Finn

CHAPTER I

Darkness. That was probably one of my biggest fears since childhood. Since I can remember, I remember the darkness accompanied by my crying and my cries for help. Mom has done her best to make me understand that nothing bad happens there; no monsters, no strange creatures coming out of the shadows. Still, I have always preferred the day, the sunlight dazzling my eyes, knowing that there is always a new beginning. However, there I was, in the car of Martha, my best friend, heading to a party that promised to be so fun that it would destroy us to the utmost.

Mom is going to kill me, I whispered.

You told him you'd be staying at my house, what's the problem? The blonde snorts as she drives.

What if he calls me on the phone? That party is thrown by the hottest guys in the whole fucking college. There'll be a scandal!

You won't answer him because you're supposed to be asleep, duh. You calm down, Ani. Tonight paints to be amazing.

I was so lost in thought and staring into the darkness of the night that I didn't even realize we had already arrived. We slowly got out of the car unable to believe what our eyes were seeing. The place was just beautiful. It was a giant, luxurious mansion with large, colorful green areas. From outside you could hear the scandalous noise of dozens of teenagers having fun and I was sure that the music far exceeded the decibels allowed at a party.

Who can live in such a place? I heard Martha say as she continued to admire the beauty of the mansion.

Just a mobster, I replied.

She snorted.

You're kidding, right? You don't believe all those rumors about Pablo are true, do you?

We started to move towards the great front door, where of course, there were already a lot of drunk people.

Pablo is terrifying. I don't even know why I decided to accompany you, "I resumed the conversation as I watched where he stepped.

—Your idiot boyfriend cheated on you and you want revenge by flirting with one of the most handsome and popular boys, that's why you're here.

I hated the way that sounded because it made me feel like a bitch, but it was true. A couple of days ago I found out that John, my now ex-boyfriend, had cheated on me. I would have liked to say that he cheated on me with a bitch who seduced him, but it was not. John cheated on me with an ordinary girl, she wasn't a bitch and she wasn't the most popular in college either; the only difference was that she was pretty, or at least that was the only answer he could give me. I always considered my self esteem to be good, I never felt insufficient, but having your boyfriend of five years tell you that he cheated on you because you are not pretty hurts and definitely ruins any self-esteem you may have.

Martha gave me the fantastic idea to play the same game as him. Even though I loved him, John wasn't the most handsome or the most popular, so Martha's idea was to pick me up with one of the guys at this party and rub John in the face that he wasn't the most handsome either. I agreed to do it because I was full of hatred and I couldn't think of anything other than revenge, then I analyzed things and regretted it, but there was no going back. I had to do it.

What makes you think any of them are going to notice me? I mean, they have the whole high school licking their feet. I spoke.

What makes you think they won't? We are fresh meat to them, they will run to us like hungry lions.

We finally reached the door where three large men were blocking the entrance. Everything in this place was so scary and it made me feel like I was stepping into the wolf's mouth.

Identify yourself, one of the men said demandingly.

We're coming with Pablo, Martha answered hesitantly.

Most likely Pablo didn't even know about us, so there would be a big problem if they called him; thing they did. Martha and I exchanged paJohny glances at the thought that these men would kick us out of there as soon as Pablo said he didn't even know us.

I spotted a figure slipping through the crowd trying to reach the door, a tall man with some tattoos on his arms and neck and brown hair that matched his white skin. It was Pablo, there was no question, and he was ready to kick us out of his mansion.

CHAPTER II

Right away I felt my hands start to shake and get sweaty; I've never been so close to Pablo before. To me he was scary, although fucking handsome. In high school he was like a living legend, loved by many and hated by more. The mouths in said that he was the leader of one of the largest mafias in the city, and honestly I did not doubt it. Still, he didn't want to find out.

Are you two girls coming with you? One of the men asked.

Pablo's gray eyes landed on us and I could feel them go through our bodies like a scanning machine. The expression on his pale face was confused but then changed to a slightly friendlier one.

Let them pass, I told you not to get so annoying with the people who come, he replied with a small smile.

Martha and I breathed a huge sigh of relief that they wouldn't kick us out of the mansion. Had Pablo been nice to us or was he just doing it to get more people at his party?

