Butterfly's Year

35. Paulina protection program

When I realized what day of the week it was and what time it was, I slowly dragged myself out of bed along with the warm blanket. I poured some hot water over myself in the shower, then wrapped myself in a towel and headed to the kitchen.

I intended to prepare a nice Sunday breakfast, but my attention was drawn to Alec sitting on the couch. I stood rooted to the spot. Alec was smiling broadly, as if it were his birthday.

– I was supposed to be here early, so I am – he announced happily, like a five-year-old waiting to meet Santa Claus. – It's great that we'll be spending more time together now, right?

I gave Victor, who was standing behind the kitchen island, a questioning look, but his expression did not share Alec's positive mood at all. He furrowed his brows, and the pancake he was frying began to burn slightly.

– Paula, you have a whole closet full of clothes, and you put on a towel? – he asked, giving me a look of disapproval that practically screamed: "Go get dressed immediately in something that covers you from head to toe, or I'll throw this boy out the window".

– Sorry, I forgot – I muttered carelessly and retreated to the wardrobe, rolling my eyes to the ceiling.

I put on some sporty leggings and a matching crop top. I slipped on some soft, sporty shoes and returned to Alec and Victor.

The latter gave me a once-over from head to toe and again made a displeased face, which was to be expected since the exposed bit of my stomach in the presence of another man probably seemed too provocative in my boyfriend's eyes.

– What is this? – I asked, ignoring his sour expression.

– Alec – he stated the obvious, then unzipped the hoodie he was wearing, put it on me, and zipped it up to the neck. – From today, he will be looking after you when I'm not around. You didn't want a bodyguard, and this is your friend, so I compromised with you.

Dressing me up in his own way clearly improved his mood because he stopped sulking, so I spared myself the scene of demanding freedom of dress and focused on this supposed compromise.

– Compromise? – I repeated, giving him a skeptical look. – Behind my back? Don't you think a compromise is reached through a conversation?

– Oh, Paula... – Victor muttered nonchalantly, returning to frying the last of the pancakes. – You know how worried I am about you, and you don't want a stranger. This is your friend. It's almost like you're just spending time together. You'll catch up on lost time. You'll gossip. You'll refresh your friendship a bit. Surely, you won't throw your own friend out the door?

I looked at the overjoyed Alec sitting on the couch. All things considered, this was a better solution than a completely unfamiliar guy. Victor would have eventually gotten his way and found someone who would follow me like a shadow, so why not make him happy and agree to the company of a guy I could influence a bit? It was definitely better than some stickler blindly following Victor's orders. If someone had to watch over me, let it be Alec.

– So be it – I agreed graciously.

– Brilliant. – Victor almost clapped his hands in joy. – You introduce your friend to your general schedule, and I'll run to the store for some jam for the pancakes. Do you need anything else?

– Maybe tampons – I replied after a moment's thought. – I'll need them soon...

My brain slowed down abruptly as if it had stalled, and I quickly began to calculate in my head the days since I last needed them. I should have needed them again about a week ago. My thought processes suddenly started moving at a frighteningly fast pace. Oh shit...