Chapter 8

Yuri stayed in the shower for a long time. He hoped that by the time he came out, the unwelcome stranger would already be gone. Omar made him feel as if an enemy spy had infiltrated his home. Whether that was because of everyday racial snobbery or because the old man had dared to complain about him - Yuri didn’t really care. He just wanted that “disgusting” old face out of his apartment.

But when he stepped out wearing only a towel, hoping for his wife’s attention to his body, he was met with an unpleasant surprise. Omar’s voice. Or rather, mostly Annette’s voice was heard; Omar only said, “Yes,” “I understand,” “All right, sweetheart.” But he spoke! He was still here! For this long?!

Irritated, Yuri, unable to contain himself, headed over to reprimand him for overstaying his welcome. But ... he froze in the doorway. And there was, let me tell You, a reason for that ... oh, Annette...

She was standing with her back to the old man and bending over to demonstrate the exercises. He was nodding along, clearly not even trying to remember anything. Omar was flipping Annette off. Yes, really. He was jabbing his middle finger toward her back, generously rewarding her for her kindness and pity.

Then he started moving his hips behind her as if he were having sex with her. Annette suspected nothing, talking with enthusiasm about the work she loved.

Yuri was stunned by the janitor’s transformation. The chubby old man, always hunched and cowed, was behaving like ... a punk. As if he had a split personality - meek in public, but mocking people the moment they turned their backs. Yuri wanted to speak up, but then Omar did something bizarre. There was a photo of Annette at the beach lying on the table.

The old man grabbed it and pulled his pants down. He started pressing the photo against his sagging backside as if the beauty were kissing him there. Such desecration of everything sacred was so outrageous, so unthinkable, that Yuri almost froze in horrified awe. Watching the old man swing his limp penis in Annette’s direction and wipe his ass with her picture, Yuri felt emotions he had never known before. Someone was daring to profane what, for him, was holy - Annette herself. Yuri had always treated her like a shrine, brushed dust off her, spoiled her, indulged her in everything. And now some foreigner walks into their apartment and wipes his ass with her photo.