Elvira didn’t like to think about that place, but the gray, government-run walls of the orphanage, the dreary, dirty yard, and the worn swings and benches would never be forgotten. Like many children from the orphanage, she didn’t know her parents; no one ever came for her. As a tiny baby, she was left at the gates, only three or four months old. Therefore, the girl grew up without maternal affection, always unusually pensive, not playing much with peers, mostly keeping to herself, away from everyone. She loved observing nature and grew especially attached to a kitten that somehow found its way to the dining hall. She fed it, stroked its fur, and cared for it as if feeling a kinship, something of her own, in it. She also devoted time to her studies, excelling in school, curious, and reading a lot. Mathematics and the sciences came easily to her; she could mentally calculate complex numbers and even solve difficult equations! Teachers marveled at how she managed it. They praised her, supplied her with various literature and interesting puzzles.
Elvira didn’t care for foolish pranks, silly jokes, or mocking others, and because of this, she was disliked. The girl dreamed of growing up quickly and escaping to freedom, running away from the province to where there were more opportunities for an interesting and fulfilling life. And outwardly, the girl resembled a Turgenev heroine: quiet, modest, with long, almost waist-length, blonde braid, and sad gray eyes. Mean teenagers, who had long given up on school and tried cigarettes and some even alcohol, mercilessly teased her! She only heard: «Nerd! Bore! Think you’ll do well in school and become a millionaire? Fat chance! Bite me! We are nobody’s concern! So why bother?» Elvira often cried, choking on her resentment, but despite all hardships and deprivations, she successfully finished her schooling at the orphanage and was even awarded a certificate for excellent performance. It seemed all roads, all paths were open to her!
Elvira moved to a metropolis with great hope. She had long decided that she would definitely get a higher education, applied to the correspondence department of an economic university, and, having successfully passed the exams, was admitted on a budget! But to exist and support herself, she needed to find a job. She knocked on doors, hoping to land a good position, but they wouldn’t hire her without experience or a diploma! And then, by an advertisement, she barely managed to get a job in an office, and only as a cleaner. Not exactly the job she dreamed of, she was greatly disappointed, but there was no choice. The girl hoped that over time, once she finished her studies, she’d be noticed and offered a better position, the main thing was to get a foothold.
The team she worked with was somewhat disjointed, unfriendly; everyone watched and gossiped behind each other’s backs. The office workers were cool towards Elvira: young, pretty, she already seemed like a threat to them, plus she was studying at the university. She didn’t really like it either, but she had nowhere else to go, money was more important right now. And then the deputy director added fuel to the fire, for him it was important to have his own person in all departments. He tried to involve Elvira in this, as a cleaner was an excellent spy, being everywhere, unnoticed, yet could hear and see a lot! However, the new employee flatly refused to be a snitch, which seriously angered Boris Andreevich, and he only waited for a chance to fire her. The firm was managed by Vitaliy Sergeyevich, an elderly, imposing man who was very meticulous, well-groomed, dressed to the nines, but for some reason wore a ridiculous wig! Apparently, he was embarrassed by his baldness and thought that it made him look younger. The employees simply died of laughter behind his back because he indeed looked comical in it. The employees often discussed in the smoking area that he disliked his son, Roman, always nitpicking him, and he also went for manicures and had rejuvenating masks done, which was also a subject of cruel jokes for many.
Elvira suffered greatly from loneliness, being essentially alone in this huge city, with no one to share with, help, or sympathize with! She desperately wanted to find her parents, look them in the eyes, find out why they had abandoned her? There must be some reason? After all, people don’t just abandon their children? She periodically called and wrote to the director of her orphanage, Fyodor Petrovich, with whom she had a warm relationship, and begged him to help find any traces!
One day, when important negotiations were planned at the company, Elvira heard a baby’s cry on her way to work, not far from her stop. Looking in the direction from where it came, she noticed a basket. Approaching closer, she saw a newborn struggling in swaddling clothes. The girl’s breath caught: «Where is the mother? Not a soul around! Surely abandoned? Oh, what a horror!»
Without a second thought, she took the child and rushed to work. She couldn’t just leave the foundling! She pitied him! She immediately remembered how she had been left at the gates of the orphanage! But that was a shelter, and they would surely accept a child, but to leave one’s own flesh and blood at a stop was simply barbaric, unthinkable to her!
The guard at the gate whistled sharply and was greatly surprised, but still let her pass, grumbling under his breath:
«This has never happened before, bringing breastfed babies to work! Some kind of madhouse! If the boss finds out, we’re all in trouble! But go on, pity the little one, pass quickly, maybe they won’t notice!»
Just then, as luck would have it, the baby cried loudly, Elvira panicked and didn’t know how to calm him. The baby was obviously hungry and very cold. And at that very moment, the unpleasant Boris Andreevich himself walked into the building! A whole delegation on business production matters was about to arrive and seeing the girl with a crying infant in her arms, he literally boiled over:
«This is just too much! Not only do you fail to cope with your duties, work carelessly, but you also came with a child, set up a nursery here! This is completely out of line! Got knocked up, did you? I’ll fire you without severance pay!» he yelled, reddening and foaming at the mouth, pointing a finger at the infant.
Scared Elvira didn’t know what to say, only managing to explain in a disjointed manner:
«Excuse me, Boris Andreevich! You misunderstood. This isn’t my child. Don’t shout so loudly, he’s already crying, you’re scaring him even more! He needs to be fed. Understand, I was on my way to work, and there he was by the bus stop, lying in a basket, crying. All alone! And nobody was around! What was I supposed to do, just leave him there? I felt sorry for the little one!»
But these excuses only enraged the deputy more, and he didn’t hold back in his expressions:
«Look at this, she even lies! Don’t you dare talk back to me! What a shameless, gallivanting girl! So, I am supposed to feed your brat now? Look at you… playing Mother Teresa here!»
