After saving a lost girl, she loses her job. But the very next day, the person who appears at her door changes her life forever.

Camila had been on her feet serving tables for over six hours without stopping. The restaurant was packed. It was Sunday, and people kept arriving nonstop—families with children, couples celebrating something, older women complaining about cold coffee, teenagers changing their orders again and again. Camila’s legs were numb. She had barely drunk a glass of water all day, the air conditioning was struggling, her face shiny from sweat, and her white blouse had a salsa stain she hadn’t had time to remove.

But she kept going, wearing a smile that wasn’t really hers anymore, repeating over and over, “Can I offer you anything else?” as if she cared. While carrying two plates of enchiladas to a back table, she heard a cry that came from nowhere in particular. It was sharp, desperate. A little girl about five or six years old was standing near the bar, her face red, eyes full of tears, hair tousled. No one was with her. Camila looked around.

The waiters were passing by without paying attention. Some customers saw her, but no one did anything. The girl looked lost. Camila didn’t hesitate. She left the plates at the nearest table, crouched down beside the girl, and gently asked her what her name was and where her dad was.

The girl stammered, barely able to speak from the fright. She only kept saying her name was Sofi and that she had gone to the bathroom with her dad, but when she came out, he was gone. She had a pink bow hanging from her ponytail and a white dress stained with chocolate. Camila offered her hand, but Sofi didn’t move. She was trembling. One of the supervisors came by and shot a quick look at them.

She made a gesture with her eyebrow as if saying, “And what are you doing there?” but she didn’t stop. Camila tried to soothe the girl and took her to the cash register where the cameras were. She asked the cashier to announce over the loudspeaker that a minor was lost.

The man grimaced as if he had no time for that but finally agreed. Sofi’s name was announced twice over the restaurant’s speakers as Camila hugged her, trying to calm her down. Three minutes passed, then five. Camila didn’t know what more to say to distract her. She offered a glass of water and wiped her tears with a napkin.

Then appeared a man in a suit, desperate, with disheveled hair and his tie out of place. His face was pale, eyes red. When he saw the girl, he ran to her and scooped her up immediately. Sofi cried again, but this time from relief. Camila stepped aside. The man muttered a choking “thank you,” explaining he had gone into the men’s bathroom with the girl but she had left early. He thought he was waiting outside and when he came out, she was gone. He searched everywhere, shouted her name, and when he couldn’t find her, he thought the worst. He said he couldn’t thank her enough, that he wouldn’t forget her.

Camila shrugged. She didn’t do it for thanks; she couldn’t stand seeing a crying girl without helping. She returned to her station knowing she’d gone over the permitted time. The first thing she received was the death glare from Leticia, the head waitress. Camila tried to explain herself, but Leticia didn’t want to listen. She snapped that she couldn’t disappear from her station, that she’d made two tables wait, and that she had to be professional. Camila, with sweaty hands and her heart still racing, told her she didn’t disappear—they helped a girl.

Leticia wasn’t moved at all. She left with a grimace, saying they would talk later. The next day, she was called to the manager’s office. They handed her an envelope with her final paycheck. The same old speech: “This isn’t personal. You were a good worker. Sometimes there are tough decisions.” Camila said nothing. She had a lump in her throat, but she was determined not to cry.

She slowly went to her locker, changed her clothes, and left with her backpack on one shoulder, her wrinkled uniform in a plastic bag, and her worn sneakers dragging the floor. The sun blinded her slightly as she stepped outside.

She sat on a bench at the bus stop, looked at her phone. No calls, no job offers, no messages. Her balance was empty. Her rent was unpaid again, and she had no idea how she was going to fill her fridge. She closed her eyes for a moment. She wanted to scream, but held it back.

As the bus approached, she thought of Sofi, her scared face, how she clung to her neck while crying. She thought about her reflection in the dirty glass of the restaurant. Dark circles, unpainted nails, her raw voice from talking all day. She thought of her mother, who always told her that doing the right thing doesn’t always bring rewards—sometimes not even peace.

