My daughter is such a genius! Oksana boasted to the neighbors. She aced every exam with straightAs! And she even manages a side job without taking a single penny from us!
Im jealous, Oksana! My kids only know how to beg for money, the woman sighed. They dont want to study at all. Mashka says shell marry right after college, claiming the husband will take care of everything. And my son sigh! the neighbor waved her hand, utterly disappointed in her own children. At least your Nastya is clever and intends to earn a living on her own.
Of course, whispered Mikhail to himself as he stepped a few paces away from the gossiping women. Hed love to go home, but his mother still hadnt finished shopping. If his father were at work, todays bagcarrier title would belong to him. If only you knew what my sister is doing in the capital, youd never mention her, let alone brag.
Did you say something? Oksana glared at the muttering boy. What, cant you wait five minutes? She hadnt finished her story yet.
Yes, Mom, he replied. I have a presentation and an essay due tomorrow. Maybe youll brag about me another time? Mikhail answered calmly.
Whats that, dad! Stop cutting people off! Fine, go ahead
Mikhail simply shrugged as the neighbors eyes softened. They were no longer thrilled to be seen by a doting mother. Oksana kept talking about her daughter, in a tone that made it sound as if Nastya were the perfect ideal everyone should emulate.
Only he knew the truth. He kept silent because he didnt want his mother to worry.
***
Does Anastasia Melnyk live here? A scornful stare from a lady threw Oksana off balance, and the two men standing behind her only added to the tension.
My daughter lives in the capital now. She studies at university, the woman replied proudly. What do you want from her?
At university? Nastya? Are you serious? the guest laughed rudely. She fled after the first term. She couldnt pass a single exam, which isnt surprising; she never attended lectures, preferring to look for a boyfriend.
How dare you slander my daughter! Ill sue you for defamation! Oksana fell silent, hearing a noise behind the next door. To call that rude woman inside would be to admit she might be right. Yet to ignore her seemed pointless people would gossip anyway, truth or not.
Go ahead, the womans hesitation was stopped by her own son. No need to give gossip fuel. Mom, let them in.
But, Mikhail!
Let them in.
At sixteen, Mikhail seemed older than his years, serious and a touch nervous. He ushered the guests into the living room, gesturing toward the sofa. The lady smiled and took the armchair a little farther back, while the men stayed standing.
Mikhail! How can you invite them here! You heard what she said about Nastya!
I heard. Thats why I let them in, the boy snapped back at his mother. With his father away on a business trip, he was acting as head of the household and trying to limit the damage.
You
Maybe you know my sister better, the woman teased. Do you know where she is now?
In Kyiv, Im sure your mother didnt lie. She doesnt live in a dormitory, Mikhail grinned crookedly. She rents an apartment paid for by her husband. I dont know the address, but her husband is about twenty years older than Nastya, has three adult children, and is outrageously wealthy.
Is his name Gregor, by any chance?
Let me guess youre his wife? Mikhail felt a knot tighten. What had his notverysmart sister gotten herself into? Why were they looking for her here?
Thank God, no. Im his sister, fed up with my brothers antics, the woman said coldly. Gregor has a wonderful wife, the daughter of our main business partner. Hes terrified of other women near his husband, which is why hell file for divorce.
That cant be allowed, right?
Smart boy, the lady muttered. Any guesses where your audacious sister is now?
I dont, but a friend of hers might know. I can contact her, but first I want to hear your plans. I have one sister, you know.
Mikhail, what does all this mean? Whos Gregor? Which rented flat? What happened to my daughter? Oksanas face changed dramatically. Mikhail rushed to the bathroom where his mother kept her pills.
Should we call an ambulance? the lady seemed slightly guilty.
Mikhail waved her off. Of course he called an ambulance when he ran for the pills. Nina Viktorivna, the kindest woman in the building, promised to arrive within five minutes. She must have been nearby.
Mikhail How do you know all this? Oksana asked, refusing to accept the truth. Her daughter was a lover How could she live with that?
Remember when Nastya last showed up? Her phone broke, right? She borrowed my laptop to chat with a friend and couldnt log out. I read her messages, was a bit surprised, and asked her directly. She didnt deny anything, just begged you not to tell anyone.
Mikhail genuinely worried about his mother. She was a good, kind person, whose only flaw was bragging about her childrens achievements. He blushed whenever she announced his certificates and medals to anyone who would listen.
A short while later, after Oksana was placed in bed under medical supervision, Mikhail returned to the guests, eager to learn the womans intentions regarding his sister.
So, what do you want to do?
Nothing drastic. Ill give you money and introduce you to some peopleunmarried ones, which is the crucial part. The smarter she is, the easier shell find a husband.
Fine, Ill think about it, the boy sighed heavily, anticipating an uncomfortable conversation. His friend in Nastyas circle had been bold and troublesome. He had to improvise. The closed session excuse was a convenient pretext. Could his brother want to give his sister a gift? Living so far away, only a courier could help.
Here, Mikhail handed the guest a slip of paper. I hope you keep your word.
Ill hold you to it, dont worry.
As she left the apartment, the woman spoke loudly enough for the eavesdropping neighbors to hear:
Sorry for the disturbance, I had no other way to talk without extra ears. I hope no bad rumors spread. If anything, I personally apologize to Nastya. But I think youre decent people here, you wont gossip.
The rumors did spread, but they were weak. Oksana immediately tried to suppress them, asking people not to tarnish her daughters name. She bragged far less and even stopped leaving the house.
Mikhail discussed everything with his father, and they agreed to move. Oksana felt ashamed to meet the neighbors eyes, realizing she had been deceiving them all along.
One sunny day the family relocated. As Mikhail explained to curious neighbors, they were moving closer to the capital, nearer to Nastya, where the doctors were better, especially since his mothers health had been declining.
Nastya never returned; she married successfully and completely forgot her family
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