Finn POV

Going there was the only option, and honestly, it was the best place I'd wanted to stay with Cheryl.

It was a typical wooden lake house far from town. My mom was born and raised there. That place was home to me; even after those years, it was the only place that had my mother's scent, warming me up and taking away my sorrow anytime I visited.

I didn't get to meet my grandparents, for they died in a car crash two years after my parents got married, but with my parents around, we visited the lake every year for the whole eight years we've spent.

And after then, I had always found time to come to the town just to check the situation of the house. I had repaired the roofing myself, some windows and broken stairs. Coming around Bolingbrook was how I built the orphanage home and some important centers for the benefit of my mother's town residents.

I was popular around there. Albeit the lake house was far from the community, the residents would always stop by whenever I came around.

My grandpa was a famous sheriff. He had managed to keep the town safe under his service, so I will always be welcome there with dignity and respect.

Talking about my hidden agenda, some among the people I trusted in Bolingbrook knew about my list, like Mariah and the team from the orphanage home. By some, I mean even the present sheriff and mayor were aware. I knew it sounded illegal, but there was too much of the story you didn't know. Well, with all those protection, it was why I brought Cheryl there. Bolingbrook was like a fortress for me. The people in that town would protect me just like my own parents would, and I knew I could sleep safely without Samuel and Justin securing the house. Without my men looking out for me with guns at night.

The people of Bolingbrook were like family. They were the kind of people who would lie for me, die for me even. That's the difference between Bolingbrook and Eureka Springs residents. Those people turned on my father the night he was killed. Though, if you see it the typical way, my dad had nothing to do with Arkansas and its towns. It was only his kind heart that took him there to his last breath, but here? I would spend whatever I had to look after the needy, the kids, and the elders. That was what my parents had in mind. That was what I intended to do till I am no more.

Cheryl's eyes had been on me the whole drive to the lake. I wanted her to notice the farms and green landscape, the blooming flowers, and filled-up trees. I wanted her to see my mother's town was actually 'spring,' but I was more selfish. Having her watching me was something I don't usually get. It was something I wouldn't ever say no to. So I welcomed it with my whole heart, letting her gaze sink into me while I acted oblivious even though butterflies were fluttering in my stomach.

What is she doing to me? What was going on in her head?

She came with me when she had the chance to expose me. She was scared for me; I knew she wanted me safe. I wanted her too.

If I've ever felt blessed in my life, it should be that day, I know it's bizarre to say, but in all honesty, even though I was ambushed in my own home, I built years back, having Cheryl on my side was worth it. I knew I could stand any blow the universe had to offer as long as she was with me.

She was my everything.

Mariah and others were worried she was going to be the death of me. I think that was the deal. It was the deal ever since I set her unconscious body in my truck the day I kidnapped her.

Only she wanted me too; I could feel it. I believed it.

"Wow! This is..." She couldn't finish, or she didn't know what word would fit the beautiful place I brought her.

"I believed it's the most beautiful place in the world." I silently articulated.

"It is." She exhaled a laugh from her shock reaction, and it was the most captivating view.

She was beautiful. She was the reason I smiled for no specific point.

"Is it..." She swallowed and turned to me. "Can I? Uhm... is it okay if I go out?" She sounded timid, and her eyes were pleading for freedom.

I never wanted her to feel that way.
I wished things were different, Cheryl!

At that moment, I almost hated myself for what I'd done to her. She was doubtful of her liberty because of me.

"Yes, Cheryl." My voice was filled with disappointment in myself.

With a smile, she began opening the door, but then she halted and spun to me. "You're a good person, don't ever let anything change the way you are."

I watched the girl who went through different hell since I took her away from her home, yet she was the person saying I was good?

No, Cheryl! I was evil. I was the exact meaning of what people saw me as. I was a monster-I was going to burn in hell.

In my car, I watched Cheryl through the windshield, running around the green grasses. She was widely smiling as she lifted her hand to her sides-hugging the breeze that was coming with the storm which was about to start. Her platinum blonde was a wind-blown show around her skin. And I immediately knew, despite where I might end up, right there, I was living my heaven. She was my heaven.

The house was cozy and had all the supplies we needed, but before the rain fell, I thought to get us some woods for the place gets too chilly at night.

Cheryl was squatting by the lake when I told her to get into the house; I would be getting us some woods to light up the fire.

She only giggled and stood upright.

She was beautiful. I couldn't get enough of her.

Cheryl POV

The place Finn brought me was the most beautiful I've ever seen. I was sure it was home as soon as I first set my eyes away from him in the car.

It was the kind of place you could scream and play all day long. It was a place for birds to sing every morning through sunset and butterflies to snuggled in flowers-it was a place you could live for thousands of years without getting bored. I fell in love with it at first sight.

The house was a wooden story building with a deck, and the porch was the coziest I've seen.

The house sits in the middle of a never-ending green landscape and by the foot of the purest lake. There was a duck and her ducklings swimming peacefully in the water.

The sound of crickets and the roar from the angry dark sky, eager to break through and bring the earthy liquid over the beautiful green leaves, were the only audible sound since Finn left to get us some wood.

