You will become the brightest star, the most talented of all. They will surely notice you, and your name will appear on all the posters.»
Sophia cried, burying her face in the blanket that covered her father. His hand, weak but still warm, slid through her hair.
«Don’t cry, my girl, please. You can’t fool fate. Better listen to me,» he whispered.
Sophia raised her tear-streaked face. Her father spoke barely audibly, as though each word cost him effort:
«Just don’t interrupt me. I have no strength left… Once, there were two of us—Mikhail and I, Grigory. We were inseparable friends, even swore on blood that our friendship would last forever. And then your mother appeared. We both loved her. Do you understand? When love comes between people, friendship often takes a back seat. Your mother chose me, and Mikhail couldn’t accept it.»
«But he is a wonderful man. If it gets too hard for you, you can turn to him. He won’t leave you. He owns the ‘Breeze’ restaurant now. Remember that, Sophia. Maybe one day, it will save you. There’s more, but if he wants to, he’ll tell you himself…»
«Remember: I love you with all my heart, I believe in you, and I know—you’ll make it.»
Sophia hugged her father tightly, and suddenly, his body tensed, then went limp.
«Dad! Dad!» Her scream echoed through the room.
She was pulled away from the bed. The doctors were running back and forth, and Sophia watched the scene as if from a distance. One thought spun in her head: «I am alone. I am all alone in this world.»
The next day, after the funeral, when the guests had left, her stepmother gave her a cold look.
«Tomorrow, go find a job. I’m not going to feed you.»
«But I’m studying…»
«Studying!?» her stepmother mocked. «You won’t be fed with songs. If you don’t find work, you’ll be out on the street. Got it?»
«But this is my home!»
The stepmother jumped up, her eyes flashing.
«What? Your home? Ha! This is my home. I am your father’s lawful wife. So shut up. And know this: I’m speaking kindly now. But I can speak differently.»
Sophia ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her. She cried all night, holding her father’s photo close. By morning, she had decided: her father had left enough money for her to finish her studies and try to fulfill his dream.
He had always wanted her to sing. From childhood, she had won competitions. Her teachers said it was hard to break through, but even if she didn’t succeed, her voice would always be able to feed her.
«Just imagine: anyone who hears your name—Sophia Grigorieva—will never forget it,» they told her.
She smiled. Yes, Dad had done his best. She wasn’t just Grigorieva, but also Grigoryevna.
In the morning, Sophia got ready and went to her classes. She tried to be quiet so she wouldn’t wake her stepmother. She would study. No matter the cost. Dad wanted it that way.
When she returned, she saw her stepmother on the porch. Sophia slowed her pace, hoping the woman would leave, but the stepmother stood, not taking her eyes off her.
«Well, did you find a job?»
«I was at school.»
Sophia tried to walk past, but the stepmother blocked her way.
«At school, huh? You want to be a singer?» She put her hands on her hips. «What singer are you? Your voice is like rusty hinges, no brains. You should be washing floors with your looks, not trying to get on stage. I warned you.»
The stepmother pulled out a suitcase and a bag.
«Here, take your things and get out. You’ll go sing in the subways, scare passersby. Maybe someone will give you something.»
Sophia looked at the suitcase with wide eyes, but the stepmother went into the house and slammed the door. Sophia heard the locks click. She grabbed her things and ran out of the yard.
«God, please let no one see this. Let Dad rest in peace, where he is now!»
Sophia trudged down the street, dragging the suitcase. There were no more tears, no more thoughts. She had no relatives. Her parents had both grown up as orphans. She didn’t know what to do.
It was getting dark. She stopped. Ahead was the «Breeze» restaurant. This was the place her father had told her about. There was no choice. She walked to the door. A young man greeted her.
«Good evening. Allow me, let me help with your things and take you to your table.»
«No, thank you. Can I see the owner of the restaurant? Mikhail?»
«Mikhail Yurievich?»
The young man looked at her doubtfully.
«I’ll check.»
A minute later, he returned with a tall, distinguished man about forty-five years old.
«Are you looking for me?»
Sophia nodded.
«I’m listening.»
«I… I’m the daughter of Elena and Grigory Grigorieva. My father said that if I ever need help, I can turn to you.»
«Elena and Grigory? Why can’t Grisha help his own daughter?»
«My father is no longer here. He passed away a few days ago.»
Mikhail flinched. Sophia couldn’t hold back her tears. The young man handed her tissues.
«Would you like some water?»
Mikhail seemed to snap out of it.
«Maxim, take her things to my office and bring some water.»
«Understood.»
Mikhail gently put his arm around Sophia’s shoulders.
«Please, calm down. I didn’t know.»
Once Sophia calmed down a bit, he set a chair in front of her and sat next to her.
«Tell me, what happened? Why are you with a suitcase?»
«My father had been sick for a long time. After my mother’s death, things got worse. A woman named Zhanna appeared at our house. She pretended to support my father, but I saw she didn’t love him. Nobody believed me because I was little. A year and a half later, she moved in with us. That’s when my father first went to the hospital.»
«The doctors said his heart was worn out like an old man’s. Zhanna brought him food and stayed at the house. When he was discharged, he didn’t kick her out. They later got married.»
