"Looking forward to the next day is something I never experienced until now," -C.T

I was impulsive.

That much was true. 

"Are you sure you want to do this, Master Cheyenne?" I bit my lip as Tara and I looked around the third bedroom of my new house, deciding once and for all. Tara had shown up out of the blue at Joaquin's house after I had moved from the studio into my new home closer to Palo Alto. 

Somehow, she had managed to escape at 1:47 in the morning, packing up what her little beetle could handle and she drove to find me. Since I had transferred into a new home just yesterday morning, she couldn't find me. I was just thankful that I was smart enough to give her Joaquin's number because he was able to get in touch with me.

From there, she showed up on my doorstep, all of her suitcases in tow at 2:30 am, wanting to take my offer. I wasn't going to be cruel and turn her away, especially now that she was going to be targeted even more if Sterling found out where she was.  So I gave her a job as my personal maid. The pay was just a little lower because it was just me, but she understood. She even lived here with me in the basement, claiming that it was nothing but home to her. She didn't have to leave, not for a while. 

She was going to be safe here.

"You have all the time in the world," She said once again, trying to convince me, but it was no use as I already knew my plans. I turned to her, ignoring all of the purple plushies in the room, making a point to question Pierre why he went all out with Holly's favorite color. "I do," I hummed, knowing that I had a whole life ahead of me that was just beginning. "But, Tara," I huffed. "That little girl asked me if she could live with me, and I could see it in her eyes that she was begging me. How could I refuse?"

I was probably doing things on a whim, but this wasn't just for me. I had nothing to gain from it, but I wanted Holly to stop looking at me with those sad eyes and to stop wearing those shabby and ratty clothes, and for Joaquin to finally smile like everything was going to be okay.

"You're only 24. Do you think you have what it takes to raise this child?" Tara was trying to be supportive, but she was always trying to get me to see the rational side of things. 

"No, I don't," I shrugged casually, thinking back to the look Joaquin gave me when he was talking about his daughter, remembering her. "But there's a father out there who desperately wants his daughter back. He even gave me his own word that he'd do better for her and that's a damn good promise coming from him. If that isn't enough, I don't know what is," That man really missed his daughter, so much that it was breaking him into pieces. He was trying his hardest to keep whole while putting on that same facade that everything was okay.

I knew it because I recognized it.

He helped me with a few simple words of 'You're stronger than you think,' while giving me all the support that I needed, so it was my turn to do the same.

"So yes, there will no regrets." I pulled out my phone, calling my old/new bodyguard so that he could make the moves. "Pierre, we're going on a trip," I chuckled. Pierre was the one that drove only me around, no one else. So if I left, he was out of work and I was starting to see that it wouldn't be fair (Joaquin actually told me to keep him on since he would protect me from the threats of Sterling).

Tara had stayed back when Pierre rolled up in an instant, ready to go. She wanted to make dinner and to make an apple pie for when I returned as a surprise. Pierre and I went on ahead, heading to East Side San Jose. "Are you nervous, Master?" I frowned at the name, knowing that I told him numerous times not to call me that anymore.

"I guess so," I was getting better at acknowledging what I felt, and I was proud of myself for that. "You know," Pierre said as we drove through the ghetto parts, some bout of rage settling in my chest once I saw the area that Holly seemed to live in. "You're actually a lot nicer than you think," I raised a brow, cutting my eyes at Pierre. 

"...if you say so," I didn't agree nor disagree with his statement. I had nothing to think about it. "I mean, even in your truck, you would normally sit in the back but here you are," He pointed to the passenger seat that I was currently in. "Right next to me," The black-haired man grinned, as comfortable as ever.

"Just shut up and drive."

"Yes, Master!"

East Side was exactly like Sterling had mentioned to me growing up, so at least one thing of his had some truth to it. Every house seemed to be run down and in poor condition as Pierre drove through the cracked streets, a sense of gloom hanging over the city. Lights were flickering in several destitute corner stores, a lot more people hanging in alleys with nothing but lighters shared between them.

