A girl raised in an orphanage landed a job as a waitress in a highend restaurant, but when she unintentionally splashed soup onto a affluent client, everything shifted dramatically.
Girl, do you even understand what youve done?! Semen barked, brandishing a ladle. Youve ruined the floor, the guests drenched, and you just stand there like a statue!
Alyona stared at the dark blotch spreading across the mans pricey suit and felt her stomach knot. This was ither sixmonth stint evaporated in an instant. The wealthy patron would surely cause a scene, demand compensation, and shed be dismissed without a severance package.
Please, Im sorry Ill clean it up right now, she stammered, snatching napkins from the table.
The man lifted his hand to stop her.
Wait. Its my fault. I turned abruptly and got distracted by a phone call.
Alyona froze. In two years of waiting tables shed heard all sorts of complaints, but a customer apologizing to her was unheard of.
No, it was clumsy of me she muttered.
Dont worry. The suit can be cleaned. Did you get burned?
She shook her head, still in disbelief. The man was about fortyfive, with greying hair and glasses, speaking calmlynot the affected politeness typical of the rich.
Then let me change my clothes, and you bring a fresh bowl of soup. Just be careful this time, he said with a faint smile.
Igor, the hall manager, appeared out of nowhere.
Mr. Sokolov, Im sorry for the incident! Well definitely compensate for the suit
Igor Petrovich, no need. Its fine.
Alyona carried a new serving of soup, her hands still trembling. Sokolov ate slowly, occasionally glancing at her thoughtfully.
Whats your name?
Alyona.
How long have you been here?
Six months.
Do you like it?
She shrugged. It was a job, the pay was decent, and the team depended on luck.
And where did you work before?
The question was straightforward, yet Alyona tensed. Rich men rarely asked waitresses about their past.
At another café, she replied curtly.
Sokolov nodded, asked no further, paid, left a generous tip, and departed.
Youre lucky, Semen muttered. If Id had a client like that when I started, Id be retired by now.
A week later, Sokolov returned to the restaurant, took the same table, and asked to be served by Alyona.
How are you? he asked as she brought the menu.
Fine.
Where do you live?
I rent a room.
Alone?
Alyona set the menu down a bit sharply.
And?
Sokolov raised his hands placatingly.
Sorry, I didnt mean to pry. You just remind me of someone.
Who?
My sister. She was independent at your age, too.
Alyona felt a knot tighten. Wasmeaning she was no longer alive.
Does she work anywhere?
No, Sokolov paused. Shes been gone for a long time.
Their conversation was cut short by another patron asking for the bill. When Alyona returned, Sokolov was finishing his salad.
Can I come here often? he asked. I like it here.
Of course, its a public place.
And if I asked to always be served by you?
Alyona shrugged. The customer is always right, especially when he pays well.
Sokolov began visiting twice a week, ordering the same: soup, salad, main course. He ate slowly, sometimes speaking quietly on his phonethe perfect regular.
Gradually, he opened up about himself. He owned a chain of hardware stores, lived with his wife in a house outside the city, and had no children.
Where are you from? he asked once.
From the city, Alyona answered evasively.
Are your parents alive?
No.
How long have they been gone?
I dont remember them. I grew up in an orphanage.
Sokolov paused, his spoon hovering.
Which one?
The fourteenth boarding school on Sadovaya.
Got it. How old are you?
Twentytwo.
When did you leave the orphanage?
At eighteen. First they gave me a dormitory, then I rented on my own.
Sokolov stopped eating, looking at her as if noticing something new.
Is something wrong? Alyona asked.
No, its fine. Its just my sister also grew up in an orphanage.
Poor thing.
Yes. I was twenty then, at university. I couldnt take her inI lived in a dormitory, barely getting by on a scholarship.
And then?
Then it was too late.
The pain in his voice stopped her from probing further. It wasnt her place to dredge up his memories.
The next week, Sokolov presented her with a small, tidy box.
Whats this?
Open it.
Inside lay simple yet elegant gold earrings.
I cant accept these.
Why not?
Because we barely know each other.
Alyona, its just a token of appreciation. No strings attached.
For what?
He hesitated.
Do you have any plans for the future?
What plans? I work and save for an apartment.
Would you consider changing jobs?
To what?
Theres a manager opening at one of my stores. The salary is three times what you earn here.
Alyona leaned back.
And do I have to do anything special for that?
Just work. Receive deliveries, supervise staff, prepare reports. Youll learn everything.
Why me?
