Chapter 24 ۵ Party

YARA'S POV

It had been two months since Alejandro left for his business trip, and I was starting to get used to the quiet of the house. I would often invite Heidi over, watch as she drooled over how big the house was. We'd swim in the pool, watch movies in the built in cinema room and do all sorts of stupid shit. I was getting used to it.

I was finally free. Free from his watchful gaze, free from his rules. I could go to my lectures, attend class without worrying about him humiliating me in front of everyone, calling me stupid, unworthy. I could act how I wanted, do what I wanted. No constant reminders of his control, of his presence.

But with the freedom came this strange emptiness. I spent my days at university, most of my nights alone. Heidi would stay over, but I didn't want to be a burden and make her stay all the time. At times I thought I'd go and stay in my university dorm, but I was paranoid that somehow Alejandro would find out I went against his rules.

Max and I started hanging out more, studying together. He was more helpful than Alejandro and a whole lot nicer. It was good having the comfort of someone who didn't treat me like complete shit.

But there were moments, fleeting moments, where I found myself missing Alejandro. I scolding myself for it, but I did. I would find myself stepping out of my room and instead sleeping in Alejandro's room. I missed him, as much as I didn't want to admit it, I did. I craved his attention, his presence, his touch, I craved him.

During one of our conversations, Elijah bought up the idea of a party.

"I'd be soooo down" Max was already getting hyped up. And to be honest the idea of a party before Alejandro came back didn't seem so bad.

"Yeah bro but like where would we host it?"

"Idk, your house?"

"My parents are home, can't man"

"Well I have a solution for us" Heidi turned to look at me. I already knew what she was about to suggest.

"Yara's friend left her his house for a few months, we could do it there but only if Yara agrees" both Elijah and Max looked at me with pleading eyes.

"I don't know guys......I don't want anyone ruining anything in the house"

"I promise no one will break anything" Elijah looked at me with puppy eyes. How was I going to say no?

".......Fine.......but if anyone breaks anything-"

Elijah suffocated me with a hug before I could carry on with my threat. "Fuck yes! Thanks Yara"

I was tired of being in my own head, tired of the silence in Alejandro's house, and the thought of something new, something exciting, was appealing.

A few weeks later, the party was finally here. I had spent the last few days preparing the house with Elijah, Heidi and Max, making sure everything was in order.

As I stood in front of the large mirror in my bedroom, I had to admit, there was a part of me that felt nervous, like something was going to go horribly wrong. But there was another part of me, a much bolder part, that was excited. I hadn't had a night like this in forever. I wore a tight black dress, if Alejandro was here he'd never let me wear something like this. I did my makeup and hair and with that I went downstairs. Heidi was already here, she came early just too make sure everything was good.

The doorbell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts, and I opened it to find Max and Elijah standing with a grin plastered on their faces, holding a bottle of tequila. Behind them, people were already starting to trickle in, their voices rising above the music that played from the speakers. I thought there was only going to be a few people but before I knew it the whole house flooded in with people, most of which I didn't know.

"You ready for this?" Max asked, his voice laced with amusement.

"Guess I don't have much choice now" I replied, my heart pounding a little faster than I expected.

This was my house for the night. I could do whatever I wanted. And no one, especially not Alejandro, was here to stop me.

As the night went on, people came into the house. The house  was crowded, the air thick with the smell of alcohol and the sounds of people laughing and shouting over the music. I stood in the corner for a while, watching the chaos unfold.

I made sure to keep people from going into Alejandro and Elena's bedroom. That was the least I could do because from the looks of it Alejandro's house was already turning into rubbish.

The night was louder than I anticipated. The flashing lights, the blaring music, the house was packed, each corner filled with people I barely recognized, their laughter and voices mixing with the heavy bass of the music. I hovered near the edge of the living room, watching it all unfold. This wasn't my scene. It never had been. But tonight, something felt different. The weight of Alejandro's absence, the thrill of having the house to myself, the freedom, it all swirled together, making me bolder than usual.

Max appeared at my side, his ever present grin tugging at his lips. His hair was slightly mussed from all the running around he'd been doing.