Elvira was utterly distraught, rocking and trying to calm the baby while crying herself, not knowing what to do! At that moment, the company’s owner appeared at the gatehouse. He had been watching the scene through a surveillance camera in his office and saw how his deputy was mocking and humiliating the poor girl in front of everyone. The owner was so shocked and enraged that he even ripped off his wig in anger. He decided to immediately intervene and put an end to this autocracy.
In a quiet voice that boded nothing good for the deputy, Vitaliy Sergeyevich said:
«What is this, Boris, why are you behaving so disgracefully towards the employees? Allowing yourself to humiliate and insult? Who gave you the right? Can’t you see, this is an extraordinary situation, a force majeure! And after all – it’s a child, he needs help, and quickly, yet here you are swearing!»
He looked fatherly and warmly at Elvira, then at the child:
«So, tell me, what happened? Where did you find the baby?»
Elvira calmed down, stopped crying, and told him everything about how and where she found the abandoned baby, and added at the end:
«You can fire me, but I don’t regret my actions for a second. That’s not what we should be thinking about now. The baby is clearly hungry and cold. I don’t even have anything with me for him… Who knows what happened to his mother and why he was left in the middle of the street? Maybe something bad happened to her? Anything can happen in life! You can see he was just born, not even a month old! What should we do? I feel so sorry for him! Such a tiny thing, and already unwanted, just like I was!»
Her sincere emotions touched those around her. They were moved, and the eyes of Vitaliy Sergeyevich from the company even welled up!
He immediately, without wasting time, instructed the head of security to take the child to a nursery. Furthermore, he ordered to buy everything necessary for the baby for the time being. Elvira was heartbroken to let go of this little bundle; her heart was tearing apart. With regret, she handed over the baby and waved goodbye to him, thinking to herself: «I wish you, little one, that your mommy finds you! Be happy!»
After this incident, to everyone’s delight, the harmful deputy was transferred to a smaller branch on the outskirts of the city. All the employees understood that this was akin to exile, and now Boris Andreevich was about to start tough weekdays and work without weekends. But few felt sorry for him, as the deputy had intentionally pitted colleagues against each other and caused strife in the team. With his departure, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, it became morally easier to work.
The director did not forget about the foundling and, using his connections in the police, found his mother. When he was informed who it was, he nearly lost his speech and clutched his heart! It was unbelievable, but the baby was abandoned by Roman’s, the son of Vitaliy Sergeyevich, fiancée, Alisa! The director and his son rushed to the wayward mother that same day to find out everything! What had driven her to such a horrendous act? After all, Alisa was not a poor girl but very reckless! Roman met her by chance at a party with mutual friends, and could not resist, so bright and charismatic was this beauty! How she danced, everyone clapped and shouted «Bravo!» Their relationship was passionate and swift, but the lovers were completely different and often quarreled. The girl wanted freedom, thrill, and the feeling of flight! But Roman was a serious guy, worked a lot, and actually disliked partying, attending entertainment events very rarely and only for a special occasion. Soon the fiancé grew tired of the bride’s frivolous and fickle nature, and they broke up completely. He didn’t even suspect that Alisa was pregnant!
When Vitaliy Sergeyevich and Roman finally got through to Alisa, she reluctantly opened the door. The men entered the well-furnished apartment. The hostess was sitting in the kitchen, absently stirring a spoon in her coffee cup. Roma had never seen Alisa so depressed and shattered! He tried to appeal to her conscience:
«Alisa, how could you? Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant? I would have helped, even if we were no longer together! Why did you have to leave your own child at a bus stop? What kind of mother are you after that? Such cruelty is just unimaginable!»
The woman suddenly jumped up as if scalded, and screamed at the top of her lungs:
«What are you doing here? To lecture me? You, Roma, dumped me, so why do I need this child! I only regret one thing, that I carried it to the end and didn’t get an abortion on time! When I came back from the maternity hospital with him, such despair fell upon me! If anything, his name is Artem. He screamed day and night, as if he was being cut, I thought I would go mad! So I took him as far away as possible! I’m still young and want to live! A child is such a burden! I would be tied down for life, no freedom! Get out, both of you, I don’t want to see anyone!»
Unable to bear it any longer, the father sharply replied:
«You’re a worthless woman, Aliska, heartless and dry as a cracker! I thought maybe something happened to you, and the child ended up on the street by accident, but you… It turns out you wanted to get rid of him..»
At home, during a family council, it was decided to take Artemka into the family and raise him themselves! It was unseemly for their own little blood to shuffle through orphanages! The director’s wife, Svetlana Petrovna, insisted on getting a DNA test just in case. Alisa was a promiscuous woman; they needed to be sure that this was their own grandson! The results came back positive, now everyone was reassured, they hired a professional nanny, and Artemka finally found a family! Roman adored his son and now devoted all his free time to him. Svetlana Petrovna made sure that her grandson had everything best, loved him dearly, as he was so much like Roma! Alisa, without any remorse, signed away her rights to her baby and plunged into debauchery! Maternal instinct never woke up in her, alas!
News about this immediately spread through the company, and everyone gossiped about it, except the lazy! Many respected Elvira for such a noble act, and she even received a bonus. But a better position was not offered, and she continued to clean offices.
Roman Vitalyevich, the son of the director, whom the father had so disliked, was temporarily appointed in place of Boris Andreevich. Elvira was even curious to see him, having heard so much about him indirectly. To her surprise, the new deputy turned out to be a very pleasant young man, tall, handsome, and very charismatic. Usually, cleaners are taken for granted, and Elvira was used to this, but the director’s son, upon entering the building, always greeted her warmly, and smiled charmingly, even adding, «Have a good day, Elvira!» or just joking. And from this, something felt so good inside! They started with exchanging insignificant phrases, and then gradually began to talk.