There were also more people sleeping in blankets on the cold hard concrete, others stepping over them like it was nothing. It was such a shame, really.

Pierre made one final turn before we arrived at an adoption agency, as deplorable and low-grade looking as I expected. "Come on," I murmured, hoping to make this visit quick. I was already starting to feel like I was having an allergic reaction and there was no cowhide nearby. Just the stench of this city.

Pierre opened the door and I stepped into the entrance, the aura of death hanging in the lobby. I shuddered at the raggedy things that were meant to be chairs as I shook my head, walking to the front desk. "My name is Mona Wood. How can I help you?" I sighed heavily as the lady stood up, obviously surprised to see someone of my caliber standing in front of her. 

"I believe I called you earlier regarding the situation of Holly Richards," I cracked my knuckles, staring coldly at the blonde-haired woman, watching her welcome me into her office with urgency. "Yes, yes, Mr. Thorn, was it?" Mona gestured for me to sit and I glared at the seat before sitting on the edge as much as I could fit.

"Yes."

She nodded. "Since you are our only prospect, we went ahead to check you out to make you are good to go, and you are!" I thought she would've asked me what I had done for a living to make sure that I didn't jeopardize Holly's life, or where I lived, any of those important details, but she didn't. I couldn't believe her life belonged to these people, the nerve. "You are in the system now as Holly's legal guardian, so everything checks out," I was really bewildered at how quick the process seemed. "Are you sure you want her and not anyone else?" She questioned and my nostrils flared.

"No, she's the one that I specifically asked for. Now, is everything ready to go and can I proceed to get her today?" My tone was sharp and curt, the audacity of this vile being to discredit Holly like that. Who did she think she was? 

She coughed awkwardly, returning to her computer. "It'll take some time to process her papers but—" I sighed heavily, rolling my eyes as I stopped her from talking anymore. "How much for you to expedite that shit and make it today? 2,000?" I opened my wallet and the woman, Mona,  stared at me, willing to comply with my demands. 

"Change her last name back to her original," I threw out and the woman nodded, tapping away at her keyboard. "Congratulations, Mr. Thorn," She stood up, clapping her hands. "I'll have them escort Holly down right away," Mona motioned for me to follow her down the hall, handing me the necessary papers. 

It was official. 

I was someone's legal guardian.

And it felt damn good. 

"Chey Chey!" I heard a crash of boxes and suddenly, my waist was clutched tightly. "You're here!" I looked down to see that I had my legs were covered entirely by Holly's body. I could tell that she was vibrating from so much happiness. "They told me I was going to be adopted. Tell me you got me!" She stood back on her feet, hands balled up as she grinned.

"I did," I replied and Holly began to hop around and cheer, a lot more delight coming from her than I had ever seen. "Let's go home now," She was so excited as she held out her hand, watching me collect the small number of boxes she had in one arm. "Pretty please, Chey Chey," Her green eyes lit up and I found myself smiling.

"Yea," I took her hand, leading her out to the Escalade.

"Let's go home."

One might say I was rushing things, but I found that I gave no fucks. Sorry for the language, how improper that was. She wanted a chance and I gave that to her. Joaquin needed a chance and I gave that to him. 

Just to see them smile.

Jesus Christ, what was I doing? I wasn't this nice, that much I knew. 

"We're going to our new house, Mr. Jellybean!" I heard Holly talking to her stuffed animal rabbit in the back and I had to admit, this was going to be a fun ride. I didn't know when I was going to get her and Joaquin together, or how. This kind of thing required some tact and ease because it has been nearly six years.

With that in mind, the ride back to Palo Alto was silent, save for the chatter of Holly. I was also curious to see how I was going to handle this. I never took care of anyone that wasn't Christine when she was high off of heroin and in need. I never had any pets, so this was a time to learn.

By the time we arrived home, Holly was in awe as Pierre typed in the gate code so that we could enter. "It's so pretty," She mused, pressing her face to the window. I cringed at the thought of grease staining the glass, but I ignored it, letting her have her fun. "Come on," I stepped out once Pierre parked in the garage. "Let's go see your room," She grabbed my hand and we made our way inside.

