Oleg burst into the entrance with a bouquet of flowers in his hands and impatiently pressed the elevator call button. He was in anticipation of an early meeting with his wife, whom he had not seen for three months. The man was on a business trip, which seemed to him unusually long and exhausting.

Oleg went up to the seventh floor, imagining how he would open the door and, entering the apartment, loudly called his wife. He was sure that Valeria was at that moment cooking his favorite dishes and dressing up. The elevator soon stopped, and Oleg hastily jumped out of there.

He tried to open the apartment door, but he failed. The key, which the man took out of his pocket, stubbornly refused to go all the way into the lock of the door. After unsuccessful attempts Oleg decided to simply ring the doorbell.

What was the man’s surprise when the door was opened to him by an unfamiliar blonde-haired woman of about thirty-five. She was dressed in a warm robe and snow-white terry slippers. Oleg froze, not realizing what was happening.

– Who do you want, man? – The woman asked puzzled when she saw Oleg. She scrutinized him with her hand on the doorknob. Oleg felt his heart racing.

– Where’s Lera? Who are you and what are you doing in my apartment? – Oleg asked in a concerned voice. He was anxiously confused, clutching the bouquet in his hands. His thoughts were confused, and he couldn’t believe what was happening.

– In your apartment? – The young woman asked in a surprised tone. – Actually, I bought this apartment a month ago and have been living here ever since. Let me ask you, who are you yourself?

Oleg was stunned by surprise. He looked at the blue-eyed stranger amazed eyes. Puzzled shrieked, he shook his head, refusing to believe.

– What are you talking about? My wife could not sell you my apartment! – exclaimed Oleg. – What kind of fairy tales are you telling me here? I will immediately call the police …

Oleg shoved the woman standing on the threshold with his shoulder and stepped inside. He felt as if he were in someone else’s apartment. His favorite leather sofa and a neat coffee table were not in the living room.

The man, not wanting to wait any longer, took his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed his wife’s number. She was unavailable. Oleg felt panic overwhelm him.

– What are you doing? It’s me now call the police! – shouted a furious woman. She ran up to Oleg, who was trying to find his documents in the apartment. – Get out of here nicely!

– Then show me a document confirming your words, – Oleg mumbled confusedly. He still refused to believe what was happening. His voice trembled with excitement.

The woman went into the bedroom and soon came out, holding several sheets of paper in her hands. She handed the documents to the stunned Oleg, looking at him defiantly. The man began to scrutinize them.

Oleg easily realized that his wife had indeed sold the apartment. He no longer had any right to be here. The man was in a state of shock, not knowing how to behave.

He had only spoken to Valeria on the phone in the morning. During the short conversation, he informed her that he would arrive closer to the evening. She promised to wait for him eagerly and prepare for his return.

Oleg’s mind was blown by everything that had happened. Five years ago, he had registered the apartment with his wife, believing that the mistress should be the mistress of the documents. He selflessly loved Valeria and never doubted her fidelity.

The man had to admit that he lost the apartment, which he dreamed of for many years. He apologized to the new mistress in a dejected voice. Bowing his head, Oleg left the apartment.

It was a snowstormy December evening. It was unbearably cold outside. Snow was falling in fluffy flakes, softly lying on the ground….

Oleg sat down on the bench to recover. He had to urgently decide what to do next. He could not stay out on the street on New Year’s Eve.

The man took his cell phone and called his parents. He wanted to inform them that he would come to celebrate New Year’s Eve with them. The mother’s voice in the receiver sounded warm, but brought new surprises.

– Hello, mom, hi. How are you? – began Oleg, trying to sound calm. – I have already arrived, but there is such a thing… In general, I will come to you.

– How not at home? And where are you? – surprised Oleg, hearing the answer of his mother. – You went to the dacha? I see. Happy New Year, mom.

Oleg learned that his parents went to the dacha to celebrate the New Year. The keys to their apartment he did not have. He wondered what to do next.

For a second he thought that he could go after his parents. But soon he remembered that at this time to get to the village is not possible. Oleg decided not to despair and called an old friend.

– Hello, Tolyan. I’m already in the city – began Oleg, but his friend interrupted him with happy news. – You what?! What a surprise!

Tolyan said that he was taking his wife to the hospital. Soon he will have a son, right under the New Year. Oleg wished his friend good luck and disconnected.

After a minute of thinking, Oleg decided to call a cab and go to the hotel. He took out his cell phone, but found that it was dead. Gritting his teeth, he went back to the entrance.

– I realize that you don’t have time for me, but could you let me make a call? – Oleg asked his new landlady. His voice sounded tragic. – My cell phone is out of battery.

– Come in, – the woman replied, scrutinizing the frozen man. She let him into the apartment. Oleg felt warm, but not cozy.

He called a cab service, but the dispatcher said that he would have to wait for an hour and a half. Oleg sighed heavily and headed for the door. The woman suddenly stopped him.

– Wait for a cab in the apartment, – she suggested. – It’s too cold outside, you’ll freeze. Sit down, I’ll pour you some tea.

Oleg agreed, realizing that in the cold will not stand. He looked at the clock and was surprised at how little time remained until New Year’s Eve. From the yard came children’s laughter and the sound of firecrackers.

Oleg’s mood was dreary. He thought about how he would live his life. The future seemed gloomy and uncertain.

– Let’s go and have some tea,” came a woman’s sonorous voice. – You must be cold. I have linden honey. My name is Raya, by the way….