Mikhail stared thoughtfully at the monitor. His restaurant had 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 a little extra—some take more, some take less. Everyone has their own reasons. But he couldn’t allow it to affect his business in any way.
Mikhail had been saving money for the restaurant’s opening 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. Yet the cameras had been installed only three days ago. That meant she’d been lugging something around for a whole month. He resolutely stood up from his chair. Theft had to be stopped immediately. It was strange, of course—the girl was very young and didn’t look like someone capable of such a thing. But apparently, she was very good at hiding her true self.
In half an hour, the restaurant would close. The dishwasher and the administrator were the last to leave. Incidentally, the dishwasher exited through a different door that the administrator later 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 worked out so conveniently for the dishwasher.
He would just have enough time.
Mikhail lived literally three intersections away from his restaurant—a five-minute drive. When he arrived, he turned off his headlights and began to wait. The dishwasher was supposed to appear any minute now.
Valya carefully adjusted the baby’s bonnet.
— That’s it for today. My little girl behaved well. Hang in there a little longer. Now mom will just step out for a bit and come back to get you.
Valya checked her bag once again. The air holes cut into the fabric were unobstructed—Angelina must be comfortable. Half an hour ago, Valya had fed her, so the baby would be sound asleep. She was well aware that she shouldn’t be doing this. If anyone found out, her child might be taken away. But she had no other option.
Valya’s milk had dried up immediately after giving birth, and baby formula was so expensive that her welfare benefits would only last for a week. And then there were diapers, utilities… The young woman didn’t know what to do. Then she learned about a staffing opportunity at a new restaurant. When she went for the interview, she couldn’t yet imagine how she would manage working with a child. She desperately needed a job, but her neighbor could only watch over Gelia twice a week. In exchange, Valya cleaned her neighbor’s apartment.
When Valentina saw the place where she was supposed to work and realized that the dishwasher would be alone for now, a plan formed in her mind. It seemed so crazy and risky that Valya was momentarily at a loss. But then she decided to give it a try.
Angelina was only one month old when Valya brought her to work for the first time. The little one turned out to be surprisingly calm—lying quietly and sleeping in the storeroom where the dishware was kept. There was plenty of space, light, and the level of cleanliness that Valya diligently maintained.
Valya had been orphaned in her childhood. She lived with her grandmother, who was of a romantic nature. Ordinary matters like housekeeping never interested the old woman at all. From the age of ten, Valya had managed all the household chores on her own.
Andrei won her over at first sight. She didn’t just fall in love—she went crazy for him. With her grandmother gone for a year, the young woman immediately suggested that Andrei move in with her. He agreed, but as soon as he learned about her pregnancy, he disappeared, taking all the valuables from the apartment.
Valya didn’t go to the police. She was so ashamed that she tried not to go outside at all. She had almost managed to cope, and everything might have been fine if those people hadn’t come to her. They demanded that she sell her apartment. When Valya refused, they threatened that she might “accidentally” have an accident, leaving her child orphaned. On that very day, her milk disappeared. Completely. It was then that Valya realized that the real trials were beginning.
Work became her salvation. She was paid weekly, and she no longer had to worry about food. Yet 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 down her bag, closed the door, turned around, and came face to face with the restaurant owner.
— Oh!
— Oh, — he mimicked. — Show me what you’re carrying in that bag. With volumes like that, no restaurant could withstand such theft.
Valya blocked the bag with her body.
— I’ve never stolen anything. Aren’t you ashamed?
— Should I be ashamed? Not you? — he laughed, but quickly grew serious. — Show me what’s in the bag, or I’ll call the police.
Valya sighed. There was nothing to do, especially as Angelina began to wriggle in the bag. She squatted down and opened it. Mikhail gasped.
— A child? Where did this come from? Is this yours? Do you work with a child?
Valya lifted Angelina into her arms.
— Am I fired?
— Wait, what do you mean immediately… Let me give you a ride. Do you live far away?
— No, just around the corner.
— Then I’ll see you off. Now, hand over that damned bag.
Mikhail understood very well that Valya wasn’t taking her child to work out of a good life. He himself had gone through a difficult childhood with alcoholic parents. If he hadn’t been taken from them, who knows—maybe he would have turned out the same.
They reached her home, but Misha wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He went up with Valya to the appropriate floor, and when she looked at him meaningfully, he said:
— I’d like a cup of tea.
Valya shrugged. Tea wasn’t a luxury for her. She changed Angelina’s clothes and prepared 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.
Valya sat down and felt how emotionally exhausted she was. All those months of tension—whether they’d find out or not, whether she’d be fired or not. She didn’t even notice when she suddenly began to cry, not knowing what to do next.
Misha sat opposite her and slid her cup 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 while occasionally sipping her tea. She spoke and realized just how unhappy she was. Everything in her life wasn’t like it should be. Everything was so messed up. And why? She had no answer.
