Andrey parked the car and looked around. Yes, he was nearly the last one, judging by the line of cars: there were Mercedes and Nissans parked. Nearby, he heard the crunch of snow.
«Good health to you, Andrey Nikolaevich.»
«Hello, Vasily. How are you?»
Before him stood the watchman Vasily—a local caretaker. He was quite an unusual character, about whom no one really knew anything, but it was clear to everyone: you could rely on Vasily unconditionally.
First, he never divulged what happened beyond the gates of the bath complex when influential people relaxed here. Secondly, in any unforeseen situation, which was not rare with businessmen, Vasily always knew how to resolve everything quietly and discreetly. His companions understood: without Vasily, they would have long since run into trouble. Therefore, even in a state of alcoholic intoxication, they always, somehow reluctantly, listened to him.
«All is excellent, Andrey Nikolaevich. May I have your keys?»
Andrey smiled. One of their unwritten rules: car keys are given to Vasily to prevent any of the guests from doing something reckless while driving. The keys could only be returned the next day when the car owner was sober again.
Andrey entered the spacious room.
«Oh, Andrey! As always, you are late. Now, pay the fine!»
Andrey felt the fatigue of the workweek slowly fading away. What happened next, he remembered with difficulty: they spent a lot of time in the steam room, drank, steamed again, and at some point, cheerful girls appeared, with whom he took turns drinking. But something gnawed inside Andrey, and it was clearly not because of the girls. He was not married, and no one cared with whom he spent his time. Something else prevented him from relaxing.
Sitting up sharply on the bed, he felt dizzy.
Yesterday they argued about who could stay on their feet the longest. And, like an idiot, Andrey agreed to the bet, even though he knew perfectly well that Ignat could drink and not fall down. As a result, Andrey lost, and today Ignat was to declare his wish.
They bet on a wish, like teenagers. Turning his head, he noticed a girl stirring next to him. Andrey grimaced, turned away, and slightly smiled. Vasily did not let him down: there was a steamed pitcher with some drink on the table. This drink—one of Vasily’s signature creations, the recipe of which he kept a secret.
«You shouldn’t drink this often,» Vasily always said. «There’s no harm in it, it’s just berries and herbs, but it won’t bring much benefit.»
This drink seemed to revive after heavy parties and helped to recover the next day.
Half an hour later, Andrey, having gathered his strength, left the room. He looked down through the railing: the whole company was already gathered at the table, Vasily was pouring tea into large mugs.
«Andrey, you’re stubborn, come on down, we’re getting sorted out here!»
Andrey came down and sat in an armchair, hoping his friends had forgotten about yesterday’s bet. But his hope quickly faded as soon as he noticed the glances being cast at him from the table.
«So, Andrey, are you ready?» Ignat began with a smile.
«Ready for what?» Andrey tensed.
«For fulfilling the wish you bet on! We’ve all discussed it and came up with a task for you.»
Judging by their pleased faces, they clearly came up with something amusing.
«Alright, lay it on me,» Andrey sighed resignedly.
What could they have thought of this time?
«As you know, we’ve all either been married or are still married. But you haven’t even tried to see what married life is like,» said Andrey with a grimace.
«Oh no, not that. I’m perfectly happy living alone,» he replied.
Ignat continued with a smirk, «We’ve decided that you should get married and experience it for at least a year. For real: live together, go on dates, to the movies, and do everything that married couples do.»
Andrey snorted. He expected a catch, but this was too much…
«Fine. But with who?» he asked, already considering possible options to arrange a «sham» marriage with one of his acquaintances. After all, everything can be settled with money.
«We think you should marry a simple girl, like a milkmaid,» Ignat cheerfully inserted.
Andrey nearly choked on his breath, «A milkmaid? Why on earth?»
«Well, think about it: a country girl. You can’t buy her off with money like the city girls,» Ignat conspiratorially replied.
They exchanged glances, smirking, while Andrey felt an urge to throw his tea mug at someone. They had often wagered on strange things, but the terms were always met without exception. However, now he was at a loss: a month to complete the task, and in thirty days he had to present his «wife.» But where could he find a milkmaid willing to marry him?
Stepping outside, Andrey sat on the car’s step and lit a cigarette, lost in thought.
«What a situation…»
«What happened, Andrey Nikolaevich?» a calm voice of Vasiliy broke the silence.
Andrey looked up, «Well, I need to find a milkmaid who will marry me. Do you happen to know any? I would pay.»
Vasiliy looked at him seriously, «I know one.»
Andrey stood up in surprise, «Really?»
Vasiliy nodded and sighed, «Let me tell you. I have a niece. A good woman, but fate hasn’t been kind to her. Her child became severely ill, and as soon as her husband learned that the treatment would be long and expensive, he ran off. She moved to the countryside—better for the boy, fresh air, milk. She works on a farm to gather money for the treatment. If it weren’t for the medical expenses, she would have left her double shift job long ago. She would go to great lengths for her son. Try talking to her.»
Andrey pondered. This option seemed perfect to him.
«Alright, Vasiliy, write down her address. I’ll go tomorrow.»
