His Innocent Sera

His hand on her thigh burned like a brand, searing her skin. She squirmed in her seat, silently willing him to remove it. But since when did he care about her comfort? The weight of his palm pressed down on her thigh, squeezing her flesh with a teasing cruelty. It was all a game for him but for her, it was pure torture. He believed he owned her, his treatment of her stank of entitlement. Her suffering was his pleasure. As if bullying her wasn't enough, he now had ventured into uncharted territory, touching and kissing her whenever he felt like. She clenched her eyes shut for a brief moment, before turning towards the window and watching the world passing by.

She had no clue where he was taking her. She asked him several times but no answer came from his end. The road stretched endlessly ahead, the traffic thinning as he kept driving on. Unease churning deep in her belly. She stole a glance at him. His gaze locked firmly on the road, his features tight as if going through some inner turmoil. She just hoped whatever he was thinking didn't involve her.

He slowed the car and stopped it before a giant Iron gate. The place was unfamiliar.

After alighting the car, he led her in through the Iron Gate, beyond which lay a barren stretch of wilderness. Deserted spot. It would make a good place to hide a dead body. The terrain was never underneath her footsteps. They reached a small cave-like opening, and the moment she stepped through, her breath hitched- before her lay a sight so beautiful it made her eyes sparkle with admiration. The ground was a canvas of wildflowers, blooming in clusters of hues she had never seen before, leading up to a small hut. A crystal-clear stream wove through the landscape nearby, washing over pebbles beneath a wooden bridge. The whole scene looked surreal. There was so much positivity and warmth here. There was something very nostalgic about this place. She felt as if she had entered some childhood fairy tale.

She stepped forward, her enchanted eyes tracing the delicate wildflowers, the wooden bridge arching over the bubbling stream, and the quaint little hut nestled in the heart of it all. It was almost too perfect, too dreamlike.

"Looks like every child's dream, isn't it?" he remarked with a faint smile after noticing her reaction. He shifted his gaze forward.

"My mom built it for my dad.." he murmured. A hint of emotion filtered through his voice as he added, "it was her way of giving him the childhood he never got to have."

The revelation touched her deeply, stirring something tender inside her. Tearing her gaze from the view, she turned towards him. His features had lost their usual sternness as he stared ahead.

"I've never seen a couple more in love than my parents. The things they do for each other are insane," he added, his mouth curved into a subtle smile. Sera, who had only seen his cold side was not able to believe her eyes.

He gestured for her to follow as he made his way towards the hut. Every inch of this place pulsed with devotion, the air whispering tales of unconditional love. She couldn't help but wonder if this is why they say finding true love is the greatest blessing of all. She had heard a lot of fascinating tales about Mr and Mrs. Serrano. About how Mr. Serrano confessed his feelings to her on national TV and how he went against the whole world just to be with her.

For Sera, it was difficult to reconcile Mr. Serrano with the obedient, love-struck man in these stories. Mr. Serrano she had met was cold and calculated. He was a man of immense power, a force that bent others to his will, not the one bending. But she had seen him with Mrs. Serrano too, a few times only. She had noticed in her presence, how his cold, unyielding eyes would melt into a pool of warm, tender affection. She had seen him bending just to hear her clearly. The height difference between them was cute.

She couldn't understand how someone as evil as Nate could come out of a bond as sacred as theirs.

Nate showed her around. The hut was just as beautiful inside as it was outside. He led her towards their well-stocked kitchen.

"We used to come here a lot in our childhood on holidays. Mom would make us her special English meals," he told her, tracing his fingers along the edge of the wooden counter. She detected nostalgia in his voice.

"Coffee?" he asked, leaning against the counter.

"No, thanks," she answered before her gaze wandered to the paintings hanging off the wall. For a few moments, she forgot she was taken here against her will. A piece of heaven nestled amid nature, away from the city's hustle and bustle

"Alright. Make me one. Everything is in the fridge," he instructed casually, gesturing towards the fridge. Sera gave him an evil eye. He arched a brow, amused.noveldrama

"What? I don't need to make coffee when you are here. Just don't add sugar," he replied. sera ground her teeth but got to work, reluctantly so. He watched as she made coffee. Just like his mother's presence in the kitchen would breathe life into it, Sera had the same effect. There was something very homely about the scene. About the way she stirred the coffee, making sure it was to his taste. Adorable.

Placing the empty cup, he lay down on the grass, hands folded behind his head while Sera remained seated, gazing ahead at the running stream. She was lost in her thoughts wondering why he brought her to this place, oblivious to his gaze locked on her. Given the memories associated with this place, she could tell it was nothing short of a treasure for Serranos.

"I can see you are protective of your brother, you must have a good bond with him," he began, monitoring her expression. She tensed up.

"We have a bond just like any other siblings," she replied, her tone defensive. Just the mention of his brother was enough to bring out her protective side.

"And your parents?" he asked, making her look at him. A frown sat between her brows.

"Do they treat you well?" he asked, sounding surprisingly serious. Sera, who couldn't understand where these questions were coming from, felt unease tightening around her throat. His sudden interest in her family was unsettling.

"No parents mistreat their child, and mine ain't different," she answered certainly, searching his eyes for any evil intent.

"But do they treat you like they treat your brother?" he pried, the sharp intensity of his gaze set alarms off in her head.

"Why wouldn't they? I am their

daughter. They love me," she

answered, a little frustrated now, her

unease growing. She added, "My family is my everything." She said while fixing him with a meaningful gaze. She would fight back if he dared to bring harm to her family.

He smirked. The way she fiercely defended her family told him everything he needed to know. A girl who suffered at their hands wouldn't shield them so fiercely.

Extending his hand, he tugged on her arm, making her crash into his chest. Her hair fell around them like a curtain, enclosing them in their own world.

His eyes held something foreign as he gently began caressing her cheek with his knuckles. It wasn't anger or frustration. It was something tender, warm.

"You'll tell me if someone ever hurt you," he murmured, stroking her cheek. It wasn't a request but a command laced with authority. She wondered if he included himself in it or not. No one had ever hurt her more than him.

He flipped them over with ease, trapping her beneath him. Her brown hair spray led across the green grass. Her blue eyes locked with his, and he pink lips parted in surprise. Her beauty overwhelmed him. There was something very peaceful about just staring at her.

Blue against Grey. A clear sky against the raging storm. Light against the darkness. It was to see who was going to consume who.

"What do you want for your birthday?" he found himself asking.

She searched his eyes for a moment. She opened her mouth to speak.

"Now don't ask me to leave you alone. I am not doing that. Aything else," he clarified. The girl closed her mouth, disappointment filling her expression. This is exactly what she was going to say.

"Speak up," he pressed, tracing her lower lip with his thumb. Her softness was irresistible.

She swallowed before opening her mouth and saying, "My workplace has organized an excursion for old people. They want me to go with them and assist..." she said, hesitation deepened across her countenance as she added, "on my

ve

birthday."

The way his features hardened, she figured he didn't like the news.