Alexey was angry and upset, so he silently and frowningly tinkered with his bread machine before heading out in the morning, clanging his keys and muttering under his breath.
The warehouse manager, Ivanych, asked him:
«Why are you so angry, Lyokha, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? Or did something happen?»
The guy wiped his hands on a rag and said with annoyance:
«Yeah, Lera, my fiancée, drove me nuts yesterday. We had a massive fight, I think it’s over for good!» he fumed.
Ivanych was stunned:
«Oh wow! Why did you decide to split up? Haven’t you been together a long time?»
Lyosha darkened even more:
«She’s been tormenting me with her whims and excessive demands. She wanted gold earrings, and I barely managed to scrape together enough for silver ones and gave them from the heart. But she turned her nose up at them, made faces! It was so hurtful! Now she wants to go to a concert, and the tickets are ridiculously expensive! She even threatens that her mom has found her a rich suitor, says she’ll live like a queen with him! Well, let her go! She knew when we met that I wasn’t an oil magnate!»
Ivanych shook his head:
«You’re right, Lyokha. If a girl is only looking for profit, there’s no love there! My Marusya and I have been together for so many years, we’ve been through a lot, and somehow we survived. So don’t be sad, you’ll meet a good fiancée too.»
Alexey spent the whole day bumping along the potholes, delivering bread to shops, and picking up leftovers, wondering why it all happened?
The guy grew up in an orphanage. An old nanny, Baba Dusya, told him that he was left at the gate like a puppy, in an old wicker cradle. No note, no name, just an old, worn-out rabbit with a torn ear in his hands. So the institution gave him a surname and a name.
Alexey Ryzhov, probably because he was snub-nosed and red-haired, like the sun! The boy grew up clever and sharp-witted, but he was a terrible fidget and troublemaker, often scolded by the caretakers. Lyoshka always dreamed of becoming a policeman, drew shoulder straps and patrol cars, wanted to protect people from troubles and disasters. The only trouble – the boy never really grew up, as they say, a little man from the start. In the army, he was immediately placed in the tank troops due to his short stature, served faithfully and truly.
After the army, he rushed to find a job, but it was not so easy without experience and connections. But he was lucky, employees from the orphanage vouched for him, wrote a good character reference, and that’s how he got a job as a driver for an old bread van through an acquaintance. He lived in a little room that the state had allocated to him. Lyosha had golden hands, within a year he had renovated it and even installed some conveniences.
He met Valeria by chance. She was running to a friend’s room next door, and their lock jammed, so our hero came to the rescue. The girl immediately caught his eye – she was striking, brightly dressed, like from a picture! But Lera didn’t like this plain, short, red-haired simpleton at all! But she was a mercenary nature, saw that the simpleton had fallen head over heels. Let it be, she decided. As long as Lyosha had money, Lera was there twirling, shooting glances, cooing. As soon as she got her gift and saw that he was broke, she would throw a fit! In the end, these swings so tired Alexey that he couldn’t take it anymore, and he told her everything, calling her a heartless bitch. The guy finally lost faith in selfless and sincere love and decided to hold off on it for a while.
It was late November, the weather was nasty, snow mixed with rain was falling, and a cold wind was blowing, the truck’s windshield wipers could barely keep up. Suddenly, something flickered near the shoulder. The guy didn’t realize at first whether it was a person or an animal, so he slowed down to look out of curiosity.
Near the sign, a girl was barely standing, huddled from the cold, trying to stop cars. Her appearance was, of course, something else: all her makeup was smeared across her face, either from tears or the rain, her hair wet and stuck to her body with icicles, dressed clearly out of season, in a light silk short pajama and house slippers on her bare foot! Where did she come from? There was a forest all around, and just a bit further, factories began, no residential houses anywhere close.
Lyosha felt sorry for the poor girl and opened the cab door:
«Miss, get in, I’ll give you a ride. Where do you need to go?»
The unfortunate girl quickly slipped into his warm car. She was shivering, sniffling, and coughing heavily. They drove to the city in silence, the guy didn’t ask anything, waiting for the passenger to warm up and start talking herself.