-What are you waiting for? Martha asked in a whisper. Go get him, he's almost yours, I saw the way he looked at you.

Flirt with Pablo? Not crazy, I'm very scared.

What better revenge do you want? It's Pablo! He is an icon, he could easily be the most desired boy in the entire university. Not only would you give John his due, but you would be the luckiest girl in high school!

I huffed at his comment as we noticed Pablo's figure slowly disappear into the crowd. It was incredible how many people attended a party organized by the popular kids. Martha gave me a little bump on the head as a scolding for not taking the opportunity.

Pablo isn't the most desirable kid in college, I said quietly, almost to myself but still managed to hear me.

-Oh no? So who is it? She questioned in a mocking tone.

I hesitated for a couple of seconds whether to say it or not.

Finn, I blurted out. Finn is.

Martha's jaw dropped when she heard my answer and apparently that simple and short name had left her frozen.

Woman, you're crazy, he managed to say, barely fully assimilating what he had said. Forget it, if you think you're going to conquer Finn, forget it.

-Why? Don't you think I'm capable? Or is it that I am not pretty for Finn to notice me?

Martha started to get upset as I did. The atmosphere was not very helpful as because the music was too loud, we literally had to yell at each other, thus creating even more tension between us.

I never said you weren't pretty to him, it's just that, she tried to defend herself, do you know who you're talking about? It's Finn, that man doesn't have a heart, he is terrifying, "he emphasized.

What Martha was saying might or might not be true. Finn, like Pablo, had a terrible reputation. People spoke badly of him, but I didn't know why. I had seen him only twice in my life: the first time, when I mistakenly entered his philosophy class thinking it was mine. His eyes were the first to see me, and he was the only one not to mock my mistake. The second time, while pedaling my bike through the parking lot of the institute, I was distracted and accidentally ran it over. She fell to the ground and I tried to help her, however I didn't get any response from her. She got up as if nothing had happened, shook out her clothes and left. After that I didn't see him again and that was another reason why he had agreed to come to the party. The illusion of running into Finn again.

A male voice behind me snapped me out of my thoughts.

Well, they tried to sneak into my party with lies and I still let them in, can I at least know their names?

Martha and I turned around to see Pablo behind us. Oh no.

CHAPTER III

Pablo was in front of us waiting for us to give him an answer with his arms crossed. And wow, what arms. His gray eyes tried to hold the gaze with either of us, however, we both avoided staring at him.

Ehmm... I'm Ani and she's my friend Martha, I replied nervously seeing that she was still in shock and wouldn't respond. I'm sorry about what happened at the door, it's just that we really wanted to be here.

It was impossible to hide my nervousness, and my hesitation in speaking only made it more apparent.

Why do they seem to be afraid of me? Relax girls, I'm harmless, "he exclaimed, showing the palms of his hands.

How did you know that I was dying of fear?

It's not fear, Martha finally intervened, it's... Admiration. You are a legend.

Pablo showed his gleaming white teeth in a self-centered smile when he heard Martha's comment. It seemed that he had hit the ego right.

You're smart, he replied with a laugh, now I understand why my friend liked you.

Pablo pointed to a boy in the distance. He was one of the popular ones, whose name he didn't even know but was just as handsome as his friend. He made a flirtatious signal for Martha to go with him and she accepted without hesitation.

—It's my moment, I leave you and please do what I told you, carry out the plan! He said whispering close to my ear. I just laughed.

It took me a few seconds to realize that I was alone with Pablo. What was I supposed to do? I didn't even feel able to hold his gaze for more than five seconds, plus I was scared to death. What if all the rumors were true and he was the leader of a gang of gangsters? What if I said something you didn't like and asked me to investigate? Or did I find out something that I shouldn't?

Within seconds my hands were already shaking. Even though his eyes were gray he could feel a great darkness in them, in him. In his gaze was my greatest fear.

What are you thinking about, Ani? She asked bringing me back to reality.

Unconsciously I lowered my gaze so as not to meet his.

Not at all interesting. Only that I don't know anyone at this party and my friend has left me here alone... "She interrupted me.

