Villain Origin : Every Crime I Commit Helps Me Level Up-Chapter 40: The Lake Serenity

The winding road to Lake Serenity cut through dense pine forest, sunlight filtering through branches in scattered patterns across the windshield. André sat in the back of Derek’s SUV, wedged between Liam and a pile of duffel bags. In the front passenger seat, Maya controlled the music, occasionally turning to plant kisses on Derek’s cheek as he drove.

"Eyes on the road, quarterback," Gia teased from behind Maya, sharing the middle row with Tasha. "We’d like to reach the cabin in one piece."

Derek grinned, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel. "Relax, I’ve driven this route a dozen times."

André stared out the window, questioning his decision to come along. The text notifications from Ken had been constant throughout the day—territory questions, supply chain issues, recruitment possibilities. André had finally silenced his phone an hour into the drive, earning a curious look from Gia.

’What am I doing here?’ he wondered. The gap between his two lives seemed insurmountable. These people—his classmates—lived in a world untouched by the violence and power struggles consuming his nights. They worried about tests and social media, not territorial boundaries and rival gangs.

"You’re thinking too loud," Liam murmured beside him, quiet enough that only André could hear. The lanky boy pushed his glasses up, offering a hesitant smile. "I know how you feel. I didn’t want to come either."

André raised an eyebrow. "Derek drag you along?"

"Said it was my chance with Gia," Liam admitted, glancing toward the girl in question before looking down at his hands. "Not that I stand a chance."

André followed Liam’s earlier gaze to find Gia already watching him through the gap between seats. She offered a small smile before turning away to laugh at something Tasha had said.

"We’re here!" Maya announced as Derek turned onto a narrow gravel drive. Trees parted to reveal a sprawling wooden cabin perched on a small hill overlooking the glittering expanse of Lake Serenity.

The cabin was larger than André had expected—two stories of weathered cedar with a wraparound porch and large windows facing the water. As they piled out of the vehicle, the fresh scent of pine and lake water filled his lungs.

"Home sweet home for the weekend," Maya declared, twirling her keys around her finger. "Let’s get settled, then we can head down to the dock."

Derek began unloading bags from the trunk, tossing André’s duffel to him with more force than necessary. "Hope you brought swimming trunks, Atlas. Water’s probably still cold, but that never stopped us before."

André caught the bag easily, ignoring the challenge in Derek’s tone. The football player had always maintained a competitive edge around him, even though André had never shown interest in sports or Derek’s social circle.

"There are only three bedrooms," Maya explained as they entered the cabin’s spacious main room. High ceilings with exposed beams stretched above them, and a stone fireplace dominated one wall. "So we’ll have to double up."

"I’ve already claimed one with Derek," she added, wrapping her arms around her boyfriend’s waist.

"Girls together," Tasha declared, linking arms with Gia. "Sorry boys, but I’m not sharing with any of you mess-makers."

That left André with Liam, which suited him fine. The quiet boy seemed the least likely to pry into his business or disrupt his need for occasional solitude.

"Second floor, end of the hall," Maya directed them. "The room has twin beds, so don’t worry about getting cozy."

André and Liam headed upstairs, finding a modest room with pine furniture and windows overlooking the forest behind the cabin. André claimed the bed nearest the door—old habits from his new life giving him a preference for quick exit routes. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"I didn’t know you and Gia were still so close," Liam said while unpacking. "You don’t hang out at school like before."

André shrugged. "We’ve been tight since freshman year. Lately, she’s mostly with Maya and Tasha."

Liam nodded. "Guess things change."

"I’ve been too busy with things lately" Andre corrected

"Or is it ecause of Julian?" Liam asked, then immediately looked apologetic. "Sorry, I know he left suddenly. Must be weird not having him around."

Before Andre could respond, Derek’s voice boomed from downstairs. "Hurry up, losers! Daylight’s wasting!"

They rejoined the group in the main room, where Maya was organizing snacks on the kitchen counter while Tasha and Gia had changed into swimsuits under loose cover-ups.

"I noticed another cabin about half a mile down the shore," Tasha mentioned, applying sunscreen to her shoulders. "Looks like we’ve got neighbors."

Maya nodded. "The Reynolds place. They usually rent it out for weekends. Saw a bunch of college kids arriving when we pulled in."

"College guys," Tasha emphasized with a mischievous smile. "Might have to introduce ourselves later."

Derek frowned, possessively pulling Maya closer. "We’re here to relax, not socialize with strangers."

"Speak for yourself," Tasha replied with a laugh. "Some of us are single and ready to mingle."

André caught Gia rolling her eyes at her friend’s comment. She noticed his gaze and mouthed ’here we go’ with an amused expression.

They headed down to the lake, following a winding path from the cabin to a private dock jutting into the crystal-clear water. The afternoon sun hung bright in the sky, turning the lake’s surface into a mirror of dancing light.

Derek immediately stripped off his shirt and executed a running dive off the end of the dock, surfacing with a whoop. "Water’s perfect!"

