James peeked out the door. Something told him the little girl was back again. Sure enough, she was huddled in the corner of the restaurant’s back patio, curled up tight. “Hey, don’t be scared, come here.” The girl stood up and hesitantly approached him. “Hungry?” She nodded. “Stay right here, don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back.” James shut the door and headed to the kitchen. He quickly put together some food and stepped outside. The girl was waiting. “Thank you so much,” she said.
She ate eagerly while James smoked and watched her. She looked about eight years old, tops. It was a mystery why she was out on the streets.
These days, things were supposed to be strict about kids like her—strays were rare. “Where are you from?” The girl stopped chewing and turned to him. “Why do you want to know?” “No need to be scared, just curious.”
She thought for a moment. “I’m from another town. Came here looking for my mom.” “Your mom’s here?” The girl sighed.
“Yeah, she comes here sometimes. She used to visit us, but not often, and we didn’t even have her number. Then my grandma passed away. They were going to take me to a foster home, but I ran away.”
“Don’t get me wrong, my mom’s good. It’s just how things had to be. That’s what she and Grandma always said. Mom doesn’t know Grandma’s gone.”
“How’d you even get here?” “I hid in a mail train car. I’m gonna find her, I know it.” “In a city this big?” James went quiet. He didn’t want to crush her hope, but she nodded confidently.
“I know I’ll find her.” He sighed. “I’m working every other day now. Come back around this time, and I’ll get you some food.”
“Thank you so much. If I haven’t found my mom yet, I’ll come back.” Truth be told, James hoped she wouldn’t show up again—hoped she’d find her mom. But he was a grown man and knew the odds. A kid like her finding one person in a city this huge? Impossible.
That evening, she was back in her corner. The restaurant was hosting a banquet, and James barely had time to breathe. One of the waiters called out sick, so the rest had to hustle double-time.
The owner, Michael, loomed over them like a hawk. James only managed to slip outside once, quickly handing the girl a bag of food.
“Sorry, can’t chat today—swamped with work.” She smiled. “I saw through the window, looks like a big party in there.”
“Good eye. Gotta run.” “Thank you,” she called after him.
She kept coming back for nearly a month. James tried to convince her to go to the police. “Look, you might stay in a foster home for a bit, but they’ll find your mom, and she’ll come get you.” But Sophie shook her head stubbornly.
“I’ll find her myself. I know I will.” He looked at the kid with a pang of sadness. So young, yet so determined.
One morning, Michael gathered everyone in his office. “This weekend, our restaurant’s hosting a wedding for Andrew Thompson. I’m sure you all know who he is.”
“His bank’s a household name around here. I want you to give it everything you’ve got—and I mean everyone, not just the chefs. First, do a full inspection of all furniture, counters, and sound systems.”
“Everything needs to be perfect. So perfect that no one can find a speck of dust or a single scratch.” It was a tense week.
The day before the wedding, James saw Sophie again. “I won’t be able to come out tomorrow. Or maybe really late.”
“We’re hosting a big-shot’s wedding, so you get the picture.” Sophie nodded. “Of course.”
“Can I wait around? I don’t really have anywhere to go. The place I was crashing at got locked up. Gotta find somewhere new.”
“Sophie.” “No, I’ll find my mom. I know what you’re gonna say.”
“Alright, your call.” Andrew Thompson was a big deal in the city, and beyond. His bank was thriving, expanding fast.
Sure, some whispered that his wealth came from shady deals, but they kept it quiet. Nobody wanted trouble. Andrew had a reputation for being fair but ruthless.
When word got out about his wedding, the city was stunned. First, the guy was forty-three and had never been married—odd for someone like him. Everyone assumed he’d stay a bachelor forever.
Second, you’d expect a guy like him to pick some young, glamorous model. There were always women around him—lips plumped, figures sculpted, some barely eighteen. But Andrew chose a woman no one had heard of, already in her thirties.
It was a shock. Sure, she was beautiful, but that was it. No flashy curves, no trendy age, no heavy makeup.
Just… plain, in a way. When the scorned hopefuls tried digging into her past, they hit a wall. No one knew who she was or where she came from.
That sparked all kinds of theories. Some even tried badmouthing her to Andrew, but those people vanished from his circle. Michael was on edge.
Everything seemed ready, but he couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. What if they’d missed some tiny detail? Thompson wasn’t the type to let mistakes slide. “James.”
“Yes, Mr. Wilson.” “You double-checked the dishes, the glasses, the spares?” “Yes, sir, all checked. Don’t worry.” “You better be sure.”
Michael pointed a finger at him before turning to grill someone else about the drinks. James sighed. He got why the boss was stressed.
They were all on edge. Triple pay for the day made it worth it, but it didn’t calm the nerves.
The wedding kicked off smoothly. The emcee cracked jokes, kept the vibe light, and the waitstaff zipped around. Michael started to relax.
Everything was going fine. Guests were eating, drinking, enjoying themselves. Surprisingly, there were only about fifty people invited.
You’d expect a guy like Thompson to have a three-hundred-person blowout, but no. Just his inner circle, apparently. That worked in Michael’s favor—his restaurant could only handle a hundred max.
He sighed, scanning the room. Everything sparkled, flawless. The newlyweds stepped out for their first dance.
And honestly, the bride was stunning. At first glance, she seemed ordinary, but up close—soft, beautiful, with a shy gaze.
