Butterfly's Year

8. One gift too far

And indeed, Victor handled the matter his way. He picked me up from university in the evening, and I unsuspectingly got into the Bentley.

Throughout the drive, my boyfriend was quite silent, but the expression on his face revealed that he was in an excellent mood and had certainly succeeded in whatever he had set out to do. When I noticed that the route we were taking wasn't leading to my apartment but straight to the city center, I pointed it out, but he brushed it off, saying he had something to show me.

– We're here – he announced cheerfully after about half an hour.

I looked around and the only thing I could determine was that we were in some underground parking lot.

– Where are we? – I asked, bewildered, trying to find any landmark that would tell me more about this place.

– Surprise – Victor declared in a joyful tone, looking as if he was about to present me with a pile of gifts under a Christmas tree.

He got out of the car and quickly walked around the front to open my door. As I struggled to get out of the low passenger seat, I wobbled a bit on my heels and literally fell into his strong arms.

– Don't rush – he murmured into the top of my head, then, as if nothing had happened, he picked me up and headed through the underground parking towards the elevator. – At least wait until we get to the bed.

– What bed? – I asked, bewildered, looking around. – Where are we?

Victor smiled at me brightly, as if where he was carrying me, there was a Christmas tree with a ton of presents waiting for us.

– This is our new castle, princess – he whispered in my ear as we ascended in the elevator.

– What? – I asked, but got no response.

Victor just looked at me with an enigmatic gaze and smiled like a child being handed a promised lollipop before dinner.

A moment later, the elevator doors slowly opened, revealing a grand lobby.

– What is this? – I asked, looking around. – Where are we?

– This is our new apartment – he announced with a broad smile.

– Our apartment? – I repeated mindlessly.

Victor nodded enthusiastically, as happy as a dog seeing its owner after a whole day apart.

– Do you like it? I bought it for us. For you, Snowflake.

– It's beautiful, but I... – I began, feeling somewhat lost in all this because he had never mentioned anything about a shared apartment.

– Shh, don't say anything – he interrupted me, placing a finger on my lips. – Right now, all I can think about is making love to you here. Whatever you say now, I'll forget because in my mind, I'm already inside you.

He pressed his lips to mine, not giving me a chance to speak, then grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the bedroom with a king-sized bed.

I felt like I was in a dream. My clothes simply vanished from my body and materialized in Victor's hands, which he tossed haphazardly onto the floor. I didn't have time to wonder where I was because his lips constantly demanded attention, tickling my lips, then my neck, and my décolletage.

At one point, he told me to wrap my arms around his neck, then he grabbed my thighs and lifted me almost effortlessly, carrying me to the huge bed. He positioned himself comfortably between my legs and leaned in close, blocking my view of all the minimalist splendor surrounding us.