The summer sun was mercilessly scorching when Olga returned home from work. Tired, she sighed as she opened the door to her spacious seaside home, the one she had long dreamed of. The house was a manifestation of her hard work and ambition, a symbol of the success she had achieved with her friend and business partner, Sveta.
They had come a long way from simple clothes sellers at the market to owners of a thriving chain of stores throughout the city. Olga remembered how they started their business: a cold winter morning at the market, when they, frozen but determined, laid out their goods on the stalls; endless negotiations with suppliers; nights spent on calculations and planning. Gradually, their efforts began to bear fruit: first, they opened a small shop, then a second, a third, and now they had an entire network known throughout the city.
As soon as Olga crossed the threshold, a familiar voice greeted her:
– Olya, what’s for lunch?
Olga suppressed her irritation and turned to the source of the question. It was Marina, her husband Andrey’s sister. Marina, along with her husband Grisha and son Sasha, had come to stay a month ago and during all this time, had not lifted a finger to help around the house. Olga glanced at the kitchen: scattered things, unwashed dishes, half-eaten breakfast plates, Sasha’s toys on the floor. She remembered how happy she was when she and Andrey finally managed to buy this house, how they chose furniture together, argued about the color of the walls, and planned every detail. But now this house, their shared dream, had turned into a thoroughfare.
Holding back her irritation, Olga snapped:
– Whatever you cook, that’s what you’ll eat. I’m in a hurry, and don’t call me for trifles, I’ll be very busy.
Without waiting for a response, Olga turned and left the house. She quickly got into a pre-ordered taxi and gave the address of a café where she had a planned important meeting with Sveta. On the way, Olga reflected on her life. Her business was thriving, she had achieved a lot: Sveta had recently bought a luxurious apartment in the city center, and Olga had finally realized her long-held dream—building this magnificent house by the sea. But instead of enjoying the fruits of her labor, she felt that her home was gradually turning into a source of stress due to uninvited guests.
The taxi was approaching the café when her phone rang. Sveta’s name appeared on the screen. Olga felt a twinge of anxiety: they usually didn’t call each other before a meeting unless something unexpected had happened.
– I’m almost there, – Olga said, answering the call.
– Sorry, but we have to reschedule the meeting, – Sveta spoke softly, her voice clearly embarrassed.
Olga was alarmed. Sveta never changed their plans at the last minute without reason. Over the years of their friendship and joint business, they had learned to rely completely on each other. If Sveta canceled the meeting, something serious must have happened.
– What’s wrong? Are you okay?
– Yes, yes, everything’s fine, – Sveta hastened to reassure her. – Just… don’t laugh. Okay, tell me, what happened.
– I went out shopping this morning and bought shawarma from a stall. The smell was irresistible, – Sveta confessed with a hint of shame in her voice.
Olga already guessed where her friend was heading. This wasn’t the first time Sveta succumbed to the temptation of street food, despite all previous unpleasant experiences.
– How many times have we had this? – asked Olga, trying not to sound too harsh. She remembered their last year’s trip to an exhibition in Moscow, when Sveta was knocked out for a whole day due to a similar experiment with street food.
– I know, but I really wanted shawarma, – Sveta tried to justify herself.
– Do you need me to bring you anything? – Olga offered, understanding that her friend was having a hard time. – Maybe some medicine?
– No, nothing is needed. Drink plenty of water and rest. We’ll meet when you feel better. If anything, text me, I’ll come at any time.
– Thanks, you’re the best, – Sveta gratefully responded and ended the call.
Olga sighed and told the driver:
– Sorry, plans have changed. Take me back.
The man smiled, probably having overheard their conversation; he nodded and turned the car around. As the taxi drove back, Olga gazed out the window at the passing city. Approaching her home, Olga got out at the gate and walked through the open gate. She frowned, noting once again that her request to keep the gate closed was being ignored. It was unsafe—there had been thefts in their area, and an open gate was an invitation to thieves.
Olga quietly approached the house. She was about to open the door when she heard Marina and Grisha discussing plans to set up her home:
– We can open up the gazebo, and put a swing next to it for Sasha. He’ll be outdoors, it’s so wonderful, – Marina said dreamily.
– You’ve got a good idea. And we could also build a separate entrance, make a personal kitchen for us, so we see that Olga less. Then we’ll really live, – added Grisha.
Olga couldn’t believe when these so-called guests decided they could take part of her house. She entered the house and set about her business. The woman opened the window overlooking where her husband’s relatives sat. She waited until Andrey entered the room, and loudly said:
– Andrey, explain to me what’s happening?
– What do you mean, dear? – Andrey asked, puzzled.
– About your relatives. When will they leave? I’m tired of feeding and entertaining them. They’ve stayed long enough. I want to see my own relatives this summer, so let yours clear out of my house and quickly, – Olga blurted out.
The conversations outside stopped. Andrey looked at his wife in surprise.
– Olga, keep it down.
– I’m in my own house, and if your relatives don’t understand that they’ve long overstayed their welcome, it’s their own fault. They’ve been here almost a month. Were you expecting them, or did they come on their own? – Olga asked.
Andrey didn’t know what to say. His sister and her family had arrived uninvited, and Andrey simply couldn’t refuse her.
– Alright, let’s not fight, but make sure they’re gone by the end of the week. I hope you understand. Get your family out however you want. If you can’t handle it, tell me, I can definitely do it.
Andrey wanted to say something, but then Marina and Grisha burst into the room. Marina was holding a phone.
– Mom, she wants to kick us out! We have nowhere to go, our apartment is sold, and we have a child! Tell her! – Marina squealed.
Olga smiled: her plan had worked. Marina put the call on speaker, and the shrill voice of the mother-in-law came through the phone speaker:
– Olga, how dare you kick out my daughter? She has nowhere to go!
Olga took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. She had expected this conversation, but still felt anger boiling inside. Nevertheless, she kept her voice calm:
– It’s not my problem. They came uninvited and have been living here for a month. Hospitality has its limits.
Realizing she couldn’t persuade her daughter-in-law, the mother-in-law changed tactics and pressed Andrey:
– Son, say something to your wife! If she kicks out Marina…
The manipulation worked. Andrey, succumbing to his mother’s pleas
, also started begging Olga not to kick out Marina:
– Olga, maybe we can find a compromise? It’s not right to just throw them out on the street like that.
Olga looked at her husband, and something inside her finally broke. She realized that everything was over with Andrey. Years of misunderstandings, his inability to put their family first—it all led to this breaking point.
– Fine, – Olga said calmly, addressing everyone present. – You have half an hour to pack your things and leave my house. If anyone is still here in half an hour, I’ll call the police.
Marina gasped, Grisha turned pale, and cries of outrage came from the phone. Andrey tried to calm his wife, placing his hand on her shoulder:
– Olga, let’s talk this over…
But Olga removed his hand and firmly repeated:
– Half an hour. And that includes you, Andrey. The clock is ticking.
Exactly half an hour later, all the uninvited guests stood at the front door with their suitcases. Andrey was still trying to persuade his wife to change her mind, but Olga silently opened the door, indicating the conversation was over.
Soon, Olga divorced Andrey. The process was painful, but Olga felt she had made the right decision. Gradually, life got back on track: Olga fully immersed herself in work, expanding the business with Sveta, engaged in self-development, and made new acquaintances. The pain from the divorce subsided, giving way to a sense of freedom and new opportunities.