Mikhail gazed thoughtfully at the monitor screen. His restaurant had only just turned one month old, and he couldn’t yet afford to hire professional security or a security service. Of course, he fully understood that employees sometimes take too much—some more, some less. The reasons were different for everyone. But he couldn’t allow it to somehow affect his business.
For the opening of the restaurant, Mikhail had been saving money for many years. And now, when everything was going even better than he had planned, he watched as the dishwasher left the restaurant carrying a large bag. And, after all, the cameras had only been installed three days ago. That meant she must have been carrying something for a whole month. He decisively got up from his chair. Theft needed to be stopped immediately. Strange, of course: the girl was very young, and her appearance didn’t at all give the impression of someone capable of such a thing. But, apparently, she concealed her true self very well.
In half an hour the restaurant would close. The dishwasher and the administrator would be the last to leave. By the way, the dishwasher exited through a different door, which the administrator then locked. That door couldn’t be opened from the outside, which is why the administrator knew nothing. He simply didn’t see her off. Everything was working out conveniently for the dishwasher.
He would just have enough time.
Mikhail lived literally three intersections away from his restaurant—a five-minute drive by car. Pulling up, he turned off his headlights and started waiting. At any moment, that very dishwasher should appear.
Valya carefully adjusted the baby bonnet.
“—Well, that’s it for today. My girl behaved well. Hang in there a little. Now Mom will just come in a bit and get you out.”
Valya checked her bag once more. The air holes cut in the fabric were unobstructed, so Angelina should be comfortable. Half an hour ago, Valya had fed her, so the baby would be sound asleep. She fully realized that what she was doing wasn’t right. If anyone found out, her child might be taken away. But she had no other choice.
Valya’s milk had run out immediately after giving birth, and formula cost so much that the child benefits lasted only for a week. And the diapers, the utilities… The girl didn’t know what to do. Then she learned about staffing for the new restaurant. When she came for the interview, she hadn’t yet imagined how she would combine work with caring for a child. She really needed a job, but her neighbor could only watch over Gelya twice a week. In return, Valya cleaned her apartment.
When Valentina saw the place where she was to work and realized that for now there would be only one dishwasher, a plan formed in her head. It seemed so crazy and risky that Valya was even at a loss. But then she decided to try.
Angelina was only a month old when Valya brought her to work for the first time. The baby turned out to be surprisingly calm—quietly lying and sleeping in the storeroom where the dishware was kept. There was plenty of space, light, and cleanliness, which Valya diligently maintained.
Valya had been without parents since childhood. She had lived with her grandmother, who was of a romantic nature. Matters like housekeeping did not interest the old woman at all. Since she was ten, Valya had handled all the household chores herself.
Andrey conquered her at first sight. She didn’t just fall in love—she went mad. With her grandmother gone for a year, the girl immediately suggested that Andrey move in with her. He agreed, but as soon as he learned about her pregnancy, he vanished, taking all the valuables from the apartment.
Valya didn’t go to the police. She was so ashamed that she tried not to go out at all. She almost managed, and everything might have been fine if those people hadn’t come to her. They demanded that she sell the apartment. When Valya refused, they threatened that an “accident” might happen to her, and her child would be left orphaned. That very day, the milk disappeared. Completely. It was then that Valya realized that real trials were beginning.
Work became her salvation. She was paid every week, and she no longer had to worry about food. But she tried not to think about what would happen when Angelina turned three or four months old. She considered herself strong and smart, but lately she had begun to doubt.
Valya carefully set her bag down, closed the door, turned, and came face-to-face with the restaurant owner.
“—Oops!”
“—Oops,” he imitated. “Show me what you’re carrying in that bag. With volumes like that, no restaurant could survive theft.”
Valya blocked the bag with her body.
“—I have never stolen anything. Aren’t you ashamed?”
“—Should I be ashamed? What about you?” he laughed, but quickly became serious. “Show me what’s in the bag, or I’ll call the police.”
Valya sighed. There was nothing to be done, especially as Angelina started moving around in the bag. She squatted and opened it. Mikhail gasped.
“—A child? Where from? Is this yours? Do you work with a child?”
Valya took Angelina into her arms.
“—Am I fired?”
“—Wait, what do you mean by that right away… Let me give you a ride. Do you live far?”
“—No, just around the corner.”
“—Then I’ll walk you home. Now, hand over that cursed bag.”
Mikhail fully understood that Valya wasn’t taking her child to work because she had a good life. He himself had gone through a difficult childhood with alcoholic parents. If he hadn’t been taken away from them, who knows, maybe he would have turned out the same.
They reached her home, but Misha didn’t hurry to leave. He went up with Valya to the required floor, and when she looked at him meaningfully, he said:
“—I’d like a cup of tea.”
Valya shrugged. She wasn’t stingy with tea. She changed Angelina’s clothes, made a little formula just enough for her to fall asleep. Then she went to the kitchen, where Mikhail was already brewing tea. He looked at her cheerfully.
“—I did a little housekeeping here.”
Valya sat down and felt how exhausted she was—not physically, but emotionally. All those months of tension: will they find out or not, will they fire her or not. She hardly noticed when she suddenly burst into tears, not knowing what to do next.
Misha sat opposite her, moving her mug closer.
“—Now, tell me everything.”
“What?” she asked in surprise.
“—Everything from the very beginning: your birth, your schooling, and so on, in order.”
Valya began to speak. She talked, sometimes sipping tea. As she spoke, she realized how unhappy she was. Everything in her life was not like that of others. Everything was full of obstacles. And why? She didn’t know the answer.
Misha, while she was talking, wasn’t looking at her. He himself felt like crying because he had experienced the injustice of life in full measure.
