woman’s life.

An old man was hiding a secret that would change this woman’s life.

 

A young woman hurried along the sidewalk, distracted as she adjusted the handbag on her shoulder. In her rush she collided with an elderly man standing near the street. The impact caused her to stumble, and the fabric of her dress tore sharply along the side.

“I was just hungry,” the old man said quietly, still holding a small bundle of worn belongings.

The woman looked down at the damage to her dress in alarm. She glanced at the time and sighed. She had a very important meeting in 5 minutes, and there was no chance to return home and change.

The elderly man looked concerned. He carried a few pieces of old clothing with him and carefully held them out.

“Miss, they may not be the absolute best options,” he said gently, “but they might still help you.”

The woman examined the clothing. They were simple and worn, but they covered the torn section of her dress. Grateful, she adjusted them quickly.

“Thank you so much,” she said. “God bless you. This is better than walking around in torn clothes.”

She reached into her handbag and took out some money.

“Wait a moment. Here you go.”

The old man shook his head immediately.

“No, miss. How could you think that? Especially since it’s my fault you’re in this situation.”

“It wasn’t your fault or mine,” she replied. “It was an accident. So this is for the clothes, and also so you can get something to eat. Please accept it.”

He hesitated before accepting the money.

“Thank you very much. Miss, I have just arrived in this city, and I don’t know anyone here yet. May God bless you.”

“Likewise,” she replied. “God bless you. I wish you all the best, and thank you so much for the clothes.”

With that, she hurried away.

A short time later she entered the building where the interviews were being conducted. Inside a small waiting room, several applicants sat in tense silence.

A man spoke up.

“In approximately 5 minutes, we will begin the session with those who are here. I do not believe that it is entirely fair that those of us who respect the schedule have to wait around for those individuals who do not.”

Another applicant nodded.

“I agree with what the gentleman said.”

There was a murmur of approval.

“There’s no doubt you’re right about that,” someone added.

“I hope so,” the first man replied. “Because I was told this company is very serious. Punctuality is crucial, just like you would with any other skill.”

Another voice answered skeptically.

“I find it rather curious that you say that, because honestly, it really doesn’t seem that way.”

“It is,” the man insisted. “And don’t doubt that punctuality is a key factor in this selection process.”

The door opened at that moment, and the young woman rushed in, still wearing the improvised clothing over her torn dress.

One of the employees looked at her with visible surprise.

“Excuse me. Where do you think she’s going?”

“Off to the job interview now,” someone replied quietly.

“And dressed like that?”

The woman approached the desk.

“What happened is that I had an incident,” she explained quickly. “I didn’t have time to go home and change, and I didn’t want to miss the appointment.”

The receptionist shook her head.

“I am very sorry, but the interviews have already finished.”

The woman’s face fell.

“Oh, don’t tell me that.”

A man standing nearby gestured toward the office.

“Nevertheless, he could still potentially interview you.”

The receptionist hesitated.

“If it were up to me, I would have already taken you away. But the boss is here. You can come in.”

The woman nodded gratefully.

“My apologies, and thank you.”

Inside the office, the interview had already concluded. The company’s director, Juan Pablo, stood beside a young man.

“Thank you both so much for coming,” he said. “Daniel, you have been chosen. His profile was necessary and a good fit for this company. Congratulations.”

“Thank you so much,” Daniel replied. “I’m sure we’re going to do great things here.”

“That’s what it will be like,” Juan Pablo said.

He turned to his assistant.

“Natalia, please provide all the necessary support materials to our colleague so that he can begin his work today and get settled in.”

“Of course, boss,” Natalia replied.

Daniel nodded.

“Welcome.”

Just then the young woman stepped forward.

“With permission, sir.”

Juan Pablo looked up.

“Excuse me.”

“My apologies, miss. I didn’t see you.”

“The thing is, I also came here for the job interview,” she said. “But I’m afraid I got a little bit late.”

Juan Pablo studied her appearance.

“Excuse me, miss, but do you honestly think those are the right conditions for you to come to a professional job interview today?”

