You seem to have completely lost it?” Rimma Stepanovna suddenly began, barging into the office unannounced. “Since when does my daughter-in-law manage the company’s financial affairs as if they were her own personal property?”
“Good afternoon, Rimma Stepanovna,” tried to remain calm Larisa Petrovna, although the sight of her mother-in-law already caused her usual blood pressure spike. “What are you talking about?”
“Go to hell with your good day!” she dismissed angrily. “I just found out that you’re planning to travel to the south at my son’s expense! Poor Konstantin spent the last of his money on your entertainment, and now he will be stuck eating instant noodles!”
“Please calm down,” Larisa tried to speak softly, aware that the staff and clients in the reception were closely watching the unfolding scene. “Firstly, Konstantin and I decided to take the vacation together. Secondly, the funds for it are my own personal money.”
“Personal?!” Rimma Stepanovna snorted, sneering poisonously. “Remember who helped you get this job! In case you forgot, let me remind you: my son recommended you to Aleksandr Viktorovich. I tolerated you for a whole year when you, a cunning creature, got a raise, and now you’ve even snatched a bonus! You’ve worn him out, sucked all the energy out of him!”
“Please stop,” Larisa tried to speak gently yet firmly. “You don’t have all the information. My career depends solely on my achievements.”
“Oh, come on! You were just a little performer on some project, and then—suddenly a rapid rise! Seems like you’ve started an affair with the boss, and now he’s pandering to you,” Rimma Stepanovna’s eyes burned with hatred. “And you know what? I demand that you immediately refuse this bonus. Or give it to me.”
“Why do you need my money?” Larisa raised her eyebrows in surprise, almost laughing.
“Why? Because I have cosmic expenses! I need to support Olga, your sister-in-law, who can’t find a job but dreams of living like a queen. And your husband, by the way, went into debt for our joint vacation, and here you are having fun for free!”
“It’s long overdue to talk to Olga,” retorted Larisa. “She’s an adult and it’s time for her to start earning her own living.”
“It’s not for you to dictate what and to whom to do!” Rimma Stepanovna’s voice grew hoarse. “Either you take your ‘money,’ pack up, and leave the company, stopping to muddy the waters, or I will ruin your life myself. I’ll go to the boss and tell him you’re robbing the company.”
“Dear,” Larisa was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain composure, “you seem to have gone too far.”
“How dare you threaten me, you hypocritical scum?!” hysteria cut through her mother-in-law’s voice. “If you don’t do as I said, I will make your life miserable!”
At that moment, Aleksandr Viktorovich, obviously attracted by the noise, entered the reception. He immediately understood that the situation was becoming critical.
“What a strange situation,” said Aleksandr Viktorovich, his voice sounded cold but at the same time calm. “Rimma Stepanovna, you’ve barged in unannounced again.”
“Aleksandr Viktorovich, there you are!” The woman’s eyes flickered momentarily, the fleeting fear replaced by previous aggression. “Your employee, Larisa Petrovna, is robbing you! She has stolen millions from the budget, pretending to be a loyal assistant!”
“Millions?” The boss’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Interesting. What evidence do you have?”
“Evidence?” Rimma Stepanovna nervously shrugged her shoulder. “She herself admitted that she received a bonus and now plans to squander it on vacation, leaving my son behind!”
“The bonus was approved by me personally,” responded Aleksandr Viktorovich, maintaining his composure, and turned to Larisa. “I apologize for the interference, but discussions of personal matters in the office are unacceptable. This topic is closed.”
“How can this be?!” exploded the guest. “You’re just protecting your favorite! Probably, you have something going on with her…”
“Be careful with your words,” the tone of the boss suddenly became stern. “One more insult, and our conversation will take a different turn. I will not tolerate such behavior in my office.”
“To hell with this…” she hesitated, realizing her position was weakening. “Fine, I’m leaving, but the truth will come out eventually!”
“Call security,” he said to the secretary. “Escort our visitor out.”
Within a few seconds, two large security guards appeared in the reception. Rimma Stepanovna, casting a final malicious glance at Larisa, reluctantly left the premises.