And then something happened that Elvira couldn’t fathom! Roman Vitalyevich summoned her to his office! She walked to the office, a bit nervous: «Why does he need me? We have no business to discuss by status, it seems I haven’t messed up anywhere. Quite the mystery of the century!»
Elvira knocked and quietly asked:
«Excuse me, Roman Vitalyevich, did you call for me? Is something wrong?»
The deputy was very thoughtful and serious, and pointed to a chair:
«Please, Elvira, take a seat. I’m facing big problems and I really need your help! I simply can’t do without you!»
Indeed, this day was the most mysterious in Elvira’s life! Later that evening, the director of the orphanage called her and said:
«Good evening, Elvira! I have fulfilled your request and found your mother! This isn’t something to discuss over the phone, so I’m expecting you here!» — and he hung up! Elvira’s heart was ready to burst from her chest, and tears welled up in her eyes:
«My God! Could it really be happening, and will I finally see my mother!»
Elvira’s weekend was restless; she was shaking and quivering, unable to sleep a wink. She sat in the kitchen, drinking bitter coffee, crying, and constantly wondering what her mother was like. Could she be a successful woman, or a destitute alcoholic? Did she have any other children? And how should she act around her, what to say? To ask point-blank: «Why and for what did you abandon me?» That seemed too harsh! But pretending that she had immediately forgiven her seemed unlikely too! And what if she doesn’t want to talk to me at all, then what?
All these thoughts swirled in her head, while tears kept dropping onto the tablecloth…
Finally, it was Monday! Elvira rushed to her orphanage as if on wings, having asked for time off work! The director, Fyodor Petrovich, was already waiting in his office as agreed.
Elvira greeted him:
«Good day, Fyodor Petrovich! How long has it been since we last saw each other? Thank you for responding to my request and finding my mother! I still can’t believe it’s happened. Well, don’t keep me in suspense, tell me, who is she? How can I find her? Will I really see her soon?»
Fyodor Petrovich coughed and fiddled with his glasses:
«Well, sit down, Elvira! Yes, I put a lot of effort into finding out anything about your birth, but I have nothing joyful to tell you. Your mother died a very long time ago, and you were brought to us a little later. Someone told me that your mother’s friend initially took care of you, but then apparently couldn’t handle it, as taking care of an infant is such a responsibility, and she gave you to the orphanage. Here, I’ve written down where you might look for your mother’s grave, and how to find that friend. If she is indeed the one. I can’t guarantee that what I heard is what I’m telling you.»
Everything inside Elvira sank and fell! She had hoped, believed in a miracle, and now it was all… over! She held her head and cried bitterly!
Fyodor Petrovich tried to console her:
«Now, Elvira, stop, don’t tear your soul needlessly! You can’t change anything, there’s nothing you can do! I’ve been working here for many years, yet I’m always amazed. Home kids don’t appreciate their parents, often ignore them! And you, my poor orphans, dream so much of finding them, despite being abandoned! You’re ready to forgive them anything, justify any of their actions, just to have someone close! What a paradox! Poor souls! Well, nothing to do but live on and look forward, not back! You’ll get married, have your own family, and it will be easier. If anyone deserves it, Elvira, it’s you! So don’t grieve, go home! Good luck!»
The girl wiped away her tears and thanked the director:
«Anyway, thank you for everything, Fyodor Petrovich! At least there’s some result! I sincerely thank you for your care and participation. All the best to you too! Goodbye.»
Elvira decided not to go home, but instead went straight to her mother’s grave. She barely found among other graves in the cemetery a tilted tombstone overgrown with grass. No photograph, just a plaque, that’s all! The girl stood as if enchanted, staring at the dates of her mother’s life without looking away! Elvira couldn’t grasp that here lay her closest relative for many years, and she hadn’t even suspected it! The girl quietly cried and spoke aloud: «Mommy! My dear! Forgive me for holding resentment against you all these years and hating you, thinking you were heartless and abandoned me! But it turns out, you gave your life so I could be born! How sad that we will never meet! I miss you so much, I just want to hug you, to hold you close! Forgive me, mommy! I promise I will often come to visit you, tell you everything! I believe you can hear me!»
She felt slightly relieved, at least now Elvira didn’t feel like a stray without a family! She firmly decided to refurbish her mother’s grave and order a monument! It was a tribute to her loved one!
It took a great deal of effort for the girl to find her mother’s friend, the very one who, according to rumors, had taken her to the orphanage. The woman’s name was Antonina and she lived in a small suburban village, just about ten kilometers from the city. Elvira knocked on the gate of an old, shabby house, her heart sinking with apprehension! How to start the conversation and what to say?
An elderly, unkempt woman appeared on the porch. She was very poorly dressed, in a worn and patched robe, with an old tattered jacket on top. It was evident that she was ill, as she coughed harshly and persistently.
Elvira decided to be direct and started with the main question:
«Good day. Are you Antonina?»
The woman nodded and was also surprised:
«Yes, my name is Antonina Ivanovna. And who are you? You’re so young and pretty, and I seem to have seen you somewhere before. Are you from the social security office by any chance?»
«Not at all, my name is Elvira, I am the daughter of Valentina Uvarova. The one you reportedly personally took to the gates of the orphanage! I need to talk to you!»
The woman’s face suddenly changed, paled like linen, and she gestured for the guest to come inside. The house was cramped, full of clutter, and smelled of damp and dust!
