Of course, Irina Konstantinovna then categorically declared that it was Sveta's own fault, because she should have dressed more warmly. Sveta in her turn objected, quite reasonably, saying that she had clothes only for the weather that she had actually expected. They didn’t agree, the boss was unshakable, but she still paid Sveta a more than enough fee to demonstrate that the company was not going to shirk its responsibility.
"And what about you? Are you going anywhere?"
Lera smiled dreamily and said, "Yes, I'm leaving tomorrow."
Sveta opened her mouth to say something else, but then they heard the sound of heels clicking in the hallway.
"That's how fate knocks on the door!" Lera said, and the two girls burst into laughter.
It was easy to recognize the boss – even her walk was somehow unmistakable. It was time for them to leave the "changing room" and wait near the boss' office so they wouldn't miss their turn to sign the contract. For some reason Irina Konstantinovna didn't hand out copies of contracts for the staff to sign at their own workplaces, but called them in her room individually. Every year.
Sveta was the first to leave. Lera checked herself in the mirror and saw a red-haired, wide-eyed version of herself staring back at her with bright turquoise eyes. After a long ride on the Moscow subway, Lera felt quite disheveled, curly red hair sticking out in all directions, and her beige outfit made her look like a lit matchstick. Smoothing her hair while walking, she hurried to the common area.
"Lera, here is… for you… again…" Lena said from the corner of the office.
The girl was holding a small box in her hand. Lera sighed and walked towards her. The other girls around began to chat with interest:
"Again?"
"Who is it anyway?"
"Maybe pretty-Marat?"
"Nah, he wouldn't be shy."
"Then Kostya, maybe?"
"Which Kostya?"
"Yeah, the driver of Irina Konstantinovna…"
"It doesn't match. He's only been working here for six months, and Lera's been receiving gifts for more than a year…"
Lera ignored the usual banter. With a soft, tired sigh, she took the box, untied the ribbon and looked inside. At the bottom was a little velvet case evidently brought from a jewellery store. Lera froze.
Karina asked impatiently, "What's there?"
Lera shuddered, but she did not take her eyes off the case. Jewellery? Well, this was too much! At first, she was even pleased with those presents. She and her colleagues wondered who could be so shyly courting her.