Chapter 14 ۵ Learn

YARA'S POV

The days blurred together, each one dragging on as I navigated the delicate line between my job and the oppressive presence of Alejandro. Even his name left a bitter taste in my mouth, like I'd given him more power than he deserved by saying it. But I hadn't had a choice, had I?

Days passed before I mustered the strength to go back to university. I had avoided it out of sheer terror at the thought of running into someone I know and having to explain the reason for my absence. 'I was just casually staying at my professors house........nothing crazy......'

I stood by the large kitchen window, gazing out at the garden where Elena played with her dolls. Alejandro's presence had been less intimidating and present over the past few days, though that didn't mean it had become any less suffocating. The unpredictability was what unsettled me the most, one moment, he was bandaging my finger with a strange tenderness, the next, he was painfully gripping me wrists causing me more pain.

The sound of approaching footsteps snapped me from my thoughts, and I turned to see Alejandro's driver, Mateo, hovering at the entrance to the kitchen. He was one of the few people in this house who seemed relatively... normal.

"Miss Malik" Mateo said, inclining his head politely, "Alejandro has requested that I take you to the university today" I blinked, startled by the suddenness of it all. But I wasn't complaining, a smile settles on my face. Alejandro hadn't mentioned anything about this, but the idea of leaving this house, even just for a few hours, was like a breath of fresh air.

"Okay. I'll get ready" give me a few minutes.

Mateo nodded "he also told me to tell you to attend his lecture today" I nodded back at him and hurried past him to grab my things.

Sitting in the back of the sleek black Mercedes, I found myself nervously fiddling with my fingers as we pulled into the university parking lot. As much as I tried to focus on returning to my routine, the events of the past few days played on a loop in my head, Alejandro's cold gaze, the feel of his hands on my skin, his lips on mines. Everything about him was contradictory, and I hated how much I had to think about it.

Mateo glanced back at me from the front seat, opening the door for me.

"Thanks Mateo, I'm... not sure how long I'll be. I'll call if I need a ride back" I smiled at him.

With that, I stepped out of the car, the cool air hitting my face and offering a temporary reprieve from the stifling atmosphere of the mansion. The moment I set foot on campus, the familiar hustle and bustle of students made me feel like I could breathe again.

It wasn't long before I spotted Heidi leaning against one of the stone pillars outside the main building. Her AirPods in her ears as she was gobbling down her salad. Her face lit up when she saw me, it looked as if she was trying to figure out whether or not she was hallucinating. After shaking her head a few times and confirming it really was me she put her salad down and ran at me, wrapping her arms around me in a deathly tight hug.

"Fucking hell woman, I thought he's murdered you in that house" she exclaimed, pulling back just enough to study my face. Her brows furrowed "You look......tired. What's going on?" She said the happiness from before slowly shredding off her face.

I let out a breath, trying to find the words " I means it's.......been a lot" I trailed off, shaking my head "I'll explain later. Right now, I just need to catch up on everything I've missed" Heidi gave me a long look, her eyes scanning my face like she knew there was more to the story than I was letting on. And she wasn't wrong, but how could I explain living with Alejandro? How could I tell her that the man I was living with, my university professor, had kissed me, bruised me, threatened me, and yet somehow helped me in some twisted sort of way?

I explained everything to her as we walked back to her dorm. Making sure to keep my voice low, Heidi was somewhat happy for me until she heard about how aggressive he was.

"Yara baby, you need to get out of that house. He can't just go around putting his hands on you like that" she spoke holding my hand in hers.

"I know Heidi, but what am I meant to do here scares the living shit out of me. And I can't let Elena down like that, the poor girl has no one and I'm not even exaggerating" I took a deep breath.

"I'll help you through this babe, I promise" she said bringing me into her arms.

"Well how about we just have some fun for now Heidi.....before I go back" I spoke walking into her dorm. We both mischievously smiled at each other.

🎀🎀🎀

Max was already waiting for me inside the lecture hall when we got to class, his sharp eyes narrowing as he saw me approaching. I offered him a tight smile but avoided his questions. I couldn't trust him with this. He'd always been protective, sometimes overbearingly so, and the last thing I needed was for him to blow up when he found out what Mr Moreno had done. I couldn't let him know I was living in that mans house, letting him touch me. He can't know, not yet.

The lecture began, I sat away from Max trying to find ways to not make him question me but I could feel his questioning eyes looking over at me every few seconds.

This was strange, everything about this felt strange. The man who had forcefully touched me was teaching a lecture. Almost as if nothing had happened. He didn't look over at me, his eyes were just as cold as the first day I met him.

Why did he want me to hate him? Why did he care at all?

I tried to focus on the class, scribbling down notes mechanically, but my heart wasn't in it. My body was here, but my mind was still trapped back in that mansion, caught in a web of conflicting emotions and power dynamics I couldn't fully comprehend. I wanted to leave but I knew I couldn't. To be completely honestly I felt like rapunzel trapped in a mansion and with no Prince coming to save me.