The hostess sat down on a chair and began a difficult conversation:
«Yes, my child, there is such a sin upon me, I confess! I thought no one would ever find out about this! But here’s the story. Valentina and I were friends since childhood and grew up together. Valya then trained as a seamstress, and I foolishly went to work on construction. Your mother, Elvira, was a beauty to behold, you look just like her! I don’t know where she met her suitor, but she loved him so much that she was ready to die for him! He swore eternal love to her too, such passion is beyond words. But as soon as your mother got pregnant, that wealthy suitor left her! Doctors advised against giving birth, her heart was weak, but she insisted, absolutely! She really wanted to have a child from her beloved, to leave a memory! But you see, fate would have it otherwise, your mother died in childbirth, and besides me, she had no one! Well, I scraped together some money for the funeral, got into debt. And I did pick you up from the maternity hospital, God, I wanted to adopt you! I felt so sorry for you, I’m an orphan myself, I know life in an orphanage isn’t sweet! But I soon realized that I couldn’t handle it, couldn’t support you! I was paid pennies at work, and if I had quit and stayed home with you, we would have been completely out of luck! And my partner, Stepan, got furious right away, he didn’t want to accept you at all. He said, choose, either me or someone else’s child! He argued, we barely make ends meet, and you bring another mouth to feed! I got scared, and left you at the gates of the children’s home! I know there’s no forgiveness for me! God has punished me, I have no children, never managed to get pregnant no matter how much I tried, Stepa eventually left me anyway, and I lived alone. I’ve thought of you many times, my conscience gives me no peace, although many years have passed! But what can you do, you can’t turn back the past.
Elvira quietly said:
«That’s true, nothing can be brought back! Tell me more about my mother instead, maybe you have her photo? I want to order a monument for her grave, I’d like it to have a photograph.»
Antonina rummaged through a cupboard and pulled out an old photograph. She handed it to Elvira:
«Here, there’s one. Your mother was exactly your age in this photo. See, a beauty? She didn’t need any makeup! No wonder that rich guy lost his head over Valya! Take it, as a keepsake, and forgive me again! You see how I live, as poor as a church mouse! I’m also sick, this cough has really worn me out, it’s unbearable!»
The woman and Elvira warmly said goodbye, the girl managed to forgive her and even gave her some money for medicine. Who knows, perhaps at that moment she really couldn’t have done otherwise. Apparently, it was fate! A photo of her mother now always lay in the girl’s purse, like a talisman!
On her way home, a small, skinny, and ugly puppy with a stubby tail followed her. He looked at her with devoted eyes and whimpered. The girl stamped her feet and clapped her hands several times to drive him away, but to no avail. He only cowered, expecting an inevitable hit, clearly, he often got beaten! Elvira even got angry: «Why are you clinging to me, little one! Leave me alone! I have nothing to feed you and nowhere to take you! The landlady will find out and kick us out right away! She specifically warned, no animals!»
But the puppy did not lag behind at all and followed her to the entrance of her building. Elvira was about to enter the building, but couldn’t bear it, turned around. The puppy sat down comically on its bum and looked at her so pitifully, tears almost in its eyes! The girl felt so sorry for the poor creature, absolutely unbearable! She suddenly thought: «He’s as lonely as I am… how scared he must be, nowhere to go! No one to feed him or take pity on him! Ah, what the heck! In the end, he chose me! So be it.» The girl picked up the dirty little bundle:
«What am I to do with you? Alright, come along! You’ll live with me! If they kick us out, then together! I’ll call you Chernysh!»
Elvira first bathed the puppy, fed him, and made a makeshift bed in the corridor, deciding he would sleep there. To her surprise, when she came out of the shower, she found her guest peacefully snoring on her bed! What’s funny, once cleaned up, the puppy turned out to be snowy white and fluffy! Elvira laughed and threw up her hands:
«Well, there you have it! A snow-white puppy named Chernysh! What an irony!»
She gently moved the little one aside and lay down next to him. He woke up, wagged his stubby tail, and licked her face! It was so touching! Inside, she felt warm and good, as if this little warm bundle was warming her troubled soul! That’s how Elvira got her best and most loyal friend, her beloved Chernysh! Now she had somewhere to rush in the evenings, because her little one was waiting for her! They walked together, played with a stick and a ball, and the girl felt less lonely!
Meanwhile, at the company, things were in turmoil. The director unexpectedly fell ill, after so many years of stress his heart failed, and he was urgently hospitalized in the cardiology department. But business is a harsh matter and without strict control, the company cannot stay afloat for long. They had to involve the son in the company’s management. Although the businessman was very reluctant to do this! The whole matter was that Roman was not his own son. Vitaly Sergeyevich married Sveta when her little son from a first, unsuccessful marriage was already growing up! Vitaly Sergeyevich always treated his stepson coolly, no matter how hard he tried, he could never truly love him as his own! Although the boy grew up well, studied well, and always tried to prove to his father that he was worthy! Occasionally, he would win first place in an olympiad, run home joyfully:
«Mom, Dad, look! The tasks were tough, but I managed! Here, I got first place!»
His mother, as usual, rushed to hug and kiss her child, praised him, while his father merely frowned and said:
«Well done, son, but boasting about it isn’t nice!»
And it was like that every time, no matter what the subject! Roman was always hurt by his father’s lack of affection. He had asked his mother about it many times, and she just felt sorry for the boy, trying to justify her husband:
«You see, son, your father can’t change! That’s just how he is, sometimes harsh! But it only seems that way. In reality, he loves you very much, he just doesn’t show it! After all, he is generally good, doesn’t mistreat us, and doesn’t deny us anything!»
Vitaliy Sergeyevich himself did not know why he distrusted his stepson, but could do nothing about it! Even today, lying in the hospital bed, he couldn’t help but make a biting remark:
«Roman, here’s the thing. As you can see, I’ve been worn down by these ailments, but work can’t wait, you know that. So, I’m entrusting the company to you for a month, on a trial basis! I hope I won’t regret my decision!»
The son was simply thrilled and assured his father:
«Thank you, Dad, you won’t have to blush for me! I won’t let you down! I promise!»