“No, of course not,” she answered. “But what happened is that I had an accident a little while ago.”

Juan Pablo shook his head.

“Sorry. Your story sounds very entertaining, but unfortunately the gentleman here has already taken the administrator position, and there are no more vacancies available at this time.”

“Could you still interview me,” she asked, “even if it’s for another position?”

“There are no more positions available,” he replied. “No. I have nothing else to add.”

The receptionist gestured toward the door.

“Excuse me. Where do you think you’re going?”

“He said you should leave.”

The woman turned to go, struggling to maintain her composure.

“You are really hurting me,” she said quietly.

“All right then,” she added. “I will be heading out now. Please excuse me.”

She walked toward the exit.

“Where are you going?” Juan Pablo suddenly asked.

“Yes, sir?”

“I want to talk to you.”

She returned to the office.

“Miss, that’s not the way to do things,” he said.

“I know,” she replied. “But I really do need to talk to you for a moment.”

Juan Pablo folded his arms.

“Listen to me. The rules here in this company were made to be followed. Look, I already read your résumé, and it’s quite impressive. But your consistent lack of punctuality makes me hesitant and distrustful.”

“It’s just that I had an incident this morning and—”

“No,” he interrupted. “Please leave. I don’t want to call security.”

She lowered her head.

“I’m sorry.”

As she turned away, a photograph slipped from her bag and landed on the desk.

Juan Pablo picked it up.

“What is that?”

“It is simply a photograph,” she said.

“What is it made of?”

The woman stepped closer.

“This man is Don Vicente. A person who is a truly important and deeply influential figure in my life.”

Juan Pablo frowned.

“Why am I telling him this kind of thing?” she murmured to herself.

“Please, just wait,” she said.

“Tell me,” Juan Pablo said impatiently. “Do you live with him right now?”

She hesitated.

“Look, I’m not going to repeat myself,” he said firmly. “Please. I want you to leave my office right now.”

The woman picked up the photograph.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “Well, I truly hope that I am not mistaken about this. But I give you my word and promise you that I will come back here with this gentleman in the photo.”

Then she left the building.

Later that afternoon, the elderly man sat on a bench in a small park, carefully opening a modest meal he had managed to obtain.

“It’s been ages since I’ve eaten like this,” he murmured.

Before he could take another bite, a rough-looking man approached and grabbed the food from his hands.

“Give it back to me,” the old man protested. “It’s mine.”

“The street is for the smartest,” the man replied coldly. “Let that be clear to you.”

“This is all I have,” the old man pleaded. “Don’t take it.”

“This is my park and it’s my territory,” the man said. “Everything here is mine. Let that be clear.”

“Please don’t take that, sir. It really belongs to me.”

The man ignored him and walked away with the food.

At that moment the young woman appeared nearby.

“Excuse me,” she said.

The man she addressed looked at her with annoyance.

“Well, it is you again, miss.”

“I have a question,” she said. “Maybe you haven’t seen the man from a little while ago?”

“If that bum stole from you, that’s not our problem,” he replied. “It’s yours.”

“No, he didn’t steal from me,” she said quickly. “But you know where he is. You have to tell me.”

“Tell you?” the man said with a smirk. “And why do I have to tell you?”

“It would really help me a lot,” she said. “Please tell me.”

“And what do I gain?”

The woman sighed.

“I already realized that you are one of those people who don’t give without receiving something in return, right?”

“Excuse me, miss,” he said impatiently. “Don’t waste my time.”

She paused, then slowly removed a small piece of jewelry.

“Oh my God,” she murmured. “It’s the last thing I have left.”

She handed it to him.

“There.”

The man examined it and nodded.

“Yes. We’re on the same page. Vera, I saw the man sleeping in the park next door.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes.”

“Well, thank you very much,” she said.

“Goodbye for now, miss.”

“See you later.”

Meanwhile, inside the company offices, Daniel had already begun working.

“Sir, excuse me,” he said as he approached Juan Pablo. “I wanted to talk about the budget.”

