Chapter 29 ۵ Tired

YARA'S POV

I pushed myself out of bed, running a hand through my tangled hair. I shook my head, trying to erase the memory of Alejandro's words from last night. But I just couldn't stop thinking about them.

What was I willing to give?

Nothing, at least, that's what I told myself.

I glanced at the clock, barely 7am but I didn't have time to waste. Today would be different, well as different as it could get. I sluggishly walked to the bathroom, freshening up, wrapping a towel loosely around my body before leaving.

"You know you don't have to wrap a towel around your body, it's only me and you here" my head quickly spun around at the voice. It was Alejandro, sat down, eyeing me up and down with an amused smirk plastered on his face. I rolled my eyes.

"And what about Rafael?"

"He's been long gone princess" he spoke tucking away a strand of my soaking wet hair.

His fingers teasingly moved to edge of my towel, as if he was going to unravel the towel for me but instead he backed his hand away.

He looked at the bedside table, his smirk fading "you didn't open your present?" I furrowed my brows only now just seeing the gift bag on the bedside table.

A smile formed on my lips "you got me a present?" He moved towards the bedside table.

"Open it" he instructed, forwarding me the bag.

Inside the bag was a brand new iPhone. I stared at it like it was a trap.

"Since you don't have one" he spoke. He swept a hand through his hair, his movements slow, calculated. "But, you can only contact a few people"

I glanced up at him. His dark eyes pinned me in place.

"Who?" I asked cautiously.

"Your family, Heidi" he said, his tone light "and me. That's it"

A part of me wanted to throw it right back at him, but I bit my tongue. I knew better than to argue with Alejandro when his voice was calm like that.

"Thanks" I said, though the words tasted bitter on my tongue.

He wasn't finished. "And, Yara" he added, almost lazily "you're free to leave the house whenever you want"

I blinked at him, trying to gauge if he was joking. Free to leave?

"Just don't get lost" he added, his lips quirking into a knowing smirk.

"I won't" I spoke moving towards the walk in closet, before I could he grabbed my arm in a menacing grip, making my breath hitch.

"Is that all?" He husked, his lips brushing over my ear.

"What? Do you want me to get down on my knees and worship you, Alejandro?" I yanked my arm out of his grip and he let me.

A wicked grin spread across Alejandro's face as he closed the distance between us once more, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement and something far more dangerous.

"You say it like it's such a bad idea" he murmured, his voice dripping with deadly sin."Because trust me, princesa, I'd make you enjoy every second of it"

My stomach twisted at his words, equal parts embarrassment and something I didn't want to name. I clenched my fists, glaring at him as my face slowly turned red, but he just smirked, his hand brushing down my arm deliberately slow, like he was daring me to push him away.

"You're disgusting" I spat, my voice sharp despite the tremble I couldn't hide.

He chuckled darkly, the sound low and intimate, like it was meant just for me. "And yet, you can't stop thinking about it, can you?"

Alejandro's smirk deepened, his hand sliding down to rest just above my hip. "Thinking about how you wouldn't just worship me. You'd beg me"

He tilted his head, his lips brushing over the shell of my ear as he continued, his voice thick with arrogance and heat. "On your knees, lips wrapped around my d-"

"Stop it!" I snapped, my face burning, but I couldn't hide the way my heart raced.

He chuckled darkly, clearly reveling in my reaction. "Why? Are you imagining it already?" His hand tightened slightly on my waist, his mouth grazing the curve of my neck now, deliberate and teasing. "Because trust me, if you ever do, I'll make sure you'll never want to stand up again Malik"

My heart pounded, anger and something hotter coursing through me. "Can you just leave" I hissed, shoving at his chest, trying to hide the embarrassment on my face but he barely budged, his grin only growing.

"As you wish princess" he murmured, stepping back just enough to let his gaze linger on me, like he'd already won.

🎀🎀🎀

By late afternoon, I decided to test his words. Free to leave? Fine.

I slipped out the side door, my heart pounding as I crossed the gravel drive and away from the men guarding the front gates. The air was warm, the countryside around the mansion stretching endlessly in all directions. It was quiet, too quiet. No traffic, no people, just me and the long, winding road ahead.

