Almost right at the entrance to the restaurant, a quarrel nearly broke out between Alisa and Pavel. She clearly understood — this conversation was bound to happen sooner or later. She just didn’t expect it to start right now — when they had arrived to discuss the banquet order.
Pavel stopped the car and critically looked around the building.
“God… I can hardly even call this a restaurant!”
Alisa shrugged.
“I like this place. I used to come here often with my friends. By the way, the owner here is wonderful, and the food is beyond praise.”
He abruptly turned to her.
“Are you serious? Is this a joke? We’re not just coming here for a quick bite! This is going to be our wedding day!”
“Pasha, first of all, don’t raise your voice at me,” she answered calmly. “Secondly, we simply can’t afford a more expensive place.”
He slapped the steering wheel with frustration.
“And this is coming from the daughter of a man who manages millions!”
Alisa became serious.
“We’ve talked about this more than once. It’s easy to live off someone else’s money, but I don’t want that. Dad gave you a good position, even though you clearly aren’t ready for it. If you want — we can postpone the wedding and wait until we can afford what you want.”
Pavel barely restrained his irritation. Sometimes Alisa could be so stubborn it seemed almost foolish.
“Alright,” he sighed. “Let’s not ruin the evening over some trivial matter. Let’s go.”
Alisa understood — he was deliberately changing the subject. She decided not to continue the conflict.
The restaurant was indeed on the outskirts of the city. Alisa had once lived nearby with friends and celebrated all important events there. Everything was cozy, bright, homey — and most importantly, inexpensive. The owner always treated them warmly and gave discounts, joking, “For students, like in the good old days.”
Now the interior was more modern, run by the daughter of the former owner — a bit plump, but just as kind as her mother. Alisa liked her immediately, so the choice of place was obvious.
“Alisa, come on already!” Pavel pulled her impatiently.
But the girl suddenly noticed a little girl. She had seen her near the restaurant before — then the child had offered to wash the car window. She was dressed poorly, even too poorly. Now she was sitting near the entrance, thoughtfully watching passersby.
“Wait…” Alisa stepped toward the girl but changed her mind and quickly went inside.
Pavel sighed. He was used to his fiancée often being impulsive, acting without explaining anything to him. But after the wedding, he would definitely change that. Just not now — it was too emotional a moment, and besides, her father had a strong character…
He hadn’t even entered when Alisa already returned. In her hands — a box of pastries, a cola, and something else.
She passed by without saying a word. Pavel shook his head: “I wonder how many more homeless people Alisa has to come across before she feeds them all?”
Sighing, he followed her.
“Hi!” Alisa spoke gently to the girl. “My name is Alisa, and this is my fiancé Pavel.”
The tired child’s eyes lit up at the sight of food.
“Thank you… I’m Katya.”
She ate a little, carefully wrapped the rest.
“I’ll take it to my dad. He’s sick.”
Alisa was flustered and handed her some bills.
“Take it. I don’t have any more on me.”
Pavel sighed theatrically again, hoping Alisa would hear him. But she ignored him.
Katya politely refused.
“No, I won’t take it. I’m not a beggar, I have a home. And thank you very much for the food.”
She stood up, was about to leave, but suddenly returned.
“Alisa, you’re kind… But I wouldn’t marry him. You don’t really know him at all.”
Pavel immediately flared up.
“Look at this proud one! Got food, and instead of thanks — rudeness. Like a stray kid who was helped — and can still bite the hand.”
Alisa nudged him with her elbow, but the girl was already leaving.
“Alisa, one day all these poor people you pity will kill you,” he shouted after her.
“Well, will you cry then?” she smiled.
“No… You’re definitely not yourself.”
That night Alisa couldn’t sleep for a long time. Her thoughts kept returning to Katya’s words. Although she didn’t believe in predictions, the strange warning didn’t let her rest. Maybe someone in the girl’s family was a psychic?
Sighing, Alisa sat on the bed and looked at the clock. It was about time for Pavel to go to sleep. Usually, he would call, wish her good night, and say he was going to rest too.
She quickly got ready:
“No, I’m not going out for that. Just taking a little drive.”
Quietly slipping out of the house, fifteen minutes later Alisa was already standing by Pavel’s apartment building. His car was gone. The apartment windows were dark. She approached but firmly refused the idea of going in — she had keys, but she knew no one was home.
Slowly driving through the city, not quite understanding where she was headed, she suddenly noticed a familiar silhouette — Pavel’s car. It was moving slowly, then turned on the blinker and entered a courtyard.
Alisa parked a little further away, got out, and hurried to follow.
The fiancé was not alone. Next to him was a woman. Bright, striking. They couldn’t get to the entrance — kissing and hugging.
Alisa even pinched herself — was this a dream or not?