Roman tackled the task with enthusiasm; he was well-versed in many of the company’s processes and had some management experience. But from day one, everything was an uphill battle! The team didn’t accept him at all! Many were wary and whispered, always comparing him to his father! They murmured that he was too young, weak, wouldn’t handle it! They feared he’d sink them all! Roman Vitalyevich tried to motivate the employees, handed out bonuses, and sometimes had to reprimand them, which was unavoidable, but the atmosphere in the company remained extremely tense! The only person who did not harbor any ill will and was positive towards him was, oddly enough, Elvira. She always greeted him sincerely and wished him a good day.
Recently, his father had thrown an almost impossible task at him!
Vitaliy Sergeyevich instructed him:
«Listen, son. I have a responsible and important task for you. I’ve found very profitable partners, the company ‘Signal’, and you need to sign a contract with them. It will take our company to a whole new level! So, get on it. Don’t let me down! We absolutely need to sign that contract; an opportunity like this might not come again!»
Roman was very nervous; ‘Signal’ was one of the biggest companies in the city! It was well known that its partners trusted only family men. That was their thing! His father knew this very well and had deliberately set his son up, thinking that he would falter and fail! The thing was, ‘Signal’ was a complete family business, all executive positions were held by family members, and the general director was even a woman! They were very proud of this and believed that it was the only way to build a successful business.
Roman panicked. Who could he take to the negotiations? Surely not the promiscuous Alisa? That would be a laughing stock! That’s when he remembered the new cleaner. Elvira was attractive and looked very respectable, someone he could trust and not be ashamed to be seen with in public. So, he called her in for a talk:
«Elvira, I have a serious and responsible task for you! In three days, I have important negotiations with the company ‘Signal’, which you’ve surely heard of. Their owners don’t trust partners who don’t have a family. I need you to play along and pretend to be ‘a wife for an hour’. You don’t need to delve into the intricacies of the business, just behave naturally, smile sweetly, and occasionally nod along. That’s it. Well, what do you say? I’m really counting on you! After all, you’re not losing anything! On the contrary, you’ll enjoy some time in a cozy restaurant.»
Elvira was flustered by such a proposal! She had thought the boss was going to scold her, and here was this! She was both scared and pleased! Thoughts raced through her head: «What if I can’t handle it? What if I let him down and embarrass myself?» But on the other hand, she found Roman to be a very likable person, so why not help? Such a chance comes once in a lifetime!
And she decided:
«To be honest, I’m scared, but I agree! I’ll try not to let you down!»
And they began to discuss the format and details of the upcoming meeting. Although both were very nervous, they were confident they could handle it! Such a thing had never happened in business history before, for a company director to show up at a business meeting with a cleaner! No one knew how it would end!
Elvira was nervous; the meeting was tomorrow, and she had absolutely nothing to wear! Surely she couldn’t go to a restaurant in jeans, and updating her hairstyle wouldn’t hurt either! She decided to call Roman Vitalyevich:
«Excuse me, don’t think me forward, but I’ve just reviewed my wardrobe, and I have absolutely nothing to wear! I don’t know what to do!»
The man blurted out:
«Oh my God, please forgive me! What a fool I am, I hadn’t even thought of that! We need to work on your image, and there’s hardly any time! Wait at home, I’ll pick you up now, we’ll sort it out!»
Roman Vitalyevich took Elvira to an expensive boutique and told the attentive salespeople, who practically sprawled before seeing an important client:
«Ladies, this woman needs a dress that will knock our important guests off their feet. Is that clear?»
Half an hour later, Elvira came out of the fitting room, unrecognizable! A turquoise long flowing dress was both modest and very seductive, as it highlighted her impeccable figure! Against its backdrop, her gray eyes sparkled brightly!
The man even whistled:
«Class! That’s exactly what we need! It suits us. Wrap it up!»
Then he turned to Elvira:
«You look absolutely stunning! I’m speechless! Now let’s head to the salon, we need to add some final touches!»
The beauty salon staff worked magic on their client for several hours, giving her a delicate manicure, refreshing her hairstyle, applying a facial mask and massage, and she was simply unrecognizable!
Roman was at a loss for words, Elvira was very attractive already, but now she looked like a polished diamond.
And then the hour of truth arrived! The partners turned out to be very pleasant people, they chatted lively and quite trustingly about everything, Elvira felt quite comfortable, and even enjoyed spending time with such people! She stuck to the script, was restrained, supported the conversation, intuitively knowing when to keep silent and when to just smile sweetly. The negotiations were a great success and the contract was signed! The general director of ‘Signal’, a tough, sparingly praiseful woman, said to Roman upon parting:
Roman Vitalyevich, I must admit you’ve made the right choice. It’s so rare these days to meet such a tactful and intelligent woman who also has an excellent understanding of economics. Truly, a reliable support system! With such a wife, you definitely won’t go astray!»
Roman was astonished! Indeed, Elvira was not just a beautiful silent doll! She so skillfully and subtly conducted the conversation, knew how to steer it in the right direction, and did everything so sweetly and unobtrusively!
When the guests had left, he poured a full glass of champagne, took a breath, and said:
«Thank you so much, Elvira! I don’t know how to thank you enough! You were simply splendid! The contract is in our pocket, which means our profits will multiply! I am amazed! You shouldn’t be dealing with cloths and mops, you deserve more! I will definitely speak with my father and seek a promotion for you! Also, I want you to know how beautiful and smart you are! Such qualities are rare nowadays, filled with artificial beauties who know every brand of clothes and shoes, but that’s all! But you, you have natural charm and intelligence! Bravo!»
Elvira was very pleased, and she responded:
«Thank you, Roman Vitalyevich! I had a wonderful time! It felt like a celebration! Well, bottoms up! To the success of the deal!»
They happily drank the cool, fragrant champagne and talked heartily for a long time. Roman was very likable to Elvira; she felt so easy and comfortable with him, as if they were close people who had known each other for a hundred years!