"You look like you're standing on the edge of a cliff" he teased, holding a red solo cup in his hand. "Relax, Yara. This is supposed to be fun"

"I'm fine" I said quickly, though the tightness in my chest betrayed me. The truth was, I was overwhelmed. The noise, the energy, the sheer number of people invading Alejandro's space, it was too much. And for some odd reason I felt guilty "Just......taking it all in"

Max raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. He held out his cup toward me. "Here. Take a sip. It'll help"

I stared at the cup like it was a foreign object. "I don't drink"

"Why not?"

"I just.......don't" My voice faltered. Drinking had always seemed reckless, something I couldn't afford to do.

Max nudged the cup closer. "Come on. One sip won't kill you. You're not driving, you're in a safe space. And honestly, you look like you need it"

I hesitated, my fingers twitching at my sides. The idea of loosening up, of not thinking for once, was tempting. "I don't know......."

He grinned, tilting the cup in my direction again. "Look, if you hate it, I'll never bother you about it again. But if you like it......well, then you're in for a good night Yara"

I reached out slowly, my fingers brushing against the cool plastic of the cup. "What is it?" I asked, sniffing it cautiously. The sharp scent of alcohol made my nose wrinkle.

"Vodka and cranberry" Max said, watching me with amusement. "It's pretty light. You'll barely taste it"

I wasn't sure I believed him, but something about the way he was looking at me, like he was daring me to take the leap, made me lift the cup to my lips. The first sip was sharp, burning as it slid down my throat, and I immediately coughed, handing the cup back to him.

He laughed, a warm, genuine sound that made me glare at him. "You're supposed to sip, not chug it all at once!"

"I didn't chug it!" I snapped, wiping at my mouth. "It just.......tastes awful"

"You'll get used to it" he said with a wink, handing the cup back to me. "Trust me, the first drink is always the worst"

I hesitated, staring down at the pinkish liquid in the cup. The burn still lingered in my throat, but there was something oddly thrilling about it too. Slowly, I brought the cup to my lips again, taking a smaller sip this time. It was still sharp, but not as overwhelming as the first. A warmth began to spread through me, starting in my chest and working its way out to my fingertips.

"There you go" Max said, his grin widening. "See? Not so bad, right?"

I nodded slowly, the edges of my anxiety beginning to blur. "I guess it's... okay"

"That's my girl" he said before taking a long sip of his own drink. "Now come on. Let's get you another"

One drink turned into two, then three. I wasn't keeping track anymore. But by the time I'd finished it, I was laughing harder than I had in years.

The edges of the room felt softer, the noise less overwhelming. My head was light, my limbs loose. It was like I'd stepped into a different version of myself, someone who wasn't afraid to let go, to have fun.

Max noticed the change, his grin turning softer, more approving. "See? You're having fun now, aren't you?"

I nodded, leaning against the wall for support. "Maybe......just a little"

He laughed, slinging an arm around my shoulders. "That's what I like to hear"

The music shifted to something faster, and Max pulled me toward him. I tried to protest, but the alcohol in my system made it hard to form a coherent argument. Before I knew it, I was in the middle of the crowd, the bass of the music pounding through my chest as I moved to the beat, laughing drunkly.

Max stayed close, his hands on my waist as he moved with me, guiding me when I stumbled. I didn't mind his touch, it was steady, grounding. For once, I didn't feel out of place. I felt alive.

The night passed in a haze of music and laughter. People were everywhere, spilling drinks, shouting over the music, knocking over things, disappearing into rooms upstairs. But I didn't care, Alejandro's strict rules, his constant demands, they felt so far away now, like a bad dream I was finally waking up from.

"Yara!" Max called, appearing beside me with another drink.

"I think I'm done" I said, though my words came out slurred. I was swaying slightly, my balance unsteady. "I can't even feel my legs"

He laughed, steadying me with a hand on my arm. "That just means you're doing it right"

"I don't know if I'm doing anything right" I muttered, but I couldn't stop smiling. The alcohol had dulled all my worries, replaced them with a warm, buzzing energy that made me feel invincible. For the first time, I wasn't thinking about Alejandro, or what he'd say if he knew what was happening right now.