«I hoped things would get better, but… Dad worked a lot, even though the doctors told him not to. He always said that his ‘star’ deserved a good future. He believed I would become a star.»
«Before he died, he told me about your friendship and said that if I needed help, I could turn to you.»
Sophia looked up.
«He said you were like brothers, but then mom came.»
Mikhail smiled sadly.
«Your mom didn’t want to be the reason for our quarrel. She hesitated for a long time, even tried to leave to not ruin our friendship. But it was too late. Grisha stopped her.»
«Sophia, even though we haven’t spoken for many years, Grigory and Elena will always be family to me. You can count on me like a father. Do you want to build a career?»
«No, I just want to live a normal life, work… And if I can, finish my studies.»
Mikhail Yurievich thought for a moment, then asked:
«What if I offer you to live with me? Would you agree? I have a big house in the center. If not, I can get you a hotel for a few days until we find something suitable.»
«Can I stay with you? I don’t want to be alone…»
Sophia sniffled, and Mikhail gently added:
«Of course. I’m all for it. I live alone, unless you count my fat lazy cat, who ignores me because he thinks I’m useless.»
Sophia smiled faintly.
«How do you know what he thinks?»
«When I come home, he’s already fed, clean, and groomed—the housekeeper loves him. And when I try to pet him or call him, he gives me a disdainful flick of the tail and walks away.»
Mikhail looked seriously at the girl.
«I understand how hard it is for you right now, but believe me, Grigory was right. I’ll do everything I can to help you.»
«Were you really that close? Why did you stop talking?»
«We were friends. But life sometimes muddles everything up so that it’s unclear who’s right and who’s wrong. Maybe I’ll tell you this story later.»
A few days later, Sophia had calmed down somewhat. Mikhail invited her to a cafe.
«Let’s go, we’ll talk, think about what to do next.»
«Could we not go to a cafe? Maybe your restaurant? I’ve never been there.»
«Of course. Let’s go.»
Mikhail insisted that Sophia continue her studies.
«But how will I live? You’re not obliged to support me. I wanted to find a job.»
«Wait.»
Before he could finish, the young man who had met Sophia earlier rushed to him.
«Mikhail Yurievich, we have an emergency!»
«What happened?»
«In half an hour, there’s an anniversary. The contract specifies live performance. The problem is…»
«Artem won’t show up again?»
Mikhail grabbed his head.
«What’s the story? Again?»
«Yes.»
«Okay, let’s start calling everyone who has performed here before.»
«We’ve already called everyone. If we don’t meet the conditions, we’ll have to pay a penalty.»
«Alright, Maxim. Forget the penalty, but the reputation…»
Sophia gently touched his hand.
«Uncle Mikhail, I can sing.»
«What? Are you sure?»
«Yes. Don’t worry, I’ll manage.»
He stared at her for a long time.
«Sophia, this isn’t necessary. Besides, you’ve never sung in a restaurant before. It’s noisy here, and the atmosphere is completely different.»
«It’ll be fine. I promise.»
When Sophia began to sing, complete silence fell over the room. Mikhail sat at the table all evening. During the last song, he quietly said:
«Elena… I promise, our daughter will become a star.»
Years ago, Mikhail had behaved poorly toward Elena. He had been too persistent, and she got scared. When she found out she was pregnant, she decided to leave. Grigory stopped her and learned the truth.
The friends had a big fight. Mikhail realized his mistake but didn’t want to admit it. Later, he apologized, but it was too late. Grigory asked him never to contact them again. Now, Mikhail decided that Sophia didn’t need to know this story. It would only hurt her.
Zhanna and her new husband arrived at the restaurant.
«Finally!» the man sighed.
Zhanna liked showing off her «superiority.» They didn’t have much money, but she chose this restaurant to impress her friends. They were already sitting at the table when she entered, proudly signaling the waiter.
«What entertainment do you have? Is anyone going to sing?»
The waiter smiled.
«You’re in luck. For a couple of days, we have Sophia the star. She’s from here, and she’ll be performing tonight.»
The friends gasped:
«Unbelievable! No way!»
Zhanna had also heard about her, but pretended not to know.
«Ah, I didn’t know she was from our town.»
«Yes, she studied here and started out. Perhaps you remember Grigory Grigorieva?»
Zhanna paled.
«Grigory Grigorieva?»
Her husband looked at her in surprise.
«Wasn’t your last name Grigorieva?»
Zhanna turned to him.
«Coincidence. As always, you don’t get it. And you picked the wrong restaurant. Everything is wrong…»
She looked around and pointed at something.
«These burgundy curtains are awful.»
Her husband widened his eyes.
«How could I know you choose restaurants by the curtains? And why are burgundy bad if you have the same ones in your bedroom?»
Zhanna angrily pushed the chair back and sat with her back to the stage.
«My God, what a husband I have! All husbands are normal, and mine only ruins holidays.»
The room went silent. Almost immediately, a young female voice began to sing a sad melody. Zhanna crumpled a napkin and threw it on the table.
«Well, what now? Are we going to spend the whole evening listening to this singer?»
Her husband sighed and stood up.
«Girls, I’m sorry. I’ll come back later to drive you home.»
Zhanna watched him leave with a bewildered look and sighed heavily.
«Now I’ll have to sit like a statue. Not turning, not dancing…
