Emma’s life had reached its breaking point. She was alone, sobbing, and had only $50 left. On a rainy night, she gave up half of it to assist a suffering stranger in the grocery shop. She didn’t expect anything in return, but the next day, the same man changed her life forever and left her in tears.
“Just keep going, Emma,” I muttered to myself. “Mom always said tough times don’t last forever.”
My parents, the only family I had, passed away in a car cra:sh.
That night, I was down to my last 50 dollars. My fridge was a wasteland, and I’d made a list of essentials: bread, eggs, maybe some pasta. Nothing more.
“Just get through this week, Emma,”
“God, Mom,” I whispered, picking up a can of her favorite tomato soup. “I wish you were here. You always knew how to make something out of nothing.”
As I neared the checkout line, I noticed him. A man, no older than 60.
“I’m sorry… I think I’m short,” he stammered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the store. “Please, I haven’t eaten in two days. Can I just take the bread?”
The cashier, a girl who couldn’t have been much older than me, looked uncomfortable. “Sir, I’m sorry, but I can’t —”
“I’ll cover it,” I said, stepping forward without thinking.
Fresh buns on the counter in the store
Image for illustrative purpose only.
Both of them turned to look at me. The man’s eyes were wide, startled, and glistening with unshed tears. “You don’t have to,” he said quickly, his voice cracking. “Really, you don’t… I don’t want to be a burden.”
“I know what it’s like,” I replied softly, pulling out the money. “To feel like the world’s turned its back on you. To wonder if anyone sees you anymore. Let me help. Please.”
His hands trembled as he gripped the edge of the counter. “But why would you —”
“Because someone once told me that kindness matters most when it costs something,” I said, thinking of my mother’s words. “And right now, this matters more than my own groceries.”
His lips trembled as he took the bag from the cashier and turned to face me. “Thank you,” he whispered, clutching it tightly. “You have no idea what this means. I’ve lost everything recently, and I just…”
“Sometimes we all need a little help,” I said, touching his arm gently. “Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”
Front view of homeless man holding cup with coins
Image for illustrative purpose only.
“I will,” he nodded, his voice edged with emotion. “And someday, I hope I can repay this kindness.”
“Take care,” I said softly, watching as he shuffled out into the rain.
I didn’t even get his name.
The next morning, my alarm blared at 7:00 a.m., jolting me awake. My stomach was already twisted in knots.
It was my big interview — my one chance to claw my way out of this mess.
The office building was massive with glass walls and polished floors that made my heels click as I walked in.
A well-dressed woman at the reception smiled warmly. “Good morning! How can I help you?”
“I’m Emma,” I managed, my voice steadier than I felt. “I have an interview at 9:00.”
She nodded, checking her computer. “Of course! Mr. Watson is expecting you.”
“Miss Emma?” the receptionist called moments later.
“Yes,” I said, stepping forward, my heart thundering.
The door opened, and I froze.
Skeptical diverse hr managers interviewing female applicant, bad first impression
Image for illustrative purpose only.
It was HIM. The man from the grocery store.
He walked to the head of the table, his movements calm and confident. “Good morning, everyone,” he said, his voice warm yet commanding.
“Emma, right?” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“Yes,” I replied.
The interview passed in a blur. Formal questions, my rehearsed answers, and the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. After it ended, he asked me to stay behind.
“I owe you an explanation,” he said, his voice gentle.
I nodded, my hands gripping the edge of my chair. “Last night, you were…”
“A broken man,” he finished, his eyes clouding with emotion. “A man who’d forgotten who he was.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My name is Watson,” he began. “I’m the CEO of this company.”
My mind reeled. CEO? How was that even possible?
“My car broke down last evening,” he continued. “I’d been walking for hours in the rain, trying to feel something. Anything but grief. I forgot my wallet, forgot who I was supposed to be. I just needed to remember what it was like to be human again.”
“I know that feeling,” I whispered, wiping away a tear. “After my parents di:ed, I felt so lost. Sometimes I still do.”
He looked at me with understanding. “When you helped me last night, you didn’t see a CEO or a wealthy man. You saw someone in pain, and you reached out. You gave me your last dollars, didn’t you?”
Relieved man thanking god, looking up sky grateful
Image for illustrative purpose only.
I nodded, unable to speak.
He smiled, walking back to his desk.
“This morning, I saw your name and photo in the stack of applicants. Your qualifications are impressive, but your character… that’s what this company needs. What I need, if I’m honest. Someone who remembers that business isn’t just about profits… but about people. And compassion.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Does this mean…?”
“The job is yours, Emma,” he said, extending his hand. “And I hope you’ll consider this more than just a job. I hope you’ll help me build something meaningful here — a company that remembers to be human.”
Sometimes, life is unbearably hard. And sometimes, it gives you moments like this — a reminder that good things can happen, even when you least expect them.