The rain hadn't fallen yet, but there was a scent of rain from a distance combined with the scent of flowers that made the atmosphere even more relaxing.

I sat on the chair on the porch waiting for Finn to return, for I couldn't go into the house on my own.

That's when a car pulled by, an old truck filled behind with wrecked bicycles, my heart began to beat rapidly, and my stomach was grumbling with fear as I watched who was about to show up.

Well, a bearded middle-aged man came out of it. He opened the back door of his faded red truck and brought out a basket, neatly covered with a white laced napkin, before he began walking towards me.

He had a broad smile on his face when he noticed me. I wished I did too, but I was only consumed with fear for many possibilities running through my mind.

"Cheryl, right?" The man asked when he halted below, by the steps of the wooden house. His voice was husky and raspy.

I could only nod. Yes.

"Pretty child you really are. Where is Finn?"

"He went to get some woods." No matter how much I wanted to sound normal, it came out squeaky.

Luckily, Finn showed up carrying some amount of wood in his arms, he had his hoodie tied up around his waist and his black shirt stretched up in a very attractive way that shows a hint of his defined V-line. His hair was a beautiful tousled mess.

It was quite the view to bring girls to their knees.

"Ever thought of quitting growing more facial hair?" Finn joked when he noticed our guest.

"Ever thought of quitting black outfits, or is it growing taller?" The man retaliated. "He keeps growing taller anytime we meet." He turned to me with a smile on his face.

"You're growing older. That's why you're struggling with vision problems, I told you." Finn rolled his eyes, and the man laughed.

"Hey, young man, I'm just starting." He said.

"See! you're always fooling yourself." Finn playfully said and dropped the woods by the door.

I shift glances between the two men. Finn must know the man enough to joke freely.

"Victoria and the kids decided to gather up some things for you two when we learn you're in town." The man informed us both.

"News travels fast, huh?" Finn smirked and collected the basket. "Thank you, please say hi to Victoria and the magical twins." He added.

"Oh! Potter, this is Cheryl." Finn cleared his throat afterward.

"Oh yeah, we meet. She's so beautiful, just like I heard." Potter said, and I became red in an instant.

"Yes, she is." Finn nodded-shy evident in his tone, and that was enough to make me look way down, down to my feet because I wasn't representative anymore. I was turning into a strawberry.

"I should get going. The rainstorm is about to start." Potter announced when the clothes from his truck began floating by the wind.

"Thank you for stopping by," Finn called out, and the man waved us from behind.

***

When we got into the house, it was surprisingly cleaned. Not a single dust was lying on the furniture. I was inspecting the first floor while Finn was upstairs cleaning himself up, for he was covered in whatever his magnetic features had to attract from the woods.

The living room and the kitchen were in the same room. There were some food stocks in the cabinets and bottled water in the fridge.

The living area had a couch and two armchairs, which were occupied with thrown pillows. The rose curtains were old design and had completely shielded the room from the outside view. A fireplace faced the living room, and an old set of television was seated on a stool by the side of the end table. The bookshelf by the left was scanty, and a coffee table was situated on top of a definite soft carpet.

It was priceless. It was beyond defining.

Even with the sound of raindrops beating the surface of the wooden house, I was feeling comfortable.

"Hey?" Finn called, and I turned to find him for the first time since I'd known him in a blue shirt and grey joggers.

I think I've earned every right to stare, for he looked younger than he used to. He was freshly showered, his hair was messy and damp by the edges, and some strands were falling to his face. He was glowing from a side I had never noticed.

How would I have noticed? Don't blame me; I was kidnapped by him.

"You can use the bathroom. I will start the fire." He motioned to the woods, sitting by the fireplace.

"Okay," I muttered and headed up to ease myself.

By the time I came back to the first floor, it was heavily raining, and Finn was by the fire making progress.

I still couldn't get the sight of him in colors off my mind.

He was like a regular high school kid helping his parents start the fireplace.

My mind was busy picturing Finn and his wears when a deafening sound came along with the monstrous storm, and just like that, the light went off.

No! No!

Without a second thought, my legs hastily took me to the only source of light in the room, which was Finn. I actually clasped him from behind and hid my face.

I've always loved the rain, but I hated it when it takes the light with it. I sometimes end up running to my dad's room any night the sky began to cry, or the town went blackout.

"Hey, hey." Finn's voice was calming when he tilted me to his side and brought my face out from hiding in his shirt.

The fire had caught up, the light dimmed, and the curtain rose.

When I met his eyes, they were hooded as they stared deep into mine. The emotions in them stiffened me. I saw the two things I was also struggling with at that moment-shimmering in his golden pupil. It was fear, and it was desire. I knew he longed for me when his eyes fell on my lips.

My breathing quickened, for his face was less than an inch away from mine. I heard his breathing labored-he was trying to control whatever was going on in him, but his eyes were stuck to my lips, and it was making breathing hard for him. He had no idea what that was doing to me, what he was doing to me. I should move away, but no! We were glued in dangerous proximity. His scent was consuming my universe. I could see his lips calling mine and my whole body reacting to his closeness.

I wanted him. I needed him. Hell, I loved him.

Screw it!

I went for it.