I kept walking, my steps quick and determined. This was it, my chance to figure out where the hell I was and maybe how to get away. But the farther I walked, the more hopeless it seemed.

I....i wasn't even completely sure if I wanted to find a way out.

There was nothing. No houses, no towns, not even a single car. Just endless fields and the occasional line of trees.

After what felt like hours, the sun started to sink. I was tired, sweating, and more lost than I wanted to admit. I pulled out the phone, thinking maybe Google maps could help me. Before I could decide, the screen lit up with a message. It was Alejandro.

Alejandro: What are you doing out so late?

My stomach dropped.

Almost instantly, the phone rang. I stared at the name flashing on the screen before answering. "Y-yeah?"

"What the fuck are you doing Yara" I closed my eyes taking a deep breath in.

"I was just....walking" I lied.

"Trying to escape, hm?" His voice was smooth, almost amused at the fact he caught me out on my plans.

My heart pounded in my chest. "I wasn't-"

"You've been wandering for hours" he interrupted. "Why so far from the mansion, Yara?"

I swallowed hard. "How......how do you know where I am?"

There was a pause, and I could hear the smugness in his silence. "Let's just say I always know where you are" he said eventually. His voice softened, but it wasn't comforting. It was the kind of soft that made my skin crawl.

Before I could even answer I heard a noise coming from the wooded area I was next to "A-Alejandro, I don't know wheee I am" I spoke, my voice a whisper.

"Yeah no shit Yara, your miles away from where you should be"

"I'm scared" my shaky voice let out.

"You should've thought about that before attempting to conduct a shitty escape plan. Stupid girl"

"Please Alejandro"

"Someone's coming to pick you up. Don't move"

The line went dead before I could argue.

When the black SUV pulled up, I climbed into the backseat without a word. The driver didn't even look at me, his face unreadable as he turned the car around and drove me back to the mansion.By the time we arrived, it was dark. Alejandro was waiting in the foyer, leaning casually against the staircase. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, his sleeves rolled up, and he looked.......relaxed. Too relaxed. The last time something like this happened he punished me with his anger.

"Enjoy your little adventure?" he asked, his tone light but mocking.

I crossed my arms, my pulse racing "How did you know where I was?"

He straightened up and started walking toward me. His steps were slow, deliberate. "Your phone" he said simply.

I froze. "You tracked me?"

He shrugged, like it was obvious. "Of course. Did you really think I'd let you have freedom without knowing where you were? I'm not stupid, Yara"

"Are you fucking serious?" I spat.

"Keep your voice down princess" he clenched his jaw.

"That's not fair Alejandro"

"Life isn't fair Yara. So how about you stop throwing a tantrum like a little bra-"

The anger hit me before the fear could stop it. I snatched the phone out of my pocket and hurled it at the ground. The screen shattered, the sound echoing through the room.

"I don't want it!" I shouted, my voice shaking, tears threatening to spill. He stopped a few feet away from me, staring at the broken phone. Then, to my disbelief, he chuckled. "You're adorable when you're angry" he jeered, his voice dripping with mockery.

I clenched my fists. "Go to hell" I snapped.

His smile only grew. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and I flinched. "Get some rest, love" he said, ignoring the venom in my glare, wiping my frustrated tears with the pads of his thumbs. The tension in the room was unbearable and before I knew it, my hand flew up and struck Alejandro across the face.

The sound echoed in the silence, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. His head barely moved from the impact, but the sharp sound of the slap hung in the air like a taunt.

I froze, my heart pounding as he slowly turned back to me. His dark eyes, which had been filled with that infuriating amusement just moments ago, turned cold.

"Did you just fucking hit me?" he asked, his voice deathly quiet.

I took a step back, my throat dry. "You deserved it" I managed to spit out, though my voice betrayed my fear.

His jaw clenched, and the vein in his temple pulsed. Without warning, he grabbed my wrist, his grip iron tight. I yelped, trying to pull away, but he didn't let go.

"You think you can hit me and walk away?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

"Alejandro, let go!" I cried, panic setting in as his fingers tightened.

