“In other words—are they invalidating my residence permit? For you?” I stare at the boss, mouth open. “And what are we going to do then?”
“A lawyer suggests I enter into a fake marriage with someone.”
“A foolproof way. You won’t find a girl you could trust in this delicate matter?” the very same lawyer adds.
“I don’t believe anyone at all! Except you. And, there—you, Nina Vasilievna.”
I nod automatically. I’ve earned trust—who could argue? Ten years passed like a single day; I stood at the origins of the firm. Now I’m the chief accountant. So—wait. He’s not hinting that I… No! Carefully, with caution, I take my eyes off the notebook and slowly run them over the faces of the men staring at me.
“W-what?”
“And you aren’t married, Nina Vasilievna?”
❃❃❃❃❃
A book about how an old maid entered into a “fake” marriage.