Alexei called out to Vera before even stepping inside the house. She heard him but didn’t look up from the screen where she was drawing with her stylus. He told her that Igor, his younger brother, along with his wife and daughter, wanted to stay with them.
Vera knew exactly who Igor was. He had always been lively, never seen without a camera in his hands. He had a passion for photography, capturing anything and everything, but mostly women. His career had started in a newspaper, then an advertising agency, and eventually, he found his way into beauty contests, which turned out to be a gold mine for him. He didn’t stop there; he photographed weddings, presentations, and any event where money could be made. Even at Alexei’s wedding, he couldn’t sit still, constantly chasing after the bride, capturing moments.
Vera set her stylus aside and stretched as Alexei entered the room. She smiled and gave her approval for the guests to come. She appreciated that he asked her opinion. Their home was by the sea, and visitors were frequent, though space was limited. They had started building a guest house the previous year, but it wasn’t finished.
She reminded Alexei about the renovations, but he dismissed it, saying only small things remained. When she asked when he would complete them, he vaguely answered that if she agreed to host the guests, he’d finish in a couple of weeks. She accepted, and Alexei suggested they go for a walk. Vera declined, saying she had too much work. He gently tried to persuade her, knowing she rarely left the house except for evening gardening when the heat subsided.
She spent most of her time in her room, drawing, and over time, she had gained weight. She tried diets, counted calories, but always ended up indulging again, scolding herself for her weakness.
Outside, the sea roared, roses bloomed, and the air was filled with their delicate scent. A fluffy cat dozed on the windowsill, occasionally opening its eyes at passing seagulls.
Alexei left, and Vera stood up, massaging her lower back. She stepped onto the scale and sighed as the numbers crept upward. She had gained another half kilogram. Her gaze shifted to a bag of pastries she had brought in earlier that morning, already half-empty. She debated taking another one but felt guilty. With determination, she picked up the bag and carried it to the kitchen.
Vera worked from home as an illustrator for books, while Alexei, who had opened an advertising agency five years ago, was always on the go. His business started with a simple setup for printing business cards, then expanded with a camera and hired students interested in graphic design. Gradually, he brought in artists, scriptwriters, and web developers, growing his agency without even realizing how big it had become. Now, he had a solid team, with about fifteen full-time employees and just as many freelancers.
Their business thrived, allowing them to move south. Initially, they had visited for the summer, but before leaving, the landowner mentioned selling the property. Alexei had brushed it off, too caught up in work, but Vera was immediately drawn to it. It was a large twenty-acre plot, though situated on a hillside, making it less desirable. After consulting her father, who supported her decision and even sent money, they bought it. Over the years, they built a three-room house, and when guests became frequent, they started working on a guesthouse.
Despite marrying before Igor, Vera and Alexei’s daughter, Natasha, was the same age as Igor’s daughter, Olya. Igor had likely remained single for longer, but when his girlfriend Yulia became pregnant, he had no choice but to marry.
At the start of summer, Vera sent Natasha to her mother’s place. Natasha was five and would soon start school. Vera wanted her to meet Olya, so after discussing it with Alexei, she decided to pick up their daughter herself. She assured Alexei she’d be gone only briefly and asked him to entertain the guests, making one last request: to ensure no one entered her workspace. Alexei jokingly promised to lock the door.
A few days later, Igor arrived with his wife and daughter. Yulia was immediately impressed, having heard about the house many times but never visiting before. Alexei proudly pointed out Vera’s work in the garden. Though somewhat wild, it had a variety of trees—pear, hazelnut, apple, plum—and the grass grew so fast it was hard to manage, even with a mower.
Olya ran off to explore as Igor admired the scenery, dragging his suitcases to the guesthouse. Yulia curiously asked about their home, and Alexei took nearly an hour giving a tour. When they entered the main house, he noticed Vera’s office door open. Inside, Olya had pushed aside the protective film from the screen and grabbed the stylus. Alexei calmly but firmly told her to stop, taking the stylus from her and placing it back on the shelf. He instructed her not to enter the room again and closed the door.
As they left, Yulia smirked and asked Alexei if his wife was still as fat as before. He grimaced, knowing that Vera wasn’t slim but also not wanting to engage in the conversation. He deflected with a neutral response, but Yulia continued, insisting that staying slim was simple—just eat less. Alexei firmly told her not to say such things in front of Vera. Yulia dismissed his warning with a scoff.
Two days later, Vera returned with Natasha. Alexei met them and sighed as he hugged his daughter, noticing that she had put on some weight. Vera immediately defended her, blaming her mother for spoiling her with food. Alexei reassured her that running around and swimming would balance it out.
Vera asked about the guests, and Alexei told her they had gone to the sea. She assumed they had only been eating pizza in her absence and checked the fridge. Alexei mentioned that Yulia had cooked something, but Vera still decided to prepare a proper meal.
When the guests returned, Yulia remained silent, but her disapproving glances at Vera and Natasha spoke volumes. Over lunch, Vera served a hearty meal, believing the guests must be hungry. The children ate eagerly, but a few minutes later, Yulia tugged at her daughter and warned her not to overeat or she’d end up fat like Natasha. Fortunately, Vera and Natasha had already stepped outside and didn’t hear, but Alexei did. His face darkened with anger, but just then, Natasha excitedly asked if she could go up the hill.
Alexei told her to take Olya with her. Natasha extended her hand, inviting Olya to come along, but Olya turned to her mother for approval, then sneered and refused, saying she didn’t befriend pigs.
Alexei sent his daughter away and confronted Igor and Yulia. He accused them of insulting his daughter by allowing their child to say such things. Igor protested, claiming he hadn’t said anything, but Alexei pointed out that his silence was just as bad. Yulia merely smirked, making it clear she didn’t care.
That evening, when Vera set the table for dinner, Alexei expected an apology. Instead, the guests behaved as if nothing had happened. As they ate, Vera refrained from taking dessert, sticking to her diet. Yulia smirked and snidely commented that to avoid being fat, one simply had to stop eating.
Alexei slammed his hand on the table, making Yulia jump. He asked Vera to step outside. Once alone with the guests, he told Igor that Yulia had now insulted his wife as well. Igor weakly defended her, but Alexei wasn’t having it. He declared that they would leave in the morning. Yulia erupted in anger, calling Vera and Natasha fat again. Alexei stood, warning her that another word would have them leaving immediately.
At dawn, without breakfast, Igor and his family hurried to leave. Vera, wiping the kitchen table, asked where they were going. Alexei simply hugged her and reassured her everything was fine.
He suggested they spend the whole day at the sea, and Natasha eagerly prepared. Vera packed everything they needed, and within minutes, they were on their way. As they walked down toward the shore, the southern sun warmed the earth, and the fresh scent of the sea filled the air, replacing any lingering thoughts of their unwelcome guests.