A thrilled Roman rushed to his father in the hospital the next day, eager for him to finally recognize his notable success! Managing such a complex deal was no joke! But contrary to his expectations, when Roman told him about the success, his father lashed out at him with accusations:
«Yes, I know, they’ve already reported to me! That the contract is signed is good. But that you dragged a cleaner as a wife to a restaurant for the meeting, that’s out of line! What were you thinking? What if she had embarrassed you? Who is she even? Who does she think she is? Why is she intruding where she’s not wanted? First, she’s saving Aliska’s child, now she’s playing wife! Isn’t she taking on too much? Have her come to me, I’ll deal with her myself! Turning the company into a circus!»
Roman was so hurt, he was close to tears! He didn’t respond, slammed the door so hard that the plaster crumbled, and stormed out of the room! Anger consumed him: «What was I even hoping for? I’ve always been an outsider to him, and that will never change! All my life I’ve bent over backwards to please him, and what do I get in return? And I’ve put Elvira in such a spot! Now he’ll give her a hard time too! Well, I certainly won’t let him fire her! We’ll see who outlasts whom!»
Elvira walked into the hospital on trembling legs, very nervous: «That’s it! The fairy tale is over! Vitaliy Sergeyevich will crush me into dust! I’ll definitely be fired, no doubt!»
Sure enough, as soon as she entered and greeted him, the director began to mercilessly scold her:
«I called you here, Elvira, for an unpleasant conversation. I was informed that you appeared at highly important negotiations pretending to be my son’s wife! Who gave you the right? You are nobody, just a cleaner, your place is to mop floors and stay out of matters, especially those you know nothing about!»
Elvira felt hurt to tears, for she was being humiliated for no reason, and she couldn’t hold back:
«Why are you doing this? Firstly, it was Roman Vitalyevich himself who asked me to do this, and secondly, I am not nobody! I have an economics education, I’m finishing my studies externally! Just because I’m an orphan and no one is there to stand up for me doesn’t give you the right to insult me! I never thought you were like this!»
Tears bitterly streamed down her face as she dug into her purse for a handkerchief, flustered, and dropped a photograph of her mother, the one Antonina had given her. It fell right at the businessman’s feet. He bent down, picked it up, looked at it, and suddenly turned pale as a ghost! He clutched at his heart and struggled to breathe! Elvira was terribly frightened and screamed:
«My God! Are you okay? Should I call a doctor? I’ll be right back!»
But the man waved his hands and pointed to a pill on the bedside table:
«Give me a pill under the tongue, please, oh, it’s grabbed me again!»
After taking the pill, he caught his breath and asked hoarsely:
«Where did you get this photo? This is Valentina! My Valya! My first love! I met her when I was very young. What a beauty she was, and so smart. She herself came from an orphanage, but you would think she was raised in a noble maiden’s institute! What a love we had, I remember! I even introduced her to my parents, wanted to marry her! But they fiercely opposed our relationship! So, I gave in, left her, I confess! She was pregnant, I think! I even persuaded her to have an abortion, gave her the money. I don’t know how her life turned out. And then I married Sveta. She already had a child, Roman, so he’s not my own son! And it’s been gnawing at me ever since, honestly! So where did you get her photo from?»
Elvira was in shock, she cried even harder and barely managed to get the words out:
«I am her daughter! And she’s my mother! As you see, she didn’t have the abortion! She gave birth to me, and died in childbirth! Her friend initially took me in, then got scared and returned me to the orphanage. I just found out about this myself only a week ago. Oh, you! I spent all my childhood in the orphanage dreaming of finding my parents, suffered so much from loneliness, I thought that once I succeeded, I would be so happy, and it would make things easier! But now I found my late mother and apparently my father! And I feel so sick about it all! I probably would have been better off not knowing anything!»
The businessman was unable to recover from the shock, felt terribly ashamed of his words and actions, and didn’t know what to say:
«Forgive me, Elvira! I didn’t know, I didn’t think.. I was wrong! It all doesn’t fit in my head! So, you are my own daughter? What a story! I never hoped that I would have my own children! Sveta never bore me a child, so apart from Roman, I had no one! But it always bothered me that he was not my own! I don’t know why!»
Elvira suddenly flared up:
«You’re wrong about that! Your son, even if he’s not your own, is a very good person! You raised him and made him that way! So you can be proud of your son!»
Vitaly Sergeyevich was relentless:
«Elvira, I still can’t believe what I’ve heard! Would you mind taking a genetic test? To be absolutely sure that you are my daughter? Please don’t be offended!»
«As you wish! After all that has happened to me this month, I’m not surprised by anything anymore! But it essentially changes nothing! Our relationship is unlikely to become any warmer! Excuse me, I need some time to myself! Also, I am resigning. After such humiliations and insults, I can’t work another day in your company! Take care! Get well soon!»
Elvira dashed out of the hospital and ran away, overwhelmed with emotion! She felt so dreadful and disgusted! Why did it all turn out this way? Her mother died, her father turned out to be a harsh tyrant, and now she was jobless! The full package! She locked herself in her apartment and decided not to go anywhere! Let them fire her! She was suddenly overcome with such apathy! She didn’t want to live. Chernysh, sensing his owner’s mood, cuddled up to her and licked her hands, looking into her eyes as if to encourage her:
«Hey, what’s wrong? Chin up! Look, here I am, your favorite! Aren’t you glad?»
But the next morning, someone was banging on the door early! The puppy barked loudly, sensing a stranger!
Elvira grumbled:
«Who’s there, can’t you let one die in peace!»
She was stunned when she saw Roman on the doorstep with a cake and a bouquet of flowers! He simply beamed with happiness! He hugged the astonished girl and blurted out:
«Hello, sister! My God, how happy I am! Dad told me everything! It’s great that I’m not alone in the world! No wonder I liked you right away! Elvira!»