"You're perfect" Max said, his voice low and sincere. "You're finally letting go. I like seeing you like this" he brushed my hair out of my face.

I looked up at him, my heart skipping a beat at the way he was watching me. There was something in his eyes, something I couldn't quite place. It made my stomach twist, my pulse quicken. He leaned in slightly, and for a moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. But in that moment all I could think of was Alejandro.

But then I pulled away, shaking my head. "I need to find Heidi" I said quickly, my voice shaky. "I just......I'll be back"

Max looked confused but nodded, letting me go. I stumbled away, the room spinning around me as I searched for Heidi. The night wasn't over yet, but I already knew I was in over my head.

My head pounded as I stumbled down the hall to Heidi, only to see her with Elijah, making out. I smile tugged at my lips and before I could contain it a smug laugh escaped my lips. Heidi looked over at me beige quickly jumping off from Elijah's lap, embarrassment filling her face.

"So how......long has this" I gestured to the them "going been- oops I meant been going on?" My words came out jumbled. Heidi walked over to me.

"Yara, are you fucking drunk?" She looked at me concerned.

"Maybe....." I smirked. "Maybe not......"

"Oh come on Heidi.....dance with me?" I help a hand out for her, she giggled at my drunken state before taking my hand.

The night went on smoothly, well apart from people breaking things, spilling a drinks on carpets and throwing up everything was fine.

I found myself leaving Elijah  and Heidi to themselves and stumbling up the stairs, my head starting to pound.

I stumbled into Alejandro's bedroom, barely managing to push the door shut behind me. The house still thumped with loud music, the bass vibrating through the walls like it was a part of my pulse. My head felt heavy, the room spinning in uneven waves that made it hard to focus on anything.

I clutched the edge of the bed to steady myself, but my knees buckled, and I slumped onto the mattress, face down in the cool, soft sheets. The scent of him, of Alejandro, still lingered on the fabric. That expensive cologne that always made me hate how much I noticed him.

God, I hated him.

My chest heaved as a tightness crept into my throat, unrelenting. My body felt too warm from the alcohol, my emotions spilling over like a bottle shaken too hard. I turned over onto my back, staring up at the ceiling as tears pricked at my eyes.

"I'm so stupid," I whispered to no one, my voice cracking.

Why the hell did I drink so much? Why did I think this was a good idea?

I threw an arm over my face, trying to block out the light from the chandelier above. But it wasn't just the lights, it was everything. The noise, the pressure, the way I felt like I was suffocating in my own decisions. The alcohol had stripped away the thin layer of composure I'd been holding onto, leaving me raw and vulnerable.

And alone.

A sob escaped my lips, sudden and jarring. I pressed a hand to my mouth, as if I could shove it back inside, but it didn't work. The tears came anyway, hot and fast, spilling down the sides of my face and soaking into the sheets.

"I hate you" I murmured, not even sure who the words were for. Alejandro? Myself? Max for handing me that drink?

The tears kept coming, and the more I tried to stop them, the worse they got. My body shook as I curled onto my side, clutching a pillow like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.

"I hate you" I whispered again, my voice trembling. But this time, I knew who I meant.

Alejandro.

It wasn't just the anger over the party, or the guilt twisting in my stomach about letting strangers trash his house. It was everything. The way he controlled me. The way he always made me feel so small and yet so exposed. The way he made my heart race even when I wanted to scream at him.

The alcohol blurred my thoughts, muddling them together until all I could do was cry into the pillow.

The sheets smelled too much like him, and that only made me cry harder. My chest ached with a hollow sort of pain, the kind that felt endless, like no amount of tears would ever be enough to get it out.

I hated this. I hated him.

But most of all, I hated the part of me that didn't.

My cries were interrupted by the sound of the door slamming open.

AUTHOR'S POV

Alejandro had always been a man of control. Whether it was in the bedroom or with a gun in hand, his precision was unmatched. But here, in the underbelly of Madrid, his control was being tested in ways he hadn't anticipated.

For the past months, he and his trusted confidant Sergio had been on the hunt for Edwardo del Toro, the elusive leader of the Spanish Mafia. Alejandro wanted to murder the man that killed his brother, the man that was still coming after him and his family. Alejandro's frustration grew with every dead end, with every bullet lodged in the bodies of Edwardo's henchmen who gave up nothing but their dying breaths.

