“Thank you.”
Mama gave her a warm smile. “It is not the size that matters, my daughter. It is the love inside. And you, you have a heart of gold.”
Mireille smiled shyly. She served the food she had bought earlier. The two of them ate quietly.
Then suddenly, Mama sighed and looked at Mireille carefully. “My daughter, I have to tell you something.”
Mireille looked up curiously. “What is it, Mama?”
“In truth, I came to town to look for a wife for my son.”
Mireille’s eyes widened. “Your son?”
Mama nodded. “Yes. He is a good man, hardworking and respectful. But he is not married yet, and I’m afraid he may never be if he stays so reserved.”
Mireille smiled a little awkwardly. “That is every mother’s worry. He will find a woman at the right time.”
But Mama gently took her hands. “Yes, my daughter. That is exactly why I want it to be you.”
Mireille opened her eyes wide. “Me?”
“Yes, you. From the moment I met you, I knew you were different. You are kind, respectful, brave. You would make a beautiful wife for my son.”
Mireille was speechless. She had not seen this proposal coming at all. She looked at Mama, who was staring at her with softness and hope.
After a few seconds, she answered, “All right, Mama, but I must see him first. I cannot accept a marriage without knowing your son.”
Mama burst out laughing. “You are right, my daughter. But let me warn you, he has no money. He is not rich. But he is hardworking, brilliant, and very handsome.”
Mireille laughed softly. “Mama, stop selling your son as if he were in the market. Let me see him first.”
Mama laughed, filled with joy. Mireille smiled too. She did not know what to expect, but she was curious.
Just then, Mireille’s phone rang. An unknown number. She hesitated, then answered.
“Hello?”
A deep male voice replied, “Good evening. Is this Mireille?”
“Yes, speaking.”
“This is Cyril, the director of the company where you worked… until today.”
Mireille’s heart skipped a beat. She had never met the CEO in person. When she had been hired, it had been over the phone; he had been traveling. She took a deep breath.
“Good evening, sir.”
But Cyril was not in the mood for politeness.
“How dare you bring strangers into my company and attack my fiancée with your street friends? Who gave you that right?”
Mireille was stunned. “That is not what happened, sir. I swear. I did not bring anyone. I only helped an old woman who had nowhere to go. She was sitting calmly, bothering no one. But your fiancée insulted her and drove her out.”
“So now you’re implying that Émilie is lying?” Cyril growled.
“I am simply telling the truth. I only defended an old woman.”
There was silence on the line. Then Cyril said coldly, “You should have called me. You should have waited for me to come back to deal with it.”
Mireille frowned. “Sir, you were away, and I did not think helping an old woman required permission. Would you have preferred that I let your fiancée humiliate her without doing anything?”
But Cyril ignored her remark. “You are new here, barely two days, and you are already creating problems. That is not professional. Émilie told me she would leave me if I do not fire you, and I cannot lose my fiancée over an employee I do not even know.”
A pain shot through Mireille’s chest. She understood everything. He did not believe her. He preferred to believe a lie.
She let out a bitter laugh. “I’m not surprised. That is exactly what I expected from you.”
“What do you mean?” Cyril asked tensely.
“That you are a weak man. A man who lets a woman make his decisions. A real follower.”
“What did you say?”
“You heard me well. And guess what? I do not care. Keep your job. I do not want it anymore.”
She hung up.
Mireille set her phone down and took a deep breath. She was angry, but deep inside, she felt free.
Mama, who had watched everything, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “My child, who was that?”
“It was my boss. He fired me.”
Mama’s eyes widened in distress. “Because of me?”
“Yes. Émilie lied to him. She said I brought people to beat her, and he chose to believe her.”
Mama lowered her eyes in shame. “I am sorry, my daughter. I am the cause of all this.”
Mireille took her hand. “No, Mama, do not say that. If I lost my job for defending you, then I have no regrets. I will find another job.”
Mama nodded, her eyes shining. “May heaven bless you, my daughter. You will never lack anything in life.”
Mireille smiled, but in her heart, she knew she had to find work again quickly. She had bills to pay, and now she also had to take care of Mama.
Mireille and Mama stayed silent after the call. Mireille was thinking about her next step, while Mama seemed lost in thought.
Everything was calm until Mama’s phone began to ring.
Mireille turned her head in surprise. She had never really paid attention to Mama’s phone before, but now that it was vibrating on the little wooden stool, she saw it clearly: it was a brand-new phone, an expensive model, far too expensive for a woman who, just a day earlier, had said she came from the village with nothing.
Mama answered calmly, without nervousness. A man’s voice could be heard through the speaker, deep and respectful, calling her tenderly “Mama.” He said he had just returned from a trip, that he was not feeling well, and that he wanted to see her. He sounded tired.
Mama immediately changed tone, more motherly, more worried. “My son, rest. I will come tomorrow morning. Sleep well.”
She hung up and slowly placed the phone on her lap.
Mireille, who had observed everything, hesitated, then asked, “Was that your son?”
“Yes, my daughter. He returned today. He is a little unwell and asked me to come see him.”
“Mama, I will come with you.”
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