Ivan Viktorovich shouted in utter confusion:
— How is it possible that she’s nowhere to be found?! Has she just disappeared?
The flustered nanny tried to justify herself:
— I truly don’t know how it happened. I only looked away for a moment… Then that dog appeared, and people started scattering. I turned around to find Polina, to pick her up, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Ivan trembled as he dialed a number on his phone:
— Dyachenko here. My daughter just disappeared in the park, literally ten minutes ago.
He jumped to his feet and paused only briefly by the frightened nanny:
— If a single hair on Polina’s head is harmed, I’ll shove that phone of yours where it belongs!
The nanny turned pale, thinking, «How does he know about the phone?» She had indeed been distracted by social media, but only for about ten minutes—no longer.
Her employer had caught her using her phone before, but she had always tried to avoid using it in his presence. And now, this disaster had occurred…
She had only been working for the family for three months and had always found it hard to care for the child. Only the salary kept her going.
Ivan Viktorovich and his security team rushed to the park, just ten minutes away on foot. Meanwhile, two police cars were already arriving. Only now did the nanny start to realize the seriousness of what had happened.
She grew pale, and the more she thought about what could have happened to the five-year-old girl, the more terrified she became. Ivan’s booming voice startled even a flock of birds as he shouted:
— Come here!
Olya hesitantly approached, nervously twisting a shoelace around her finger, unable to meet his gaze.
— Tell me everything that happened.
Like a frightened rabbit, Olya began to quietly explain:
— We were here. I was sitting on a bench, and Polina was always in sight, feeding the pigeons. Suddenly, there was a commotion—stray dogs charged in and began fighting with a large dog that a man was walking. Chaos erupted; people tried to separate them. I wanted to grab Polina so she wouldn’t be scared, but when I looked around, she was gone.
Olya, scared and confused, kept looking around, while Ivan barely restrained himself from unleashing his fury.
«How did I ever hire her?» he wondered.
Just then, an eight- or nine-year-old boy approached them. He looked like a typical street urchin. Olya nervously glanced at him as he said:
— She was on her phone. The girl was playing by herself. I saw it; I was playing nearby. When all the chaos started, Polina went toward the dogs, and this lady only noticed afterward, — the boy sniffled and continued. — A man stopped near Polina and talked to her. Your girl liked the dogs, so she went toward them. Then they started barking, and that’s when everything happened…
— And now she’s nowhere to be found… — Olya murmured, blinking in confusion.
She felt as if the ground was swallowing her up, realizing there was no avoiding trouble now.
— That’s all lies, complete lies! It didn’t happen that way! — Olya tried to defend herself, but Ivan Viktorovich barked without turning around:
— Be quiet!
He turned his attention to the boy:
— What happened next?
— The girl got really scared. The dogs were very close… She started crying, and I tried to calm her down, — the boy explained.
— Where is she now? — Ivan asked, anxiously looking into the boy’s eyes.
— Over there, — the boy pointed, — under that tree. She cried and cried and then fell asleep. I covered her up, and then you arrived.
Ivan Viktorovich, his security team, and the police hurried after the boy and found Polina, peacefully asleep on a cardboard box.
— Polina! My little girl! — Ivan gently picked her up.
The girl opened her eyes, initially startled, but soon broke into a smile.
— Daddy, there were such big dogs here, and Grishka protected me!
— My sunshine, I was so worried about you, — Ivan comforted her.
Polina was still looking around and asked:
— Where’s Grishka?
Ivan quickly glanced at the security guards, but they only shrugged. The boy had disappeared as if into thin air, even though he had just been standing nearby.
Ivan sighed deeply, already considering the need for more attentive and responsible staff.
With his daughter in his arms, he headed home but paused near Olya, who was nervously fiddling with the shoelace on her clothing.
— You’re very lucky. You have ten minutes to pack your things and leave my house. I hope never to see you again. I’ll inform your agency about everything, — he said, his voice full of resolve, leaving no room for argument.
Olya wanted to protest about her unpaid salary but, realizing the futility of her argument, trudged back to the house to gather her things.
At home, Polina burst into tears. The aftermath of the stress was evident; she kept asking:
— Daddy, why did Grishka leave?
— Was he really that good?
— When that mean dog barked at me, Grishka stood between us. He even barked back at her and yelled loudly. He pushed me under the tree. I was so scared I couldn’t move, only cry. Then he gave me a doll, and I fell asleep, — Polina recounted her experience.
— Polina, I promise you I’ll find him, I swear, — Ivan said firmly, looking at his daughter.
She pulled a doll out from under her sweater:
— Daddy, watch over her while I sleep, okay? I just need a little rest, and then I’ll take care of her myself.
Ivan looked at his daughter, realizing her condition was the result of the ordeal. Touching her forehead, he found her temperature normal. He wondered whether to call a doctor but decided to postpone it. Carefully covering his little girl with a blanket, he noticed the doll she had handed him. Looking at it closely, he felt the blood drain from his face.
Masha was always extraordinarily unique. She often drifted into her dreams and fantasies, and everyone around her called her a little strange. However, Ivan saw a special sincerity and kindness in Masha that drew him to her. Back then, he didn’t care much for those qualities, but something about this girl was captivating. He decided she needed to be part of his life, even without the commitment of marriage.
Ivan courted Masha beautifully, as he could afford to. He had plenty of free time and no financial worries, as his father still ran the family toy factory.
When Masha first invited him over, Ivan was amazed to discover she made toys.