Alejandro leaned back in his chair at a dimly lit bar, nursing a glass of whiskey. His jaw was tight, a fresh cut running across his nose. As he sat torturing the man in front of him until he'd give a lead on Edwardo. No matter how much Alejandro and Sergio hurt and tortured the man in front of them, not a single word came from him.

"Please.....don't....I have a son" the man tied to the chair pleaded as Alejandro held a gun to his head. He thought about it for a second, dropping the gun, a look of relief spread across the man's face before Alejandro left, leaving him still tied to the chair.

Alejandro sat outside, a cigarette dangling from his bloody lips.

"Still no word on him" Sergio muttered, taking a seat beside him. "It's like the bastards vanished"

Alejandro's patience was wearing thin. "Edwardo isn't invisible. He's just clever. A man like that doesn't vanish without help"

Sergio gave a low chuckle, lighting a cigarette. "So what's the plan now? Are you ready to call it quits and go back to your other life?"

At the mention of his life back in England, Alejandro's jaw clenched. He hadn't thought about Yara. Not really. At least, that's what he told himself. But in the quiet moments, when the adrenaline wore off and the darkness crept in, her face slipped into his mind. Those fiery eyes. That defiant mouth. The way her lips trembled when she stood up to him, even when she was terrified. The way her body melted into his touch when he took what he wanted.

It was infuriating. Maddening. She was supposed to be a game, a fleeting distraction. Yet, the longer he was away, the more her image consumed him. He found himself wondering if she was attending her lectures, if she was following his rules.

"Moreno?" Sergio's voice pulled him back.

"I'm leaving" Alejandro said abruptly, dropping his cigarette on the floor before stomping his foot down on it.

Sergio raised an eyebrow. "You're giving up?"

"Fuck no" Alejandro tossed his gun to Sergio "But I have more pressing matters to deal with. You'll keep me updated?"

Sergio smirked knowingly. "The girl, huh?"

Alejandro shot him a warning glare before walking out towards his car. He hated how transparent he'd become.

Alejandro's car pulled up to his mansion. It was late, well past midnight, and the house should have been dark and silent. Instead, he saw lights blazing through the windows, the dull thump of music reaching his ears as the car slowed to a stop.

His driver, glanced at him nervously. "Sir, should I-"

"Leave" Alejandro's tone was icy.

The driver didn't argue, driving off and leaving Alejandro standing in the driveway. The tension in his shoulders tightened as he took in the sight of his home, the cacophony of noise and chaos radiating from within.

He knew immediately.

Yara.

His hand clenched into a fist as he stalked up the steps and pushed the front door open. The scene inside made his blood boil. Strangers filled the house, laughing, drinking, smoking, stumbling over his expensive furniture. The living room was trashed, an antique vase lay shattered on the floor, his cream carpet stained and someone was inexplicably trying to climb the grand staircase.

The music blared, muffling his steps as he moved through the house. People barely noticed him, too drunk or high to register the storm brewing in his expression.

"Fuck!" He growled.

He reached the speaker and yanked the cord from the socket making silence fall, the music cutting off abruptly. All eyes turned to him.

"Get the fuck out" he roared.

The crowd froze, fear rippling through them as they took in the sight of him. His black suit, the sharp line of his jaw, the cuts on his face, it all painted the image of a man no one dared to cross. One by one, they scrambled for the exits, tripping over themselves in their haste to leave.

When the last of them disappeared, Alejandro surveyed the wreckage. His fury bubbled dangerously close to the surface, but there was only one person he needed to see. He ascended the stairs his polished shoes ticking against the stairs of the now silent house.

He didn't bother knocking when he reached his bedroom. The door slammed open with a force that rattled the walls, and there she was.

Yara.

She was sprawled across his bed, her hair a messy halo around her flushed face. Her eyes were glassy, unfocused, but they widened when they landed on him.

"Alejandro?" she slurred, sitting up unsteadily. "What.......what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be back........" she giggled, slouching up from the bed.