Because youre reliable. No complaints in six months, always polite to guests. And because I want to help.
Why?
Sokolov took off his glasses, wiping them with a napkin.
My sister was sent to an orphanage at twelveour parents died in a fire. I was in my third year of university. I thought Id survive a few more years, get my degree, find a good job, and bring her to me.
What happened?
She died of pneumonia a year before I graduated. I only learned about the funeral a month later.
Alyona fell silent. The story moved her, but she wondered what it meant for her.
Ive spent my whole life thinking: if Id acted sooner, dropped out, taken a job somewhere
So what? Both of you would have survived, instead of struggling alone?
Maybe. But she would be alive.
You cant know that.
I do. They treated her badly there. If she had lived with me
Listen, Im very sorry about your sister. But Im not her.
I get it. Let me at least try to fix something.
Alyona took the box with the earrings.
Ill consider the job. But keep the earrings.
Alyona, come on! Its just a gift, no conditions.
Thats exactly why I cant accept them.
Back in her rented room, Alyona confided in her friend Valentina, who had grown up with her in the orphanage.
I dont trust kind rich men, Valentina said, biting an apple. They always want something.
He acts like an older friend, even a father figure.
Even worse. That means he has ulterior motives.
Stop it, Val. Dont say nonsense.
Alyona, we heard it as kids: dont trust adults who are too nice. Remember what happened to Natasha Krylova?
She recalled Natasha, who had left with a man promising the world, returned pregnant and bruised.
But the salary really is good
Talk to Igor. Hes experienced.
Igor warned her cautiously:
Alyona, rich people dont give anything for nothing. He definitely has his own agenda.
What agenda?
Dont know. Maybe he wants to cheat his wife. Maybe hes looking for a replacement daughter. Maybe worse.
He says he wants to atone for his guilt toward his sister.
And you believe him?
Why not? The story sounds plausible.
Youre smart, Alyona, but you dont read people well. You expect too much.
After a week, she agreednot for the money, though it mattered, but because she was tired of carrying trays and tolerating capricious customers every day.
The store was on the citys outskirts, selling building materials. Staff: three salespeople, a loader, an accountant, and her.
Sokolov trained her for a week, explaining patiently, repeating without irritation when she erred.
You have a good memory, he noted. And you can relate to people. I think youll manage.
The first month was rough. The sales crew resisted heryoung, inexperienced, and apparently favored by a patron. Alyona refused to quit. She worked from dawn to dusk, studied the inventory, memorized prices, and learned supplier negotiations.
Gradually things improved. Sokolov visited weeklychecking documents, chatting with staff. He treated Alyona kindly but without familiarity.
How are things? he usually asked.
Okay. Getting the hang of it.
If anythings unclearcall. Dont hesitate.
Okay.
And the housing? Still renting a room?
For now. Im already looking for an apartment.
Maybe I can help? I know some agents.
Thanks, Ill handle it myself.
He nodded and didnt push.
Two months later, Sokolov invited her to dinner.
At a restaurant? Alyona asked, surprised.
No, at home. My wife cooks well. She wants to meet you.
Alyona hesitated. Refusing the boss felt awkward, but going to strangers house was even stranger.
Dont worry, Sokolov laughed. Were not scary. Just a calm chat.
The Sokolovs lived in a spacious house with a garden and a pool. Marina, his wife, greeted Alyona with a reserved smile.
Marina, Alyona introduced herself, extending her hand.
A beautiful, wellgroomed woman, yet her gaze was cold.
Come in, come in, she said. Boris told me a lot about you.
Hopefully good things.
Some good, some not, Marina smiled, eyes remaining indifferent.
During dinner, Sokolov asked Alyona about work and future plans. Marina barely spoke, only occasionally making sharp comments.
Have you thought about further education? she asked.
I have, just not now.
Got it. Work is more important.
Marish, her husband corrected gently.
What? Im just curious. Its rare to meet someone who becomes independent so early.
In orphanages, you grow up fast, Alyona replied.
Yes, of course. Boris told me about your background.
That background sounded lowbrow.
Marina, we agreed, Sokolov said more firmly.
About what? I said nothing bad. On the contrary, I admire it. Not everyone can survive those conditions.
Alyona sensed it was time to leave.
Thank you for dinner. I must go.
How can you leave? We just ate! Sokolov protested.
I have to get up early tomorrow.
Ill take you.
No, Ill manage on my own.
