Valeriy walked through the restaurant once more. Today he had let all the staff go, and all that remained was a bit of food. He decided that he would return in a few days to collect everything and donate it to a shelter.
His restaurant had only been open for five years. Initially, business was booming, and the restaurant attracted people. But a year ago, a fast-food place opened nearby, and patrons started shifting there. Fast, cheap food became more popular than the sophisticated dishes he offered. Valeriy believed the fast-food trend would pass quickly, as people couldn’t possibly eat only such food all the time. But it turned out not to be that simple: the guests began disappearing not because of the fast food but because the head chef was considering moving to another establishment and had stopped caring about the quality of the dishes.
Valeriy bitterly reproached himself for having long stopped tasting the dishes before adding them to the menu. When he finally realized the problem and tasted the food, the restaurant was almost empty. Valeriy immediately fired the chef, but the situation didn’t improve. He tried cooking himself, and although he cooked well, it wasn’t to the restaurant’s standard.
Eventually, he had to make a tough decision: close or sell the establishment. He chose to sell, as he was already burdened with a loan taken at the initial stage, and without selling, he wouldn’t have the means to repay it. The restaurant looked gloomy and neglected. He needed to find someone who would clean up the place, otherwise, no buyer would offer a good price.
In the courtyard, he recalled how recently the waitresses would gather there for a break, chatting and laughing, and he could hear them from his office, which had windows overlooking the courtyard.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed movement behind a bush and headed there.
«Hello, excuse me…» came a voice from the bushes.
A woman with a wary look was watching him, a five-year-old girl standing beside her.
«Why are you hiding here?»
The woman sighed:
«Forgive us, we didn’t know the restaurant was no longer operating. The girls always brought something out to us… We’ll leave.»
She was about to leave, but Valeriy stopped her:
«Wait. Don’t you have a home?»
She smiled weakly and replied:
«Yes, but it’s temporary. I’ll figure something out.»
He wanted to ask what happened, as the woman with a child clearly did not look homeless. He noticed pain in her eyes and decided not to ask any more questions.
«Which of the girls helped you?» he asked.
«Do you want to punish them?»
«No, of course not. Just wanted to know. Were they Tamara, Olya, and Sveta?»
She nodded, confirming his guess.
«Can you clean up?»
The woman was surprised by the question but still answered:
«I think any person can do that.»
«Come,» Valeriy suggested, pointing to the restaurant. «See for yourself: everything here is gloomy and neglected. I could offer you to live here and gradually clean up. There’s enough food to last a long time.»
«We can stay here and cook?»
«Yes, for as long as it takes. I’ll leave you the key to the back entrance so you can come and go freely. There’s a couch in the office, a pillow, and a blanket there.»
The woman smiled:
«I promise, everything here will shine.»
Valeriy showed her the kitchen, the food, and everything needed for cleaning, then hesitantly asked the last question:
«Forgive the directness, but… you don’t look like a homeless person…»
The woman, who turned out to be named Lera, lowered her eyes and nodded in response.
«My husband brought another woman home, and for their complete happiness, they only lacked one thing—a child, our daughter. He never cared about her; he cared more about his status. All that worried him was that the family looked good. Now I have no way to fight for Ritochka, so I had to run away and wander.»
Valera shook his head; he had heard such stories before. A question formed in his mind: «Where were you all when you were choosing your husbands?»
Lera as if read his thoughts:
«I know what you’re thinking, but he wasn’t always like this. Or maybe I just didn’t notice it. We met when I was just twenty. I had a place the state provided to me as an orphan, and we sold it to buy a big house. Of course, my husband put his money in too, but now he has a place to live, and I have nothing.»
Valera grabbed the doorknob and said:
«Alright, I won’t bother you anymore. In my office, in the desk drawer, there are business cards with my number. Call if you need anything.»
Lera gently touched his hand:
«Tell me, why did you decide to close the restaurant? It was so popular, a good place.»
Valera smiled sadly:
«That’s how it turned out. Do you think only women get betrayed? Friends and partners too. I need a couple more weeks to find a buyer.»
He left, trying not to disturb Lera and little Ritochka to rest. As he left, Valera felt as if they were not strangers to him. He started to care about what would happen to them.
Three days later, he checked in to see how they were doing. Inside the restaurant, there was active cleaning: all the tables were neatly moved to the wall, curtains taken down for washing.
«There’s real work going on here,» he noted.
Lera looked much better, her eyes shining with energy.
«And lunch is ready?» Valera was surprised, noticing the set table.
«Yes,» Lera replied shyly. «There’s so much food here, and it’s all so delicious.»
Little Ritochka was helping her mom set the table, diligently sticking out her tongue with effort. Valera watched them and smiled, realizing he hadn’t eaten anything tastier in these few days.
«Did you study culinary arts?» he asked.
Lera laughed:
«I studied, of course. And overall, if I could, I would cook around the clock. I really enjoy turning simple products into amazing dishes.»
Valera sighed:
«It’s a shame we didn’t meet earlier. We could have taken the restaurant to a new level.»
Lera looked at him intently:
«Why not try now?»
«It’s too risky. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll be left with debts I can’t pay,» Valera confessed.
