Ivan Viktorovich anxiously paced around the room, his voice trembling with tension:
— How do you understand this? She’s nowhere to be found? She just disappeared?
The nanny, feeling guilty, tried to explain:
— I don’t know how it happened. I was distracted for just a second… Then that dog, people started running away. I turned around to pick up Polechka, but she was already gone.
A slight shiver ran through Ivan’s body as he dialed a phone number:
— This is Dyachenko. My daughter just went missing in the park, literally ten minutes ago.
He leapt up and lingered only briefly near the frightened nanny:
— If even a hair falls from Polina’s head, I’ll put your phone where it belongs!
The nanny turned pale, thinking, “How did he know about the phone?” Of course, she had been a little caught up on social media, but only for ten minutes, no more.
Earlier, the master had already noticed her on that habit, but she always made sure not to pull out her phone in his presence. And now such a misfortune had occurred…
She had been working for this family for only three months and had felt throughout that time how hard it was to care for a child. Only her salary kept her going.
Ivan Viktorovich, along with his security team, rushed to the park, which was a ten-minute walk away. By that time, two police cars were already approaching the park. Only now did the nanny begin to realize the gravity of what had happened.
She was pale, and the more she thought about what could have happened to the five-year-old girl, the more frightened she became. Ivan’s loud voice even scattered a flock of birds. He shouted:
— Come here!
Olya approached hesitantly, standing there twisting a shoelace around her finger and afraid to look up.
— Tell me everything that happened.
Like a frightened rabbit, Olya began to explain quietly:
— We were here, I was sitting on a bench, and Polina was always in my sight, feeding the pigeons. Suddenly there was a noise: stray dogs had rushed in and started fighting with a big dog that a man was walking. Chaos broke out, people were trying to separate them. I wanted to take Polya so she wouldn’t get scared, looked around, and she was already gone.
Olya, scared and confused, kept looking around, while Ivan Viktorovich could barely contain his anger from unleashing it on her.
“How did I even hire her?” he wondered.
Then an eight- or nine-year-old boy, looking like an ordinary street urchin, approached them. Olya looked at him anxiously, and he said:
— She was on her phone. The girl was playing by herself. I saw it, I was playing nearby. And as soon as all this commotion started, Polina went over to where the dogs were, and that lady only noticed it afterward, — the boy said, wrinkling his nose. — Some guy stopped next to Polina, and they were talking about something. And your girl, she liked the dogs, so she went over to them. And then they barked, and then everything happened…
— Now she’s nowhere to be found… — Olya murmured, blinking in bewilderment.
She felt as if she had sunk into the ground, realizing that now she could not avoid trouble.
— This is all a lie, a complete lie! It wasn’t like that at all! — Olya tried to justify herself, but Ivan Viktorovich, without turning around, roared:
— Shut up!
He then turned his attention to the boy:
— What happened next?
— The girl got really scared, the dogs were very close… she started crying, and I tried to comfort her, — the boy explained.
— Where is she now? — Ivan asked, looking into the boy’s eyes with worry.
— There, — the boy pointed, — she fell asleep under a tree. She was crying and crying, and then she fell asleep. I covered her, and then you arrived.
Ivan Viktorovich, with his security and the police, hurried after the boy and found Polya sound asleep on a cardboard box.
— Polechka! My little one! — Ivan tenderly picked her up.
The little girl opened her eyes, startled at first, but then smiled broadly.
— Daddy, there were such huge dogs here, but Grishka protected me!
— My sunshine, I was so worried about you, — Ivan comforted her.
Polya was still looking around for someone and asked:
— And where’s Grishka?
Ivan quickly looked at his guards, but they just shrugged. The boy seemed to vanish into the ground, though he had just been standing there.
Ivan sighed deeply, thinking that it was time to consider more attentive and responsible staff.
With his daughter in his arms, he headed home, stopping near Olya, who still stood there, nervously fiddling with a shoelace on her clothing.
— You’re lucky. You have ten minutes to gather your things and leave my house. I hope I never see you again. I’ll pass on all the information about you to the agency where you work, — he said, his look leaving no room for argument.