His free hand shot up, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him. His face was close now, too close, his breath hot against my skin. "I thought we had learnt our lesson kitten" he hissed, his words sharp and venomous.

I tried to twist away, but it was useless. "Let go of me!" I whimpered, my voice strained.

He didn't. Instead, his grip on my wrist eased just enough to pull me closer. "You've got fire" he said, almost as if he were admiring it, but there was no kindness in his tone. "But don't mistake my patience for weakness, mi amor (my love). You don't want to see what happens when I lose it"

His hand dropped from my chin, but his presence loomed over me, suffocating.

I rubbed my wrist where his fingers had been, glaring at him despite the tears stinging my face and eyes. "Why won't let me go?" I said, my voice trembling.

He laughed, a dark, humorless sound. He stepped back "You should pray I stay patient with you"

I didn't move as he turned and left the room, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the hall. My knees buckled the moment he was gone, and I sank to the floor, my whole body shaking.

The shattered phone lay in pieces on the floor, but it felt like I was the one who had truly broken.

🎀🎀🎀

I was sitting by the window, staring out into the darkness. I hated how my mind kept circling back to him, the things he said, the way he looked at me, and the confusing mess of emotions he left behind.

The sound of footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Rafael entering the room, his usual confident smile firmly in place. Something about the way his gaze lingered on me made my heart skip. He'd been here a few times before, and I'd grown used to his presence, but this time, his expression was different. His eyes were sharper, more curious. It made me feel....exposed.

"Hey" he said, his tone light but deliberate. "You seen Alejandro around?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Haven't seen him all day" I replied, trying to keep my voice even. The mention of Alejandro's name tugged at something inside me, but I pushed it down.

Rafael didn't take a seat right away. Instead, he leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching me with a knowing look. "You seem a bit.....out of it" he said after a moment.

"I'm fine" I replied quickly, too quickly.

Rafael pushed off the doorway and walked further into the room, settling into the chair across from me. His presence wasn't as overwhelming as Alejandro's, but there was still something disarming about the way he carried himself, easy, relaxed, yet commanding.

"Doesn't look like fine" he said, tilting his head slightly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You know, I've been around long enough to recognize when someone's holding something back. Especially when it comes to him"

His words made my breath hitch. I glanced away, out the window, unwilling to let him see how close he was to the truth. "There's nothing to talk about, Rafe. I'm just tired"

"Yeah?" His tone was skeptical, and when I looked back, his eyes were sharper, searching mine. "Tired of what? Alejandro?"

I swallowed hard, suddenly unsure of how to respond. Rafael wasn't like Alejandro, he wasn't as intense or suffocating but there was a different kind of weight to him.

"You know, if you ever need someone to talk to.......I'm a good listener" he said, winking at me, his voice lowering slightly, a teasing edge creeping in. "Better than him anyway. Alejandro's not exactly what I'd call approachable"

A humorless laugh escaped me before I could stop it. "You think?"

Rafael chuckled too, leaning forward so his elbows rested on his knees. "I've known him for years. He's a lot of things, cold, demanding, unpredictable. I've seen it all. But with you..." He paused, his eyes locking on mine. "With you, it's different"

I froze, his words hanging in the air between us. "Different?"

Rafael nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You get under his skin. You make him.......lose control" His voice softened, almost conspiratorial. "I can tell. I've never seen him act the way he does around you"

I didn't know what to say. The idea of Alejandro losing control because of me was unsettling, but there was something thrilling about it too, a pull I couldn't explain.

"You must be brave, though" Rafael continued, his tone shifting to something lighter, almost playful. "Most people wouldn't dare to stand up to him, let alone get him to care about something as much as he cares about you"

I rolled my eyes softly, shaking my head. "If by care you mean controlling my every move and ruining my life, then sure, he cares a lot"

Rafael smiled, but there was a flicker of something serious in his expression. "He's not good at showing it. Doesn't mean it's not there. But you....." His voice trailed off, his gaze holding mine for just a beat too long. "You don't deserve to be dragged down by his darkness"

His words caught me off guard, a mix of sincerity and something else, something that felt dangerous.