You're not alone, I'm here, she said in an intimidating, seductive tone that sent shivers down my spine, and since you don't know anyone else, I guess I'll have to accompany you the rest of the night.

Listen well? Pablo wanting to keep me company? Something very strange was happening here.

Come on, I invite you to have a drink, he said and began to walk asking me to follow him behind him.

I don't... I don't drink.

I heard her laugh.

Not even soda? He hesitated with a laugh, but this time he didn't seem ironic or self-centered, this time he seemed sincere and kind. I made eye contact with him and the darkness in his gaze that I'd seen minutes ago was gone.

Soda is fine, I smiled back.

I'll get soda for you.

I couldn't even believe how it was possible that Pablo, the boy who caused so much fear in me, and I were together trying to have a conversation. Much less could I believe that he wanted to spend the rest of the night with me. It was her party, surrounded by her friends and super pretty girls dancing scantily clad, why would she want to waste her night with me?

I looked around the crowd for Martha. There were too many people in the mansion and it was almost impossible to distinguish my friend, however I was able to find her. I saw her in the distance talking and laughing with the boy she had just met.

Seconds later, Pablo arrived with two red glasses filled to the top and offered one to me. I tasted it and tasted the apple flavor on my lips.

I didn't know which was your favorite.

This is it.

We talked a while more about things at the university, nothing out of the ordinary. We laughed a lot, so much so that our abdomen hurt. Pablo seemed not to be a bad boy after all. I learned that appearances could be deceiving.

-Can I ask you a question? I spoke when we finished laughing.

No, I'm not a mobster, she answered almost automatically, as if she were an answering machine.

I wasn't going to ask you that, although it's good to know. He laughed at my comment. I wanted to know whose mansion this is.

-Of my father. Contrary to what all people think, my family is hardworking, my father has a small business and is doing well. He bought this mansion.

Wow, that made perfect sense.

I'm sorry I judged you without knowing you, I said.

That doesn't matter, actually everyone does. What really matters is that now you know me and you know that I wouldn't hurt you.

Our gazes met and I couldn't help but sink into his gray eyes. I lost myself admiring every detail of his defined features and when I realized it, he was already only a few inches from me. His lips and mine were too close to escape. It was late. He kissed me and I did not turn away, I did not refuse.

CHAPTER IV

Little by little, his warm lips took over mine, increasing the tone of his kiss. It seemed like his mouth was in a war to the death with mine, although internally, I still couldn't take in the fact that Pablo was kissing me.

His arm went around my waist and I began to feel an overwhelming heat slowly run through my body. At first I thought it was normal, that it was a sensation caused by her touch, but it wasn't. I knew it because a couple of seconds later I began to feel terribly dizzy and unable to support myself. Everything around me was turning thousands.

Pablo... I tried to speak, but he kept kissing me.

You don't need to say anything.

My vision began to blur and my dizziness got worse and worse to the point of seeing Pablo double. I could feel my legs sagging as I tried to hold onto the walls. I released myself from Pablo's grasp as best I could and then my body fell to the ground. I tried to look for Martha with my eyes but it was impossible. It took me a while to realize that there weren't even people in the place, as we were in a corridor. At what point had she arrived at that place? I hadn't even realized it.

-What you give me? I could barely stammer from the ground.

Pablo looked at me without any wonder on his face. He walked over to me and squatted down to keep up with me.

You didn't think it was really soda, did you?

Sure, she had been stupid to fall. Pablo had put something in my drink. That had been his plan from the start.

Did you drug me?

It's just alcohol, my dear. It seems like you've never had a single drop in your life, right? Look at you, you're about to fade.

And it was true, I had never tried alcohol in my life and apparently had put too much in my apple soda. How could I not realize? I tried to stay conscious but it was really very difficult.

You're a mobster, I tried my best to say before losing consciousness.

- Eureka! You have realized. I am.

And then I didn't know what happened to me. My eyes felt so heavy that I just closed them.

After all, the rumors at school were true and the darkness in his gaze was still there. It never left.