It was an incredible coincidence. Masha’s relatives, even her great-grandmother, had sewn dolls that only wealthy people could afford. Masha’s talent for drawing was equally impressive.
With a smile, Masha placed a large, antique album before him. She brewed coffee, and they spent the whole night studying the drawings and notes with measurements.
— Masha, you can’t imagine how valuable this album is. It’s a true artistic legacy. These dolls will be incredibly popular, — Ivan exclaimed, jumping up.
Dozens of ideas filled his head, and he forgot the original purpose of his visit. Masha watched his reaction with a smile, and as Ivan got lost in thought, he said:
— Masha, I have to go. Don’t be mad; I need to think everything through, — he said.
She kissed him lightly, bringing him back to the present moment for a second, then gently pushed him toward the door:
— First thoughts are the most honest.
He didn’t see her for several months. During that time, he wrote a business plan, presented it to his father, and received a nod of approval.
— Son, this could truly be a worthwhile idea, — his father said.
Ivan took Masha for a walk around the city and enthusiastically shared his plans—not only to create retro-style toys but also to restore vintage pieces.
— Masha, I can’t express how grateful I am for this discovery!
The hours they spent together afterward were something special for Ivan. The next morning, as he was leaving, Masha handed him that very album.
— Grandma would be happy to know that her work brings joy and success again, — she said.
— I can’t take this. It’s your memory! — Ivan was surprised.
— I want her dolls to live on.
Time flew by, and Ivan became so busy that he had no time or energy left for Masha. At the first presentation of his work, he met Ira—the future mother of Polina.
Three months later, Masha unexpectedly came to his office. She looked pale and exhausted. Ivan was deep in preparations for his wedding and had almost forgotten about her.
— Masha, how nice to see you! — he said warmly.
He quickly went to a cabinet where he kept the first doll made at his factory. Taking it in his hands, he said:
— Masha, this doll should be yours.
Masha took the doll and looked at Ivan, as if about to say something. But then his phone rang. It was Ira.
— Yes, dear, — he answered.
While he talked, Masha quietly left. Ivan thought about chasing after her but decided it wasn’t appropriate.
Unfortunately, Ira died during childbirth. The doctor explained that if she had lived a calmer life, things might have turned out differently. But as it was, Ivan was left with his beloved little Polina.
Now he held that first doll from his factory in his hands. He didn’t know who the boy Grisha was or how he had the doll, but Ivan knew he had to find him.
He wandered through the park, hoping to spot the boy, but Grisha didn’t appear. Then Ivan saw a group of homeless people and approached them.
— Hello, do you know a boy named Grisha? How can I find him? — Ivan asked.
The homeless people eyed him carefully. Ivan realized they expected something from him and handed them a few bills. The eldest, seemingly respected among them, asked:
— Why do you need him? The boy’s a good kid. Something happen?
— No, — Ivan replied. — I just want to thank him. He saved my daughter.
After some discussion, the eldest said:
— Go to the end of the street. There’s a private sector. Keep walking straight until you see a house. Knock loudly—it’s always loud there. Grisha lives with a drunk old woman.
Ivan approached the old, grimy house, unable to believe Masha could ever live there.
— What do you want? — came a familiar voice.
— Hey, Grisha. I’m here to ask if you need anything and to talk about this doll, — Ivan said.
Grisha stepped out from behind the fence and sat on a bench. Nearby was Ivan’s car, with two bodyguards always accompanying him.
— The doll? It’s not really mine. It’s my mom’s. She never parted with it.
— What’s your mom’s name? — Ivan asked.
— Maria. She’s sick, can’t walk, and grandma drinks and beats her, — Grisha explained. — Do you know my mom?
— Yes, I think so. I gave her this doll, — Ivan admitted.
Grisha shook his head in disbelief:
— That’s impossible. Mom said my dad gave it to her, but he’s been gone a long time.
Ivan’s hands began to tremble as he realized how tangled the situation was.
— Grisha, where is your mom now? Can I talk to her?
— She’s inside. I told you—she can’t walk. Grandma’s in a bad mood today and won’t let anyone in, — Grisha warned.
Ivan stood up decisively and signaled to his guards. The car moved closer, and the guards quickly stepped out. Grisha, seemingly mesmerized, pointed the way. Inside the house, the smell of neglect, alcohol, and fried onions hit them immediately.
— Who are you? — asked a woman with clear signs of alcoholism, already drunk. At the table sat others of the same social standing.
— Where’s Maria?
— What do you want with my niece? Who are you to barge in and ask questions?
Grisha gestured toward a door, and Ivan entered. One of the guards held the woman back.
On a filthy bed lay Masha—or rather, a woman almost unrecognizably worn down and emaciated, but still Masha. She slowly turned her head, looked into Ivan’s eyes, and after a moment, smiled.
— You’re here… I knew you’d come, — she whispered.
The doctor examined her and shook his head:
— To let herself get this bad from a simple fracture… Incredible. We’ll treat her. It’ll involve breaking the bone again to fix it. It won’t be quick or cheap, but it’s still possible.
Grisha sniffled quietly:
— What will I do? Grandma won’t let me leave without Mom.
— You’ll live with us now—with me and Polina, — Ivan said.
The boy looked at him with hope:
— So, you’re my real dad?
Ivan sighed heavily:
— Honestly, I’m not sure. But something tells me I might be. Mom will recover, and we’ll all be together, — he said, ruffling the boy’s hair encouragingly.
— I hope so…
— Well, let’s go. Your sister is waiting for you.
Grisha grinned widely:
— I think we’ve already met!