The girl sadly said:
«I’m also glad about you, Roman Vitalyevich. It’s easy and good with you! One could only dream of such a brother. But somehow I feel so vile right now… Probably fired from work, and had a heated talk with Dad, I don’t feel a close connection with him! Only little Chernysh brings me joy, my little positive bundle!»
Roman became serious and sat down next to her on the couch:
«First of all, stop being so formal! We’re family! Secondly, Dad is a complicated man, my relationship with him has always been quite difficult. But on major issues, he’s a good and fair man! Thirdly, I have great news, I talked to Dad, and you’ve been transferred to the economics department! And fourthly, stop being so gloomy! Come on, get dressed, bring the puppy, and let’s go for a walk! I’m telling you as your older brother!»
For Elvira, this was so unusual, she was no longer alone in this world, she had a brother! How great that was! They walked in the park for a long time with the dog, who joyously barked and brought them sticks, the siblings chatted about everything under the sun, discovering they had very similar tastes and interests! The bad mood and sadness quickly evaporated, and she felt at peace!
When Elvira was officially transferred to the economics department the next day, the coworkers initially complained and gossiped:
«Where has it been seen before? What economist can come from a cleaner, really? A madhouse, not a company!»
As the news that she was the owner’s daughter had not yet reached the staff, they looked askance at her and deliberately burdened her with complex reports, while not really explaining anything. But Elvira was only glad to have finally obtained a proper position and no longer needed to carry a mop. Now, she was doing what she loved. She worked diligently, often staying late and taking documents home, and soon her colleagues began to respect her, seeing that everything was always done conscientiously.
As things went on, Vitaly Sergeyevich did indeed conduct a genetic test, which confirmed that Elvira was his biological daughter! There was a difficult and unpleasant conversation with his wife, as she had no idea about his youthful indiscretions. Eventually, she forgave him, considering the many years they had been together, and after all, all this had happened long before she entered his life.
After a long treatment, Vitaly Sergeyevich decided it was time for him to retire, especially since his son Roman was skillfully managing the company. But, since he now had two children, he could not slight Elvira, seeing that she was very tenacious and ambitious, and the businessman made an unusual decision. He gathered all the family members around a large table and formally announced:
«My dear ones! I am old, my health is failing, and all these daily stresses and strains at work are unnecessary! And after all, it’s about time I gave my wife the attention she deserves; I’ve devoted my entire life to the company, barely being home! Little Artem has hardly seen me, it’s about time I doted on my own grandson! Therefore, I have made the following decision! From this month, the company will be managed by two people, brother and sister, Roman and Elvira! I see you work great as a team, get along well, and will put all your efforts into ensuring the business I built grows and prospers!»
Stunned by such trust, Roman was taken aback:
«Wow! Thank you, Dad! Finally, you recognize our efforts! We won’t let you down, right, Elia?»
Elvira smiled, feeling a new chapter of her life beginning with a sense of hope and determination. The siblings’ new journey in leading the company together was about to begin, promising not just a renewal of professional ambitions but also the mending of old wounds and the strengthening of familial bonds.
She nodded her head, herself shocked at how drastically her life was changing at this very moment! And Vitaliy Sergeyevich added:
«Children! I want to apologize to both of you! To you, Roma, for always nitpicking, testing you, and not appreciating you enough. To you, daughter, for how poorly I treated your late mother, and not even bothering to inquire about her fate! I could have raised my own daughter for so many years! But what’s done is done. However, I am glad that now we are one big, happy family, with no more secrets or misunderstandings, and it feels warm and good in my heart!»
Everyone teared up at these warm and sincere words and embraced each other. For the first time in many years of bleak loneliness, Elvira felt like she was a part of a family, needed and important to someone!
The company’s affairs were thriving, work was non-stop, and Roman and Elvira worked tirelessly. A new year was approaching, and they decided to organize a corporate event for the employees, so to speak, to unify the team and give people a chance to relax. Roman invited his best friend, Nikita, to the celebration. They had been inseparable since childhood! But after school, their paths diverged: Roman followed in his father’s footsteps into business, while Nikita became a geologist, often leaving for long trips and travel. And he had just recently come home for the holiday! Of course, the old friends decided to meet and celebrate the occasion! And what a perfect opportunity it was! They sat at a table and chatted, reminiscing about their school years, and suddenly Nikita asked:
«Listen, Romka. Who is that lady in charge here? So beautiful and confident! I think I’m in love!»
Roman laughed:
«That’s my half-sister from my father, we now co-manage the firm together. Her name is Elvira! I’ll introduce you!»
He waved her over:
«Sister! Stop worrying and double-checking everything. The table is heaving with appetizers, the musicians are doing their best, and everyone is fully enjoying themselves! Everything is fine! Relax! Meet my best friend, Nikita! By the way, he’s already fallen for you! So come and join us, or you’ll miss your chance!»
Elvira laughed and greeted the young man! He looked at her so intensely! It felt like a wave of heat washed over her from the inside! She really liked Nikita! He was fun and witty, invited her to dance, complimented her, and didn’t leave her side all evening!
When all the guests had left and the restaurant closed, Nikita called a taxi and offered to take Elvira home! She was not at all opposed, and then they lingered in the cold outside her building, like schoolchildren, unable to part, and Elvira decided:
«Nikita, maybe you’d like to come in for some warm tea? Chernysh is waiting, I need to take him for a walk!»
Nikita eagerly agreed! Together, they walked the dog, then had tea with sweets, and they couldn’t stop talking! They parted only in the early morning, Elvira managed only a couple of hours of sleep, but she didn’t regret it at all! A smile wouldn’t leave her face; she felt like laughing and singing! Roman immediately noticed the change and teased her:
«Dear sister, have you fallen in love, my darling? I’ve never seen you this happy? Come on, spill it.»
Elvira blushed and dreamily smiled:
«Well, honestly, I really like Nikita! He’s so cool! I feel so easy and good with him! Maybe I am in love! So what?»
