— Alice, come up with something interesting for the class reunion! — Jeanne addressed her twin sister.
— I already have an idea! — Alice, the redhead, winked slyly. The only difference between the sisters was their hair color — Jeanne preferred deep black to stand out from the crowd.
— What’s the idea?
— I’ll find an acquaintance, polish him up a bit, and present him as my boyfriend. Let everyone think I really have a serious romance!
— You’re trying to make Katya angry again, aren’t you? — Jeanne guessed. — She’s always trying to find out who you like, and then…
— Let her be jealous! — Alice interrupted. — I’m done putting up with her patronizing looks. We’ll find someone suitable, prepare him a bit, and let everyone believe he’s wealthy!
— Don’t forget Katya’s family isn’t very rich. At twenty-eight, she dreams of meeting someone with money, — Jeanne added.
— Then let her be jealous if she’s so fixated on that, — Alice concluded.
The sisters parted ways. The idea seemed promising; they just had to find the right person.
Alice and Jeanne didn’t grow up in a wealthy family. Their father, Ivan Arkadyevich, got a chance thanks to an old army friend who succeeded and offered him to manage a restaurant. That happened only ten years ago, so the girls went through a typical childhood where money was always tight.
Now their family belonged to the middle class, but certainly not the rich. However, outwardly, they tried hard to create the opposite impression.
— Girls, you’d better think about your future: get married or build a career! — their father often repeated. — Luck can change, and I might become a simple cook again. I want to know you have stability. It’s foolish to waste money on showiness — better buy you apartments, pay for education, or start saving!
— Sergey Alexandrovich won’t fire you, he trusts you completely! — they reassured him, again asking for money for the next party or purchase.
Ivan Arkadyevich just sighed. He was used to achieving everything on his own, without help. So he tried to manage funds wisely, not squander them.
He was especially upset that his daughters now acted like socialites trying to catch someone well-off. He understood that real rich people would hardly notice his beautiful daughters. Of course, the girls inherited their mother’s looks, but that wasn’t enough — he couldn’t offer either a substantial dowry.
Moreover, he wouldn’t behave dishonestly for the family’s wellbeing. Sergey Alexandrovich chose him for his decency, and any breach of trust threatened his job. The restaurant was famous for fresh dishes and high service quality — all thanks to the discipline and honesty of the staff.
The salary allowed a calm but not luxurious life.
— Pavel, come earlier when there are fewer people, — Ivan Arkadyevich told a middle-aged man. — When Sergey Alexandrovich’s guests arrive, they might not let you in. The security there is serious.
Pavel often visited the restaurant. He was never drunk, didn’t cause scandals, and always tried to repay at least part of the help he received. He said little about himself, and Ivan Arkadyevich didn’t ask — everyone has a right to their past.
That’s what Ivan Arkadyevich thought. He remembered his hard times after his wife’s death. Then he barely made ends meet, working several jobs to feed his daughters. Luckily, he could take food from the restaurant. And how scary it was to refuse help from the parents of the late Tanya — they still blamed him for her death:
“Why did you let her go? You should have gone with her — she wouldn’t have driven drunk!”
He often recalled that day and thought he should have gone with his wife. But she insisted — it was a girls’ night out where husbands weren’t invited. He gave in… and that’s how it all happened.
These thoughts were interrupted by Pavel’s voice:
— Don’t worry, Ivan Arkadyevich, I won’t come tonight — won’t let you down. Why are you so pensive?
— Just thinking about my daughters. They don’t want to study or work, only fun and entertainment. Now they’re planning some prank — inviting someone to the reunion pretending he’s a fiancé. I’m ashamed of them! That’s not how I raised them… What will happen to them if something happens to me?
— What could happen to you? You’re a healthy man! — Pavel replied. Then paused and added: — Although… want me to be that “fiancé” at your reunion? Maybe I can talk to your girls heart to heart. By the way, I used to work as a psychologist, participated in major projects. Don’t mind my current appearance…
For the first time, the homeless man wanted to tell a little about himself.
— If you agree to help, I’ll be immensely grateful. I’m just afraid the girls might hurt someone with their charade, — said Ivan Arkadyevich.
— Oh, stop it, why thank me? You’re the only one who treated me like a human all this time: no lectures, no kicking me out, just talking as equals! — the man’s voice trembled, he almost cried.
Even Ivan Arkadyevich’s eyes moistened. Sometimes simple human kindness seems like a real miracle!
— Then I’ll tell the girls. If anything goes wrong — try to stop them. They haven’t listened to me for a long time, — sighed the manager.