The bus arrived, Camila got on, and sat in the very back, resting her forehead against the glass. The streets passed by as if nothing mattered, as if the world kept turning while she felt the ground slide away beneath her. Unknown to her, somewhere in the city, someone was thinking of her with great intensity, that decision she made without thinking, without expecting anything in return, was about to wake sleeping things up, and in a few days, her life would look nothing like it did now.

Camila woke up to the honking of a passing truck. She had slept badly. Again, she dreamed she was late for work, couldn’t find her uniform, and Leticia was yelling at her while everyone watched. She shot up from bed, only to remember she no longer had a job. The room was silent.

The light barely entered through the crooked window overlooking a yard full of dried pots. She sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the floor. An emptiness-like feeling churned in her stomach. It wasn’t hunger—it was something heavier, like a weight lodged inside her chest. That same day, she went to applications—walked along unfamiliar avenues.

She entered restaurants, cafes, small eateries, even a beauty salon. All initially treated her well, but once she mentioned she only worked as a waitress, hadn’t finished high school, they said they’d call her. No one did. The next day, she repeated the process. Her feet hurt, a blister on her right heel. She walked more than three hours without eating, saving her last pesos for the bus fare home.

That night, she cooked rice with an egg and ate slowly, as if doing it more slowly made her feel less alone. Her room was small, with a single bed, a nightstand with a lamp without a bulb, a plastic chair she used as a coat rack, and an old TV that only picked up two channels. There were a few pictures on the wall with her mom, but they hadn’t spoken well in a long time. Her mom had moved in with another man in another neighborhood, and they hardly saw each other.

Sometimes she sent messages, but Camila didn’t always answer. She didn’t want to worry her, but she also didn’t want to get scolded. She was grown. She was supposed to handle her life, even if it didn’t seem like it sometimes. A week after leaving the restaurant, she started counting coins in a jar. It lasted her four more days, then she sold a bag someone had given her, some shoes she no longer used, and a couple of textbooks.

With that, she bought a packet of soup, some toilet paper, and a liter of milk. Not much, but at least she wouldn’t run out. She sat down to fill out more applications on her phone, but the screen was cracked and her Wi-Fi no longer worked. One afternoon, with nothing planned but to wait, she decided to clean her room. She dusted corners, packed away useless stuff, washed the floor, and put on music softly to save battery. While scrubbing in a corner behind the bed, she found a 10 peso coin, looked at it as if it were a bill, wiped it with her shirt, and kept it.

Now she had enough for a simple sandwich at the nearby bakery. One evening, feeling particularly lonely, she visited her Aunt Mariana, who lived three blocks away. Mariana had always been good to her, even if she sometimes overshared. When she arrived, her aunt greeted her with surprise.

She asked what was wrong, why she wasn’t working, if she was sick. Camila told her everything over coffee with bread. Mariana told her that if she wanted, she could help sell jellies on weekends. Camila accepted without thinking. It wasn’t her dream job, but it was something. That very night, as she arranged molds in her aunt’s kitchen, she remembered her boss’s words.

It’s not personal. Camila thought about how, for them, it wasn’t personal—but for her, it was. Not having a job was no break; it was a constant anguish. Sometimes she woke up eager to do things, and within ten minutes, she felt drained without having done anything—like just existing was draining her energy.

One Saturday afternoon selling jellies at the park, a woman asked if she had children. Camila nervously laughed and said no. The woman commented that she had a good face for motherhood. Camila kept that phrase stuck all day. She thought of Sofi, her trembling face, how she clung to her without really knowing her.

That image haunted her at times, like a beautiful memory amidst gray days, something she couldn’t forget. That night, as she bathed with cold water (since the gas ran out), she thought she had to find another way out. She didn’t want to live her whole life like this. She didn’t seek luxuries, fame, or new cars. She just wanted a job that wouldn’t always leave her at the edge of nothingness.

She dreamed of a place where she’d be treated well, where she wouldn’t feel less, where she could breathe without fear of messing up. The next Sunday morning, her phone vibrated. An unknown number. She didn’t answer, scared it might be some scam or wrong number. Then she saw the message: “Hello, are you Camila?” I’m Julián Herrera. Sofi’s father. I need to talk to you. Can I come to your house?

