There is always a solution to every problem.

I recognised that I might have been slightly driven by my emotions- it was hard not to. I was afraid of how many times I have recognised this yet still let my emotions get the best of me. I was hoping to really break the cycle. I needed to break the cycle but one thing I knew for sure- it was the last time I judged anyone from a book without having been in their shoes.

This was nothing like the books. Reading about fear and actually facing it head on were two different things. I have never felt such fear of someone in my entire life. Reading about murderers and actually seeing people murdered were also two very different things that I took lightly. Looking into eyes that were soulless wasn't as charming as I thought it would be. I spent a lot of time at home there was nothing to do but read and write- the  majority went to reading.

I remember telling Anele a lot of things that I would definitely think twice about now. This has
shown me a world I didn't think I would ever be caught up in in anyway. A world I only knew of in movies and books craved to experience but now how I wish to take that back. I was clearly demented but I understood that everything from a book was a fairy tale but was it so bad for a girl to want a fairytale of her own.

I looked at the now made bed sighing, making this bed was always a task because it's so big but it wasn't really a big deal, plus these days I preferred making it because the last time I woke up and went straight to the shower and came out Irene made a comment about 'undeserving people getting a taste of this life and thinking they belonged -acting like they didn't have hands.'

I had said nothing and headed into the walk in closet not forgetting how the maid that was beside her with a tray of food looked at me she was also definitely not a fan. I didn't want any trouble and I had no time to entertain them even though they looked at me like I was the gum stuck under their shoe- I felt like the description I used was an understatement to how they actually looked at me.

I wanted to avoid commotion while I was in here I already had one monster making my life hell I didn't need other people to join in. Plus it wasn't a wise idea to be everyone's enemy. What was comical to me though was the fact that Lachlan was the one who literally commanded me not to lift a finger when I insisted on making the bed. I cleaned the rest of the room with ease and delight it helped take my mind of a lot of things and made me busy so I didn't mind as long as they would stop making snide comments, I was in no position to entertain them and I wouldn't dare.

I realised I didn't actually realise how big this room is until you actually have to clean it and how beautiful and luxurious it was, after I was done I headed downstairs looking forward to my time with Annie. Even though my feedback from trying to 'understand' him completely failed I didn't lose hope. How does one understand such a man without remorse or life in his eyes. I felt I was being a hypocrite to some degree.

Things were truly different over the phone then now maybe it was because I could imagine he wasn't this scary person. It was very hard to imagine that when he was right next to me towering over me reminding me how little I am compared to him and how easily he could crush me even though I definitely would not go down without a fight. And I just always seemed to know just what to say when it came to him.

My eyes connected to the tray of food covered and a note on the side of the tray my heart sank knowing that she wouldn't be able to join me today. I felt like I needed to fill my day up with something because I would end up going crazy, I got so happy over our human interaction that I looked forward to it maybe I was looking for human interaction in the wrong place- I quickly shut down that thought because in order to have human interaction with him he would have to be human.

There were moments when I thought he was human but then he just reminded me that I was crazy. I sat down taking my food from the kitchen nook to enjoy its delicacy knowing that Annie always went all out. These were the times that I missed my phone I could have been writing drafts or reading either way I would have been using my time efficiently.

I still haven't stepped into my office after the dreams, I was still shook, I sighed looking out the window. I was never one to sit with a problem for so long it was new and foreign to me to not be able to quickly find a solution and being everywhere instead of just following my head, my emotions seemed to want to be part of this - in letting him know I didn't want to be here, any chance that I got -I needed to find control. I was done mopping around and feeling sorry for myself.

Time slowly went by -as I expected and before I knew it I was done with breakfast. When you have nothing to do time was your biggest enemy. I looked up startled but quickly masked it when I saw Irene in front of me with a frown on her face.

"Do you expect of me to wash that?" She asked, she was definitely getting bold with me. I preferred it when she didn't speak to me or when she acted like I didn't exist. I did know that I had to nip this in the bud before it got out of hand but I didn't know where I stood with Lachlan I didn't want him being mad at me for telling his staff to fuck off. I thought against it- I had after all promised myself to make better decisions. I politely told her no before getting up as she walked away. I didn't mind cleaning up after myself I just didn't appreciate how she treated me.

I might have found other dishes waiting for me but I didn't care. Doing dishes wouldn't kill me, I didn't even bother asking where the dish washer was. I had bigger problems than petty little disputes. As I was drying them a hand quickly came to my aid. I watched the tall pretty brunette woman in a maids uniform as I have come to know as Caitlyn. She was the only one who has shown me a smile amongst the few maids I have been around. I watched her take the plates out of my hand going on in Gaelic which I didn't understand a word of.

I watched a look of realisation cross her face as she quickly switched to English.

"Miss Khumalo! Please don't do the dishes, you don't have to lift a finger." She went on taking over with everything not waiting for a word from me. She almost seemed like she was panicking.

"Mr O'Sullivan would not like this at all.-" she turned to me seriousness on her face making sure to look at me in the eye.