But the trip had to be postponed a day—Andrey felt unwell after a party. The next morning, he bought candies for the child, a toy car, and set off. Soon, he saw the house—old but well-kept. Andrey knocked on the door.
«Yes, come in,» a female voice from inside called.
The voice was unexpectedly young. Andrey entered and was met with bright, cornflower-blue eyes. At first, he noticed only them, and then the lady of the house—she was young, thin, almost ethereal, as if from another world. Probably around thirty, but she looked younger.
«I understand correctly that you are Andrey?» her voice brought him out of his reverie.
«Yes, hello,» he nodded.
«Come in, I’ve prepared everything. Uncle Vasiliy warned me,» she pointed to a table where documents and medical reports lay.
«Here is all the information about Semyon’s treatment and the costs. If you are okay with the amount, I agree to your terms,» she continued.
Andrey carefully looked at the woman, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and the deep despair she could hardly hide. At that moment, a thin boy with the same big, cornflower-blue eyes as his mother approached them.
«Hello,» he shyly greeted.
Andrey smiled warmly, «Hello, Semyon, I’ve brought you something.»
The boy’s eyes lit up with joy, and Andrey thought sadly that he should have brought more gifts.
After finishing with the paperwork, Andrey stepped outside, called a doctor friend from a private clinic, and read him the boy’s diagnoses and tests.
«Well, if everything’s in order, we can leave,» he said upon returning.
Valentina looked at him in surprise, «Just like that, right now?»
«Why wait? Besides, Semyon should be at the examination in two days.»
She hesitantly replied, «I need to quit my job and settle everything here.»
Andrey paused for a moment, then suggested, «Let’s do this: I’ll stay with Semya today, get to know him better, and you finish everything up. We’ll leave tomorrow morning.»
When they arrived at Andrey’s house, Valentina looked around the spacious home with uncertainty.
«Do you live here alone?» she asked.
«Yes. Only three times a week does a lady come to clean and cook. But why are you so surprised?» Andrey responded with a light smile.
«A lot of space,» Valentina said quietly.
Andrey shrugged, «Well, I guess status obliges. Here’s your room, the kitchen’s over there, here’s the bathroom. If anything, you’ll figure it out. I need to go to work, I’ll be back soon.»
They signed the papers modestly, but avoiding a visit from businessman friends was impossible. In the evening, they came with flowers and gifts, clearly eager to meet the «new wife.»
«Well, thanks for the heads-up. Though it’s not my merit, but Vali’s,» said Andrey.
Valentina calmly replied, «No problem. Let them come in. I’ll prepare everything, especially since you have plenty of food.»
«I’ll help,» Andrey quickly responded. He was ready to even clean the toilet just to be near her.
«Valya, let’s be on a first-name basis,» he suggested with a smile.
Ignat was the last to leave. Looking around the room, he thoughtfully said, «Andryuha, I don’t know where you found her, but let me know if you ever think about getting a divorce. A woman like that deserves to live in abundance and be carried on hands.»
Six months had passed, and Andrey had yet to bring up the topic of divorce. Semyon unexpectedly began to recover quickly, and the doctor explained that it often happens when the body finally receives enough of the necessary drugs—the disease simply loses the strength to resist.
When Semyon was allowed to spend the weekend at home, Andrey suggested a walk in the park.
«Mommy, please! I won’t get tired! I really want to go outside!» Semya clapped his hands joyfully.
Valya smiled, and they went out into the fresh air. Spring was in full swing: everything around was buzzing and blooming. This day was special for Andrey—he saw happiness on the faces of those dear to him. Semya was so thrilled when Andrey won him a plush bear at the shooting range that Valentina anxiously glanced at her son.
«Don’t worry, joy and good emotions have never hurt anyone,» Andrey reassured her with a light smile.
Valya took a deep breath, «It’s hard to get used to the idea that I no longer need to fear for every breath of my child.»
Andrey tensed, noticing that Valya wanted to say something important. Inside, everything clenched. «No, not this… Not about it being time to talk about divorce,» raced through his mind.
«I don’t know what drove you, but you helped us a lot, you saved my boy. I can’t imagine what it will be like when we part ways,» Valya began, her voice low, «but I have to tell you something. Your friend, Ignat, came to see me. He said he loves me, that he will fight for me, and that I’m not needed by you. I don’t attach much importance to it, but I think you should know.»
Andrey clenched his teeth.
«And what did you tell him?» he asked, not hiding the tension.
Valya first looked at him, then averted her gaze, «It’s not that important.»
«Not important? It might not be important to you, but it is to me. I can’t even imagine living without you guys now. Understand, I never intended to get married, and if someone had told me that I’d almost cry at the thought of losing a loved one, I’d have just laughed in their face. Now… Tell me, what should I do? Though… if you’ve decided to go to Ignat, I won’t hold you back. The main thing is that you and Semya are well.»
Andrey turned away to hide his emotions, but a moment later, he felt her warm hand on his shoulder.
«I told him I couldn’t be with him because I love you,» Valya said quietly.
