“You will be the brightest, most talented star. You will be spotted and listed on every poster.”
Sofia wept, hiding her face behind her father’s blanket. His feeble but warm fingers brushed her hair.
“My girl, don’t cry. Nobody can trick fate. Please hear me, he whispered.
Sofia lifted her tearful face. Her father spoke softly, as if each syllable was a struggle:
Just don’t interrupt. My strength is exhausted. We were Mikhail and Grigory. Our bond was unbreakable; we sworn it by blood. Next came your mother. Both of us loved her. When individuals fall in love, friendship typically suffers. Mikhail couldn’t accept your mother’s choice.
He’s great, though. When things go tough, you can turn to him. You won’t be abandoned. He owns ‘Breeze’ restaurant. Note this, Sofia. You may be saved by it. There’s more, but he can share it himself.
Remember: I love you deeply, believe in you, and know you’ll succeed.”
Sofia held her father fiercely, and he tightened and became limp.
Dad! Dad! Her scream filled the room.
They dragged her from bed. Sofia observed the physicians’ frenetic activity from afar. I am alone kept running through her head. I am alone in the world.”
The next day, after the wake, the stepmother looked at Sofia coldly:
Tomorrow, locate work. I won’t feed you.”
“But I’m studying…”
“Studying, huh!” the stepmother laughed. Songs won’t fill you up. Without a job, you’ll be homeless. Got it?”
But this is my home!
The stepmother sprang, eyes flashing:
“What? Your home? Ha! This is my house. I married your father legally. Shut up. Know this: I’m being kind. But I can differ.”
Sofia hurried out the room, slamming the door. She grieved all night with her father’s photo. She concluded in the morning that her father had left enough money for her to finish school and pursue his goal.
He always wanted Sofia to sing. She won competitions from infancy. Her professors claimed she had trouble breaking through, but her voice always fed her.
“Just imagine: anyone who hears your name — Sofia Grigoryeva — will never forget it,” they assured her.
She grinned. Yes, her dad tried. She was Grigoryeva and Grigoryevna.
Sofia prepared for class in the morning. She kept quiet to avoid waking the stepmother. She’d study. No matter what. Her father wished that.
She returned to see her stepmother on the porch. Sofia slowed down, intending to depart, but the stepmother kept staring at her.
“Did you find work?”
“I attended school.”
Sofia tried to pass, but the stepmother prevented her.
“School? You want to sing? Her hands were on her hips. “What kind of singer are you? Not clever enough, your speech sounds like rusted hinges. You’ll wash floors, not jump on stage, with your looks. You were warned.”
The stepmother found a suitcase and bag.
“Take your stuff and leave. Sing in the subway, terrify people. Maybe they’ll give you something.”
Sofia gaped at the luggage, then the stepmother entered and shut the door. Sofia heard locks click. She raced out of the yard with her belongings.
“Please, God, hide this. Let dad be at peace!”
Sofia dragged the luggage along the street. No more tears or thoughts. She had no kin. Mother and father were orphans. She had no idea what to do.
Darkness was approaching. She ceased. In front of her stood “Breeze” restaurant. This was the spot her father told her about. There was no choice. She approached the door. A young man welcomed her.
«Good evening. Let me help you organize and get to your table.
«No, thanks. Can I visit the restaurant owner? Mikhail Yurievich?
Young man doubted her.
I’ll check.
He reappeared with a tall, distinguished 45-year-old man a minute later.
You looking for me?
Sophia nodded.
«I… Daughter of Elena and Grigory Grigorieva. My father stated I can ask you for help.
Elena and Grigory? Why can’t Grisha help his daughter?
«My father died. Death occurred a few days ago.
Sophia cried. Mikhail gave her Kleenex.
Would you prefer water?
Mikhail appeared to recover.
Take her stuff to my office and bring water, Maxim.
«Understood.»
Mikhail tenderly held Sophia’s shoulders.
Come calm down. I was unaware.
After Sophia calmed down, he sat next to her in a chair.
«What happened? Why the suitcase?»
My father was ill for a while. After my mother died, things worsened. Zhanna visited our house. I could see she didn’t love my father despite her support. I was too little to be believed. She moved in with us 1.5 years later. That was my father’s first hospitalization.
«Doctors stated his heart was old-fashioned. Zhanna fed him and stayed home. After discharge, he didn’t kick her out. They married later.
«I hoped for improvement, but…» Dad worked hard despite physicians’ advice. He always believed his ‘star’ deserved a bright future. He predicted my stardom.