"I will take over please- you don't have to lift a finger around this house. " she said gesturing for me to leave the kitchen. I let out a thank you knowing if I refused she wouldn't have it plus it looked like she would faint if I insisted on continuing, I was done anyways. I didn't even get a chance to greet her or get any word in as she then switched back to her native tongue continuing with drying the dishes with something I couldn't make out in her eyes. I wondered why there were so many dishes in the first place.

I made my way to the library with the hope of actually picking up a book and being able to get lost in it instead of being caught up in my reality. I could do better and I would do better if not for myself for Serenity and I knew deep down that I would do anything for my sister at least I would try harder because I still wanted to see her someday.

I wasn't anxious about her return from her off the grid work anymore - I was scared knowing how stubborn my sister was. Knowing no matter what she would find me even if it meant she would lose her life -without hesitation. I had to do better. I had to try for her, even if it meant truly giving this messed up relationship a chance- I just need to find out how powerful this man truly was and where his power stopped. There had to be a limit.

...

I would never stop loving the wind neither would I ever stop loving hard rainy days with no sun in sight and the sounds of rumbling thunder. I would sleep like no one's business, write or read. So as the wind blew across the beautiful field filled with sunflowers it reminded me of home as I watched in awe the sunflowers. I also loved the sunset. There is a lot I loved, I sometimes liked finding beauty in the simple things that people have forgotten the value of.

I decided on taking a stroll and exploring this side of the place. There was path in between the sunflowers, everything about this seemed perfect. My eyes moved to one sunflower in particular. It looked so free I was almost envious. I chuckled to myself I have reached a new low. I was now envious of flowers.

"Mo Grá." There was a way that he pronounced Gaelic words that made shivers rush down my spine, his accent thicker. I didn't even know what these words meant and I didn't care at first but now I wanted to know. I didn't even hear him approach me yet I was supposed to always be on alert but then again I shouldn't be surprised when it came to him.

"Lachlan-" I turned around watching the specimen of a man before me. He had no suit jacket on today just his white shirt that wasn't tight but fit him just right emphasising his built strong physique. No tie in sight the first two buttons of his shirt open. His sharp jaw line a distraction on it's own. I could never get used to his handsome features. I don't think there was a soul that could ever get used to them. He stood there tall with his hands in his pockets projecting a calmness to him as he held my eyes. My heart immediately beating faster. A beautiful monster.

"I-I was just admiring the flowers. They are breathtaking." I looked away not only because I was unable to hold his gaze but also because of the way he looked at me. It was still the same way he looked at me the first time he saw me. I unknowingly took a step back from him without even thinking about it I watched him look at my legs raising a brow at my actions. For a minute I closed my eyes calming myself. I needed to keep my emotions in check.

"Don't let me disturb you on your stroll." He said.

For Serenity.

"You know even back home taking strolls alone always helped me clear my mind and helped me feel better- also really helped with writers block." I started looking at the flowers again. After realising what I just said I realised I might have come off as wanting to be alone and chasing him away. It's not as if he listened to anyone but I didn't want him to think I was against him being here. I was changing the narrative.

"-Lachlan I didn't-" I paused looking at the big dogs making their way towards us. My heart immediately sped up as flight or fight took over my senses before I knew it I was in his arms using him as a human shield. Running and fighting wasn't an option. The dogs were so big.

What did surprise me was the fact that he didn't even stumble when I threw myself at him, I thought I would have at least caught him off guard but he didn't even budge but only made sure I wouldn't fall by helping me find balance. He didn't let go, I didn't want to admit it but I felt better this way.

"Lachlan why are they on this side of the house I thought they had their own space." I asked panicking holding onto him as I watched the dogs now not far from us. They weren't full on running but they were running at a controlled pace towards our direction. All I could picture was blood all over their mouths as they chewed into human flesh, I gulped and tried to get a grip of myself because I knew sooner or later I would climb him judging by the the way I held onto him. If it was up to me I wouldn't even be on my feet right now.

"They do." Was all he said tightening his hands around me making me stop freaking out in his arms. I stood still my hands on his around his neck I had placed them there because I was ready to jump on him if they got any closer and I wasn't even joking.

"They won't hurt you." He said looking down at me because of our height difference as I fussed in his arms trying to calm me down. It didn't help. They were huge and looked like they would eat me.

"I saw them eat a person Lachlan!" I said emphasising every word in panic. I felt like he didn't understand the urgency of the situation. I could see that he found this situation amusing, he then strategically made a sound causing the dogs to sit and look at him. They looked even more terrifying now because they were so close, awaiting instructions. One of them had a scar running from the top of his left eye to the bottom, I almost felt sorry for him but I couldn't stop the image of him eating people.

"I thought you wanted us five meters apart a few minutes ago Mo Grá." He said, I looked at him seeing the amusement still in his eyes. Of course this amused him, he was never amused by normal things like normal people. I still remember the amusement that danced in his eyes after he had snapped that woman's neck. I quickly scolded myself knowing I couldn't let my emotions control me. I couldn't let that cloud everything right now.