His jaw tightened as he took her in. He could instantly tell she was drunk, drunk and utterly defenceless, crying into his sheets. The room reeked of alcohol, and his bedspread was wrinkled from her restless movements.

"You let strangers into my house Yara" he said, his voice low and lethal. He watched as she furrowed her brows, stumbling up from the bed.

"My house is fucking destroyed. And now I find you here, drunk out of your mind, like you have no sense of consequence"

She blinked at him, a playful smirk plastered on her face as she neared, his hand stopping her from almost falling over. She looked at him in the eyes, his anger was steaming off him but in her intoxicated state she paid no mind to it.

"Listen here Mister Alejandro.....Moreno" she giggled drunkly, her fingers making their way to his tie, tugging on it "I didn't destroyyy your house, you're literally rich you can fix it" she slurred. He just watched her movements, calculating her hazed state. The second he let go of her body, all support was gone and she came stumbling to the ground.

"Owwww, why did you let go" she whined, tears welling her eyes.

"Get up" he snapped, stepping closer to her, staring down at her, managing to somehow intimidate her even when she was drunk.

"No thanks I'll stay right here" she huffed, crossing her arms as she stayed glued to the floor, still hurt by the fact he let her fall to the floor.

"Get the fuck up Yara" she rolled her eyes before sluggishly getting up from the floor and collapsing down on the bed.

"You're soooooo mean. Why do you always have to boss me about?" She slurred.

"That's what happens when you don't listen to things the first time" he spoke, nearing her frame.

"I missed you" she spoke, staring up at the ceiling. His body stiffened at hearing those three words, this was why he came back.

When he didn't reply she groaned, looking up at him "you don't even miss me back, you hate me" she asked more so as a question than a statement.

"I don't hate you Yara" he admitted the one thing he thought he could never admit, but only because he knew that by the morning she'd forget about it.

"Yes you do" she sulked, grabbing his hand and slipping off the ring on it, twisting it onto her thumb.

"Give that back Yara" a challenging smirk settled on her face.

"Well if you want it......" she started getting off the bed.

"You're going to have to.......to catch me" Alejandro couldn't help but roll his eyes at seeing her opening the door and rushing downstairs.

"Yara" he followed after her. "Don't make me ask again"

He watched as she stumbled over objects in the living room before finally making it to the kitchen. Her laugh echoing through the whole room.

She stopped just in front of the marble island, flaunting the ring in his face. He walked up to her at a dominating pace. Cornering her against the marble island. He put his hand out, half expecting her to hand over his brother's ring but instead she got up top of a chair and then propped herself up on the marble island.

"Yara" he warned.

"Alejandro" she jokingly warned back, running a rough hand through his hair. He grabbed her wrist. "The ring Yara"

"Why do you want it?" She taunted.

"Beacuse it's mine?" He couldn't help but smirk, smirk at her slurred words, her naive nature, her beyond stupid question.

"Ok fine, take it then" she spoke, her thumb neared his face, Alejandro watched as she placed her thumb on his lower lip, just like he would do, except she was more gentle. He could already feel his dick getting hard. All he wanted to do was to fuck her into obedience on this very marble island.

But instead he roughly grabbed her thumb, ripping the ring off it, making her giggle.

"Are you angry at me?" She spoke, playing with his belt buckle. He could feel the fabric of his trousers tightening up.

"Yes, I'm fucking angry Yara" he husked and without another word he menacingly grabbed her wrists, pinning her down to the table harshly, earning a small wince.

Her playful mood suddenly shifted "I'm....sorry. I really am. I didn't mean to make.....make you angry" he watched as tears flooded from her eyes. His angry sexual tension built up in him faltered for a moment as he saw the genuine distress in her face.

"You think tears will fix this?" he demanded, letting go of her wrists, pulling her off the table, hauling her to her feet. She swayed, her knees buckling, but he steadied her, his grip firm.

"I thought you weren't coming"she whispered, her voice breaking. "I thought.....you wouldn't know"

"You thought wrong" he growled, his face inches from hers.

She hiccupped, a sob escaping her lips. "I'm sorry Alé I just wanted to feel free for once" he listened to her stammering out her drunk words.

Alé. She had called him, a nickname no one had ever used.

