Paul was unusually quiet the whole drive home. He kept his eyes on the road and occasionally rubbed under his bottom lip with his finger. This wasn't like him; normally he'd be grilling me or yelling at me for being out after dark alone. But now…. he was just so reserved, like he was lost in his thoughts or something.
When we got to my apartment, Paul shut off the cop car and I invited him inside. He simply nodded and let me lead the way. We ascended the staircase in silence again, and he stood behind me while I fished out my keys and unlocked the door. All the while, I could feel Paul's eyes on me, though I didn't address it. Then, I pushed the door open, ready to go inside. But I was stopped under the doorframe by Paul; he was right behind me now, his chest almost touching my back. I didn't say anything as his hands reached around my arms to hold their fronts in his palms. It's like… it's like he wanted to wrap his arms around me but resisted. We just stayed like that for a while, neither of us saying anything, Paul's hands protectively cupping mine. "Paul likes you; it's obvious to everyone." Paul… doesn't like me, does he? Does he….?
This whole silence thing didn't last long. Though he wasn't yelling at me as loud as usual, he didn't hesitate to finally have it in on me later. His voice was constantly seasoned with concern; must be because of my trip to the police last week. These happened so close together. I had just finished making us tea by the end of the lecture/questions.
"I thought I told you not to go out at night alone anymore. You didn't even have your cellphone with you!" "I…. forgot it at home." "You forgot it? Ana, what if something happened and you needed to call me….. t-the police?" "I'm sorry, Paul; it just sort of happened. At least I had my taser on me," I smiled, bringing us over our tea. I gave him his mug and plopped myself down on the couch beside him. He blew on his tea before peering my way.
"Why can't you just make an effort, Ana? I mean seriously- what am I supposed to do?" "Uh, your job?" "No, I mean if something happened to you," his eyes rolled dramatically. This made my cheeks blush a little. He said that in a matter-o-factly tone but… it still sounded super sweet to me regardless. Paul…. "Paul, I know you're worried about me, and I appreciate it. But you don't have to so much; I'm fine, really." "You're wrong, Ana; having an underground mobster talk to you like that isn't fine. Do…. do you know who he is? Have you ever seen him before?" "No, this was the first time tonight," not a complete lie; we had actually never spoken before in person. "What does he want with you? Do you have any idea?" Paul asked me straight on. My mouth shot open to answer, but no words came out right away. It took me a second to think of something decent-sounding. "I… have no idea. I don't know what he'd want with me." "Yeah, me either…." Paul's eyes drifted out into nowhere ponderingly.
A pregnant pause fell over us; I swear I could hear Paul thinking, his mind was so busy. Eventually he blinked up to me, much softer this time. After a moment of quiet staring, he reached over for the remote. This made me blink in surprise as he turned on the tv and pass the remote over to me. Once again, his kind face shown upon me. "You've had a long night. Just put on whatever you like and let your mind relax. Try and fall asleep if you can."
"W-wait, what about you?" This caught me off guard. His gazed lowered onto mine. "I'm not going anywhere; I'll stay here with you, if you want." "I do! B-but…. what if I fall asleep?" And he then flashed me the gentlest, most tender smile; something I hadn't seen from Paul before. "Don't worry. I'll stay until you fall asleep. Just rest; I'll be right here with you." Paul, my eyes began to grow. Has he always been this…. nurturing? Believing him wholeheartedly, I rested back in the couch and put on some mindless cartoons. Paul didn't say anything, though I know he felt good…. I could tell by the way he kept blinking to me and grinning from the corner of his mouth. I don't know when I exactly fell to sleep either; but I remember feeling very safe and protected.
[By the time the movie was over, Ana was already fast to sleep on my shoulder. It was weird; we'd never done anything like this before. I shut off the tv, lifted Ana up princess-style in my arms, and carried her to her bedroom. There I carefully laid her down her bed and covered her with the blanket. As I was tucking her in, I heard something drop to the floor. Huh, that's odd; I picked up this not-previously-seen flip cellphone. Why does she have two phones? I pondered gazing back down at the sleeping woman.
I looked at her- her peaceful face- and felt my chest start to tighten. Had Anastasia always been this… radiant? She looked like a friken goddess, an angel when she slept. I didn't know humans could look so beautiful. It wasn't even a sexy beauty either; she was like a work of art- a masterpiece. I set the phone down on her desk and grinned back at her; my hand gently moving some stray hairs off her cheek.
Don't you worry, Ana; I promise I won't let those goons get their grubby hands on you. He said he'd see you again soon; I find that good cause to assume you're in danger. No, don't you worry about a thing- the police will handle it. I will handle it.]