Paula was excited about marrying a man who seemed almost perfect in the days leading up to her wedding. While preparing for the wedding, she put her fiancé through one final test to see if their values were truly compatible. Paula, 25, recently completed her studies in the United Kingdom. She was a hardworking woman preparing to take over her parents’ company in the United States. Despite the fact that she knew she needed to ease into the business, she couldn’t wait to put her ideas into action.
She went to work every day as soon as she got home. She was involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. She also started a charity project in her hometown to help the needy. This project satisfied her and kept her in touch with the people in the community who needed the most assistance. Paula’s parents were overjoyed with her accomplishments. They could tell their daughter was enthusiastic about the company and the charity project.
However, they were concerned about her personal life. “We just think it’s time for you to lighten up and start socializing,” Paula’s mother explained. “Relax, mom; I’ll make time eventually. “I want to make sure that all of these projects, especially the charity one, are long-term,” Paula responded. “But we’d like grandchildren,” her father continued, “and the sooner the better.”
“It’s funny you’re both talking about grandchildren when you were never happy with the guys I used to bring home before I left to study,” Paula remarked. “Yes, but those boys weren’t good enough for you; you’re older now, and you have better judgment, so we trust you,” her mother said. Paula assured them that she would look for a partner. “But don’t expect it to happen tomorrow; I need to take care of business first,” she explained.
A week later, Paula was on her way to a meeting across town when she noticed a man feeding a homeless man. She noticed how well he was dressed and treated him with respect. She approached him and introduced herself. “I haven’t seen you around town before,” she said. “My name is Curtis, and I recently relocated here to establish an office for my business,” he explained.
While they were introducing themselves, another beggar approached them and asked for food. Curtis quickly took out a large wad of cash and handed it to the woman. Paula was taken aback; she had never witnessed such generosity before. “How about we meet for lunch when I get back from a meeting today?” she suggested. Paula couldn’t wait to get to know Curtis better after he accepted the invitation.
She was captivated by his generosity, but she wanted to learn everything she could about him. The lunch date was fun. Paula couldn’t recall the last time she had so much fun with someone. Curtis used some of his business profits to support several orphanages and animal shelters. He also claimed to have assisted homeless people. “I never expected to meet someone with such a generous heart,” Paula remarked. “I just think that my success means I have a responsibility to care for those who are less fortunate,” he explained.
Curtis had a crush on Paula. They exchanged phone numbers and communicated every day since their lunch date. Curtis asked her to be his girlfriend officially a week after they met. “Of course,” Paula replied enthusiastically. She also knew that her parents would be overjoyed that she was finally dating someone. Paula and Curtis were together almost every day. Curtis planned lavish dates for her and lavished her with gifts.
Paula appreciated her conversations with Curtis about helping people, despite the fact that the attention and skills were excellent. Paula introduced Curtis to her family six months into their relationship. “He’s incredible. “I hope he marries you soon,” Paula’s mother expressed her hope. “I didn’t think you’d be able to pull it off, Paula. “He’s a great guy,” her father said.
Curtis’ parents inquired about his plans to marry Paula. He agreed and promised to propose as soon as possible. He kept his word and proposed a month later at a dinner he had planned for Paula and her family. Paula said yes, and the wedding planning began almost immediately. Paula had lunch with some of her city friends when the wedding preparations were in full swing. Curtis was seen arguing with a homeless man who was asking for money, according to one of her friends.
Curtis, Paula said, would never do something like that. “He is a generous and charitable man,” she said. Paula drove home, reflecting on what her friend had said at the end of lunch. Curtis would never hurt someone who was in need. She’d seen him be generous to others all the time. She couldn’t get her friend’s story out of her head as the evening progressed.
To put her mind at ease, she contacted every organization Curtis claimed to work with. To her utter surprise, none of the organizations Curtis mentioned had even heard of him. This terrified her. Curtis, she was certain, was a good man. But what if he’s not? The next day, Paula decided to answer her question by dressing up as a homeless person and begging near Curtis’ workplace. She prepared to start begging as she disguised herself and watched her fiancé walk down the street.
She asked Curtis for food and money as soon as he passed her. Curtis, on the other hand, did not even turn around and pay attention to her. He continued on his way. So Paula decided to chase him down and continue to beg for money and food. Curtis turned around angrily and shoved her down. “Get out of my way, you wuss!” he yelled. Another homeless man nearby immediately came to Paula’s aid. He assisted in picking her up and yelled at Curtis for being violent with her.
“Are you okay, Ma’am?” he inquired. He introduced himself as George and advised her to seek assistance whenever she needed it. Paula couldn’t believe what had just occurred to her. She bolted, and as soon as she arrived home, she asked her mother to call off the wedding. When her mother asked what had happened, she immediately told her the entire story. Curtis’s mother decided to run a background check on him.
Curtis did not, in fact, have the wealth he claimed. Worse, he had planned a show with homeless people in order to gain access to Paula and eventually steal her money. The information Paula had received had broken her heart. Instead of attempting to punish Curtis, she chose to move on with her life. She was depressed a lot of the time, but she consoled herself by focusing on bigger issues in the world.
When she got back to work, she remembered the homeless man who had helped her. She went back to find him and assisted him in finding work. George was grateful to Paula for his success in finding work. He returned to her office a year later to thank her. George was unrecognizable. He appeared to be in good health and was grateful to Paula for everything she had done for him.