His chest tightened, but he didn't let it show. "Freedom" he said coldly "isn't destroying what doesn't belong to you"

She looked up at him, her tear streaked face a mix of guilt and something else, something vulnerable and raw.

"Aren't you going to tell me you missed me back?" she mumbled, barely audible.

For a moment, the room was silent, their gazes locked. Then, without another word, he scooped her up into his arms, carrying her up towards the bathroom. Completely ignoring her innocent little question.

"I thought you don't drink" he spoke as she giggled away, tears still falling from her eyes. She was a mess.

"I don't.....silly"

"Yeah? So then how are you drunk?" He questioned, smirking at her carefree state.

He watched as her brows furrowed "I.....I don't know" she murmured, resting her head onto his shoulder.

"Don't you dare drink again Yara, understand?" She huffed, looking back up at him.

"But you drink, so why can't I?" She inquired, her voice raspy and confused.

"Because I said so princess" she rolled her eyes at him.

"Ughhhh....." she replied her head dipping back to his shoulder.

"You'll regret this in the morning" he muttered, his tone softening despite himself.

Alejandro pushed the bathroom door open, the light flickering on above them. The stark brightness made Yara groan and bury her face against his chest.

"Alejandro, turn....off....the lights" she groaned, her words barely coherent.

"You're in no condition to give orders" he bit back, setting her down on the cool marble counter. His hands remained on her waist for a moment longer than necessary, as though ensuring she wouldn't slip off.

Yara swayed slightly, her head lolling to the side as she squinted at him. "Are you mad at me?" she whispered, her voice breaking with a tremor of guilt.

"Mad isn't the word" Alejandro muttered, grabbing a washcloth from the linen cabinet. He soaked it under cold water, wringing it out before turning back to her. "I trusted you to follow my orders. Instead, you've trashed my house and fucking intoxicated yourself"

She sniffled, her tear streaked cheeks glowing red from both alcohol and shame. "I didn't mean for it to get so out of hand. Heidi said it would be fine. I just wanted......I just wanted to feel normal for once"

Alejandro paused, his jaw tightening. He brought the damp cloth to her face, wiping away the streaks of mascara that had leaked down her face from the tears. His touch, though firm, was uncharacteristically careful.

"Normal?" His voice softened but retained its edge. "You think normal is getting drunk? Stupid girl"

She flinched under his words, her lower lip trembling. "I hate you" she slurred, though the conviction in her voice faltered.

"No, you don't" he replied coldly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You hate that I see through you"

Her watery gaze locked with his, defiance flickering in her hazy expression. "You don't see anything"

He leaned closer, his hand resting on the counter beside her. "Oh, I see everything, cariño. I see a little girl who's so desperate for control over her life, she'll destroy herself just to feel like she has some. I see someone who's terrified of admitting she might actually care what I think"

"Shut up" she snapped weakly, her hands pressing against his chest in an attempt to push him away. But the action lacked any real strength and he didn't budge.

"You think I didn't fucking miss you?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You've haunted me every damn day I've been gone, Yara. Do you know how much it enrages me that I can't get you out of my head?"

Her breath hitched, her heart pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears. Unexpectedly she started laughing, setting Alejandro aback "you're such a liar. You don't miss me, otherwise you wouldn't have left" she completely avoided his cold stare, instead playing with the end of his tie, twirling it about in her fingers. She didn't pay any mind to the way Alejandro's hands clenched onto the counter, the way his jaw tensed at her laughing. She didn't care, for once it didn't affect her.

He pulled back slightly, continuing to wipe the mascara and smudged makeup off her face "why would I lie?"

"Because Mr Moreno" she slurred out "you enjoy manipulating me, hurting me and then doing it all over again"

"Maybe I do....." he husked into her ear, his lips feathering over her skin. In that moment he didn't know why, why he hurt her, why he hated her as much as he did, and if it really was hate or just a way to mask his true feelings for her.

"I've ruined everything" he took in a breath, growing irritated at the fact she was crying again.

"Yeah, you have cariño. What are you going to do about it?" He asked even though he knew she wasn't going to give a proper answer.

