Richard approached one of his company’s offices, the cold air biting at his skin as he pulled his coat tighter. The past month had been grueling and filled with disappointment.

He had visited every branch of his company, hoping to find someone who still embodied the values he had tried to instill. But each time, he was met with indifference, disdain, or outright rejection.

This branch was his last hope. It was managed by Tom, a young man Richard had mentored since his university days. Richard had poured his knowledge and experience into Tom, guiding him through the business’s ins and outs.

Now, Richard was about to find out whether his efforts had made a difference.

As he walked toward the entrance, his mind wandered to the past. He remembered how, in the past, his visits had been grand affairs. The staff would line up to greet him with champagne and warm smiles, eager to impress the company’s wealthy owner.

“Watch where you’re going, you bum!” the man spat before disappearing into the building.

Richard didn’t respond. Over the past month, he had grown used to such insults because now, he was just Richie, a homeless man looking for a bit of warmth and kindness.

Disguised as someone who had fallen on hard times, he had been denied entry to every office he visited. This time, he prayed it would be different.

Steeling himself, Richard entered the office and approached the security guard, hoping this time would be different.

The guard looked Richard up and down with a scowl. “What do you want, bum?” he asked harshly.

Richard, keeping his voice steady, said, “I just need to warm up and maybe get something to eat.”

The guard shook his head. “This isn’t a homeless shelter. You need to get out of here. Now.”

Richard stayed calm. “I’m only asking for some food. Can you call Tom? I think he would help me.”

The guard laughed bitterly. “Tom? He’ll throw you out the second he sees you.”

“Please,” Richard said softly, hoping for a small act of kindness.

The guard sighed heavily, rolling his eyes as if the task was beneath him, and finally called Tom. While waiting, Richard glanced at the comfortable-looking couch nearby and thought about sitting down.

Just as he moved toward it, the guard barked, “Don’t even think about it. Stay where you are.”

Richard nodded, stepping back to his spot. Moments later, a young woman walked into the building. She greeted the guard with a friendly smile and was about to head toward the elevator when her eyes fell on Richard. She paused, taking in his worn appearance, and her expression softened.

The woman paused, concern in her eyes. “Sir, are you alright? Do you need help?”

Richard hesitated. “I just need to warm up, maybe get something to eat, and some water if possible.”

She quickly handed him a bottle of water. “Here, take this. Let me take you to the office. We have food there.”

Richard looked at the bottle. “But it’s your water,” he said.

“It’s no problem,” she reassured him. “Please, come with me.”

As Richard moved, the guard stepped in. “Tom said not to let anyone in without his permission.”

“Richie.”

“Richie just wants to eat,” she repeated.

The guard crossed his arms. “Tom’s coming down now. Until then, this bum isn’t going anywhere.”

Before the guard could respond, the elevator doors opened, and Tom stepped out, irritated. “What’s going on here?” he demanded.

Richard spoke calmly, “Good afternoon, sir. I just wanted to warm up and have something to eat.”

Tom’s face twisted with disdain. “Do I look like a volunteer? Get out of here! Now! You’re ruining the company’s reputation. What if a client sees a bum in the office?”

The woman tried to reason. “But Tom, he just wants to eat.”

Tom turned on her sharply. “And what’s it to you, Lindsay? You’re just an assistant! Go back to work!”

Without waiting for a response, Tom barked at the guard. “Get him out. And you,” he pointed at the woman, “follow me.”

As she passed by Richard, she whispered quickly, “Go to the back entrance. I’ll take you to lunch.”

Richard barely had time to nod before the guard grabbed him by the elbow and roughly shoved him toward the door, throwing him out onto the cold street without a second thought.

Richard approached the back entrance, shivering slightly from the cold. After a few minutes, the same woman who had helped him earlier came out, carrying a warm smile.

“Let’s go. There’s a nice little restaurant nearby. It’s nothing fancy, but the food is really good,” she said, nodding toward the street.

Richard followed her, grateful for her kindness. “I don’t even know how to thank you. Lindsay, right?” he asked, trying to remember her name.

She smiled, shaking her head. “My name is actually Nancy. Tom never gets it right. He gives me a new name every day. I guess he thinks it’s easier that way. But really, there’s no need to thank me. It’s the least I can do.”