I had no elevator this time, a whole bummer, but stairs were enough. "Here we are," I took her to the room down at the farthest end of the hall, opening the door to expose a whole large room of purple. "My favorite color!" She screeched and I snorted, watching her take in the purple princess wallpaper, her queen-sized canopy bed filled with tons of stuffed animals, her purple fur rug that took up most of the floor, sparkling stars on the ceiling with mini stairs that led up to a little hangout area with a beanbag, an immaculate amount of toys and books neatly placed along the wall.

She was going to have the best of the best. In this house, she would never have to worry.

"This is your room now. Feel free to go crazy," I could sense the energy just pouring out of her as she ran to her bed, beginning to jump all over it. "Oh my god! It's been so long since I had a bed!" I frowned at the thought of her not sleeping in a warm place at night.

What was I thinking? I literally drove past people who slept on the ground every day. "Ms. Tara will come up in a second to help you put away your things. I need to go figure out some business," I didn't even think she heard me as her curls kept flopping up and down with every jump she made.

I had no clue how I was going to do this, but it was going to work.

I stepped down the wooden stairs of my two-bedroom home, noting that I was going to have to decorate the walls with miscellaneous paintings. I was greatly appreciative that I got this nice house for a good deal because it was a really nice house. It was indeed a downgrade, considering that I wanted a three-story home with more bedrooms, but Joaquin managed to convince me to get a two.

I yawned, pleased with myself as I stood across from the foyer, trying to make moves. I heard a series of bangs on my door, so Tara went to answer it. It was probably the mailman, so I didn't really pay attention. 

"Cheyenne Alexander Thorn, what is the meaning of this?!" Subdued thunder in the form of a deep and raspy voice slapped me across the face upon arrival. I whirled around in surprise, seeing Joaquin storm inside my foyer as Tara closed the door. He clutched papers in his hands, his face contorted into fury as he stood in front of me, eyes threatening to send me straight to hell. He towered over me, looking as if he wanted to throttle me. "What are you talking about?" I feigned ignorance, knowing full well what he was talking about.

"I called my bank today to make the rest of my payments, you know my $57,360 debt payments," He jabbed his finger into my collar, he fumed, his eyes narrowed his eyes at me, gritting his teeth. "But apparently, someone made an anonymous payment in full. Have any idea who that is?" His voice was dark as he was angry and I gulped, wondering how I was going to get myself out of this situation without dying.

Tara was amused as she walked away, going to tend to her cooking. "Calm down," I patted his forearms, fighting a blush as our skin came in contact with one another. We were standing in extremely close proximity, my back against the foyer table as he leaned over me, his knee pressing into my thigh. I could practically feel his breath fanning my hair as the sound of light footsteps sounded upon the stairs above us.

"It wasn't to make you feel any kind of way," I began to explain, watching him growl lowly. I didn't know what it was gonna take for him to stop looking at me in that monstrous manner. "It was just so you can stop stressing yourself out. You carry too much of a burden on yourself," I whispered, his gaze deepening with his frown. The finger pointed at my chest slowly loosened up in pressure as his features slowly relaxed, slightly less angry and more sheepish. "If you're worried about owing me and all that, then you can pay me back by building something for me," I grinned, seeing glee cross his features. I knew that his passion was construction, so I was going to exploit that to my benefit.

"You are something else," Joaquin shook his head, still wanting to kill me.  I just knew he wasn't going to let this go; it wasn't in his nature to do so. He took a step back from me, wiping his lip as he stared at me, lots of thoughts running through his head. He didn't seem mad anymore, almost relieved in a sense as he shook his head, chuckling softly when the sound of those footsteps came to a stop just a few feet from us.

Joaquin put a hand on his hips, turning to look at whoever was standing there. He blinked before returning back to me with a question on his tongue and all of a sudden, his head snapped like a twig to the left, staring dead at the person.

"What do you have to say for—Holly?!"