Finally, at a traffic light in the city, the young man couldn’t hold back anymore:
«My shift is over, I’m about to park the car and go home. I can drop you off at the metro. Where should I let you out?» he offered.
Suddenly, the girl covered her face with her hands and burst into tears, whispering softly:
«I don’t know where to go, but I understand, I’ll leave now!» and she pressed herself into the seat, trying to open the door and get out.
Something inside him tightened, she was so pitiful and helpless, like a wet, sick puppy, that he unexpectedly said:
«Alright, come to my place, warm up, rest, and then we’ll see.»
She perked up:
«Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some loose woman, just…» and she hesitated, as if afraid to continue.
He laughed:
«Don’t be afraid, I won’t touch you, just look at me, do I look like a maniac?» and he winked at his passenger.
At home, Alexey gave the girl a bath towel and his clean clothes, saying:
«Sorry, I live alone, no women’s clothes here!» and sent the poor girl to take a shower.
He then went to the common kitchen to fry some potatoes with onions.
When he returned with the smoking frying pan, he found an endearing sight: the stranger was sound asleep, curled up right in the chair. She looked so funny in his shirt and his baggy, wide trousers. He looked closer; without makeup, the girl was very pretty and young, almost a child. The guy thoughtfully covered her with a warm blanket, didn’t wake her, and sat down to dine alone. He rummaged through the medicine cabinet, found some medicines, a thermometer, and left them on the bedside table.
The next morning, Ivanych, hearing about our hero’s adventure, scolded him thoroughly:
«You silly, what were you thinking! And you just left her alone, and didn’t even lock the door? Not knowing her name, nothing? What if she’s a scammer or something? They worm their way into your trust exactly like that! You’ll come home in the evening, and it’ll be ransacked, and good luck finding her!»
Lyosha indeed got worried; he certainly never had billions, but he did have some savings and gadgets! All day he was not himself, but he couldn’t leave his route, everything was scheduled to the minute!
In the evening, the guy rushed home headlong, already in the stairwell, a marvelous smell of cinnamon and something sweet wafted from someone’s apartment. He cautiously opened the door and realized, yes, those delicious smells were coming from his room! On the table lay a beautiful apple pie! Lyosha felt ashamed that he had thought so poorly of his mysterious stranger all day, see what working yourself up can do!
The girl, rosy and pleased, smiled:
«Well, here I am, feeling better, we can get acquainted now, my name is Vika. I did a bit of housekeeping here, scraped together what I could, sit down, try it! And thanks for the medicine, that was very sweet of you, but I’m okay now, no fever, just really chilled.»
«And I’m Alexey, very nice to meet you! Haven’t had homemade baked goods in ages!» and the guy eagerly devoured the treat, the pie was simply delicious and melted in his mouth. Soon, not a crumb was left on the table.
After dinner, the guy uncorked a bottle of wine saved for a special occasion and poured a little into two glasses:
«Well, Victoria, tell me, what happened? Who dared to offend such a beauty? Maybe I can help? How did you end up almost naked in the forest?»
The girl downed her glass in one go, caught her breath, and began:
«Have you heard of a businessman named Kislyakov who died recently?» she asked.
Our hero smirked:
«Who hasn’t heard of him! A local business shark, owner of factories, newspapers, steamboats!» he joked.
But the girl suddenly became serious and saddened:
«Well, I’m his daughter, Victoria Kislyakov! My father was murdered, and they wanted to bury me in the forest! How do you like that story?»
The guy paled and his expression changed. Everything was much more serious than he had assumed. This was not just a quarrel with a boyfriend!
Vika took a sip and continued:
«My father raised me alone, my mother died in childbirth. He loved me, spoiled me, called me his doll and bun, never let me go. You know, when I was little, I was very jealous of him with other women, probably that’s why he never looked for anyone for life, afraid that I wouldn’t accept her. But when I grew up, I realized how bad and lonely he felt alone, and I even wanted him to meet a good, caring woman his age.
