— No, — Timur shrugged. — Maybe the neighbors? Or a courier with the wrong address?
The ringing didn’t stop. Evelina walked to the door, fixing her hair on the way. After unlocking it, she froze on the threshold. In the doorway stood Klavdiya Gennadyevna, her mother-in-law: in a severe gray suit, with tightly pressed lips painted a screaming scarlet, and five huge bags surrounding her like an entourage.
— Good evening, — Evelina managed to say. — We weren’t expecting you.
— I can see you weren’t, — her mother-in-law gave her an appraising look. — Dressed up like you’re in a parade. Timur, son, are you home?
— Mom? — quick footsteps were heard from the back of the apartment. Timur peeked out from behind Evelina’s shoulder. — What happened? Why didn’t you warn us?
— Should I have? — Klavdiya Gennadyevna unceremoniously pushed her way into the hallway, shoving Evelina aside. — I’ve come to see my own son, not strangers. Help me with the bags.
Timur obediently stepped onto the landing and began to drag in the bulky bags. Evelina stood pressed against the wall, feeling her festive mood crack like thin ice under heavy footsteps.
— Klavdiya Gennadyevna, we were about to leave. We have a table reserved at a restaurant, — Evelina began.
— Is that so? And what’s the occasion for the party? — the mother-in-law took off her coat and hung it on the hook where Evelina’s jacket usually hung.
— Evelina got a promotion at work, — Timur explained, bringing in the last bag.
— So, she got a promotion. It’s not like she’s being crowned Queen of England, — Klavdiya Gennadyevna waved it off. — I have more important news. I’m moving in with you.
Evelina felt a chill run down her spine.
— Excuse me, what?
— You heard me. I’m moving in to live with you, — the mother-in-law spoke as if she were announcing the sunrise, as something self-evident. — I’m renting out my apartment to tenants. No point in letting a good thing go to waste. And with that money, I’ll help you with the mortgage.
— Mom, are you serious? — Timur froze with a cufflink in his hand. — Why so suddenly?
— I’ve made up my mind. I’ll help you with the housework, — she glanced at Evelina. — You won’t have time for it now with your important position. And my son needs to eat home-cooked meals, not your semi-prepared foods.
Evelina took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
— Klavdiya Gennadyevna, Timur and I need to discuss this. Such decisions aren’t made unilaterally. We have a two-bedroom apartment, we…
— Shut your mouth! — her mother-in-law interrupted sharply. — I’m not talking to you! I’ve come to live with my son!
Evelina recoiled as if from a slap. In five years of marriage, her mother-in-law had never allowed herself to use such a tone.
— Mom, don’t be like that! — Timur said uncertainly.
— And how should I be? Bow and scrape before your ‘little missy’? — Klavdiya Gennadyevna started unzipping one of the bags. — I’ve already rented out my apartment, they’re coming tomorrow, so you have no choice. Timur, help me take my things to the guest bedroom.
— We don’t have a guest bedroom, — Evelina squeezed out. — Only ours and the study.
— Then the study will be my bedroom, — the mother-in-law snapped. — I’m not sleeping on the couch, am I?
Timur had already picked up two bags and was heading towards the study — a small room with a desk, bookshelves, and a fold-out sofa. Evelina’s gaze darted between her husband and mother-in-law, unable to believe what was happening.
— Timur, — her voice trembled, — we agreed to go to the restaurant, we have a reservation, and we didn’t discuss… this…
— Evelinochka, let’s postpone it, — he smiled guiltily. — We need to help Mom get settled. The restaurant isn’t going anywhere, right?
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