“Daniel,” Juan Pablo replied. “Of course. Go ahead.”

“Are you feeling alright, sir?” Daniel asked.

“Yes. Tell me how I can help you today.”

“I think we can increase the budget for a department where there are many more workers,” Daniel said.

Juan Pablo appeared distracted.

“Daniel, I was wondering… could you possibly take care of all of those things for me?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“Perfect,” Juan Pablo said. “I’ll step out for a moment.”

After he left, Natalia turned to Daniel.

“What’s wrong with him?”

“To be honest, I don’t really know,” Daniel said. “But he just gave me full carte blanche to take care of the budget.”

“Congratulations,” Natalia said. “It is not Juan Pablo’s custom to delegate those things.”

Daniel leaned closer.

“Look, Natalie. I was wondering if you might have a moment, because I would really like to ask you about some slightly sensitive and perhaps rather personal topics.”

“Yes, of course.”

“The activities we are discussing are matters that are somewhat illegal,” Daniel said quietly.

Natalia looked at him carefully.

“I always knew that I could count on you,” Daniel continued. “Since I am the one who is now officially in charge of the entire budget, I was thinking of increasing a few things. I have a specific idea to bring us both a significantly greater benefit in the long run.”

“And you need my help?”

“Obviously.”

Natalia nodded slowly.

“I like the idea.”

“Do we have a deal?”

Elsewhere in the park, the young woman found the elderly man again.

He was walking slowly beside a parked car when a man suddenly confronted her.

“Where is the owner of this car?” the stranger demanded.

“It’s mine,” she said.

“That’s not true. Tell me where you left the owner of this car if you don’t want me to call the police.”

“I already told you it’s mine.”

“Don’t come near me.”

“Then don’t mess with me,” the man said, stepping closer.

“I am not going to mess with you if you simply tell me where you left the owner of this car.”

“That is fine,” he said, grabbing her arm. “But please do not leave just yet. You’re very pretty.”

“Help! Help!” she shouted.

“Don’t touch me!”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Let me go!”

“Just tell me where the man is and I’ll leave you alone.”

“You can scream all you want,” he said. “No one will hear you.”

“No! Help! Please!”

At that moment a voice called out.

“Mr. Vicente!”

The elderly man appeared suddenly and struck the attacker, forcing him back.

“You’re going to regret this,” the man shouted.

“Enough,” Vicente said firmly.

The attacker retreated and disappeared down the street.

“I think that’s enough,” Vicente said.

He turned to the woman.

“But excuse me, miss. What exactly were you doing in such a dangerous place like that?”

“I was looking for you,” she said.

“For me? And why?”

“Because there is someone else out there who is also looking for you right now.”

Vicente looked confused.

“Miss, I believe you are quite confused. Who would be looking for me?”

“Perhaps you simply don’t remember if you have any family members?”

“To be perfectly honest with you, no,” he said. “I have wandered through several different cities all these many years, and during all that time absolutely no one has ever once looked for me.”

He paused.

“Even less now.”

“Please come with me,” she said. “We should go and see if maybe those people—or that person—is your family member.”

“Miss, you’ve already been so kind to me,” Vicente said. “You helped me recover the few things I have left.”

“But please,” she insisted. “Just to put the doubt to rest. And if not, I promise I will never bother you again.”

Vicente looked at her face and sighed.

“With that specific look on your face, there’s nothing left to say,” he said.

“All right then.”

“Thanks a lot,” she replied.

“Then let’s go.”

“Miss, wait,” he said. “Be patient. I am not as young as you anymore.”

She laughed softly.

“I apologize.”

“Come on.”

They walked together toward the company building.

Inside the company offices, Daniel and Natalia were reviewing documents.

“All of the money that was originally allocated for these essential supplies can actually go directly into our own personal pockets instead,” Daniel said.

Natalia looked over the figures.

“I see. It’s excellent. No one will notice.”

“I told you that we could go up with the cart,” Daniel said.

“True.”

Just then the young woman arrived at the building with Vicente.