Camila stared at the message for several seconds, unsure how to react. She didn’t know if she should answer or be excited or worried. The only thing she knew was that she wasn’t expecting that. Not now, not amidst so much chaos. She put the phone away, took a deep breath, and felt a strange mix of fear, curiosity, and hope.

She didn’t respond immediately. She looked at the sender’s name as if it was a mistake. Julián Herrera, Sofi’s dad. She remembered him well. Expensive suit, fine watch, firm voice, kind eyes.

How did he get her number? Why now? What did he mean he needed to come to her house? Something just felt off. She thought maybe it was a mistake, that perhaps the message was meant for someone else named Camila, but it wasn’t. She read it three more times, trying to find some clue. Then she locked her phone and went to make coffee, though she didn’t feel like drinking.

After two hours and no reply, she forced herself to respond: “Hi, yes, it’s me. I’m home.” She didn’t write anything else, not knowing what more to say. Not sure if it was wise to reply, but something within told her this conversation could change her course or at least give her a moment’s break from searching and counting coins.

No more than five minutes later, her phone vibrated again. “I’m coming over. Is that okay?” Camila quickly ran to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and saw she was disheveled, with messy hair, a stained t-shirt, and puffy eyes. No makeup, no fancy clothes, no desire to look nice—yet she washed her face, quickly tidied up, and put on a simple blouse she kept for interviews.

She tried to look presentable but not like she was pretending. She didn’t usually fake anything. She grabbed her backpack, the handwritten address she’d saved, and a metro ticket. No money for taxi or bus, but she was determined.

She left with firm steps, though her insides trembled. The air was cool, and the clouds covered the sun. Her mind repeated what she’d say, how she’d sit, what she’d answer if asked about her experience, whether she should mention the restaurant or just stay quiet. When she arrived at Julián’s address, she paused for a minute outside the building.

It was modern, with glass facades and automatic doors. A receptionist dressed in uniform was at a screen with the company’s logo. Camila swallowed and approached. “Good morning. I have an interview,” she said, trying to sound confident. The receptionist checked her computer. “Camila García. Yes, you’re on the list. Go up to floor 3, office 305. They’re expecting you.”

Camila thanked her, clutching her backpack tightly, and entered the elevator. As she went up, she saw her reflection in the steel walls. She straightened her blouse, took a deep breath, closed her eyes. When the doors opened, she stepped out straight into the hallway. She knocked twice before entering. A friendly voice told her to come in.

Inside was a woman in her forties, serious-looking but not harsh. Her hair was tied back, a necklace with glasses hanging around her neck. She was the HR manager. Her name was Renata. “Camila, right?” she said, flipping through some papers. “Yes, good morning.” “Please, take a seat.” Camila put her bag on the floor and sat upright, hands on her knees.

“Julian told me about you,” Renata said without looking up. “Friends say you’re reliable, that you handled a sensitive situation with his daughter very well.” Camila wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. She nodded silently. “Here, we don’t require many degrees or years of experience. We value attitude more. What can you do?” Camila took a deep breath. This was her chance.

“I can serve customers, listen, solve problems, be punctual, learn quickly, and I don’t mind starting from scratch even if I don’t have experience.” Renata looked at her for the first time. Her eyes were clear but cold—as if evaluating every word carefully.

“Why did you leave your previous job?” I was fired for helping a girl who got lost in the restaurant. I left my station for a few minutes, but it was an emergency. The bosses didn’t like it.” Renata smirked, more mockery than anything else. “I see. Well, here we have your profile. You show initiative, but also discipline. Do you agree?” “Yes, totally.” She closed her papers, stood up, and extended her hand. “Let’s give you a one-week trial. You’ll work with Claudia, the current assistant. She’ll train you on the basics. If you prove you can handle the rhythm, the job is yours.” Camila immediately nodded. “Thank you. I won’t regret it.” “We’ll see,” Renata said with a slight smile and shook her hand. Her skin was soft, but her grip was firm, almost challenge-like.

