— Vanya, are you serious? — Valentina Yurievna, confused, turned to her husband. — Kirill, did you hear that?
Kirill Konstantinovich sighed, folded the newspaper:
— Son, you need to think carefully. That’s it, I’m tired, I’m going to sleep.
He quickly disappeared from the room, while Valentina Yurievna watched him leave with an angry look.
— Do you even care about your son’s future? You can’t even show her off anywhere! She probably can’t even tell a fork from a spoon.
Kirill Konstantinovich turned around:
— I do care about my son’s future, but I will not participate in these women’s quarrels.
He slammed the door. Vanya looked at his mother:
— Mom, what are you saying about Tanya? As if she’s some kind of fossil!
— And what do you think, son, she isn’t a fossil? Do you think you’ll have a good future with her?
— Of course, we will! I love Tanya, and she loves me…
— Well, that she loves you — that’s clear. But haven’t you thought that, seeing her a bit from the side, you’ll immediately realize she’s not the one for you?
Vanya stubbornly shook his head:
— Mom, you have a wrong idea about Tanya! She’s modern, a good girl.
— Vanya, who is she? Tell me.
— What do you mean, who? A person.
— No, by profession?
— A seamstress.
— There! And you— the heir to a wine empire!
Vanya laughed:
— Mom, you’re exaggerating! We just supply wine; an empire is when you produce it.
— Nonsense! An empire is when you make very good money from it, and your Tanya has only seen a good life in her dreams, that’s why she fell for you with all your money.
Vanya turned around and dashed out into the street. His mom was always very insistent, but his dad said not to hold it against her because she’s a woman, and women are rational. They try to establish their order everywhere. You just have to pretend that everything is exactly as she says. In principle, that’s what Vanya did.
It’s easier to pretend to agree, then do things your way. But not in this situation. Yesterday he introduced Tanya to his parents, but this morning, when mom gave Tanya a real interrogation, Vanya realized that this time she definitely wouldn’t back down. However, he wasn’t planning to give in. They would get married, even if mom was against it.
He’s 28, and he has been working and earning his own money for a long time. Although he would have liked there to be no hidden enmity in the family, but rather peace.
Tanya met him with a worried look.
— Vanya, they didn’t like me…
He hugged his fiancée:
— Don’t worry. Liked or not liked—the main thing is that I like you.
Tanya sighed:
— Why didn’t you tell me your family was like this? Maybe you really shouldn’t tie your life with me? Look for someone from your own circle.
Vanya pushed her away and extended in surprise:
— Did mom infect you or something?
It had only been a week.
— Tanechka, good day! Am I disturbing you?
Tanya almost dropped the phone—she was just fitting a client who decided to have a dress made by her.
— No, of course, Valentina Yurievna!
— Tanechka, you will soon be a member of our family, so I invite you to my birthday.
Valentina Yurievna named the most expensive restaurant in town, and Tanya immediately calmed down. Now it’s clear, she wants to put her in a bad light. She felt tears welling up and said:
— Okay, Valentina Yurievna. Thank you for the invitation!
Putting down the phone, she cried. A client named Anastasia Kondratyevna looked at her in surprise:
— Tanechka, what happened?
Anastasia had been to Tanya’s place not for the first time and had brought friends, too. Tanya didn’t know much about her and hadn’t asked. She just saw that a not-so-young woman arrived in a fancy car. Tanya couldn’t hold back and told her everything that was happening in her life.
— Oh, Valentina is being difficult. — Anastasia Kondratyevna frowned. — She’s actually a good woman, but when it comes to money, she completely changes. Don’t cry, we’ll think of something.
Tanya wiped her tears.
— What can be done here? She doesn’t like me, and there’s nothing you can do about that.
— No, you’re wrong. Now she thinks you’ll disgrace her. Calm down and make sure to not disgrace yourself, but instead, shock everyone.
— How am I supposed to do that?
— Oh, Tanya, you give up too easily.
When Vanya found out that his mother suddenly decided to celebrate her birthday, he was surprised. Valentina Yurievna didn’t like to waste money, and suddenly this.
«Well, there’s a wedding coming up in our family,» his mother said with a slight hint of solemnity. «I need to introduce the bride to the guests.»
«Mom, I think I understand,» Vanya began. «You specifically want to embarrass Tanya. Well, she won’t come, and neither will I.»
Valentina Yurievna’s eyes turned cold.
«Don’t get heated, son, think about it rationally. I’m not forbidding you to bring her, so you can see how your wife will look in decent society. If you really love her, you shouldn’t care about anything else, right?»
Vanya thought long about his mother’s words. Of course, in some ways, she was right. He wasn’t a child and understood perfectly that at first, you don’t notice any flaws in a person, and then, when the fiery love cools down a bit… But he needed to support Tanya.
She looked at him in surprise:
«Why do I need money?»
«Tanya, you understand, mom wants to… embarrass us. Not that she wants to embarrass us…»
«And you think, as I am, I will really embarrass you all? But you fell in love with me as I am, not dressed up in fancy clothes. So, are you ashamed of me now?»
«No, Tanya.»
Vanya was at a loss. Now he understood how he appeared in her eyes, but she wasn’t planning to go in what she had.
Tanya didn’t take the money. Vanya felt that this birthday would not end well. But what could he do? Only wait. If he suggested Tanya «get sick,» she would be upset with him.
The day X was approaching.
Vanya and Tanya hardly met because Tanya was always busy. After work, she rushed to her client Anastasia Kondratyevna. Owning several stores, she never lacked money but never flaunted her pride.