He informed me about your friendship and suggested I might ask you for help before he died.
Sophia looked up for illustrative purposes only.
«He said you were brothers till mom came.»
Sad Mikhail grinned.
«Your mom didn’t want to start our fight. For a long time, she considered leaving to save our friendship. It was too late. Grisha stopped her.»
«Sophia, Grigory and Elena are my family even if we haven’t spoken in years. You can trust me like a dad. Want a career?
«No, I simply want a normal life and job. If I can, finish school.
Mikhail Yurievich pondered, then asked:
«How about living with me? Do you agree? I have a large central residence. If not, I can offer a motel for a few days until we find something.
«May I stay? Don’t want to be alone…»
Sophia sniffled, and Mikhail softly added:
Of course. I support it. I live alone except for my fat lethargic cat, who ignores me because he thinks I’m useless.
Sophia smiled slightly.
«How do you know his thoughts?»
«He’s fed, clean, and groomed when I get home—the housekeeper loves him. When I pat or call him, he flicks his tail and leaves.
Mikhail studied the girl intently.
«I know it’s hard, but Grigory was correct. I’ll help you as much as possible.
«Were you so close? Why did you stop talking?
We were buddies. Life may cloud judgment, making it hard to tell right from wrong. I may tell this tale later.
Sophia relaxed after a few days. Mikhail invited her to coffee.
«Let’s go, speak, decide what to do.»
«Can we not go to a cafe? How about your restaurant? Never been there.
Of course. Off we go.
Mikhail made Sophia finish her studies for illustrative purposes only.
«How will I live? Not everyone must support me. I sought employment.
«Wait.»
Before he could continue, the young guy who met Sophia ran to him.
We have an emergency, Mikhail Yurievich!
«What happened?»
In 30 minutes, an anniversary. The contract requires live performance. The issue is…»
«Artem won’t return?»
Mikhail grasped his head.
«The tale? Again?»
«Yes.»
“Okay, let’s call everyone who has performed here before.”
«We phoned everyone. Not meeting the criteria will result in a penalty.
All right, Maxim. Disregard penalties, focus on reputation.
Sophia caressed his hand.
«I can sing, Uncle Mikhail.»
«What? Are you sure?
«Yes. No worries—I’ll manage.
Much time was spent staring at her.
Sophia, this is unnecessary. Additionally, you’ve never sang in a restaurant. The mood is distinct and boisterous here.
It’ll be OK. I swear.
Sophia sang, and the room went silent. All evening, Mikhail sat at the table. He gently stated during the last song:
«Elena… Our daughter will star, I guarantee.
Mikhail mistreated Elena years ago. He was very insistent, and she was afraid. She left after discovering her pregnancy. She was stopped and Grigory discovered the truth.
The pals fought hard. Mikhail knew his error but refused to confess it. His apology was too late. Grigory asked him not to contact them again. Mikhail decided Sophia didn’t need this narrative. It would harm her.
Zhanna and her new spouse entered the restaurant.
«Finally!» he moaned.
Zhanna loves flaunting her «superiority.» Even though they were poor, she selected this eatery to impress her friends. When she arrived, they were already seated, proudly signaling the waiter.
What’s your entertainment? Will anyone sing?
A waiter grinned.
«Lucky you. Sophia stars for a few days. She’s local and performing tonight.
Friends gasped:
«Unbelievable! No way!»
She was also aware of her, but feigned not to know.
I didn’t realize she was from our town.
This is where she studied and started. Do you recall Grigory Grigorieva?
Zhanna dulled.
«Grigory Grigorieva?»
Surprised, her husband gazed at her.
Wasn’t your surname Grigorieva?
Zhanna faced him.
«Coincidence. You never understand. You chose the incorrect restaurant. Everything is wrong…»
She looked around and pointed.
‘These burgundy curtains are awful.’
The husband expanded his eyes.
«How did I know you pick restaurants by curtains? If you have the identical ones in your bedroom, why is burgundy bad?
She pulled the chair back and sat with her back to the stage, furious.
My God, what a husband! All husbands are normal; mine wrecks holidays.
Room got quiet. A young woman started singing a sorrowful tune instantly. Zhanna threw a crumpled napkin on the table.
«Now what? Will we listen to this singer all night?
Her spouse moaned and rose.
I’m sorry, girls. I’ll drive you home later.
Zhanna exhaled as she watched him depart, confused.
«I must now sit like a statue. No twisting, no dancing…