“Is everything alright?” Aleksandr Viktorovich asked Larisa gently. “I apologize for this incident.”
“Yes, everything is fine,” she sighed. “Thank you for intervening.”
“We’ll talk later,” he added in a tone that brooked no argument. “For now, go and process the paperwork for the bonus… And yes, your vacation brings me only joy, you’ve earned it.”
Larisa returned home in the evening. Konstantin was already waiting for her in the kitchen, clearly tense. His fingers tapped nervously on the countertop.
“Why are you so late?” he began abruptly. “Mother came in fury and said she was almost thrown out of your office.”
“And rightly so,” replied Larisa calmly, carefully placing her phone on the table. “Why did she even show up there and start a scandal?”
“Don’t pretend nothing happened,” Konstantin stood up, leaning his hands on the table. “She says you’re draining money from the company, and I’m being used like a fool.”
“Kostya, seriously?” Larisa looked at him in pain. “Do you really believe that she’s the chief accountant? You know I worked one and a half years without a weekend, completed the project, and got a raise and a bonus. It’s all out in the open!”
“I know,” he grumbled. “But why so harshly with mother?”
“Firstly, no one sent her anywhere,” Larisa countered. “And secondly, she wanted to take my bonus to spend it on Olya. Do you think that’s fair?”
“Understand, sister’s having troubles,” Konstantin sank back heavily. “She’s been jobless for the second year.”
“Ha!” Larisa irritably threw her hands up. “Maybe it’s time for her to start working, instead of living off us?”
“Larisa, family is important,” he said quietly. “Mom thinks we should help Olya until she becomes independent.”
“I don’t remember us agreeing to support your sister,” she objected. “Of course, help is possible, but not at my expense. We agreed on a seaside vacation. That money is the result of my work.”
“The sea… maybe we could postpone it?” he almost pleaded. “Mom needs 150,000 for a new apartment near the center, so Olya has somewhere to live.”
“Look at yourself,” Larisa scoffed bitterly. “I’ve been dreaming of a vacation for a year, worked one and a half years, while your sister lazes around until noon. What will we live on then?”
“These are temporary difficulties,” he murmured, hope sounding in his voice. “We’ll figure it out later.”
“Temporary?” her voice trembled with outrage. “So all my money will go to your family, and there will be nothing left for us even for a vacation?”
The next morning, Larisa woke up early. She planned to stop by the store to buy necessary items for the upcoming vacation. Deep down, she hoped Konstantin would reconsider his position. As she was about to leave the apartment, she heard her mother-in-law’s familiar voice.
“Do you understand what this will lead to?” Rimma Stepanovna was speaking to her son, not lowering her tone. “Konstantin, wake up! This woman is completely unsuitable for you! Stop submitting to her whims. You didn’t marry a housekeeper, but an egotist!”
“Mom, keep it down,” Konstantin tried to stop her. “Larisa is still sleeping…”
“I absolutely don’t care about her sleep!” she snapped back. “Either she gives me that bonus now, or she packs her belongings and finds another husband!”
“Mom…” he sighed, clearly embarrassed. “Maybe we can find a more reasonable solution? I can’t just…”
“You can and you must!” his mother-in-law interrupted. “Otherwise, the whole family will be in distress. Imagine if Olya has nowhere to live, she’ll come to us. And your wife definitely won’t tolerate such a neighbor.”
“This is too much…” he muttered but fell silent because Larisa, unable to bear it, flung open the door.
“I heard everything,” she stated calmly, though rage was storming inside her. “Perhaps you should explain things to me right now?”
“Explain?” Rimma Stepanovna squinted maliciously. “Everything is clear here: either you give up the money, or you leave. That’s the only choice for someone like you!”
“Mom!” Konstantin exclaimed, but his voice was weak and unconvincing.
“Don’t shout,” the mother-in-law snapped at her son. “This person only cares about herself, making plans for a vacation while our family needs help!”
“Do you really think you have the right to decide where I go and how I manage my money?” Larisa crossed her arms over her chest, trying to maintain composure.