Long ago, she received one slap in the face from fate, then another, and then she got angry at everyone—at the city, at the men who deceived her, at life itself. She never had children because she was always in the race for money. Then she stopped, looked around. After all, she had nothing but money left. Having rested, she calmed down and just started living, helping those in need whenever possible. And now she was helping Tanya.
She reminded Anastasia of herself. And the woman thought that she couldn’t let another soul suffer from someone else’s malice.
«Tanechka, sit down! I’ve prepared everything. And Kostya, my assistant, will soon bring the dress for a fitting.»
Tanya smiled at the table, where cutlery lay.
«Oh, I think I’ll never learn this.»
«It’s not that difficult, especially since you’re quick-witted,» Anastasia smiled.
An hour later, when Tanya was already confidently picking the right utensils, assistant Kostya arrived. He turned out to be a cheerful young man. Learning what was going on, he immediately asked:
«I don’t understand, does your fiancé really take this calmly?»
Tatiana sighed.
«He offered money.»
«I see… Of course, it’s none of my business.» Kostya looked at Anastasia, and she sternly glared at her assistant, who raised his hands: «I’m quiet, quiet! But can I at least stay, to assess, so to speak, your fashion show from a man’s perspective?»
Tanya laughed, and Anastasia waved her hand:
«Stay! Just make your own tea or coffee!»
The show turned out to be truly fun.
«Tanya, you’re charming! Although, to me, you were stunning even in jeans,» Kostya remarked.
Tanya smiled shyly. Anastasia Kondratyevna clapped her hands:
«Alright, young folks, home you go! Tomorrow, the incomparable Valentina Yurievna must be shocked! Tanya, don’t be afraid of anyone, Kostya and I will be there, we’ve been invited too.»
Vanya was on edge, scrutinizing everyone who entered the restaurant. Valentina Yurievna was accepting congratulations, chatting briefly with those who gifted her, and did not forget to mention that Vanechka was about to get married, and the bride would soon arrive. She was confident that if Tanya had any sense, she wouldn’t come today. The guests were already gathered. Valentina Yurievna turned to her son:
— Vanyusha, where is Tanechka?
Vanya shrugged:
— I called, she’s not picking up the phone.
— Did she really have the sense to run away? — she said, and then everyone turned towards the door.
Tanya entered the restaurant. Vanya’s jaw dropped. The same happened with Valentina Yurievna’s jaw. The family head looked at the girl attentively, grunted with satisfaction, and poured himself a glass. Valentina was in shock now, too overwhelmed to worry about his health.
In an elegant indigo dress, graceful shoes, and with stylishly done hair, Tanya was unrecognizable.
— Darling! — exclaimed Vanya, hesitantly stopping near her.
— Did you not recognize me?
— Recognized! Of course, I recognized! You are so… so…
— And I thought you would meet me on the street!
Vanya turned terribly red. Actually, he had thought about waiting for Tanya outside: she didn’t know anyone here, and he needed to support her. But then… he simply got scared, imagining how Tanya in a floral knit dress would throw herself into his arms, while everyone watched. Why that particular dress? Because he hadn’t seen her wear anything else.
— Okay, Vanya, I need to give a gift, — she said, smiling.
Tanya had spent all her savings on this gift, a beauty salon voucher. Anastasia had suggested it. She was worried that Tanya might decide to cancel everything at the last minute. The girl just smiled:
— It will give me more reason to work with you, to save up again.
Anastasia suggested:
— You know, in that family, the men earn the money, but only Valentina has a say.
Tanya saw that Vanya’s mother could not muster her composure. The woman did not smile. She looked at her as if Tanya was an alien. At the table, she slyly recommended Tanya an exotic dish with oysters, confident that she would surely do something wrong. But Tanya passed the test with honor.
Later, when Tanya and Vanya were dancing a slow dance, the girl overheard someone nearby say:
— I don’t understand. Valya said that when the bride shows up, we’d have a laugh, but I don’t see what there is to laugh about. She’s a stunning girl; Vanya has taste.
Another voice replied:
— Indeed, they brought her in from practically off the street, yet she acts as if she belongs in high society!
Tanya decided she had had enough, turned around, and headed for the exit. Vanya caught up with her outside.
— Tanyush, where are you going?
She stopped abruptly.
— Vanya, tell me, why didn’t you stop your mom? You knew perfectly well she wanted to embarrass me!
— Tanya, I… No, I… Well, everything turned out fine.
— And now, when these people were talking about me like that, why did you stay silent?
Vanya raised his eyebrows in surprise:
— What, you wanted me to smash Kudryavtsev’s face? Do you even know who he is?
Tanya shrugged:
— No, I don’t know. And frankly, I don’t need to know. I hope I never find myself in such company again in that capacity.
— What do you mean? When you marry me, we’ll definitely need to interact with these people.
Tanya looked him straight in the eyes:
— I won’t marry you! I mean, maybe I would marry you, but not your mother, sorry, Vanya. Find someone more suitable for your mother.
She turned around and left. Vanya didn’t even try to stop her; he just stood there and watched her walk away. Just as she turned the corner, a car pulled up.
— I can’t allow such an incredibly beautiful girl to walk around the city alone. Tanya, get in, I can offer you coffee.
— Better feed me a shawarma! — Tanya exclaimed joyfully. — Hello, Kostya!
— Hello, Tanya! Somehow, I knew we’d see each other today. I was sure you wouldn’t put up with all this. So, I waited for you here.
She removed a necklace borrowed from Anastasia Kondratyevna from her neck, careful not to lose it.
— You know, I’m feeling real relief right now, — said Tanya. — It’s good that she invited me to this party, it became clear who everyone really is.
From that evening, she and Kostya were inseparable.