Maya and Tasha followed suit, though with more graceful entries. André hung back, sitting on the dock’s edge with his feet dangling in the cool water. The peaceful setting contrasted sharply with the chaos of the previous night—it felt like a dream from someone else’s life.

Gia settled beside him, hugging her knees to her chest. "Not much of a swimmer?"

"Just enjoying the view first," André replied, watching a pair of eagles circling high above the opposite shore.

"I’m glad you came," she said after a moment of comfortable silence. "I was worried you’d back out at the last minute."

André glanced at her with a wry smile. "Almost did," he admitted. "I hardly know anyone here, so I wasn’t entirely sure if I’d fit in. And by the way, who’s the guy in glasses?"

"Liam?" Gia looked over her shoulder to where the boy was carefully arranging towels on the dock. "He’s harmless—he’s Derek’s best friend, after all. Derek insisted we bring him along."

"So Derek is trying to play matchmaker." Andre thought to himself, as a soft smile graced his face, recalling Liam’s earlier admission.

He asked with a hint of teasing curiosity, "Then why did you invite me?"

A faint blush warmed Gia’s cheeks as she looked away momentarily before meeting his eyes. "I already told you," she replied softly, "I just wanted to hang out with you. What could be a more perfect setting than this?"

Andre’s smile deepened as he conceded, "You’re right."

Before Gia could respond, a splash of water hit them both as Derek surfaced nearby.

"Come on, Atlas! Water’s fine!" he called, treading water. "Unless you’re afraid of getting that perfect hair wet?"

André recognized the challenge for what it was—Derek’s constant need to establish dominance. Normally, he would have ignored it, but something about the peaceful setting and temporary escape from his other life made him feel reckless.

Standing, he pulled his t-shirt over his head, revealing the lean, muscled physique that his night activities had sculpted. He caught Gia’s widened eyes and Tasha’s appreciative whistle before diving cleanly into the lake.

The cold water enveloped him, washing away days of tension. When he surfaced, Derek was watching him with narrowed eyes, clearly noticing the athletic build that André’s loose school clothes typically concealed.

"Not bad," the football player conceded reluctantly.

The afternoon passed pleasantly as they swam, lounged on the dock, and eventually returned to the cabin as the sun began its descent. André found himself relaxing despite his initial reservations, the weight of his double life temporarily lifting in the simple pleasures of teenage socializing.

As dusk approached, Derek and Liam worked on building a fire in the fire pit while Maya and Tasha prepared dinner in the cabin’s kitchen. André helped Gia set up chairs around the fire, arranging them in a circle.

"So what’s really going on with you lately?" Gia asked quietly as they worked. "You’ve been different. Distant."

André tensed, immediately on guard. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, André. We might not hang out as much anymore, but I still notice things." She stopped arranging chairs to face him directly. "You’re always tired, always checking your phone, disappearing after school. Julian used to cover for you, but even he seemed worried before he left."

’If she only knew how worried Julian should be,’ André thought grimly.

"It’s nothing," he deflected. "Just taking on some extra responsibilities."

Gia studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. Don’t tell me. But whatever it is..." She hesitated. "Just be careful, okay?"

"I’m always careful," he replied

Their conversation was interrupted by the others returning. Maya and Tasha carried trays of hamburgers and hot dogs for grilling, while Derek triumphantly ignited the fire pit into crackling flames.

"Who’s hungry?" Maya called, handing the tray to Derek, who immediately took charge of the grill.

As darkness fell, they gathered around the fire eating and sharing stories from school. André found himself participating more than he’d expected, drawn into the normal teenage camaraderie that had become increasingly foreign to him

As darkness fell, they gathered around the fire eating and sharing stories from school. André found himself participating more than he’d expected, drawn into the normal teenage camaraderie that had become increasingly foreign to him.

As the fire died down to glowing embers, Maya stood and stretched. "I don’t know about you guys, but I’m exhausted. That swim took everything out of me."

"Early start tomorrow if we want to take the boat out," Derek agreed, standing to wrap an arm around her waist.

They doused the fire and headed back to the cabin, the group naturally breaking apart as they reached the second floor landing. Tasha and Gia disappeared into their room with whispered goodnights, while Maya and Derek entered theirs with lingering touches that made their intentions clear.

André followed Liam into their shared room, quickly changing into a pair of athletic shorts before claiming his bed. The mattress was surprisingly soft close to what he was used to, enveloping him as he stretched out on his back and stared at the ceiling.

’If Victor had actually taken the fight seriously from the beginning, I would have lost,’ he admitted to himself, feeling a familiar tightness in his chest. ’He was testing me, toying with me. I need to get stronger, faster. Can’t afford to be weak.’

André’s planning was interrupted by a rhythmic creaking from the adjacent wall. A muffled moan filtered through, followed by Derek’s voice, too low to make out the words but clear enough in its intent.

André grimaced, grabbing his pillow and folding it over his head to block out the sound.