— I think I can manage, — Pavel answered confidently.
— Isn’t he too old for my fiancé? — Alice skeptically looked at the man her father suggested.
— I’m not yet forty. Besides, if I clean up, I’ll look much better than many! You could say — extra class! — joked the man named Alexey.
— Fine, here’s some money — first go to the bathhouse, then change. I hope I picked the clothes right, — Alice handed him a bundle. — Then rent a room for a couple of months so you don’t return to your old life.
— Maybe give him an advance? — Jeanne, who was always softer and kinder than her sister, suggested.
— No way! He might run away! — Alice snorted.
— But that’s unfair, — Jeanne objected.
— Father’s too trusting! He’ll get paid only after he plays his part! — Alice firmly said, stamping her foot.
— Okay, I agree! Besides, I don’t have many employers right now, — Alexey smiled.
— You have none! — Alice scoffed.
Alexey nodded and went to follow the capricious client’s instructions. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn’t have gotten involved with such a lady, but for the father — clearly a decent man — he could tolerate it.
An even bigger trial was that Alice took “before” and “after” photos on her phone. But what can you do — part of the job.
Alice looked more like a naughty girl, so Alexey wasn’t too mad at her.
A month passed. The city’s luxurious restaurant hosted the class reunion.
— Alice, how lucky you are! Your father is rich and you have such a handsome fiancé! — Katya said enviously, looking at the red-haired girl in a scarlet dress.
Alexey really transformed: getting rid of old clothes and looking well-groomed, he looked like a man with good taste and inner strength. Only a small scar on his neck gave him a mysterious aura.
— Lesha is also wealthy — the son of the owner of a large restaurant chain, even more successful than my father! — Alice lied brazenly.
— May I invite your wonderful fiancé to a dance? — Katya challenged. — Aren’t you afraid?
— Of course, invite him! Alexey is not only rich but also faithful! — Alice replied, winking at her sister and whispering: — Swallowed it, my dear!
Jeanne felt both joy and sorrow. During the time they spent together, Alexey showed himself to be kind, caring, and smart. She even tried to dissuade her sister, asking her not to put him in an awkward position.
But Alice snapped back: “Are you planning to support this poor guy your whole life?”
Jeanne wanted to say that if needed, she could support her beloved, but was afraid to insist. How would she support two if she still didn’t know how?
Their father, of course, would help by buying apartments on the outskirts just in case, but…
Katya’s first dance turned into a whole series — second, third… According to Alice’s plan, Alexey was supposed to pretend to be fascinated by the blonde, then they would “expose” her, showing the “before” photos. Katya was expected to run away in tears, humiliated and embarrassed.
— Why are you so cold to her? — Alice asked, leading Alexey to the balcony.
— I didn’t sign up to be a seducer. And didn’t you think it’s cruel to her? — he asked gently but firmly.
— He’s right, Alice, let’s drop the plan — it’s inhumane. Besides, dad will find out anyway, there are cameras in the restaurant! — Jeanne tried to stop her sister.
— Don’t interfere! Everyone already knows you’re in love with him and ready to betray your own sister for some man! — Alice shouted.
She turned to Alexey:
— Listen! Maybe you were important to someone before, but now you’re nobody. The fact that I pretend you’re worthy — all for dad and my sister. So don’t hope for a single ruble if you don’t do everything as agreed!
In high heels, she left, her scarlet dress and red hair seeming to blaze in the last rays of the sunset.
— Did you… really fall in love? — Alexey asked with a slight smile.
— Something like that, — Jeanne blushed and replied in a green dress highlighting her unusual eye color.
— If I could support a family, I’d marry you without hesitation! But your sister is right — I didn’t manage my own fate, — Alexey said quietly.
Tears fell from Jeanne’s eyes:
— I always dreamed of meeting a man like our dad — honest, noble, and smart. And here you are, but you refuse me…
The young woman offered him to live temporarily in her apartment.
— That would be wrong. You don’t know me at all. What if I’m some kind of adventurer? — he objected. — But I like you very much, Jeanne. I’ll try to start over, but most likely, nothing will work — you have to understand that. I can’t accept help from a woman, especially if I like her.
Meanwhile, a real show unfolded in the hall. Guests pointed fingers at Alexey, laughed — his “before” photos and videos of Katya actively flirting with him were shown on the screen.
Alice realized she wouldn’t finish her plan. With a feigned repentance, she took the microphone and said:
— You all see that Katya envies my father’s wealth and tries to take away at least part of my happiness! So I decided to test her true intentions…
Amid laughter and applause from guests eager to flatter Alice, a firm male voice sounded:
— Why did you suddenly become rich, Alice? Your father is just the manager. The owner here — that’s me!
