On the outskirts of the city, in a quiet and peaceful place, there was a small establishment called “Corner.” This place did not strive for popularity among the fashionable crowd but mainly attracted locals with its homely atmosphere. For the third year, Alina had been working there.
On the eve of a new workday, the young woman was methodically wiping the tables, lost in anxious thoughts about the upcoming rent payments. Her financial situation had grown increasingly difficult ever since her mother passed away. She had to take on extra work hours, and the long-cherished dream of obtaining a higher education had gradually faded away.
— Alina, wake up! The guests will be arriving soon, — came the voice of Zina, the experienced, elderly cook.
Startled, Alina hurried off to the kitchen. Strict but fair, Zina always treated her warmly, feeding her during lunches and occasionally giving her some baked goods.
— Coming, Zina Petrovna! — Alina replied, straightening her apron.
The day passed slowly: guests arrived and left the café, and she continued to perform her duties — taking orders, engaging cordially with clients, and serving food. By the end of the day, her legs reminded her of the long hours of work.
When there was little time left before closing, the door creaked open, and a man in an impeccable suit entered. His expensive accessories, especially his watch, spoke of significant wealth. He chose a seat by the window, pulled out his phone, and began typing something quickly.
Approaching with a notepad, Alina politely inquired about his order. The man looked up, and something like surprise flashed in his eyes, as if he recognized someone from his past.
— Bring me a double espresso, — he said, continuing to scrutinize the young woman intently.
This somewhat embarrassed her. She hurriedly jotted down the order, still feeling his persistent gaze upon her.
When it came time to settle the bill, Alina noticed a large banknote tucked under the receipt — she had never received such generous tips before. When she tried to return the money, she heard only a soft phrase: “Keep it, you deserve it.”
The following days repeated monotonously: the man came in, ordered coffee, and left generous tips. Zina Petrovna, noticing yet another gift of fate, asked with concern, “What does that gentleman want from you?”
— I have no idea, — Alina shrugged. — He just comes in, drinks coffee, and leaves money.
— Be careful, girl, — warned the cook. — Rich men don’t throw around their generosity like that.
Indeed, the man made no attempts to initiate conversation or show any ill intent. He simply came, observed, and left generous sums.
One evening, he left an amount equal to Alina’s monthly earnings. Unable to contain herself, she chased him down in the parking lot.
— Wait! — she exclaimed, holding the money in her hands. — What does all this mean?
The man turned, and in the light of the streetlamps, his face appeared weary.
— My name is Pavel Andreevich, — he said after a pause. — Let’s meet tomorrow at the café “Melody.” There, I will explain everything.
— Why? — Alina asked in surprise.
— I will tell you tomorrow, — he replied, opening his car. — After work. It’s important for both of us.
That night she spent without sleep, pondering the possible reasons for such generosity. In the morning, she called her friend and told her about the strange man and the upcoming meeting.
— Are you out of your mind? — her friend cried in alarm. — What if he’s a dangerous person?
— In such a suit? — Alina smirked.
— Even worse! — countered her friend. — Send me his address, send me his photo, and call every half hour!
After work, Alina headed to “Melody,” where Pavel Andreevich was already waiting for her at a table in the corner.
— Hello, — she began as she sat down opposite him. — Enough with the riddles. Explain.
Pavel Andreevich sighed, his hands noticeably trembling.
— I’ll get straight to the point… I am your father, Alina.
The young woman was speechless. She had always believed that her father had abandoned them and never looked back.
— This can’t be, — she finally whispered.
— Your mother — Natalia Sergeyevna? — he asked. — She worked as a nurse in a hospital?
Alina nodded.
— Why? — she managed to choke out. — Why did you leave us?
— I was young, foolish, and made mistakes, — admitted the man. — I was offered a career in another city. I thought I would provide for you with money… then I met another woman.
Tears streamed down Alina’s cheeks. She had always wanted to meet her father, to ask him a thousand questions, but now she couldn’t find the right words.
— I tried to find you later, — Pavel Andreevich continued. — But you had moved somewhere, changed your number…
— My mother has been gone for two years now, — Alina said, wiping her tears. — She never told me anything about you.
Pavel Andreevich’s face reflected excruciating pain.
— Is there any way to redeem my guilt?
Alina only shook her head silently. So many moments were lost. Too much time had passed.…
— I just want to explain myself, — he continued, looking at his daughter with genuine remorse. — The story of our meeting is quite unexpected. One of my business partners lives near your café. It was he who mentioned you.
— And what did he say? — Alina wiped away a tear that had welled up.
— He said that a girl named Alina works there, who very much resembles your mother, — Pavel Andreevich paused. — When I saw you… you were an exact copy of Natasha.
