— How are you doing, dear? Did you earn all the money or what? — Tatiana’s mother, Nina, asked with an unpleasant chuckle over the phone.
— You can’t earn all the money. But I work not only for that.
— Oh? And what else for?
— For pleasure. I love my job, mom.
— Oh, I don’t understand. Our Ulyashka has the right dreams: to marry a rich man and not work. And you? You’ll stay a spinster till old age! Buried under your reports and die… alone.
— Mom! — Tatiana hated these talks.
— What? Am I wrong? We’re having a family dinner on Saturday, Ulyana will bring her fiancé. And you’ll come alone again? It’s embarrassing in front of the relatives, everyone keeps asking me when the grandchildren will come. Well, anyway. Come anyway. We need to talk.
Tatiana wanted to hang up, but then an idea struck her.
— Yes, yes. Mom, is there room for my fiancé? I’ll come plus one.
— Plus one? What does that mean?
— I’ll come with a guy. Well, a man. The fiancé will come with me.
— Why didn’t you tell me you’re dating someone?! — her mother got scared. She had really hoped that her daughter’s relationship wouldn’t affect family help.
— And you keep babbling about Ulyana and don’t let me get a word in.
— Oh? Well, you’re right, we’ll talk about it when you come. He’ll tell everything himself. — Mother quickly said goodbye and hung up, and Tatiana stayed sitting, staring at the monitor. The words blurred before her eyes. Why did she even tell her mother she would come?..
Besides, the conversation her mother announced was quite predictable. Ulyana’s education required investment. A new semester was coming soon, so it was time to squeeze a large sum from the older daughter.
Tatiana looked at her reflection. A tired, prematurely aged woman with a bun looked at herself reproachfully.
“I’m not a spinster at all. I’m only thirty. And I’m quite okay…” — she unbuttoned a few buttons on her blouse, freeing the collar that felt tight, suddenly pulled a hairpin out of her hair and shook her hair loose. She shook it just as HE entered the reception room.
— Tatiana? Sorry, I probably came at a bad time…
— Come in, since you bothered to come! — she blushed, quickly putting her hair back in a bun.
A few days later, at Tatiana’s parents’ place:
— Well… Introduce us to your fiancé, — Tatiana’s mother looked with interest at the young man standing at the apartment doorway next to her daughter.
— My name is Petr. And you’re probably Nina? — he smiled with a dazzling smile that left Ulyana speechless. Her fiancé wasn’t that handsome. And his suit wasn’t as good!
— I’m Ulyana! — she pulled her hand away from her fiancé’s grip and stretched it out to the guest.
— Nice to meet you.
— Come to the table, we’ll talk there! — the hostess suddenly remembered.
— So, what do you do? — the potential mother-in-law got straight to the point.
— Mom, you should have fed him first, and then questioned him… — Tatiana was ashamed of her mother’s behavior.
— You take care of the fiancé, and we’ll talk for now. So, I want to know everything about you.
Petr glanced at Tatiana, and she answered for him.
— Mom, it’s time to tell: all this time I hid the truth from you. Petya is the director and my boss. It’s on his money that I live so well, — Tatiana blurted out. Ulyana, hearing this, dropped her spoon and stared at Petr, then looked at her sister.
— Is that true?
Petr looked at Tatiana for a few seconds and then nodded.
— Yes. Tanya is a very valuable employee of mine. That’s why I spoil her.
— So young and already have so much money?!
— Well, not a lot, but enough for little pleasures.
— When will you say there will be a wedding? — the potential mother-in-law hurried to ask.
— As soon as we decide, you’ll be the first to know, mom. — Tatiana assured. She changed the subject to her sister. Her new fiancé looked pitiful compared to Petr. — And what do you do?
— Me? — the man even looked scared.
— Yes. You…
— I’m a bartender.
— Oh… How interesting, — Tatiana looked condescendingly at her sister, who dreamed no less than of an oligarch. At that moment, Petr’s phone vibrated in his pocket.
— Excuse me, I have to take this call, — Petr smiled and left the table. Nina took advantage of that.
— Tanya, your fiancé is young, but since he has money, you should take him. And I hope the family support will match his wealth. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you. We decided you should give your car to Ulyana.