She shook her head "I- I don't know Alejandro.....I didn't......I didn't think you'd come back this early"

"Exactly" he said sharply. "You don't fucking think" Her body stiffened at his words, the weight of his anger crashing over her. She tried to form a response, but her lips trembled uselessly, her mind clouded by both alcohol and emotion.

Alejandro left the bathroom, frustration peaking in his movement, she jumped down from the counter, following him back into his bedroom, sinking down into his mattress, her body limp with exhaustion and intoxication.

He stood over her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The anger in his chest warred with something softer, something more dangerous, an ache he didn't want to name.

"I should leave you to clean up the mess you've made" he said finally, his voice quiet but firm. "But you're not capable of even that right now"

Her eyelids fluttered, her lips parting as though to argue, but she said nothing. She was too far gone, her body finally giving in to the weight of the alcohol coursing through her veins.

Alejandro sighed, running a hand through his hair. His eyes roamed over her disheveled form, then to the room, the remnants of her recklessness evident in every corner. And yet, despite everything, he couldn't bring himself to walk away.

He grabbed a blanket from the foot of the bed and draped it over her, his fingers brushing her shoulder lightly. She stirred and for a brief moment, her hand reached out, brushing against his.

She looked so small, so fragile in that moment, and it made him feel something he hated, something that terrified him.

Vulnerability.

Alejandro turned to leave, but the soft sound of Yara stopped him "Don't go" she whispered, her words catching on a sob.

His hand froze on the doorknob. The tension in his shoulders was palpable as he slowly turned back to face her. Yara had pushed herself up slightly on the bed, her hair a mess. She clutched the blanket to her chest, her expression raw and vulnerable.

"I don't want to be alone" she murmured, her voice trembling.

"You should have thought about that before you threw a party in my bloody house" he bit out, though the sharpness in his tone was undermined by the conflicted look in his eyes.

She shook her head, her tears spilling more. "I'm sorry, okay? Why won't you listen to me!" Her voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands. "I'm just such a mess, Alejandro" Alejandro let out a harsh sigh, his frustration battling with something deeper. Before he could think better of it, he strode back to the bed, his movements deliberate.

"You are a mess" he said, his voice low as he sat on the edge of the mattress, staring down at her. "And you've done everything in your power to push me to my limits, haven't you?"

Yara peeked at him through her fingers, her expression a mixture of guilt and defiance. "Maybe" she muttered, her voice muffled.

He leaned closer, his hand gripping her wrist and pulling it away from her face. "You don't get to hide now" he said firmly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "You don't get to cry and apologize and hope it all goes away"

"I wasn't-" she started to argue, but the intensity in his gaze made her words falter.

"Remember" he spoke, his tone dangerous "you aren't the one in control here"

Something shifted in her hazy expression, a spark of rebellion flickering to life despite her tears. "Maybe I want to be in control for once" she shot back, her voice trembling but resolute.

Alejandro's brow arched, his lips curling into a dangerous smirk. "Do you?" he challenged, his tone laced with mockery. "Well it's too bad you don't have it in you princess"

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she hesitated. But the fire in her drunken courage burned brighter. Slowly, she leaned forward, her hands trembling as she rested them on his chest. He was testing her, and she knew it.

"I'm not scared of you" she said softly, though the slight quiver in her voice betrayed her.

"You should be" Alejandro replied, his voice like velvet over steel.

Yara's fingers curled into his shirt, and she pulled herself closer, her face just inches from his. "I don't want to be" she whispered, her lips brushing against his in the faintest of touches.

He froze, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied her, his jaw tight. "Yara" he warned, his voice low and threatening.

But she didn't stop. Emboldened by the alcohol and the raw emotion swirling between them, she pressed her lips to his. It was hesitant at first, a tentative exploration, but when he didn't pull away, she deepened the kiss.

Alejandro's resolve snapped like a taut wire. His hand shot up, tangling in her hair as he yanked her closer, his lips crashing against hers with a ferocity that left no room for doubt. The kiss was possessive, demanding, a clash of wills that neither seemed willing to surrender.

Yara gasped against his mouth, her fingers digging into his shoulders as he shifted, pulling her fully onto his lap. The blanket slipped from her grasp, pooling around her waist, but she didn't care. The heat between them was overwhelming, consuming, and for the first time, she felt like she wasn't drowning in her emotions but wielding them.