Lera sighed:
«That’s very unfortunate. I always liked this place. My husband and I came here in the early years after our wedding.» She turned away and wiped away tears. «Don’t worry, I’ll manage to get everything in order. Just warn me in advance.»
Valera stopped by again, but didn’t go inside. Each time he thought about the upcoming sale, his heart ached. The day of the deal arrived, and Valera went to the restaurant with the buyer and several assistants. The buyer had brought the bank owner, who was providing a large loan for the purchase.
They agreed that they would first inspect the restaurant from the inside and then discuss the price. Valera understood: he wanted to sell the place for a decent sum, but the buyer was not yet agreeing to his terms.
The restaurant was spotlessly clean: fresh flowers stood on side tables. The bank owner looked puzzled at Valera:
«Is your restaurant really closed? It looks like one of the best operating establishments.»
«We made an exception today, just for you,» Valera replied and suggested they sit down.
Then he headed to the kitchen. Little Rita was drawing in his office, where a cartoon was playing. He found Lera in the kitchen: she looked tense and pale.
«Is something wrong?» he asked worriedly.
«Yes… among your guests is my ex-husband, the one who tried to take my daughter away and left us without a roof over our heads.»
«Really? Which one of them?»
«The one in the blue suit.»
«That’s the buyer.»
«Interesting, where did he get the money to buy a restaurant?»
«He’s taking out a loan. Leave it, I’ll take everything out myself so he doesn’t see you.»
Fifteen minutes later, the hall was quiet while everyone concentrated on eating. Finally, one of the guests exclaimed:
«God, this is so delicious, I didn’t even notice how I ate it all.»
The bank owner, nodding, added:
«If you decide to buy this restaurant, persuade the one who cooked this to stay with you. Otherwise, it will be hard to find someone of that level.»
All eyes turned to Valera, who only managed to blush as if he didn’t know what to say. But then Lera stepped into the hall.
«Hello,» she said softly.
The buyer jumped up, shocked by her presence:
«Lera! What are you doing here?»
«I’m cooking here. Don’t shout,» she answered calmly.
«How?.. Since when did you become so bold?»
Lera shrugged:
«Maybe since you brought another woman into our home? Or when you left me and our daughter on the street?»
«How dare you!» the buyer exploded. «You kidnapped her!»
The bank owner, watching the scene, turned his gaze to Valera, who only nodded:
«I’m aware. If you want, I’ll tell you the details later.»
The bank owner stood up and calmly said:
«I’m sorry, but I don’t want to do business with such people. The loan will not be approved.»
Valera, smiling, addressed the buyer:
«You know, I’ve changed my mind about selling the restaurant. With such a chef, we’ll restore its former glory.»
The buyer rose:
«You’ll regret this. And you, Lera, too. I’ll take your daughter away. You have neither money nor a home.»
«You’re wrong,» Valera firmly said. «Lera is now my fiancée, and Rita will be under my protection.»
The buyer left, casting a malicious glance, while Lera quietly cried from relief. The bank owner, smiling at Valera, offered:
«I’m ready to provide you with a loan on better terms. Just so I always have a place in this establishment.»
Three months passed. The changes in the restaurant hall were minimal, but the kitchen underwent a major reconstruction. Valera called his former waitresses, and those who could, returned to their previous positions.
The day before the opening, the kitchen was bustling with activity. Valera peeked in a few times but was promptly kicked out. He sat in the hall, looking around—everything looked perfect, and he understood that it was Lera’s doing, as if she sensed every detail.
Rita sat down next to him and, maintaining the conversation, said:
«They don’t let you in there?»
«They don’t,» Valera sighed.
«Don’t be sad, they don’t let me in either,» Rita smiled, showing mature seriousness. «When mom cooks, she doesn’t notice anyone around.»
Valera smiled:
«Even you?»
«Even me,» Rita answered seriously. «But I’m not offended. Mom is a passionate nature.»
Valera realized that Rita might not fully understand all the expressions, but her efforts sounded so sincere that he couldn’t help but smile.
Rita and Lera moved in with Valera. He took them in right after Rita encountered her ex-husband. Valera hired a lawyer and dealt with the division of Lera’s property, although her ex did everything to hinder the process. Lera didn’t know yet, but today she officially became free, and her ex transferred compensation for her share of the apartment to her card.
«Rit, how about some ice cream?» Valera suggested.
«Let’s! Otherwise, why just sit around? We can’t get into the kitchen anyway. Just don’t let mom see! She always says sweet things in the evening are bad,» Rita replied.
An hour later, Lera walked into the room and, smiling at Valera and Rita, noticed how they were enjoying their ice cream. Her gaze fell on the table, and she was almost speechless:
«Have you completely lost your minds? You ate everything!»
Rita quickly glanced at Valera and giggled, then ran after him as he cheerfully headed for the exit. They reached the promenade together, where Lera, catching up and catching her breath, walked alongside Valera. Suddenly he stopped and, smiling at her, said:
«You know, today you’re officially free. It’s all over. Probably now you’ll be skeptical about marriage?» he teased her.
«I don’t know, I haven’t even thought about it,» Lera replied.
«Then think about it.» Valera turned her towards him and kissed her tenderly. «Just don’t take too long. I’ve already bought the ring.»