I did not know how long I was unconscious but I began to wake up little by little. My eyes were still heavy and all I could see were the walls of the room I was in. My head ached excruciatingly and I could tell that I was lying on a rather large bed. I was alarmed and got up as fast as I could. It was one of the rooms in the mansion, no doubt. A giant and luxurious room. On the walls were fine, shapeless paintings and vases that seemed to have more value than my entire house. How had she got to that room? What had Pablo done to me while I was unconscious?

-You feel good? I was startled to hear a male voice coming from one of the corners of the room. I couldn't see her face because everything was so dark. There was a single light shining on the whole place and it was definitely not enough to allow me to see her face.

Pablo? I asked fearfully, but got no answer.

I took a closer look at the room, looking for some way to escape, or at least to defend myself from him. I noticed that on the side of the bed I was in, Pablo was lying on the floor, beaten and with some blood on his nose. I unconsciously yelped and put my hand to my mouth. If Pablo was injured on the floor, who was the person in the room with me?

I got out of bed in fear to try to see the person's face or if necessary, run away. My legs and hands were shaking and I was not sure what I was doing. I approached slowly but didn't see him move a single hair to try to stop me. I didn't hesitate and grabbed one of the vases that were in the room to use in case she needed to hit it, but then she spoke.

Leave that in place, the plaintiff ordered.

What if I don't?

You're not going to hurt me and you know it very well.

He seemed to be teasing me, or challenging me. I felt that I was in danger in that place and the darkness in the room did not reassure me much. However, the place was not the only dark thing in that place, that man was also dark and he could feel it for miles.

In a second I saw that he tried to approach me and snatch the vase from my hands. I fought his strength so I could smash him through the head and run away, but he was too strong. He ended up taking the vase from me and throwing it on the ground, which caused it to shatter. He pinned me to the wall, supporting his full weight on my body. It was then that the light finally illuminated his face. Black hair totally disheveled from the fight we had just had, his eyes were an undefined color between light blue and green, his iris looked like a sun shining large and luminous flashes of color. His jaw marked, his features and body looked like a beautiful sculpture carved by the best artists of all history. Only one person could be this perfect.

Finn, I faltered between my heavy breathing.

CHAPTER V

His breathing was also agitated and his chest moved in time with mine. He looked so damn perfect that I completely lost myself in his gaze. Was I dreaming or did I really have Finn inches from me with his body completely glued to mine?

-How do you know my name? He inquired without detaching himself from me. It seemed like hearing me mention it had only alarmed him more.

I took a class with you, I replied nervously trying not to discover my lie. What was I supposed to answer him? I've seen you twice in my life and you seem like the most beautiful human so I wanted to know more about you?

-What kind? She still doubted me suspiciously.

-Maths?

I don't do math, he pronounced confidently before moving closer to my body trying to be intimidating and of course he was succeeding. I'll ask it again and you're going to answer truthfully because I just saved your ass. How do you know my name?

Who doesn't know your name? By God, you are Finn! Everyone talks about you, we are in the same school.

My answer seemed to convince him and he finally released me from his confinement. He pulled away from me a little more relaxed trying to regulate his heavy breathing. His eyes sought to make contact with mine and then he turned around ready to go. Just when I was about to reach the door, he stopped short and without turning to see me spoke.

If I were you, I'd get out of this place before they tried to kill me.

He was going to leave but I stopped him.

Finn! Wait, at least tell me what happened, please. I just woke up not knowing anything. Where did you find me? Did you bring me to this room?

He turned around hearing me say his name once more.

The only important thing you should know is that I saved your skin. You should be grateful for that and not try to kill me with an old vase.

I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you.

He huffed and without even allowing me to finish speaking, Finn left the room leaving me with the word in his mouth.

Martha had warned me that he was cold and that he had no heart but I didn't want to believe her. She wanted to warn me about trying to win him over, but hell, she also advised me to pick up a guy who got me drunk to most likely abuse me.

I left the room and was shocked when I realized that the mansion was in a total mess, everything was turned upside down and people were gone, except for a few unconscious boys on the floor from the alcohol they had ingested . A disaster had occurred, she was sure.

I'm glad you're okay, I heard Martha say as she ran towards me.

Let's go, was all I could tell him.