Alejandro pulled back just enough to look at her, his breathing ragged, her lips swollen from the intensity of their kiss. His gaze burned into hers, dark and unreadable, his hands still gripping her hips as though he couldn't bear to let go.

Her pulse raced, her drunken mind struggling to process the weight of his words. But instead of backing down, she met his challenge head on, her hands sliding to the collar of his shirt. She fumbled with the buttons, her frustration mounting as her fingers refused to cooperate.

Alejandro smirked, his hands covering hers to still them. "Careful" he teased, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "You might bite off more than you can chew"

Yara's eyes narrowed, and she yanked her hands free, determination etched across her face. "Maybe I like a challenge" she said, her words bold despite the slight slur.

Alejandro tilted his head, studying her like she was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve, his grip on her hips tightening as if to test her resolve. His thumb brushed against her skin, and he could feel her body tense, but she didn't pull away. If anything, she leaned closer, her defiance matching the storm brewing in his gaze.

"You like a challenge, huh?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Careful what you wish for, kitten. You might find yourself in over your head"

Yara's lips parted, her breath warm against his face as she whispered "Maybe that's what I need"

Alejandro's eyes darkened further, his jaw clenching as if waging a silent war within himself. Then, as though a decision had been made, he leaned forward, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

"Is that so?" he murmured, his tone laced with a dangerous promise. His hand slid from her hip to the small of her back, pulling her flush against him, forcing her to feel the raw tension coiling between them. "Because once I give you a taste, there's no going back"

Her heart thundered in her chest, a mixture of fear, excitement, and something far more dangerous coursing through her veins. She swallowed hard, her resolve faltering for just a moment under the weight of his intensity. But then, she lifted her chin, meeting his challenge head on.

"Then don't hold back" she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with unwavering determination.

Alejandro's lips twitched into a predatory smirk, his control snapping like a leash that had been pulled too tight for too long. In a single, fluid motion, he had her pinned beneath him on the bed, his hands bracketing her face as he claimed her lips in a kiss that was all consuming, his dominance undeniable.

Yara melted under him, her fingers tangling in his hair as she kissed him back with equal fervor, their emotions colliding like a violent storm. She could feel the weight of his anger, his frustration, and his unspoken longing in every movement.

But just as the heat threatened to consume them both, Alejandro pulled back, his breathing heavy as he stared down at her. His thumb traced her swollen lips, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his hardened exterior.

She was completely intoxicated, her emotions and inhibitions stripped bare by the alcohol coursing through her veins. He hated it, hated seeing her so exposed, so out of her mind, so clouded.

She continued to unbutton his shirt, cursing  when the buttons wouldn't open.

And for a moment, the tension in the room shifted.

"Yara" he said, his voice low but firm, his hands coming to rest lightly on her arms. Alejandro exhaled sharply, his jaw tight as he fought to keep his composure. The temptation to give in to her was almost unbearable, but the part of him that valued control, the part that cared, even if he didn't want to admit it, refused to fuck her senseless whilst she was already senseless to begin with.

Her hands slid down to his belt, desperate to unclasp the buckle. "I want this" she insisted, though her voice was thick with emotion. "I want you, Alejandro" she rasped out her mind intoxicated, her hand lightly brushing over his erect cock.

He caught her wrists, gently but firmly removing her hands from him. "No, you don't" he said, his tone unwavering

Alejandro sighed, his fingers brushing against her wrists before he released her and stood. "Get some sleep, Yara" he said, his tone softer now.

She watched him as he moved toward the door, her vision blurry with tears and frustration. "You're leaving me again?" she said, her voice a fragile whisper.

He paused, his hand on the doorknob, and for a moment, he looked over his shoulder at her. The conflict in his expression was undeniable.

"Someone has to clean up the mess you've fucking made Yara"

And with that, he opened the door and stepped out, closing it behind him.

Yara collapsed back onto the bed, her tears soaking into the pillow as her emotions swirled in a chaotic storm.

A/n

Feel like there's too much going on in this chapter but oh well 😭 enjoy lmao