She said goodbye and left, feeling like she’d run a marathon. She walked down the corridor, took the elevator, and stepped outside with a smile she could barely hide. It wasn’t a final yes but an opportunity—and that was enough.

The following days were intense. Claudia, the current assistant, was kind but strict—explaining how to answer the phone, handle digital files, talk to suppliers, organize material. Camila listened carefully, took notes, asked questions without fear. She made a couple of mistakes, but Claudia didn’t scold her—she just asked her to be more careful. Camila felt good, like at last she was doing something useful.

Renata came by occasionally. Sometimes she greeted her with a nod, other times just observed silently, never with many words. When she did speak, it was always cold, measured. Camila wondered if she disliked her or simply was like that with everyone. Sometimes she felt Renata was testing her, watching her covertly for mistakes. One day, during lunch, they were chatting at the corner store, and Camila finally asked, “Hey, Renata, are you always like this?” Claudia thought a moment, hesitated, as if doubting and then answering softly.

“Sometimes, as serious as if nothing pleases her.” Claudia shrugged. “Renata is smart, she knows her job, but she’s also very territorial about her space. She likes to keep control of everything and everyone—at least that’s the impression. With you, she’s been more direct. I think she does that because Julián trusts you and Renata doesn’t like that.” Camila frowned. She paused a second, then lowered her voice.

“Did you know that Julián and Renata were together for years? Almost married. That’s why… she doesn’t like other women around him. It was a shock when I found out.” Camila froze. Her mind spun. All makes sense now—the weird looks, the subtle comments, the tense atmosphere whenever Julián was nearby. Now she understood why Renata watched her like a threat.

She didn’t know whether to laugh or run. That same afternoon, while organizing folders in the archive, Renata approached her discreetly. “How’s the new system going?” she asked softly, almost menacing. “Almost done, I think. I backed up everything just in case,” Camila replied. “Good. Don’t delete anything, okay? This system doesn’t save backups.”

She felt a shiver down her spine. The next day, Julián, passing through the offices with two partners, stopped to say hello. He looked at Camila with a casual smile. “How’s everything?” she responded politely, pretending nothing was wrong. But Renata watched from her office doorway, clearly scrutinizing them.

They spoke briefly, then Julián left. But Camila sensed the tension wasn’t over. Days passed—the whispers, the stares. One afternoon, she noticed someone left their phone in the copier—her own. It was Renata’s. The screen was unlocked, a message open. She didn’t read it—she just saw her own name. She felt sick.

She took the phone, put it back on Renata’s desk, and left to keep working. But she couldn’t focus. Something was happening. A week later, at the end of the day, Julián called her. “Do you want to have dinner with me and Sofi this weekend?” he asked casually. “Just to relax, no pressure.” Camila hesitated, then nodded. She didn’t want to refuse. She wanted to see Sofi.

But she knew this decision would have consequences. She just didn’t realize how big. The next morning, Renata was waiting at the door when she arrived. No smile, no greeting. “Can I ask you something?” she said directly. Camila nodded. “What are you really after here?”

“Sorry. In this company, what do you seek?” Camila replied calmly, “A job, like everyone.” “Sure, because since you got here, you’re too close to Julián, and that’s not normal.” She took a deep breath. “I’m not doing anything wrong.” “I don’t think so,” Renata said, and turned to walk away. Camila stayed still, unsure if she’d been accused or just misunderstood.

She thought, I need this job, I need to prove myself. She focused on her work, ignoring her growing unease. The week went by—with Renata’s subtle glances, the rumors that started spreading. On Friday evening, before the workday ended, Julián appeared again, in a calmer mood.

He greeted everyone, then approached her. “Are you free tomorrow night?” he asked softly. “No plans. Why?” she answered. “There’s a charity event. Just a quiet gathering—no cameras, no press. Just some people from the company. I wanted to see if you wanted to come.” Camila hesitated. She wasn’t sure if it was a date or just friendly. Curiosity won.

“What should I wear?” she asked. “Just something nice, nothing fancy. I’ll pick you up at seven.” She nodded. He smiled that familiar smile, then left. That night, Camila couldn’t sleep. She tried on her clothes several times, finally choosing a simple dress borrowed from a neighbor. She brushed her hair, applied a little makeup, and prepared to go in the evening.