Olya wanted to protest about the unpaid salary, but realizing the futility of her protest, she shuffled off to the house for her things.
Once home, Polya broke into full tears. The stress of what had happened had taken its toll: she wouldn’t stop asking:
— Daddy, why did Grishka leave?
— Was he really that good?
— When that mean dog barked at me, Grishka stood between us. He even barked at the dog and shouted loudly, pushing me over to the tree. I was so scared that I couldn’t move, I just cried. Then he gave me a doll, and I fell asleep, — Polya shared her feelings.
— Polyushka, I promise you, I will find him, my word, — Ivan said firmly, looking at his daughter.
She took out a doll from under her sweater:
— Daddy, watch over her while I sleep, okay? I’ll only rest a bit, and then I’ll take care of her myself.
Ivan looked at his daughter and understood that her condition was the result of what she had been through. Touching her forehead, he realized her temperature was normal. He wondered if he should invite a doctor. Leaving that thought for later, he gently covered his little one with a blanket and suddenly noticed the doll she handed him. Looking at it, he felt his blood drain from his face.
Masha had always been exceptionally unconventional. For example, she often drifted off in her dreams and fantasies. Everyone around called her a bit strange. However, Ivan saw in Masha a special sincerity and kindness that attracted him. At that moment, those qualities weren’t particularly important to him, but something about this girl captivated him. He decided that she must become a part of his life, even without the commitment of marriage.
Ivan courted Masha beautifully, and he could afford it. He had plenty of free time and no money problems, as his father still ran the family toy factory.
When Masha first invited him to her home, Ivan was literally stunned. He never suspected that she was involved in making toys — this discovery was a complete surprise to him. Moreover, the coincidence seemed almost mystical. It turned out that her family had been connected to this art for centuries: Masha’s great-grandmother used to sew dolls that only affluent people could afford. These toys were true works of art, and Masha’s inherited talent for drawing only complemented the family legacy.
With a gentle smile, the girl brought out a huge, antique album from the closet, worn by time yet carefully preserved. She made coffee, and they spent the whole night studying numerous drawings, notes, and sketches with measurements. Each page of the album revealed an astonishing world where the past intertwined with the present.
— Mash, you can’t imagine how priceless this album is, — Ivan exclaimed, jumping up. — It’s a true legacy of its creator! The dolls made according to these blueprints will be incredibly popular!
His head spun with a multitude of ideas that came one after another. Everything else was forgotten; he didn’t even remember why he had come in the first place. Masha watched his enthusiasm with a light smile. Then, as if coming back to reality from his thoughts, he said:
— Mash, I have to go. Don’t be angry, but I need to think everything through.
She barely kissed him, momentarily bringing him back to reality, but then gently nudged him toward the exit:
— First thoughts are the most honest.
Several months passed before Ivan met Masha again. During that time, he had drawn up a detailed business plan, which even his strict father approved. During one of their walks around the city, Ivan passionately told Masha about his plans. He not only wanted to create retro-style toys but also to restore vintage models using her album as a blueprint.
— Mash, I can’t express how grateful I am to you for this discovery! — he said, beaming with inspiration.
That evening, their meeting ended with a particularly intimate moment, which meant a great deal to Ivan. And in the morning, as he was about to leave, Masha handed him that very album:
— Grandma would be happy to know that her work is once again bringing joy and success.
— I can’t take it. It’s your memory! — he replied in surprise.
— I want her dolls to continue living, — she said quietly.
Time flew by, and Ivan became completely absorbed in his work. His factory began to flourish, but there was no longer any time for personal life. He practically forgot about Masha until he met Ira—a woman who became the mother of his daughter Polya.
The first presentation of the toys was successful, but the joy was short-lived. Three months later, Masha unexpectedly appeared in his office. She looked haggard and pale, and at that moment, Ivan was preparing for his upcoming wedding to Ira.
— Mashenka, how nice to see you! — he said, though his voice sounded a bit strained.