“Of course, I do!” Rimma Stepanovna snorted. “A vacation is nonsense! A woman should work for the benefit of the family, not laze around on the beach!”
“Lar…” Konstantin started, looking down. “Maybe we can postpone the trip? The money can be transferred…”
“No,” Larisa firmly cut him off, looking him straight in the eyes. “No ‘maybes’ or ‘temporarily’. This conversation is over.”
“Only just beginning, darling!” hissed the mother-in-law, stomping her foot. “If you don’t change your decision, I’ll do everything possible to get you fired. We’ll see how you’ll sing then!”
“Try it,” Larisa responded coldly, lifting her chin. “But my answer remains the same.”
“Snake!” Rimma Stepanovna turned around and threw over her shoulder: “Come on, son! We need to discuss further steps!”
Konstantin, casting a bewildered glance at his wife, obediently followed his mother. Larisa slowly closed the door, sank onto the sofa, and pondered the way out of this situation.
On the last working day, Larisa tried to concentrate on her tasks, but her thoughts kept returning to her plans. She was determined to spend her vacation by the sea regardless, but her future with Konstantin was no longer so certain.
“Larisa Petrovna, please find a moment,” Aleksandr Viktorovich’s voice came through the intercom. “Come to my office, please.”
She entered his office, where the boss gestured for her to sit.
“How do you feel after recent events?” he asked, aware that the conflict with Rimma Stepanovna had not ended where they left it.
“I don’t like mixing personal and work,” Larisa replied, blushing slightly. “But it seems everything is leading to the end of my marriage. Konstantin can’t decide whom to be loyal to: me or his family.”
“I sincerely sympathize,” Aleksandr Viktorovich said softly, nodding. “Sometimes life itself puts everything in its place. If you need help, I’m ready to support you—not financially,” he added, noticing how Larisa opened her mouth to object, “but with advice or just a word. By the way, I have an important offer for you. I have an international conference in Brussels planned for next week. Victoria Nikolaevna was supposed to fly, but her circumstances have changed. I would like to offer this place to you. It’s both work and a chance to distract yourself. Of course, there’s no sea there, but relaxation can be found in different forms.”
“I don’t even know…” Larisa started uncertainly. “I planned to go with my husband, but now…”
“From my observations, Konstantin is unlikely to accompany you,” her boss gently interrupted. “And you’ve earned a proper vacation. After the conference, you can go to the sea on your own.”
“Sounds tempting,” she admitted thoughtfully. “But I’m afraid there will be more talk…”
“Rumors will always be there, no matter what you choose,” he philosophically noted, smiling. “Don’t pay attention. You are a valuable employee to us, and I want to help you focus on something positive. Think about it, you have time.”
“Alright, I’ll think about it,” Larisa responded, standing up. “Thank you for the trust and support.”
She quickly left the office, feeling that the decision, which seemed so difficult, was beginning to clarify itself.
Late in the evening, Larisa heard her husband and mother-in-law enter the apartment. From the loud voices, it was clear that the conversation had reached a peak of intensity. She stayed in the living room, deciding not to hide—after all, this was her home.
“There you are!” exclaimed Konstantin, seeing his wife. “Mother says: either you give your bonus to Olya, or everything between us is over.”
“Between us, everything has long turned to dust,” Larisa bitterly smiled, “and you, apparently, are even comfortable in this chaos.”
“How dare you speak like that?” exploded Rimma Stepanovna, her face reddening with outrage. “My son is an adult, he decides how to support the family himself!”
“Oh yes, of course, I see how he ‘decides’…” Larisa sharply rose, replying. “He runs to fulfill all your orders, like a little boy.”
“Lar…” Konstantin said gloomily. “This is my family, I can’t just abandon them.”
“And me? Aren’t we a family or just a temporary company?” she looked into his eyes, hoping to see at least a hint of support.
“Think for yourself,” intervened the mother-in-law. “He stays with us. Either help or leave.”
“So, the choice is made,” Larisa concluded calmly, but with coldness in her voice. “Are you really ready to destroy our marriage for them?”