“Hey, hey, hey,” the receptionist said. “Where are you going?”

“We’re going to see Mr. Juan Pablo,” the woman replied.

“That name sounds quite familiar to me,” Vicente murmured.

“I hope today is a very different day for you,” the receptionist said coldly. “I really don’t know exactly what you are up to right now, but first I am going to throw you out of here and then I will call the police.”

“I really just want to go over and visit him right now,” the woman said.

“What a shame,” the receptionist replied. “He’s not here.”

“Miss,” Vicente said quietly. “I need a restroom.”

“Yes, of course. Look, there’s one in the back.”

“No,” the receptionist snapped. “You’re definitely not going to use it.”

“What?” Vicente asked.

“So should I go in the plants then?”

“You think you’re very funny, don’t you? Do it outside.”

“But I just won’t be able to arrive in time.”

“Fine,” she said finally. “Go quickly. I’ll have everything disinfected afterwards.”

The woman frowned.

“I don’t believe you that the gentleman isn’t inside. I’m going to check.”

As she walked down the hallway, she overheard voices inside an office.

“We absolutely have to permanently eliminate that troublesome old man no matter what,” Daniel was saying.

“But how is that possible?” Natalia asked.

“I have a plan,” Daniel replied. “Just follow me, Lilo.”

Before she could react, Natalia approached the reception desk.

“Sir, there’s a Miss Yorlene here who needs to see you urgently.”

“Urgently?” Juan Pablo asked from his office. “Did she say what for?”

“I don’t know. She just says it’s very important.”

“Tell her to wait for me. I’ll be right there.”

Meanwhile, Vicente returned from the restroom.

“Well,” he said, “that is a big relief now.”

“And the young lady?” he asked.

“She needed to depart immediately,” Natalia replied.

“But she brought me here. Why would she suddenly leave?”

“The person you came to see was actually out of town,” Natalia said smoothly. “So Yorlene had to go and track him down.”

“What?”

“It’s as simple as that.”

“So I’m supposed to wait for her right here?”

“No,” Natalia said. “She told me to go to the place she knew you would recognize, and she would meet you there.”

“Oh right,” Vicente said slowly. “Yes. I remember now.”

He nodded.

“Thank you very much, ma’am. I’ll go see him.”

“Please, just be very careful,” she said.

After he left, Natalia returned to the office.

“It is true,” she told Daniel. “Mr. Juan Pablo is not here.”

“You see?” Daniel said. “We really had no reason at all to lie to you about this.”

Moments later the young woman returned.

“Tell him to wait for me,” she said. “Not to leave, please.”

Natalia shrugged.

“Such impatient people.”

Inside the office, Daniel smiled.

“Mr. Juan Pablo,” Natalia said, “I have some very good news for you. I finally located the person you were looking for.”

“Oh really?” Juan Pablo said. “And where is he?”

“He’s in the bathroom.”

Juan Pablo walked down the hall.

“Well, I actually don’t see anyone here.”

“Don’t worry,” Natalia said quickly. “I will go and look for him now.”

She entered the restroom.

“Don Vicente,” she called.

There was no answer.

“Don Vicente.”

She looked around.

“It can’t be.”

He was gone.

“My God.”

She hurried back.

“Ma’am, the person I told you I saw is actually not in the bathroom right now.”

“What?”

“Yes. I brought him here, but he is actually not in the bathroom.”

“And where is he?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he left.”

“He left?”

Juan Pablo turned toward Daniel and Natalia.

“You two surely must have seen the man I came in with. Where is he?” the young woman demanded.

“I believe you are mistaken,” Daniel said calmly. “We have not seen anyone here.”

“You’re lying.”

“That’s enough,” Daniel said. “Sir, I’m telling you the truth.”

“Listen to me,” the woman insisted.

“No. Listen to me,” Juan Pablo interrupted sharply. “I’m going to make sure that absolutely no one hires you in this city.”

“Excuse me, sir. Please do not do that,” she said.

“Leave.”

“But I just wanted to—”