The place was a big hall, with soft lighting and background music. Elegant tables, flower centerpieces, well-dressed people—like a scene from a movie. At first, she felt out of place—quietly following Julián, trying not to call attention. But he introduced her confidently. “This is Camila, my assistant.”

Some people greeted her politely; others barely looked. She faked confidence, but inside she was nervous. Renata spotted her across the room, perfectly dressed, holding a glass, surrounded by others. She looked at Camila with a quick flicker of disdain, then approached her as if she couldn’t resist.

“Nice to see you here,” she said with a false smile. “Likewise,” responded Camila, forcing a small smile. “I didn’t know you came to these events,” Renata added, as if trying to sound innocent. “But it’s not so common for new employees to be here,” Camila thought, feeling tension rise.

She kept calm. “I was invited.” Renata smiled a little, then lowered her voice. “Be careful where you go and who you trust in this place. People talk—and I know more than you think.” Camila clenched her fists. “And what do you know?” she asked. Renata looked her straight in the eye.

“More than you believe. I know what’s behind the scenes. And I’ll be watching.” Camila wanted to say more, but her heart was pounding. She went to the bathroom to breathe, but her mind kept racing. She looked at herself in the mirror—messy hair, tired eyes, unpainted nails. She looked nothing like the girl who had started there months ago. She remembered her mother’s words: doing the right thing doesn’t always mean winning. Sometimes it’s just surviving.

She went back to the hall, tried to enjoy the night. But her mind was elsewhere. The whispers, the looks, the feeling that someone was always watching. She thought about Sofi’s trembling face and her cling to her neck in tears. About her reflection in the glass, her worn shoes, her empty stomach. She thought about her mother, who said doing the right thing isn’t always rewarded, sometimes it just hurts.

Morning came. Camila woke up early. No sleep, just a heavy feeling in her chest. She washed her face, dressed simply, and waited—anxious, uncertain. Her phone buzzed. A message: “Can I come by?” She hesitated.

She wrote back, “Yes.” Half an hour later, Julián arrived. He looked tired too—wearing a simple shirt, not his usual suit. No smile—just serious. “Can I come in?” he asked softly. She nodded. “Thanks,” he said, and entered. He carried a folder but said nothing. She looked at him.

“I’ve been thinking about you,” he said finally. “Sofi talks about you all the time. She says you’re like an angel, that you’re special to her.” Camila lowered her eyes. She was overwhelmed. “It’s nothing,” she whispered. “Anyone would’ve helped.”

“No, Camila. Not everyone. What you did—pausing to help a girl—I saw that. That means something.” Camila didn’t answer. She felt out of place. She said suddenly, “I got fired yesterday.” Julián looked surprised. “What? Why?” “Because I helped a girl. I left my station for a minute. It was an emergency. They said I abandoned my post.” Julián’s face darkened.

“That’s unfair,” he said. Camila shrugged. “I’ve accepted it already. I cried, I argued, but nothing changed.” Julián looked at her seriously. “I’m here to tell you something—something you deserve to hear. You’re better than this place. You’re worth more.”

Camila was silent. Julián reached into his pocket and handed her a card. “Call me tomorrow. I want to help you find a better job—something that respects you, values you.” Camila took it cautiously. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I won’t let you down.”

He smiled warmly, then left. Camila felt a spark inside her—hope, fear, but also that strange sense that everything might actually be changing. For the first time in weeks, she felt that perhaps something good was about to come. That night, she couldn’t sleep again. Her thoughts spun—about Julián, Sofi, Renata, everything happening around her. She kept thinking of that moment in the park, how everything seemed real but so fragile.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. A message: “Can I see you again?” She paused, then replied, “Yes.” The next day, she got a call from an unknown number. Her heart raced. She answered. “Camila?” a calm voice said. “This is Julián. I need to talk to you. Can I come over?”

She looked at the message, unsure, feeling her stomach twist. She hesitated, then finally replied, “Yes.” She didn’t know what was coming, but she knew her life was about to change again—whether good or bad. And she was ready for it.