Roman suddenly became somber and serious:
«You see, Nikita is a great guy, he has a golden character, he’s honest and kind! But there’s one thing! He can’t sit still, that’s why he travels all his life! I’m worried about you, soon he’ll leave for another long geological expedition, and you’ll be crying and missing him! Think carefully, do you really want such a relationship? Are you ready for that?»
Elvira also became sad and quietly replied:
«Honestly, Roma, I don’t know! But I understand that I can’t be without him! We’ll live and see! Okay, let’s get to work! What an investigator you are!»
During the day, the secretary, Elena, knocked on Elvira’s office door and brought in a huge bouquet of roses! There was a note, «To the best and most desirable, the sweetest, the most cherished, there’s no one more beautiful in the world, be mine, Elvira!»
The girl melted at such romance! Not only flowers but also poetry! How lovely! And a moment later, the phone rang:
«Hello, did you receive my little gift? If you don’t mind, I’ll pick you up at six, I’ve got two tickets to a concert, I promise it will be very interesting!»
Elvira was thrilled, her heart fluttered! She happily agreed:
«I’d love to! I look forward to spending another evening with such an interesting gentleman. The flowers and poetry are just perfect! Thank you, I’m touched! But there’s one problem, what about my Chernysh? He needs a walk! And there’s absolutely no time for that!»
Nikita immediately resolved it:
«Don’t worry, I’ll come over earlier, you can give me the keys, and I’ll walk Chernysh! So, everything’s settled! He seems to like me!»
And so their whirlwind romance began, Elvira and Nikita couldn’t get enough of each other, they were so good together! The New Year’s holidays passed, and it was time for Nikita to leave. He delayed as long as possible and didn’t tell Elvira, understanding that she would be terribly upset! And when his bags were packed, he decided to have the talk:
«Elvira, my love! I’m leaving early tomorrow morning! I don’t want to part with you, but this is my job! It’s just for two months! I’ll be back at the end of March! And we’ll be together again!»
Elvira suddenly got up and responded sharply:
«And you’re telling me this now? I thought we were serious! Or how do you see our future? You’ll be away for months, and I should be satisfied with just crumbs of your attention? Is that normal? Well no, I don’t need such a relationship! I want a real family, a child, like everyone else! If that’s not what you want, then we might as well say goodbye right now! All the best!»
And she ran out into the street in tears! Everything inside her was boiling with anger: «So, he just had his fun and left? What a fool I was to fall for him! And Romka warned me that this would happen! Well, let him go on his expedition! I can live without him!»
Nikita was distressed, tried calling Elvira, but she stubbornly didn’t answer the phone, deeply offended at her fiancé! So they parted, still in a quarrel!
The man believed he was doing everything right, after all, he was a geologist, it was his calling, his beloved job, the romance! How could he live without it? But days and weeks went by, and nothing pleased him anymore! Not the songs around the campfire, nor the search for minerals, his heart ached for her, for that beautiful gray-eyed princess!
Elvira, no matter how she tried, couldn’t get her romantic geologist out of her head! She remembered those roses and poems and carefully kept that note as a talisman!
Roman, of course, saw her state and tried to console her as best he could:
«Don’t be sad, sister! It hurts to see you like this! You’ll make up! Nikita is a fool, of course, I wouldn’t have left such a beauty! What’s he, the only man in the world? Want me to introduce you to another friend? Or shall we go somewhere to cheer up?»
Elvira suddenly burst into tears:
«I don’t want anything without him, understand? I love him, that’s it! I’m angry, but I still can’t forget him! I felt that we were a perfect match! It will never happen with anyone else! Forget them all! Give me your report, I’ll check it!»
For the weekend, Elvira and Roman decided to visit their father to check on everyone, especially little Artemchik, who was the family’s favorite. The men went off to barbecue, while Elvira and the businessman’s wife, Svetlana, set the table. Little Artemchik joyfully rattled his new toy in the walker, babbling in his own way!
Everything was ready, and a whole crowd burst into the house, Roman carrying the smoking barbecue, the father bringing tasty sausages, and following them was Nikita, dressed as Santa Claus, complete with a real beard and a sack over his shoulder!
Elvira was flabbergasted and couldn’t figure out how he got there! It must be magic!
The men smiled slyly and sat down at the table, and Nikita loudly started:
«Hello everyone! Here are my gifts! For you, Svetlana Alekseevna, a hand-made lace shawl to keep your shoulders warm on winter evenings! For you, Vitaliy Sergeyevich, a genuine briar pipe, I know you love these! For you, my friend Roma, a collector’s bottle of wine from the early nineteenth century, for you, my little rascal, this toy gun! And now the most important gift, for my princess!» He pulled out a box from his pocket, opened it, and handed it to Elvira, inside was a ring of unearthly beauty! The young man, as befitting, got down on one knee, and earnestly said:
«Elvira, I confess, I acted like a pig, just taking off like that! Only in separation from you did I realize that without you, nothing is dear to me, not even my beloved travels and expeditions! Forgive me and marry me! I swear I won’t leave you ever again! We will admire distant countries together, on vacation! Do you agree?»
The girl was so happy that she couldn’t control her emotions, she threw herself around Nikita’s neck and burst into tears! She kissed his prickly cheeks, which smelled of frost and something very familiar, and whispered:
«I agree! I love you so much! I can’t bear to be without you! I won’t let you go anywhere, just so you know!»
Everyone was moved, they started congratulating the bride and groom and wishing them happiness! The dinner was a great success! Now Nikita was part of their big and friendly family! Elvira dreamily sat by the fireplace, listening to the men strumming upbeat campfire songs on the guitar, and she felt so content! She thought to herself: «It all started with that found baby in the basket! Thank you, Artemchik! If it weren’t for that incident, she would not have found her family and met the most beloved man on earth! Miracles do happen, she now knew that for sure!»