“I’m not destroying it,” Konstantin gritted through his teeth, “but I won’t allow my mother and sister to be without a roof over their heads. So… I’m sorry.”
“Without a roof? What, are you in a catastrophe? Flood? Fire? War?” Larisa laughed humorlessly, though inside her heart was only pain. “Your Olga just lazes around, preferring to live off others.”
“Look me in the eyes,” hissed the mother-in-law threateningly. “I’ll find a way to kick you out of both your job and your home. Who knows through what connections you got your promotion?”
“Show me one fact other than your paranoid fantasies,” Larisa coldly responded. “I only hear insults and malice.”
“Enough, mother, let’s go,” Konstantin decided, realizing that the situation could escalate into a real war. “We need to pack. I’ll live with you for a while.”
“Get out of here!” demanded Larisa, striving to maintain composure. “And take everything down to the last item, so you don’t come back. I remind you: this is my apartment. If anyone’s going to roam around, it’s you three. And I’ll soon be leaving—just not in your direction.”
“Of course, where else? Probably to your boss,” the mother-in-law venomously retorted. “Am I right?”
“Enough!” Larisa raised her voice, something she had never done before. “Take your things, photographs, everything that belongs to you, and get out! I need peace before I leave.”
Twenty minutes later, they left, leaving behind a tense silence. Larisa sat down on a kitchen chair, staring into an empty cup. “Is this the end?” flashed through her mind. But then she added to herself: “Apparently, yes. And perhaps it’s for the best.”
A few days later, Larisa stood at the airport, clutching her ticket tightly. She had accepted Aleksandr Viktorovich’s offer and chose a different flight, wishing to spend the first days alone—the bitterness from her relationship with Konstantin still weighed on her soul.
“Your seat is by the window, number five,” the flight attendant informed her cheerfully, and Larisa smiled gratefully, heading to the airplane cabin.
Settled in her seat, she thoughtfully stared out the window. Images reappeared: Rimma Stepanovna’s poisonous attacks, her husband’s bewildered eyes… And at that moment, she felt movement nearby. Turning around, Larisa discovered that Aleksandr Viktorovich was taking the seat next to her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked in surprise. “You said you were flying later.”
“Plans changed,” he replied, barely smiling. “Business allowed me to leave earlier. I wanted to warn you, but your phone was off.”
“Ah, I see,” Larisa was slightly flustered, but a pleasant excitement stirred inside her. “Well, since it turned out this way…”
“We’ve been working side by side for a long time,” he continued, leaning in a bit closer so only she could hear, “and during that time, I’ve noticed: you’re an honest, kind, and goal-oriented person. I would like to be more than just a boss to you.”
“This is… very unexpected,” Larisa admitted, covering her face with her hand to hide her embarrassment. “But right now, my personal life is in complete chaos…”
“I’m not rushing things,” he softly said, looking directly into her eyes. “However, we both know that today’s flight is more than just a trip. Perhaps life is giving us a chance for change.”
The plane began to accelerate for takeoff. Larisa looked out the window and thought: “Here it is, my new beginning—freedom and, maybe, new happiness.”
After the conference, Larisa went to the sea. The week passed like a fairy tale. The sea breeze gently touched her face, and the warm sand caressed her feet during barefoot walks. During this time, she and Aleksandr Viktorovich talked a lot: about work, life, the future. It turned out that he had recently filed for divorce because his wife preferred a completely free lifestyle, refusing a shared future.
“Larisa, let’s go,” he called one evening. “Today we can afford to relax.”
“With pleasure,” she responded, smiling, and together they watched the sunset, which painted the sky in bright tones.
Larisa felt how the past, with all its scandals and tension, receded into the background. Konstantin had made his choice, and the mother-in-law’s threats no longer seemed significant. Here, by the sea, with a person who believed in her capabilities, she experienced warmth and inner harmony.
Returning home after a fulfilling week on the coast, Larisa decided to file for divorce, giving Konstantin the opportunity to live as he wished. Rimma Stepanovna’s threats dissipated like smoke, and a sense of freedom sparked in her heart a resolution never to sacrifice her dreams for the demands of others.