But when a year ago my sixty-year-old dad brought home this flibbertigibbet Viola, with the word ‘money’ practically written in large letters on her forehead, and her son Igor in tow, I was shocked! This lady, made entirely of silicone, was steeped in venom, and her son was scared and appeasing in everything. I tried to reach my father, to talk to him, but he was like bewitched, and kept repeating like a woodpecker: ‘Viola loves me, and Igor is like a son to me. You’ll get used to it!’ As if he was blind and deaf! I just felt that trouble was coming from Viola, such an unpleasant woman.
I often noticed how, in his absence, they prowled around father’s office together, looking for papers and photographing something, behaving boldly, lordly, and recklessly! They drove our housekeeper, Tanyusha, to tears with their nitpicking, and she even used to nanny me. They completely ignored me, as if I was nobody, an empty space! But as soon as father came home, they turned into silk, fawned and ingratiated! I suddenly became Vikusya and ‘our little daughter.’ I was so revolted by these words, they were so deceitful.
A month ago, out of the blue, during the semester, I was sent to a ski resort in the Carpathians, and it was Viola who insisted on the trip:
«The girl needs a distraction, she’s been quite down! She’ll rest, get some fresh air, and gather strength!»
My father happily agreed, and nobody asked for my opinion.
A week later, I was told the terrible news that my father had suddenly died of a heart attack! I thought I would die at that very moment too! – and the girl burst into tears, sobbing loudly, and continued:
«He never even complained about his heart, he was into sports, jogging in the mornings! Something shady is going on here, they sent me away for a reason! But how to prove it? Everything is tightly covered up! There’s even an official report from the morgue, nothing can be done!»
I hadn’t even recovered from my father’s death, I cried my eyes out, I didn’t want to live, I was all alone in the world, and that snake walked around the house, managing everything, laughing, and acting like she owned the place! At the cemetery, she cried for show, but at home, she didn’t shed a single tear, such a hypocrite!
I was so hurt for my father, for myself, if it wasn’t for her, we would have lived happily like before.
That’s when I couldn’t take it anymore, my nerves gave out. I had a big fight with them and put those upstarts in their place! I announced that I was the sole heiress and I would decide how to manage everything and who would live in this house!
You should have seen their faces; they nearly attacked me! Everything seemed to calm down, Viola even started wearing mourning clothes and behaved respectfully. And Igor tried to befriend me, but I felt it was the calm before the storm.
Two days ago, I was at home when suddenly the car alarm went off, I pressed the remote, but the car kept wailing. So, I ran out in my pajamas and slippers to see what was the matter. Just as I sat in the seat, I got hit in the back of the head!
I woke up, it was night, the car was moving, and I heard a conversation from the front:
«Mom, can’t we just dump her in the forest and be done with it? I can’t do this!»
And Viola’s response:
«Are you crazy? Drive another kilometer, there’s a clearing on the right, that’s where we need to go. You dig the hole, there’s a shovel in the trunk, and I’ll handle the rest! Wimp! Who’s going to look for her?»
I realized my end was near, so I opened the rear door and jumped out while the car was moving! Luckily, those monsters hadn’t locked the door and I didn’t break anything when I fell. I ran like a hare, afraid to go onto the highway, thinking they might be waiting for me there. But then I just couldn’t anymore, I was out of strength and extremely cold, so I took a risk and finally stepped onto the road. That’s all. I have no idea what to do next! – and she clasped her hands to her head.
Alexey exclaimed:
«What do you mean, what to do? Go to the police!»
The girl smiled weakly:
«Who would believe me? They’ll just laugh it off!»
But the guy disagreed:
«Not true! Your photos with your father were published in many magazines, so they will believe you! I’ll get Ivanych involved, his son-in-law is an investigator! Look, I bought you a tracksuit, so first thing tomorrow, we’ll go!»
Investigator Drozdov was initially skeptical of the story, it all sounded too fantastical! However, after rechecking everything, he quickly changed his mind.
Drozdov addressed the girl:
«I’ve looked into it, Victoria, let’s assume you’re not lying, but that doesn’t give us anything! We can’t pin anything on this couple, there are no facts or evidence! Just your words and nothing more…»
Lyosha decided to intervene:
«I came up with a plan, wanted to discuss it – and he laid out his idea, Drozdov approved.