The kind of woman you dream about but rarely meet. As the music started, Michael turned to head to his office, then froze. His stomach dropped. There, weaving through the guests, was that little street kid.
She was the one who kept hanging around the patio. Someone on staff—probably James—had been sneaking her food. But what was she doing inside? Her ragged appearance had no place in a venue like this.
He rushed toward her. She spotted him and bolted. This was a disaster.
He had to catch her and get her out before anyone noticed. Michael scanned the room, baffled at how she’d vanished. Maybe she’d slipped outside? He’d find out who let her in and fire them on the spot.
He glanced at the dancing couple. Wait—no! The kid was darting across the room toward them. Guests froze, watching in confusion.
The girl reached the bride, tugged at her veil. It fell, and the woman turned, bewildered. “Mom! Mommy!” “Sophie?!” The bride scooped up the dirty kid. Andrew stared, horrified.
“What is this? What’s going on?” The bride turned to him. “I’m sorry, Andrew, this is my daughter. I didn’t tell you about her because I thought you wouldn’t want me if you knew.”
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Sophie’s voice cut through it. “Mom, Grandma died. I didn’t know when you’d come back, so I came to find you. I knew I’d find you.” “Died?” Tears streamed down the woman’s face as she clutched her daughter.
“I’m so sorry, Sophie.” She started toward the exit, holding the girl. Guests parted silently.
“Emma.” Andrew’s voice boomed, making everyone flinch. She stopped, not turning.
He walked up to her. The room held its breath. “You think you can just walk out like that?” Emma faced him, eyes brimming, lip trembling.
“Andrew, I’m so sorry. You know how much I love you. When we met, I didn’t mention her because I didn’t think we’d get this far. Then… it felt too late.”
“You’d have thought I was hiding her on purpose. I visited them whenever I could, I swear. Always.” “And when were you going to tell me?” Emma shrugged.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry.” She moved to leave, but Andrew took her arm and led her to Michael’s office. Michael, still reeling, opened the door.
Andrew glanced at him. “Keep the guests entertained.” “Yes, sir, on it.”
Sophie looked at the stern man. “Don’t be mad at my mom. She’s really good, I promise.” He gave a faint smirk and looked at Emma.
“What am I supposed to do with you?” Emma cried softly. “Andrew, I know I messed up. I let you down. I shouldn’t have started this. God, and Grandma… it’s all my fault.”
He sat on the edge of the desk, silent. Emma looked up. “Want me to go out there, tell everyone it’s my fault, that I’m the awful one who—” “Why?” “They’ll talk about you.” Andrew snorted.
“When have I ever cared what people say?” He studied Sophie, then Emma. He crouched down to the girl’s level.
“Well, brave little traveler, let’s get to know each other. I’m Andrew.” “Sophie.”
“How long have you been here, Sophie?” “A month and eleven days.” He raised an eyebrow. “What’d you eat? Where’d you sleep?” “Slept in basements. James fed me.”
“He’s a waiter here.” Emma sobbed, pulling her daughter closer. “Mom, you’re squishing me.”
Andrew stood. “Emma, by all rights, I should kick you out or worse. But I can’t. For the first time in my life, I’m in love.”
“I didn’t tell you—didn’t want to scare you off or make you rethink marrying me—but I can’t have kids. You did a rotten thing, but if you’re okay with it, I’d like to try being a dad. Maybe I won’t be half bad.”
Emma stared at him, silent for a moment. “Andrew, you’re forgiving me?” “You didn’t abandon her completely. That’s something.”
She broke down, and Andrew wrapped his arms around both of them. “Enough crying. A bride with a red nose isn’t exactly a great look.”
He opened the door. “Get me the owner.” A shaken Michael appeared moments later.
“Get someone to help. This little one needs to be cleaned up, dressed, and brought back to us fast.” “Yes, sir, I’ll handle it.” Michael started to run off, mentally sorting through who could handle the task.
Andrew stopped him. “And get me that waiter, James.” James had seen it all and figured his job was done for.
So when he was called to the boss’s office, he wasn’t surprised. But it wasn’t Michael waiting. “Thank you, kid.”
“People like you are rare these days. Why are you waiting tables instead of studying?” James shrugged. “Can’t right now.”
“My mom’s sick, and it’s tough on my dad alone.” “Got it. Go on, we’ll talk later.”
An hour later, a waitress led Sophie back through the hall. She was scrubbed clean, hair neatly braided, wearing a fluffy pink dress and matching shoes.
Andrew grinned. “Wow, what a transformation. Sit down, Sophie.”
“Your spot’s with us now.” Emma’s eyes welled up again, but Andrew pointed at her nose. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Yeah, red noses aren’t a great look.” A week later, on James’s day off, the doorbell rang. He opened it to find Sophie, Andrew, and some others.
They took his mom to a private hospital. Andrew said, “Quit your job and go to school.”
“I’ll cover your family so you don’t have to worry. And take these.” He handed over keys to a country house.
“I don’t use it, so it’s yours. Your mom’ll need fresh air after treatment. It’ll be good for you all.” Andrew turned to leave.
“Kid, don’t ever change. The world needs more people like you. That kind of heart can’t be taught.”
He took Sophie’s hand. She smiled at James, and they left. James sank onto a chair, stunned.
So much for the ruthless Andrew Thompson.