As the lecture wrapped up, Max caught my arm before I could slip away.

"Yara, what's going on?" His voice was low, but insistent, his eyes searching mine. I looked up at him catching a glimpse of Alejandro who saw Max taking my arm "You've been off the grid for days, weeks, I can't even keep count anymore. What is going on? You didn't even text me once. Is this because of him?" He bombarded me with a bunch of questions.

I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say "I can't explain it right now, Max. I just.........need you to trust me, okay?" His grip on my arm tightened slightly before he let go, frustration evident in his furrowed brows "Fine. But don't shut me out, Yara. You know I've got your back Yara"

I forced a smile, though it felt hollow. "I know. Thanks Max"

🎀🎀🎀

Back at the mansion, the unease returned full force as I stepped through the grand doors. Elena had already gone to bed, and the house was quiet, too quiet. I walked over to the kitchen putting on the kettle, making myself some green tea. As I was pouring the water into the cup the door to the dining room barged open

It was Alejandro, dragging a girl into the house with him. She was in his arms straddling him. His veiny hands gripping her hips as he kicked the door shut behind them. I awkwardly stood there as her erotic moans filled the hallway as his lips claimed hers, urgent and rough. She was practically undressed already, wearing nothing but a tiny crop top and shorts so short they barely existed. She got down on the floor, her heels clicking each step she too. Her giggles filled the air as she tried to keep up with Alejandro's frenzied pace.

I didn't know what to do. I needed to make my escape without anyone noticing me.

I watched as he spun the girl around harshly pining her against the wall. Her hands were all over him, desperate, pulling  at his tie as he pressed kisses along her neck, biting, sucking. My breath caught in my throat, horror and something I didn't want to name twisting in my stomach.

Just as I thought I might be able to slip away unnoticed, the girl caught sight of me, her head tilting back as she giggled through winced eyes, they were both clearly drunk. She nudged Alejandro with a soft laugh, pointing in my direction.

"Who's that?" she asked, her voice lilting with amusement, her eyes glinting as if she'd just discovered something so crazy.

Alejandro's gaze shifted lazily toward me, his dark eyes locking onto mine with a smirk that sent chills down my spine. There was no warmth in that look, no surprise, just the same manipulative man.

"Don't worry about her" he said, his voice thick with alcohol and amusement. His smirk deepened, and he turned his attention back to the girl, running his hands under her crop top, lifting it over her head, revealing her bare chest "She's no one important baby" The girl giggled, not caring that I was still standing there, my face burning, my heart pounding in my chest. No one important. The words stung more than they should have, hitting me harder than any of his insults before.

I turned on my heel, ready to escape, to run to my room and pretend this nightmare wasn't happening right in front of me. But before I could take a step away Alejandro's voice cut through the air again.

"Yara" he called out, sharp and commanding.

I froze, my hand hovering over the door handle. Slowly, I turned around, my heart hammering in my chest, fear pulsing through every inch of my body. I didn't want to look at him, didn't want to see the girls naked body in his arms, but I couldn't disobey him. Not now.

"Come here" he ordered, his voice dropping lower, more dangerous.

Every instinct screamed at me to run, but my legs moved on their own. I approached them slowly, eyes cast downward, trying not to look directly at the girl's exposed skin. My fingers trembled as I stood in front of them, so close I could feel the heat radiating off their bodies. My pulse quickened, a strange tension settling between the three of us.

Alejandro's gaze raked over me, predatory, as if he enjoyed watching me squirm. He pulled the girl closer, his hands shamelessly sliding under her waistband now, he moved his hand closer to her pussy making her let out a breathy moan. My cheeks burned as I desperately tried to keep my eyes on the floor. I felt helpless, she stood there her lustful, desperate moans filling the whole room as she ground herself on Alejandro's hand.

"You can't even look up, can you?" he taunted, his voice thick with mockery "Good girl, so fucking innocent" he jeered in between rough kisses.

My breath hitched at his words, shame and something darker washing over. I waited for him to finish speaking so I could leave.

"Stay" He spoke, his fingers delving deeper into the girl making her arch into him. Her shorts and panties were now on the floor leaving her with nothing on "Maybe you'll learn something" is that what he thought of me? A helpless girl who needs lessons on how to fuck someone. I flinched, every word slicing through me, but I couldn't move, I felt nauseated. My feet were glued to the floor, trapped in this twisted game. The girl then jumped into his arms squirming under his touch, her breath coming faster, and her moans getting louder but she didn't seem to care that I was still standing there, watching this unfold.

I bit down hard on my lip, trying to keep the bile rising in my throat at bay.

"Look at her" Alejandro murmured, his voice dripping with arrogance "She doesn't even know how to handle this, does she?" He spoke repulsively, his hands leaving red marks on her ass.

I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to scream, to slap that arrogant smirk off his face. But I couldn't. Not when his dark gaze pinned me in place, daring me to say something, do something.

