Alexei's so absorbed in what's happening on TV (ha ha, he does not want to wear the puffy shirt but he has already agreed to do it), he doesn't hear the picking of the lock, nor does he hear the opening and closing of the door. He thinks he hears the creak of a floorboard right as some noodles slip from his fork, back into the takeout box. Before he can turn around, though, Yelena has already spoken up and he starts in his seat. His head turns so fast it leaves him in danger of spraining a muscle or two.

"Yelena! You did not tell me you were coming...!" he says, his voice louder than usual from surprise and just a sprinkling of embarrassment. His house is pretty messy right now and the noodles... Well, he'll set them down on the table with one swift motion, hoping they won't be questioned.