On the way home I told him everything that happened with Pablo. She was incredulous like me and the truth, it was not for less. I also told him about my little encounter with Finn and he apparently went crazy.

Are you sure it was him?

Finn? No doubt.

So, are you telling me that Pablo, the most wanted boy in the whole institute, tried to abuse you but that's where the Greek god Finn himself came along and saved you? Ani, that sounds almost impossible.

Impossible? Did my best friend think I was making all this up? It was evident that her comment had annoyed me too much and I practically swallowed the urge to yell in her face that part of what had happened had been because of her stupid recommendation to flirt with Pablo.

When the tour ended and we got to his house, all I did was sleep. He didn't want to talk to anyone, not even her. The next day I went home alone and arranged to go to school.

I tried to tidy up my tangled hair by making a long ponytail. The large dark circles under my eyes showed that the night before had not been an ordinary night. It was impossible to hide my haggard face even with the makeup I was wearing.

I looked at the time on the clock to realize that again, I was very late to class, so I hurriedly left my house and grabbed my pink bike to start pedaling at high speed. I felt my feet burn and still tried to go faster. The chemistry teacher had warned me that if I came to class one time later he would ban me from entering and hell, I was already half an hour late.

When I finally got to my classroom, I knocked fearfully on the door waiting for the teacher's answer.

What did I mention about being late to my class? Especially you, Ani.

I know, I know but... He didn't even let me finish when he started to speak.

Out of my class.

He then slammed the door in my face, letting me feel the air that the blow caused. I felt my cheeks start to burn at such humiliation.

As I thought about what to do and my mind wandered, my eyes could see Finn walking among the people in the corridors, I did not hesitate for a second to approach him.

CHAPTER VI

Finn's gaze was distracted looking at the screen of his cell phone. She didn't even care where she walked, maybe that's why I hit her with my bike the other time.

I stood in front of him hoping that his eyes would notice my presence, but they didn't, so his body kept moving until it collided with mine and this time it was me who almost fell to the ground. When he realized this, he looked at me totally sad, but without any regrets.

I'm sorry, I should have said hello, right?

His cold eyes swept my face for a few seconds without saying anything. Then she picked up her book, since it had fallen to the ground from the shock we had and then she let out a big sigh.

No, he said without expression. You shouldn't even be speaking to me.

I wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday and apologize for what I did. Last night I couldn't even do it because you left, and well, you practically left me talking to myself.

Being there in front of him and having the color of his eyes staring at me was quite an intimidating situation, so much so that I felt that at any moment I would lose my sanity and forget the words I wanted to say to him to start stuttering.

-Do not do it. Don't thank me, just leave me alone, please.

Hearing that had been like receiving a strong hook to my heart. I noticed how Finn began to follow his path, leaving me behind. He had just received a great humiliation by the chemistry teacher, he would not take one more.

-Why? I dared to ask and her head turned to see me with a notorious expression of disbelief.

-Why? He repeated and then gave a slight laugh looking up at the ceiling. You're with Pablo's people. I don't interact with Pablo's people.

Oh no, no. You're wrong, I'm not with Pablo's people. He drunk me to abuse me, why would he be with his people?

He laughed wryly and unconsciously bit his lower lip making him look tremendously sexy.

Now is not the time to think about such things, Ani, I told myself, but it was impossible not to lose myself in him. She looked like a magazine cover boy and she wasn't even doing absolutely anything.

Are you telling me you went to a mobster party at Pablo's mansion, but you're not with his people? He asked sarcastically. I don't know if you think I'm stupid, but please, just leave it at that and don't come near me again.

You were there too, I replied this time a little more defensively.

Yes, and I saved you. You don't know what kinds of things Pablo was going to do with you.

Our attitudes made this discussion look like a silly little boys fight over a new toy. An argument in which neither of them was willing to lose.

So why is it causing you so much conflict that I was there? If you didn't associate with Pablo's people, then what were you doing there?

I thought his gaze was lost while he listened to me, but I was wrong. It took me a couple of seconds to realize that I hadn't even paid attention to what I had just said to him. Her gaze was not lost as I believed, on the contrary, she was totally aware, seeing something that apparently