Ivan quickly went to the cabinet where the first doll made in his factory was kept. Taking it in his hand, he said:
— Mash, this doll should be yours.
Masha accepted the toy and looked at him as if she wanted to say something. But at that moment the phone rang. It was Ira.
— Yes, dear, — he answered, distracted.
When the call ended, Masha had already disappeared. Ivan thought about chasing her, but decided it would be unnecessary.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Ira died during childbirth. Doctors explained that if she had lived more calmly and steadily, perhaps everything would have turned out differently. However, nothing could be changed now. Ivan loved his little Polya with all his heart.
And now, in his hands was that very first doll from the factory. He thought about the boy Grisha, who had saved his daughter, and about how the doll had come into his possession. Ivan realized that he had to find that boy.
He wandered through the park for a long time, hoping to encounter him, but to no avail. Suddenly, he saw a group of homeless people and approached them.
— Hello, do you know a boy named Grisha? How can I find him? — Ivan asked.
The homeless looked at him attentively. Ivan realized they were expecting something in return, and he handed over several banknotes. The eldest among them, clearly respected by the group, asked:
— Why do you need him? The kid is good, did something happen?
— No, — Ivan replied. — I want to thank him. He saved my daughter.
After a brief discussion, the elder said:
— Go to the end of the street, then you’ll enter a private sector. Go straight until you reach a building. Knock loudly, there’s always a drunk old woman; Grisha lives with her.
Ivan approached an old, dirt-covered house. It was hard for him to imagine that Masha could be here.
— Why have you come? — a familiar voice asked.
— Hi, Grisha. I’m here to see if you need anything and also ask about this doll, — Ivan said.
Grisha emerged from behind the fence and sat on a bench. Not far away stood a car with two guards who always accompanied Ivan.
— The doll? It’s not really mine. It’s my mom’s. She never parted with it.
— And what’s your mom’s name? — Ivan asked.
— Maria. She’s ill, can’t walk, and her grandma beats her, — Grisha explained. — Do you know my mom?
— Yes, it seems so. I gave her that doll, — Ivan admitted.
Grisha shook his head, disagreeing:
— It can’t be. Mom said the doll was a gift from my dad, but he’s been gone for a long time.
Ivan felt his hands begin to tremble, realizing how tangled everything was.
— Grishenka, where is your mom now? Can I speak with her?
— She’s inside, I told you — she doesn’t move. Grandma is angry today and isn’t letting anyone in, — the boy warned.
Ivan stood up decisively and signaled his guards. The car pulled closer, and the guards quickly exited. Grisha, as if mesmerized, kept his eyes on the adults. He pointed the way, and they entered the house, where they were immediately met by the smell of neglect, alcohol, and fried onions.
— Who are you? — a woman with obvious signs of alcoholism, visibly tipsy, asked them. People of a similar social status were seated at the table.
— Where is Maria?
— What do you want from my niece? Who are you, coming in without knocking and asking questions?
Grisha gestured for Ivan to follow the door, and he did. A guard held the woman back so she wouldn’t interfere.
On a stained bed lay Masha—more precisely, a woman, almost unrecognizably haggard and emaciated, yet still Masha. She slowly turned her head, looked Ivan in the eyes, and after a moment, smiled.
— You’re here… I knew you’d come, — she whispered.
The doctor examined her and simply shook his head:
— To let oneself go with just a simple fracture… Incredible. We’ll treat her. We’ll have to break to fix it. It won’t be quick or cheap, but it’s still possible to make things right.
Grisha sniffled softly:
— And what am I supposed to do? Grandma won’t let me go without mom.
— Now you’ll live with us — with me and Polya, — Ivan replied.
The boy looked at him hopefully:
— So, are you my real father?
Ivan sighed heavily:
— Honestly, I’m not sure. But something tells me that’s the case. Mom will definitely get better and be with us, — he said, encouragingly patting the boy on the head.
— That would be nice…
— Well then, let’s go; your sister is waiting for you.
Grisha beamed widely:
— I think I already know her!