On the way home she reflected on Marinas coldness. It made sensethe husband suddenly caring for a young orphanraised girl, spending time and money on her; any wife would be uneasy.
The next day Sokolov called.
Alyona, sorry about last night. Marina was in a bad mood.
Its fine.
No, it isnt. She had no right to act that way.
I understand her. Id be worried if I were her.
About what?
That my husband suddenly started helping some stranger.
Sokolov fell silent.
Youre not a stranger to me. Youre special.
Because I remind you of your sister?
Not only that.
Why else?
Because youre strong. You didnt break, didnt complain about fate, didnt lose faith. You keep moving forward.
There are many like that.
More than you think.
A month later, Alyonas worst fear materialized. At the store, staff whispered.
Whats happening? she asked.
Nothing special, senior saleswoman Svetlana replied. Yesterday the boss bought an apartment.
What apartment?
A studio in a new building on Rechnaya. They say itll be in your name.
Alyonas heart stopped.
How do you know?
My soninlaw works in real estate. He says the paperwork is almost ready.
She waited until lunch and called Sokolov.
We need to talk.
Of course. Come to the office.
Better at a café.
Okay. You know Europa on Central? Ill be there in half an hour.
Sokolov was already waiting at the table.
Something wrong at work?
Are you buying me an apartment?
He didnt deny it.
Yes, I am.
Why?
I wanted to help you.
You dont owe me anything.
I know. But it matters to me to do this.
For what? What have I done for you?
He removed his glasses, rubbing his eyes.
My sisters name was also Alyona. She was a year younger, blonde, grayeyed, stubbornjust like you.
Alyona felt a tight squeeze inside.
And?
When I saw you, for a moment it seemedshe was here. Grown up, matured, but the same.
Boris Viktorovich
I know it sounds silly. Youre not her. But I needed to know that at least one child from the orphanage got a normal life. That I helped someone.
Youre not helping me. Youre helping yourself.
He nodded.
Maybe. But that doesnt make the help any less real.
It does, because you see not me but your dead sister.
Thats not true.
It is. Thats why I cant accept the apartment.
Why?
Because I dont want to be anyones substitute, even a generous one.
Sokolov stayed silent for a long moment.
What if I offered the apartment to someone else not you?
Then Id believe you really want to help.
So its about motives?
Its about me not becoming a memory.
He stood.
Understood. Sorry for wasting your time.
Dont be angry. Im grateful for the job, for your belief
For what? For using you?
For trying.
He left, leaving money on the table.
The next day Alyona handed in her resignation to the secretary.
Please pass it on.
Boris Viktorovich valued you highly.
I just decided to change direction.
That evening Sokolov called.
Alyona, dont make hasty decisions. Not because of our conversation.
Its not because of that. I realized I want to be a cook.
Really?
Absolutely.
He was silent.
Then good luck.
Thank you.
Igor welcomed her back warmly.
Alyonka! We thought youd forgotten us.
I wouldnt forget if there was something to lose, she laughed.
Semen took her desire to study seriously.
You have the right hands. The main thing is not to rush.
Alyona enrolled in culinary courses, kept her waitress job, studied evenings, and practiced cooking at night.
Valentina tasted her dishes.
Tasty. But why?
I dont want to rely on anyones mercy.
Who did you rely on?
Alyona recounted the whole saga.
Youre such a fool, her friend shook her head. They offered you an apartment, and you refused.
They werent giving it. They wanted to pay for the role of a dead sister.
So what? An apartment is an apartment.
It matters to me.
Six months later Alyona was already a kitchen assistant. The salary was lower than before, but she felt she was finally where she belonged.
One day Sokolov came to the restaurant, took his usual seat. Alyona approached to serve him.
Good evening. What would you like?
Soup of the day, Greek salad, grilled fish.
Coming right up.
She delivered the order; he thanked her. They ate in silence.
Before leaving, he stopped her.
Alyona, can we talk?
Sure.
I wanted to apologizefor everything that happened.
No need.
You were right. I was looking for my sister in you.
And now?
Now my wife and I do charity work. We help orphanages, but we no longer try to replace anyone.
Alyona nodded.
Meeting you changed my life. Made me rethink everything.
Mine too.
How?
I started believing in myself. Realized I can choose my own path.
Sokolov smiled.
Then were even.
Looks like it.
He left a tip on the table and headed for the door. At the exit he turned back:
Good luck, Alyona. Real luck.
You too.
When he left, Alyona cleared the table. He had left exactly the right amount of tipno more, no less.