“—So, here’s what. Sit at home for a couple of days. I’ll call someone. In two days, we’ll figure something out.”
“For us?” Valya asked.
“—I can’t just leave you in this situation. Especially since you washed the dishes perfectly well,” he smiled. “Alright, I’m off. Good night.”
Mikhail quickly got up and left, leaving Valya in bewilderment. She didn’t even have time to thank him. Sitting a while longer at the table, she stood up to lock the door. In the hallway, her gaze fell on a small table where several large banknotes lay. Valya leaned against the wall and started crying again.
The next day, she had to exchange one of the banknotes. Angelina’s temperature had risen. The doctor who was called prescribed medicine and vitamins. The young mother, while her daughter slept, quickly dashed to the pharmacy. Fortunately, she only had to cross the road to the neighboring building.
Returning home, she barely closed the door when it rang. Her heart began to pound. She assumed it was Mikhail. Quickly glancing in the mirror, Valya flung open the door, but immediately tried to shut it when she saw a young man smirking brazenly.
“—Hi, lonely mom. So this is how you welcome guests?”
He pushed her aside and entered the apartment. Two others followed him—a man and a woman. They confidently settled at the table as if at home. The woman began spreading out some papers.
“—So, have you thought it over?”
“—I have thought about it. Get out, or I’ll call the police.”
“Oh, oh, go ahead and call, but keep in mind: with the police, you’re signing your own death sentence. Think about the child.”
Valya gasped in indignation.
“—Who are you, and what do you want? I am not selling any apartment!”
“You will.” The longer you resist, the cheaper the apartment will be for you. Decide quickly before you lose everything.”
The young man stated an amount. Valya laughed involuntarily, though she was very frightened.
“—You’re joking? That’s the price of a bathroom.”
He smirked.
“In a couple of days, you’ll agree, only to get even less.”
“—Get out! I’m not going to sell anything.”
He stepped toward her, but suddenly jumped strangely and collapsed to the floor. Behind him stood Mikhail. He turned to the remaining “guests.”
“—Does anyone else need to be told that the apartment is not for sale?”
The “guests” quickly disappeared, and Mikhail turned to Valya.
“—Why didn’t you tell me anything about them?”
“I didn’t know they would come again,” she whispered, looking frightened.
Her vulnerability tugged at his heart. So fragile, so tender…
“—Get ready.”
“—For where?”
“—For where you need to go.”
His harsh tone made Valya burst into tears.
“—I’m sorry. You’ll come with me. I’m hardly home anyway, so it’ll be safer for you. God knows what those bastards will throw out next.”
Valya obediently went to pack her things. In 15 minutes, they were leaving the apartment. A neighbor peered out onto the platform.
“—Val, did your daddy show up? So now I don’t have to babysit Angelina, and you won’t have to clean anymore?”
Mikhail smiled affectionately, yet with a clear threat, revealing his pearly white teeth.
“—Exactly, well spotted. Thanks for your help.”
The neighbor slammed the door in fright.
“—Not a man, but some beast. Valya got in touch again…” she muttered, shaking her head. “—And what’s she supposed to do? With no money, with a child… Even a lousy sheep can at least give you some wool.”
Valentina inspected the spacious apartment.
“—It’s beautiful here.”
“It is now. When I bought it, there were only bare walls, everything was stripped… This room will be yours.”
He flung open a door. Valya noticed a man’s bathrobe and slippers.
“—But isn’t that your room?”
“—Don’t get me started. We’re not at work. It’s large and bright, so you’ll live here, and I’ll move to that one.” He pointed to another door.
“—That’s a bit inconvenient…”
“—It’s inconvenient to sleep on the ceiling. Settle in, I’ll be there soon.”
Mikhail went off somewhere. Valya unpacked her things, then went to the kitchen to get some water. In the sink lay a pile of dirty mugs. It seemed that Misha only drank coffee. She washed the dishes, looked into the refrigerator. Within an hour, cutlets were simmering on the stove, potatoes were boiling in a pot, and Valya was chopping salad, smiling at Angelina, who lay on the kitchen couch propped up with cushions.
The door slammed. Mikhail burst into the kitchen, excited. He sniffed the air.
“—Wow! I’m so hungry. I wish we could eat soon.”
Valya picked up Angelina and followed him. In the hallway stood a brand new crib and stroller, and in the crib lay bags of clothing.
“—Oh, what are you! I don’t have that kind of money. I don’t know when I’ll be able to pay it back.”
Mikhail smiled.
“—And I’m not asking you to pay it back.”
After dinner, they began rearranging the furniture. Misha was fooling around, and Valya laughed. Even Angelina, lying on the big bed, murmured something in her own language.
That night, Valya didn’t sleep. Mikhail didn’t sleep either. He suddenly realized how good it felt. He was no longer alone in the house.
Misha propped himself up on his elbow. After all, some time would pass, and Valya would want to return to her own place. She was the type—not wanting anyone else’s. And he fully understood that he didn’t want her to leave.
At breakfast in the morning, Misha casually said:
“—We need to get married.”
The knife fell from Valya’s hands and clattered on the floor.
“—What?!”
“—I’m saying we need to get married. Angelina needs a father, and you need protection. You’re struggling on your own.”
Valya looked at him with wide eyes.
“—I never thought proposals could be like this.”
Mikhail put down his fork and looked at her. What could he say? How could he have fallen, like an idiot, in one day in love with a woman with a child who washed dishes in his restaurant? He tried to find the words, but suddenly Valya reached across the table and kissed him softly and tenderly. Mikhail was struck as if by an electric shock. He pushed her away, took his phone.
“—Can you manage without me there? I have personal matters; don’t wait for me at work today. Oh, and by the way, find a new dishwasher. Valya is fired.”