On the appointed day, they attached a bug under Alexey’s jacket and sent him to Victoria’s house. The guy was supposed to act like a seasoned thug. So he deliberately dressed in all black, pulled a cap over his eyes, and chewing gum, rang the doorbell.
A young man appeared at the door, apparently, Igor, and asked discontentedly:
«Who are you looking for? And who are you?»
Our hero pushed the stunned guy aside and said business-like:
«I’m Lyosha, call your mother, got business!»
Igor yelled:
«Mom, someone’s here for you.»
A displeasing figure appeared on the porch of the huge mansion. Violetta was in a house robe with a towel on her head and unfriendly threw out:
«Speak your piece and leave!»
The guy was clearly not expecting such a rebuttal and frowned:
«Easy there, mom! Here’s the thing, I picked up your stepdaughter on the highway recently! Turns out you wanted to kill the innocent kid! But I’m not a fool, figured out what’s what! I can bring her to you, for a small reward, or I can take her to the police! You decide!» – and he demonstratively spat out his gum onto the asphalt.
Viola grimaced in disgust:
«How much do you want?»
The guy smirked:
«Now we’re talking! Three million should do, I’m not greedy! It’s not a lot of money for a grieving millionaire’s widow, right?» – and he winked at the woman.
She snarled venomously:
«Bring her to the 101st kilometer on the highway at sixteen hundred tomorrow! It’s about time we finished off that girl! What a tough little viper she is!»
«Deal! Always a pleasure doing business with serious people!» – the guy said and walked out the gate.
Turning the corner, he exhaled, and only then realized how scared he was!
«Did I pull it off? Did they believe me?» – the young man hoped. He couldn’t stop his hands from shaking as he pressed the recorder button.
The operation went smoothly, the greedy couple had no idea until the police caught them during the exchange. Their faces were a sight to see!
Viola hissed like an angry snake:
«Ah, you little viper! Survived, did you? Outsmarted me! And to think you acted like such a plain Jane!»
Igor panicked like a child, yelling:
«It’s all mom’s fault! I didn’t even want to go! Write that down! I’m ready to cooperate, she made me do it!» – he ratted out his mother completely.
She got even angrier:
«Shut your mouth, weakling, you’re just adding to your sentence!»
Vika, in a burst of emotion, hugged the guy:
«Thank you, Lyosha! You really saved me! From certain death, and from these vile people! I owe you forever!»
The guy was terribly embarrassed, though, to be honest, he was very pleased!
The investigator also praised him:
«Well done, lad, you weren’t scared, spun such a scheme! Played the thug perfectly, even I wouldn’t have guessed! Don’t you want to join us, in the service?»
Lyosha hesitated:
«Who, me? No one would take me! I’m just an orphan, barely got a job driving a bread van! Where do I fit in?»
But Drozdov continued:
«Start with the patrol, you served in the army, gradually you’ll learn, trouble is just the beginning! Anyway, if you decide, I’ll help!» – and he shook the young man’s hand.
Vika and Lyosha began to hang out closely, becoming friends and gradually turning into the closest people in the world.
Despite her huge inheritance, the girl was very sweet and simple. She entrusted all her father’s affairs to a reliable manager, and she continued her studies in economics at the university, to later work in his corporation.
Vika persuaded the guy to try, and he got into the police school on the first try, working as a patrolman. His childhood dream came true!
Five years later, the couple had a lavish wedding. Vika was smart, so she didn’t flaunt her status and wealth. She supported her husband in everything, and he, believing in himself, quickly climbed the career ladder. Everything was going well for them, except one thing – Vika couldn’t get pregnant. No matter how much she was examined, went to resorts, nothing worked!
Alexey saw how she struggled with this, so he decided:
«Vikus, how do you feel about adopting a little one from the orphanage? We live well, can raise them as our own! I grew up in an orphanage myself, and I know it’s not sweet there! Think about it!»
His wife threw herself into his arms:
«I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time, just afraid to say it! You’re the best! Let’s go tomorrow.»
A month later, their family finally heard the ringing laughter of a child, and little girl Alice babbled in her crib: «Ma-ma, pa-pa!»
And Vika and Lyosha couldn’t get enough of her, and melted with happiness!