— What do you mean?
— Literally. The girl got her driver’s license; it’s uncomfortable for her to take the subway to university now.
— Yes! The other day while walking to the bus stop, I caught a cold! — Ulyana nodded. — And you don’t need a car. Your work is just two steps away.
— And besides work, you have nowhere else to go, — continued the mother.
Tatiana froze at such impudence.
— I need the car not only for work. That’s first. Secondly, the car, like the apartment where I live, all belong to Petya!
— Petya? Oh, come on. Tell him the car is in the shop, and then he’ll forget about it. He’ll buy you a new one, and everyone will be happy.
— Forget? About the car? It’s not a handkerchief… — Tanya turned away. She was already tired of being surprised by the growing demands of the family.
Since Tanya started earning well, they literally swarmed her! Her parents were sure Tanya was a big boss, that she had a huge amount of money, and she simply had to share it for the good of the family. But now everything turned the other way…
— And why should you report to him? He gave you the car as a gift, so give it to us.
— I told you, the car is not mine! He didn’t give me anything.
— It’s not yours now, but tomorrow it will be! Take him by the hand and go to the notary! Let him transfer everything to you! You’re almost family — said Nina. — And as soon as you get married, you’ll move to him, and we’ll settle Ulyana in your apartment!
— Exactly! It’ll be closer to university for me! Less spent on gas, — Ulya nodded.
— Yes, that’s all fine. But all the property is registered to his grandmother, — Tatiana quickly lied.
— Oh, really?! She must be one foot in the grave by now?
— Not at all. Grandma is doing great. More than that, she’s still running the company! A tough woman.
— You’re lying! You just don’t want to help me, — the mother didn’t believe her.
— Then call and ask her yourself. Well, Petya and I have to go now. Grandma is probably calling him. We still have to visit her today. Thanks for the warm welcome.
— Wait, Tanya! You forgot about the money for tuition.
— Yes, about the money… I already transferred the needed amount to the university accounting. But that’s the last time. I’ve been paying for you for two years already, even though the deal was that I’d lend you money for the first year. You’re already in the third. Starting next semester, pay your tuition yourself.
— Where am I going to get so much money?! — Ulyana gasped.
— Then study better and get on a budget. Or ask your fiancé. He works too. — Saying this, Tanya grabbed her bag, waved goodbye, and left the room.
— Let’s go, — she said to Petr, who was pretending to talk on the phone.
No one came to see them off. The family was loudly discussing how spoiled the rich people had become, and how they were reluctant to give a little money to help their own daughter.
— Consider your pre-graduation practice passed, — Tatiana said to Petr as she started the car. He had played the role of fiancé well in exchange for a stamp and her signature.
— So, now to my place? — joked Petr.
— No thanks! But where to take you?
— To this street, please, — the tone between Petya and his boss became official again. Tatiana was worried she had agreed to this, literally stunned by the request of a young intern who came at a bad time asking for a practice completion stamp at Tatiana’s company. While others worked, Petr diligently skipped practice. So she had to play an actress by the boss’s order.
Nevertheless, she did not regret it. She knew the young intern would forget about this funny adventure, but no one would demand impossible tasks or constant help for the younger sister from her anymore. And if necessary, she would remind her family about Petya’s grandmother and dramatically turn out her “empty” pockets.
What won’t you do to get your family off your neck!
— Thanks. That was fun, — said Petya when Tatiana’s car parked by the old house.
— Come for the stamp on Monday, — she said, looking at her manicure.
— Okay.
On Monday Petr came with flowers.
— What’s this? A bribe? — she frowned.
— No. This is for you. Just from the heart.
— Oh? Here, for you. Also from the heart, — she firmly put a stamp on the document and signed it. — Good luck, Petya. In business, honesty is important, but sometimes luck favors those who risk and play their role well.
The young man took the papers and, hesitating a bit, mustered courage and asked:
— Tanya, what are you doing after work today?
— Work… — she started but suddenly changed her mind. Petya turned out to be quite a pleasant and not at all stupid guy. And although he was six years younger, why not go for a cup of coffee with him? — I’m completely free after work today.
Petya smiled and helped the boss put on her coat. They didn’t make plans, but that evening they just felt good together.