Alice sharply turned and went cold when she saw Sergey Alexandrovich, who unexpectedly decided to visit the restaurant today. Why was she so unlucky?
— Sergey Alexandrovich! We thought you were on vacation… Dad said you were out of town! — she muttered.
Now her voice lacked challenge, her gaze was frightened, and her chin lowered.
— Well, rumors came that a man resembling my son was seen near the restaurant. Lesha lost part of his memory and went missing. I decided to check the surveillance footage… — He hugged Alexey and ran his hand over the scar on his neck. — Lesha, son! Don’t you recognize me?
— Sorry, but I hardly remember anything. Because of this, I can’t work properly, — Alexey said, then added: — The only thing I knew for sure: when I heard “Yastrebok” (Hawk), I immediately understood it was important. Dad called me Leshka as a child, so I asked for help here. Ivan Arkadyevich really turned out to be a kind man — he was the only one who helped me when I was alone.
— Yes, he’s a good man! Too bad you, Alice, went more into your pride than into him… Are you going to apologize to my son now? He may not remember me, but I recognized him! — Sergey Alexandrovich said sternly, piercing the girl with his gaze.
Alice’s face turned red, almost blending with the color of her dress. A terrible thought flashed before her eyes: this man could fire her father, and then they would have to settle for a modest apartment on the outskirts and a regular job.
Realizing she lost, Alice made the right decision. She bowed to Alexey to the floor and said:
— Lesh, it was a silly joke, just childish mischief! Forgive me! I shouldn’t have started all this…
— It’s okay, don’t worry! — Alexey replied, turning to his father: — If you really are my father, please forget about this case. I really like Jeanne, and her father is an honest and kind man.
— Well, so be it! Then I also apologize for such an unexpected intrusion. But, Alice, know this — you almost let your father down. Think about it, — Sergey Alexandrovich said, leading his son away, hugging him tightly by the shoulders.
Meanwhile, Katya stood in the corner of the hall, pointing at Alice and saying:
— Well, look at that! She mocked the son of the restaurant owner but looked like the biggest fool herself! So important, yet nobody!
After a year of regular treatment, Alexey began to remember fragments of his past. It turned out he ended up in his hometown by accident — an acquaintance gave him the wrong address. He wanted to find a new job, but the contacts were fake or incorrect. Lesha didn’t bother figuring it out — he didn’t want to believe in deceit.
He tried to survive, found small jobs, rented housing, but constant stress from memory loss made itself felt. Over time, people stopped trusting him, and work disappeared completely.
When it seemed all was lost, he saw the sign of the “Yastrebok” restaurant. Suddenly a memory surfaced — a man holding him on his lap, gently stroking his head and saying something. It became a sign for Alexey, and he asked for help.
Ivan Arkadyevich didn’t chase him away, didn’t turn his back or judge — he just helped. He was the very father of Jeanne, to whom Alexey was now telling this story.
— Listen, my father has means, but you don’t have to tie yourself to me. I might have memory problems again, — he said, making an offer.
— Lesh, there are no perfect people! Besides, it won’t affect our child. I’m already pregnant, — Jeanne answered.
— When did you find out? Why didn’t you tell me before? Doctors said I might never have children…
— It’s been two months since I found out, and in half a year, we’ll meet the baby face to face. I didn’t say because dad thinks you should be careful. Your father keeps him at a distance, although they were friends, — Jeanne explained.
She didn’t mention that she would have told about the child only after the proposal. She didn’t want to seem selfish.
— But I said at the restaurant that day that I liked you and called your father my future father-in-law! Didn’t you understand?
— Maybe! Maybe you just played a role… My sister was normal too until dad started earning more, — Jeanne sighed.
She worried a lot about Alice. She still couldn’t calm down and planned to marry a guy she once took from Katya, although he didn’t suit her at all. She was just stuck in her complexes and couldn’t get out.
And she stopped talking to Jeanne altogether after things worked out with Alexey. Alice was sure her sister deceived her and knew in advance about the promising fiancé.
— I’ll always be myself, even if I forget something again. Just not you and not our child! — Lesha put a ring with a small emerald, the same color as her eyes, on her finger.
And Jeanne immediately believed him. Although she couldn’t explain why, from the very first day she felt — they would definitely be together.
Probably, fate gives people hints so they don’t miss their chance. But you can hear them only if your heart is open and free from envy and malice.
Sometimes the most unexpected meetings become turning points in life. The main thing is to be able to see a person’s soul, not the external circumstances.