27/07/2025
Wealthy classmates mocked the janitorâs daughterâuntil she pulled up to prom in a limousine and left them speechless.
âHey, Kovaleva, is it true your mom was cleaning the locker room yesterday?â Kirill Bronsky called out, timing his words perfectly for when the classroom had gone quiet.
Sonia froze mid-movement, her book halfway to her backpack. The air thickened with silence as every head turned toward her.
âYes,â she answered steadily, continuing to gather her things. âMy mom works here as a cleaner. So?â
âNo reason,â Kirill said, smirking. âJust wondering how youâre getting to prom. On the school busâwith a mop and a bucket?â
Laughter erupted across the room. Sonia slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked out without replying.
âGet over itâyour momâs just a janitor!â Kirill shouted after her. But Sonia didnât flinch. She had long since learned not to let the teasing get to her. Sheâd been a scholarship student since fifth grade at this elite school, and from the beginning, it was clearâstatus and money mattered. She had neither.
At the back entrance of the school, her mother, Nadezhda Kovaleva, waited. Years of physical labor had aged her beyond her 38 years. Her clothes were plain, her bun messy, her hands worn from work.
âYou seem down, Sonnina,â Nadezhda said as they headed toward the bus stop.
âJust tired, Mom. We had an algebra test,â Sonia lied.
She never told her mother about the cruel jokes. Why burden her? Nadezhda was already working nonstop just to give her daughter a future.
âIâve got a break Wednesday. Want to do something together?â Nadezhda offered.
âIâve got physics class,â Sonia replied, inventing an excuse.
In truth, Sonia was waitressing at a local café. The pay was pitiful, but every ruble counted.
Meanwhile, in the school cafeteria, Kirill leaned back smugly. âIf Kovaleva shows up to prom in anything but the bus, Iâll apologize publicly,â he declared.
âWhat about a taxi?â Vika asked.
âDoesnât count. Has to be a proper carâat least mid-range.â
âDeal,â said Denis, clapping Kirillâs hand.
Unseen, Sonia was standing nearby with a tray of dishes. She heard every wordâand slept not a minute that night. A car to prom⊠her one chance to prove she was no less than anyone else. But even the cheapest car service cost more than she made in a month.
At the Mercury Business Center, Nadezhdaâs cleaning shift began at six. By eight, the offices had to be spotless.
âGood morning, Nadezhda Andreevna!â called a familiar voice. It was Igor Sokolov, owner of VIP-Motors.
âGood morning, Igor Vasilyevich,â she replied.
âHowâs your daughter? Getting ready for prom?â he asked warmly.
âShe isâjust one month to go,â she said with a smile.
âMy son, Maksim, is graduating soon too. Cars are all he talks about.â
Nadezhda knew his storyâhis wife had left him and heâd raised Maksim alone.
âIâve got meetings today,â he said. âCould you handle the conference room after lunch? Iâll count it as overtime.â
âOf course.â
Sonia was studying, working, and preparing for finalsânonstop. Even saving every coin, she was far from affording a ride.
One rainy night, as she waited at the bus stop soaked and exhausted, a black SUV pulled up beside her.
âNeed a ride?â a young man asked, lowering the window.
Sonia hesitated.
âIâm Maksim Sokolov. My dad works with your mom.â
He wore a t-shirt and jeans, short hair, friendly face.
âNo need to worry. I was picking up our computer when I saw you standing here.â
A man with a laptop sat quietly in the back seat.
âWhat grade are you in?â Maksim asked.
âEleventh. Promâs in a month.â
âIâm in tenth, at School 22.â
As she got out, he handed her a card. âThis is my channelâI talk about cars. You might like it.â
By late April, Nadezhda noticed her daughter dragging more than usual.
âSonia, are you hiding something? You seem⊠off.â
Sonia sighed. âIâm just working extra shiftsâat Da MichaliÄ cafĂ©.â
âWhat? But youâve got exams!â
âI wanted to surprise you⊠maybe a dress, some shoesâŠâ
She didnât mention the limo.
Nadezhda pulled her into a hug. âSilly girl. I donât need any gifts. I already have the best one. Focus on your studies.â
But Sonia had made up her mind. The very next day... Story (continued in the comment below )