The girl giggled, turning her head slightly to glance at me. "She's shy, so cute right daddy" she whispered loud enough for me to hear, her hand reaching back to tangle in Alejandro's hair as she grinded against him "Poor thing" her words caught me off guard. I felt like crying. Alejandro only chuckled softly, his lips brushing the shell of her ear as he stared directly at me, his eyes dark and unreadable.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to look away, hating the heat that flushed my skin, the way his words made my stomach twist. I wanted to run, to get out of this suffocating room, but I couldn't, not with him watching me, waiting for me to crack.

"Go to your room" Alejandro commanded, his voice suddenly cold, dismissive, as if I'd served my purpose "You've seen enough" he smirked with amusement lingering on his face.

My legs moved before my brain could process the order. I turned, bolting toward the door, my heart pounding in my ears, my mind reeling from what I had just witnessed.

The rest of the night I could hear her loud moans and the sound of skin slapping. It was good that Elena's room was nowhere near ours, unlike me she couldn't hear a single sound of what was happening.

The hours dragged on, and every sound in the house seemed amplified in the oppressive silence of my room. The muffled moans and the rhythmic thumping from the room below were impossible to escape. I lay in bed, trying to block out the noise, my mind racing with a storm of emotions I couldn't quite name. I was trapped in a web of confusion, shame, and a dark, unsettling curiosity that I loathed to admit.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook me, and I drifted into a fitful sleep.

When morning finally came, I awoke with a start, the light creeping through the curtains a harsh reminder of the day ahead. I pulled myself out of bed, feeling like a zombie as I prepared for the day. Every step I took felt like wading through thick fog.

In the kitchen, I found Elena already at the breakfast table, eating pancakes. Her cheerful demeanor was a stark contrast to my own turmoil. I forced a smile and joined her, trying to keep my eyes from betraying the chaos within me.

"Morning Yawa" Elena said brightly

We conversed for a few minutes.

She seemed to sense that something was off she was an intelligent little girl. As we ate, I could feel the weight of the previous night pressing down on me, the memory of them still echoing in my mind.

After breakfast, I retreated to my room catching up on missed assignments.

Around noon, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find Alejandro standing there, his expression unreadable. He was wearing something casual, a black t shirt and some loose joggers, a difference to the usual suits he wore.

"Yara, we need to talk" he said, his tone devoid of the earlier mockery. I didn't have anything to say to him all I wanted to do right now was slam the door in his face and that's exactly what I did. This would definitely anger him but I didn't care, I need to let go of the anger in me.

I walked back to my desk, carrying on with my assignments.

He walked in, I didn't look up at him not once but I could tell he rolled his eyes "Mateo will b-"

"Why did you do that?" I cut him off, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay composed.

Alejandro's eyes narrowed slightly, his demeanor shifting to one of cold amusement "do what?" He spoke his brow raised.

"What happened with that girl. Why did you make me stay to watch?" I said with hot tears pricking my eyes.

He studied me for a moment, then sighed "It's in the past Yara, there's no point in questioning it" he spoke dismissing the trauma I felt.

"You think I need a lesson in depravity? Or is this some twisted way of asserting your power?"

Alejandro's gaze was icy "Don't piss me off Yara, you do as I say. What happened yesterday happened because I control you, understand?" He spoke not even an ounce of sympathy in his tone. He didn't care that he full on fingered a girl in front of me. Of course he didn't fucking care.

I took a deep breath, struggling to keep my emotions in check. "You don't control me, you're sick" I spat out even though I knew that what I was saying wasn't true.

He smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes "You could've left yesterday? No" it was true he didn't have a grip on me or anything I could've easily walked out but something in me told me to stay because I'm reality he did have complete power and control over me.

Tears were now falling down my eyes "why do you treat me like this?" I hiccuped out. The pain in my hurt only increasing.

There was no reply after a few minutes. All I could feel was his gaze on me trying to figure me out.

"Just leave Mr Moreno. Please" instead his footsteps got closer I watched as he approached me lifting my chin up.

He wiped my tears with the pads of his thumb. Then unexpectedly he took me in his arms, his hands caressing my hair. I didn't even protest all I could do was cry on his shoulder. I was crying in the arms of the man who made me cry in the first place. But I didn't want to let go I didn't want to feel cold and alone.

"Shhh Yara" he spoke lightly.

"Why, Alejandro what did I do?" I wanted an answer to my question, why did he treat me like this.

"I want to break you" his cold, dark, sinister voice spoke through the tears. He was sick in the head, truly devilish. My cries stopped after hearing his words.

"Put me down" my strained voice spoke. He surprisingly listened to my command and put me down on my bed. I laid on my side turning away from him.

Not saying a word. He wanted to break me, that was his weird fantasy playing with my feelings and breaking me, making me suffer. I listened as footsteps faded and the door closed. My tears fell non stop and they have no plans of stopping.

A/N

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