Misha, while she was talking, didn’t look at her. He himself felt like crying, because he had experienced life’s injustice in full.
— So then. Stay home for a couple of days. I’ll call someone. In two days, we’ll figure something out.
— Us? — Valya repeated.
— Well, I can’t just abandon you in such a situation. Besides, you washed the dishes perfectly, — he smiled. — Alright, I’m off. Good night.
Mikhail quickly stood up and left, leaving Valya in confusion. She didn’t even get a chance to thank him. Still sitting at the table for a little while longer, she got up to lock the door. In the hallway, her eyes fell upon a small table where several large banknotes lay. Valya leaned against the wall and began to cry again.
The next day, she still had to exchange one of the banknotes. Angelina’s temperature had risen. The doctor who was called prescribed medicines and vitamins. The young mother, while her daughter slept, hurriedly ran to the pharmacy. Fortunately, she only had to cross the street to the neighboring building.
As soon as she returned home and barely managed to close the door, 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 impudently.
— Hello, lonely mommy. So this is how you greet your guests?
He pushed her aside and entered the apartment. Two others followed him—a man and a woman. They confidently seated themselves at the table, as if they were at home. The woman began spreading out some papers.
— Well, have you thought it over?
— I have thought it over. Get out, or I’ll call the police.
— Oh dear, call them if you must, but keep in mind: when you call the police, you’re signing your own death warrant. Think about the child.
Valya was choked with indignation.
— Who are you and what do you want? I’m not selling any apartment!
— You will. The longer you persist, the cheaper the apartment will get for you. Decide quickly before you lose everything.
The young man named an amount. Valya couldn’t help but laugh, even though she was very frightened.
— You’re joking? That’s the price of a restroom.
He smirked.
— In a couple of days, you’ll agree—but you’ll get even less.
— Get out! I’m not selling anything.
He stepped toward her, but suddenly, he jumped oddly 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’d come back, — she whispered, looking frightened.
Her defenselessness tugged at his heart. So fragile, so gentle…
— Get ready.
— Ready for what?
— For where you need to be.
His brusque tone made Valya burst into tears.
— I’m sorry. You’ll come with me. I’m hardly home, so it’ll be safer for you. God knows what these bastards will throw out next.
Valya obediently went to gather her things. Within fifteen minutes, they were leaving the apartment. A neighbor peeked out onto the landing.
— Val, did your daddy finally show up? So now I don’t have to sit with Angelina, and you won’t have to clean anymore?
Mikhail smiled kindly, yet with an obvious threat, revealing his pearly white teeth.
— Exactly noticed. Thank you for your help.
The neighbor fearfully slammed the door.
— What a man, what a beast. Valya got involved again… — she mumbled, shaking her head. — And what’s she supposed to do? With no money, with a child… Even a scraggly sheep might have a tuft of wool.
Valentina inspected the spacious apartment.
— It’s beautiful here.
— Just now. When I bought it, there were only bare walls, everything was in shambles… This room will be yours.
He flung open the door. Valya noticed a man’s robe and slippers.
— But that’s your room, isn’t it?
— Don’t talk to me like that. We’re not at work. It’s big and bright, so you’ll be living here, and I’ll move into the other one. — He pointed to another door.
— That’s kind of inconvenient…
— It’s inconvenient to sleep on the ceiling. Settle in, I’ll be back 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 looked like Misha was drinking nothing but coffee. She washed the dishes, peeked into the refrigerator. An hour later, cutlets were simmering on the stove, potatoes were boiling in a pot, and Valya was chopping a salad, smiling at Angelina, who lay on a large kitchen sofa, propped up by pillows.
The door slammed. Mikhail burst into the kitchen, his face flushed. He sniffed the air.
— Wow! I’m so hungry. I could eat something quickly.
Valya grabbed Angelina in her arms and followed him. In the hallway stood a brand-new crib and a stroller, and inside the crib were bags of clothes.
— Oh, come on! 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 acting silly, and Valya was laughing. Even Angelina, lying on the large bed, was muttering something in her own language.
That night, Valya didn’t sleep. Neither did Mikhail. Suddenly, he realized how good it felt. He was no longer alone in the house.
Misha propped himself on his elbow. After all, some time would pass, and Valya would want to go back to her own place. She’s the type who doesn’t want what isn’t hers. And he knew full well that he didn’t want her to leave.
At breakfast the next morning, Misha, almost 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 imagined proposals could be like that.
Mikhail lowered his fork and looked at her. What could he say? That he’d fallen, like an idiot, in love in just one day with a woman with a child who washed dishes in his restaurant? He tried to find the words, but suddenly Valya leaned across the table and kissed him softly and tenderly. Mikhail was struck as if by a bolt of lightning. He pushed her aside and took his phone.
— Can you manage without me? I have personal matters to attend to; don’t expect me at work today. Oh, and find a new dishwasher. Valya is fired.
