A humble young woman walked into the store, trembling, and was humiliated for her wet clothes, but then the owner appeared. “Sorry,” Isabela whispered, her voice shaking, leaving a small puddle of water on the elegant marble floor. “Get out, beggar!” Sofia yelled from behind the counter,
her arms crossed and a look of utter contempt.
“What the hell are you doing here? You’re getting the entire Italian marble floor wet.” Isabela’s heart was beating so hard she felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. Raindrops continued to fall from her soaked blonde hair, and her simple white dress clung to her trembling body.
The boutique’s other customers stared at her as if she were a rare animal, whispering to each other with mocking smiles.
I just need to know if there’s a place nearby where I can print some documents. Isabela stammered, trying to maintain her dignity while hugging herself to control the trembling. Sofia let out a dry, cruel laugh. Seriously, this store is for people who can afford
our pieces, not for people like you.
Just look at the way you’re dressed. You look like a bum. Please, it’s an emergency. I just need, I don’t care what you need,” Sofia interrupted, raising her voice so the entire store could hear. “We sell dresses here that cost more than you make.” in a year.
Do you really think you belong here? Isabela’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She knew her clothes were modest, her shoes worn, and her appearance didn’t fit in with that world of luxury, but she had never been humiliated in such a public way. “I didn’t come
to buy anything,” she murmured, her voice cracking. “I was just asking for something, and I’m telling you to leave before I call security.” Sofia walked toward her with threatening steps.
This is an exclusive boutique, not a homeless shelter. You’re going to scare away my real customers. Isabela felt tears mixing with the raindrops on her face. Everything had gone wrong that day. First, the university printer broke down just as she was due to submit her
final portfolio, the very one that would determine whether she would keep her academic scholarship.
Then that terrible storm hit, soaking her completely as she ran desperately through downtown Medellín looking for something. Help. And now this, the greatest humiliation of her life in front of a bunch of strangers who looked at her like she was trash.
“Look, rich girl,” an older woman said contemptuously from one of the waiting chairs. “You better go back where you belong. There’s nothing for you here. Exactly.” Sofía added, feeling the audience’s support. “See? Even my clients realize it. You have no business being here.” Isabela took a
step back, feeling like her world was collapsing around her.
She had worked for years cleaning tables at the El Grano de Oro cafeteria after school to help her grandmother Carmen with the household expenses. She had studied until the wee hours of the morning to keep her grades up. She had sacrificed outings with friends, new clothes, even
full meals. All to achieve her dream of graduating and having her own graphic design studio.
And now, a simple broken printer threatened to destroy all her hard work. “Please,” she tried once more, her voice barely audible. “Just tell me if you know of any place nearby where Ya basta. I’m going to call security right now.” Sofia picked up the store phone.
I can’t allow a person like you to scare away my customers. It was at that exact moment that a calm but firm male voice interrupted the scene. “Excuse me, miss, do you need help?” Everyone turned toward the voice. A man in his 30s had appeared from the back
of the store. He was wearing a light blue shirt and jeans.
Nothing ostentatious, but there was something about his presence that commanded immediate respect. His brown eyes displayed genuine warmth as he looked directly at Isabela. Sofia frowned, annoyed by the interruption. “Sir, this is none of your business. This person has no business being here.”
And I was about to—” “I’m asking her, not you,” the man said without taking his gaze off Isabela, completely ignoring Sofia. Isabella froze. After so much humiliation, someone was treating her like a human being. Her eyes met his, and for the first time
all afternoon, she felt she could breathe. “I just need to find a place to print some documents,” he whispered. “It’s for the university.”
“It’s very important.” The man nodded understandingly. “Sure. I know a perfect place two blocks from here. May I walk you?” Sofia turned red with indignation. “Listen, who do you think you are to come here?” “I’m someone who knows how to treat people with respect,” he replied, without
turning to look at her, something you obviously
Leave a Reply