The heavy traffic of the city blared loudly, but Mia kept her head down. She carried her woven basket of flowers tightly against her chest.
Mia: Fresh roses. Five dollars a bunch.
Pedestrian: No thank you. I am late for a meeting.
Mia: Have a nice day, sir.
Mia adjusted her faded, rustic jacket. She walked past the towering glass doors of a modern office building, stopping near a sleek black luxury car.
Inside the car, Clara sat in the back seat. She was a wealthy woman in a sharp gray suit, reviewing a stack of corporate legal files.
Arthur: Madam, the board meeting starts in fifteen minutes.
Clara: I know, Arthur. Just give me a moment to read this settlement offer.
Arthur: The CEO of the rival firm is getting impatient.
Clara: Let him wait. My family business comes first.
Clara sighed and looked out the tinted window. Her eyes landed on the young girl standing on the sidewalk in worn-out clothing.
Clara: Who is that girl?
Arthur: Just a street vendor, madam. Do you want me to ask her to move?
Clara: No. Look at her neck.
Arthur: I don't see anything unusual.
Clara: The necklace, Arthur. The silver heart.
Clara dropped her legal files on the leather seat. Her hands began to shake uncontrollably. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
Arthur: Madam? Are you alright? You look pale.
Clara: Unlock the doors. Right now.
Arthur: We really need to get inside the building.
Clara: Unlock the doors!
Clara pushed the heavy car door open and rushed out onto the crowded sidewalk. She ran straight toward the girl.
Mia: Oh! I am sorry, ma'am. Did I scratch your luxury car?
Clara: No, no. Let me look at you.
Mia: Ma'am, you are scaring me.
Clara reached out, her hands trembling violently. She grabbed the girl's hands with a desperate urgency.
Clara: Where did you get that necklace?