"Did you do this on purpose?" I asked pushing away from him in shock but running back to him a second later because their eyes moved to me. He couldn't even hide the fact that he found this entertaining as I cowered in fear for my life. I was a dog person I loved dogs but I saw these dogs literally tear a person apart with their razor sharp canines. I wasn't taking my chances.

"Why would you do this?" I asked feeling a little better as he shielded the view of the dogs from me with his body. I really appreciated it, my heart beat started to go back to normal and I lessen the hold I had on him just a little.

"If you would like me to now accompany you on your stroll I would love to." He said a very serious look on his face. My mouth was left slightly ajar in disbelieve. He was definitely bipolar. I concluded. I would have never seen this coming. Of course he played dirty.

"I-I -" I took a moment looking at him.

"You could just send the dogs away." I said a smug look plastered on my face.

"No." Was all he said immediately getting rid of the smug look on my face. He was unbelievably acting like a petty psychopath Viking man. You would expect to see something different in his eyes they were still a beautiful unique green and still empty.

"You could have just asked like a normal human being." I mumbled telling him he can come along as I clutched to him which I was sure he had no problem with, the fact that the dogs followed at a distance made me clutch to him.

It's the fact that I knew he wouldn't take no for an answer with or without the dogs. I was still trying to figure him out.

"I love sunsets." I started looking at the sunset as we walked down the path surrounded by sunflowers, it was breath taking. I felt a little better because of the distance we were creating between us and the sitting murder dogs, even though my arm was still around his.

"This place is really beautiful." The wind softly brushed against us as the flowers followed it's lead without hesitation, it's been a while since I have felt like this despite everything -I don't think I have ever felt like this in his presence. I always get suffocated with fear.

"I don't want to be afraid of you."

"-I mean being in constant fear." I continued focusing on the sunset than the path or him.

"You choose to make me make you fear me." His voice deep and calm.

"Is that what you want- me to fear you." We were now standing the dogs at the back of my mind. As much as I couldn't look in his eyes, I did from time to time. He was a man that effortlessly demanded attention.

"No but I want you to know what I will not tolerate or stand for. There are things that I will never agree with or ever allow." I took time to myself thinking about what he just said trying to find the perfect response.

"Since I have got here you have only shown me the dark parts. The only parts I am acquainted to of yours bring fear to my core, those are the parts you chose to show me."  -I don't know the parts of you that don't make me freeze in fear.- it's only understandable I make rash decisions that I don't think them through when I'm frozen in fear." I said being completely honest and transparent with him. Needing him to see at least a few things from my perspective and understand me a little better.

"There is no part of me as you call it that's sunshine and rainbows if that's what you are waiting for." He said as I nodded my head trying to understand. He didn't need to tell me that- I had already figured but I was just asking for a part that I would be able to breathe in the presence of.

"This darkness you speak of I will never understand, we have different understandings of the word darkness."

"I understand but at this point I'm just hoping there is a part I will be able to breath normally in it's presence."

"-Like the man I spoke to over the phone- I mean still rough around the edges -" my eyes peeked at him hopping I didn't offend him before continuing.

"But at least I could speak to him." I liked that he was actually listening to me.

"It's easy to let your mind run wild when speaking over the phone. I didn't change.  What changed is my presence." He said making me look up at him. He was still the same psychopath over the phone his words or mental illness never changed I was the one who changed my perspective and used my imagination. When he was right here it was a different story. Reality suddenly became reality. It had just been a theory of mine before but now I knew for sure.

"I hear you." I said my mind trying to piece things together.

"I came here to inform you that I will be leaving tonight for the ceremony, I will be back in two to three days." He pulled me into his arms effortlessly. His hand moved my chin up so that I was looking at him- holding his gaze.

"Behave." Was all he said, his voice sending the message across loud and clear before placing a soft kiss on my lips- leaving my body tingling. He released me about to turn and walk away.

"-wait the man over the phone said he would let me do anything I pleased I only have to ask." He looked at me as my chest raised and fell, anxious about what I was about to ask.

"That hasn't changed Isla. You are not a prisoner." The look in his eyes made me develop goosebumps. My name from his lips foreign yet satisfying even though it brought a fear to me seeing as the times he used my name and majority of those times either he was very serious or he wasn't pleased with me.

"Well I do really need to go to the stores and grab a few things for my skin and hair. I need to treat my hair." I said nervously holding my breath making sure to not break eye contact as hard as it was.

"The car will take you tomorrow in the morning and you can take Annie with you I have noticed that you have taken a liking to her." I could feel my heart flutter in joy. I felt like I was slowly going insane in these walls as beautiful as everything was.

"Wait - you are going with your dogs right?" I asked hesitantly.

"I think they have taken a liking to you love."

"Lachlan.-"

He chuckled, no matter how many times he did this I don't think I would ever get used to it. He made a whistle sound with his mouth and before I knew it they were following him side to side.  I released a breath I didn't know I was holding before turning back to the flowers, progress. For once I was proud of myself after speaking to him and I could -hope.

...

Tell me what y'all think.