Alina stared out the window. Outside, passersby hurried about their business, unaware of the storm of emotions raging inside her.
— I couldn’t find a way to approach you for a long time, — her father admitted. — So I simply observed. I left money, trying in some way to help.
— Time can’t be bought with money, — Alina almost whispered.
— I understand that, — Pavel Andreevich nodded. — But I need a chance. The past cannot be returned, but I can be here for you now.
Alina suddenly jumped up, causing her chair to creak. Several gazes from the other patrons turned in their direction.
— I need time to think, — she said shortly and hurried toward the exit.
At home, Alina wept for a long time. For years, she had harbored hatred for the unknown father. And now he stood before her, apologizing, and she didn’t know how to react.
The phone kept ringing day after day. Pavel Andreevich left messages that Alina mechanically deleted without even reading. She missed work, claiming illness.
Zinaida Petrovna, worried, stopped by her home with some homemade baked goods.
— Tell me what happened, — the cook gently asked as she sat on the edge of the sofa, stroking the girl’s hair.
Alina couldn’t hold back. All her words poured out in a torrent.
— What should I do now? — she asked, finishing her story.
— How do you feel about yourself? — Zinaida Petrovna studied her face intently.
— Anger, hurt, confusion, — Alina said, hugging her knees. — And a strange feeling, as if I had found something lost long ago.
— You know, — Zinaida Petrovna sighed, — life presents us with various trials. People make mistakes. Sometimes they realize it too late.
— Do you think he truly feels remorse? — Alina looked up.
— I’m not sure, — Zinaida Petrovna shook her head. — But the only way to know is to give him a chance.
After Zinaida Petrovna left, Alina sat by the window for a long time, gazing at the dark sky. The stars reminded her of her mother, who loved to watch them together.
The next morning, Alina picked up the phone. She dialed her father’s number.
— Let’s meet, — she said when Pavel Andreevich answered. — Today at six. In the park by the fountain.
Pavel Andreevich arrived half an hour before the scheduled time. Alina noticed him impatiently pacing around the fountain, straightening his tie, checking his watch.
— I have decided to give you a chance, — Alina said quietly as she approached unnoticed. — But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you.
Her father’s face lit up with joy. He extended his hand, but then immediately lowered it, hesitant to embrace his daughter. They began a walk, slowly moving side by side and talking — for the first time in many years.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Pavel Andreevich showed Alina his world: business, corporate events, expensive cars.
— It’s incredible, — Alina remarked after one of the restaurant visits. — Yesterday I was a simple waitress, and today I’m here with you.
— It’s time we switched to a first-name basis, — her father said warmly with a smile.
Their relationship grew warmer. Pavel Andreevich shared stories of his life: how he built his business, his mistakes. Alina began to get used to the idea of having a father.
One day, Pavel Andreevich approached with a particularly solemn expression.
— I have a proposal, — he began, sitting next to Alina on the sofa. — I would like to pay for your university education.
Alina froze in surprise. This was her long-cherished dream, but to accept such a gift…
— No, I can’t, — she shook her head.
— Wait, listen, — Pavel Andreevich leaned in closer. — This isn’t an attempt to make up for my sins. It’s a desire to secure you the future I should have given you long ago.
Alina thought for a moment. His words were sincere.
— I’ll think about it, — she replied quietly.
A week later, Alina agreed. She chose the faculty of management. Pavel Andreevich paid for her education in full and even bought an apartment closer to the university.
Studying came easily. Alina quickly grasped the material. She began working at her father’s company: first as an assistant, then as a manager. Her cleverness and hard work were appreciated.
After several years, Alina sat in her father’s office discussing a new project. Pavel Andreevich looked at his daughter with pride.
— You know what I think? — he asked, leaning back in his chair. — You could become my deputy.
Alina raised her head in surprise.
— Really? — she asked.
— Very, — Pavel Andreevich nodded. — You’re talented. You have character. And you’re my daughter.
Alina looked out the window. Down below, people hurried about. Some were rushing to meetings, others were simply strolling. Everyone had their own story.
— I’m no longer that little girl, — Alina murmured quietly. — Not that waitress who counted every penny.
— You have grown stronger, — her father smiled.
— I still remember the pain, — Alina turned to him. — But I no longer live in the past.
Pavel Andreevich stood up and approached his daughter. He embraced her tightly.
— Thank you for giving me a chance, — he whispered.
— Thank you for not giving up, — she replied.
They stood by the window. Father and daughter, reunited by fate after a long separation. Ahead of them lay work. New projects. New challenges. They were building a future together. And that was more important than anything else.