"I'm fine, Rafe" I said softly, more to myself than to him.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes still on me, a faint smirk returning to his lips. "You keep saying that. But I've seen people in Alejandro's orbit before, and they don't usually look as.......out of place as you do. You don't belong in his world, Yara"

My chest tightened at his words, a pang of sadness cutting through me. "And what if I don't have a choice?"

Rafael's gaze darkened slightly, and he leaned forward again, his voice dropping to a murmur. "There's always a choice"

The intensity of his words made my pulse quicken. Was he offering me something? An escape? Or was it just empty talk?

Before I could figure it out, his expression shifted, a teasing grin replacing the seriousness. "Of course, if you ever get bored of brooding and dangerous, I'm happy to show you what a good time looks like"

I furrowed my brows, caught between a laugh and a blush. "Is this your idea of comforting me? Flirting?"

"Who said I was flirting?" he shot back, feigning innocence. "Maybe I'm just being honest. I've got a way of making people smile, you know"

Before I could respond, I heard the door to the hallway slam open. My heart stopped in my chest, and my breath caught in my throat. Alejandro.

I glanced up just in time to see him stagger into the room, his eyes bloodshot, face flushed with anger. He was drunk. And as soon as he saw me talking to Rafael, his expression shifted from annoyance to fury.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Alejandro's voice was low, but the venom in it was unmistakable. "Rafael, you better get the hell out of here"

Rafael didn't flinch. He just raised an eyebrow, standing his ground. "What's your problem, man?"

"You know damn well what my problem is" Alejandro spat, glaring at him with all the intensity of a storm. "Get. Out" he spoke through clenched teeth.

I could feel the tension in the room thickening, the air heavy with the threat of something volatile. Rafael shot me a look, one that almost seemed to be apologetic, but I wasn't sure what he was apologizing for. Then, without another word, he turned and began to walk towards the door.

"I don't need you here either princess" Alejandro spat, his lips turning to grimace, his voice harsh.

I stayed sat, watching as he only became more angered "Yara leave now, before I make you leave"

Rafael shot him a look, something between frustration and disbelief. "You don't need to act like a damn tyrant, Alejandro. You're drunk. You're out of control, don't take it out on her"

Alejandro ran a hand through his hair.

"I thought I told you to bloody leave, Rafe" Alejandro growled, his tone chilling.

Rafael hesitated, clearly torn. But, ultimately, he sighed and gave me one last look before walking out of the room, leaving me alone with Alejandro. The door slammed shut behind him with an eerie finality, and I knew what was coming.

Alejandro's gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, I froze. He was angry. Furious. But there was something else there, something dark that sent a chill through me. I felt my heart pounding in my chest as Alejandro stalked toward me.

I got up to levee too but I guess the offer he had given me before had expired because instead of letting me leave he roughly pushed me back down on the sofa.

"What do you want Alejandro?"

"What do I want?" He let out a humourless chuckle.

I waited for him to carry on "to teach you a lesson" I rolled my eyes getting up from the sofa, but before I could take more than 5 steps he he grabbed me by my waist and hauled me over his shoulder.

"Don't fucking roll your eyes at me Yara" he husked, sending a sharp slap to my ass, making me yelp.

"Fucking stop....Alejandro" my voice was strained from being partially upside down but I didn't have the energy to resist.

"You don't get to have anyone else, Yara" he snarled, his breath hot against my ear. "You're mine. And you will remember that"

"This is about Rafael? Are you crazy Alejandro, all we do is talk, nothing mor-" my voice was shut down by another sharp slab on my ass.

"Stop talking" he growled, taking me up to his bedroom.

AUTHOR'S POV

Alejandro carried Yara into his dimly lit bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them with a resounding bang. He dumped her onto the bed, the plush mattress barely cushioning her fall. Yara scrambled to sit up, her chest heaving and eyes wide as she watched him looming over her.

"You think you can just walk away from me?" Alejandro growled, his voice low and dangerous. "That you can act like a little whore in front of other men"

"I didn't....I wasn't......" she stammered, but he cut her off by seizing her wrists in an iron grip, yanking her arms above her head. He pinned them down against the bed with one large hand while the other roughly grabbed her jaw, forcing her to look at him.

"You're mine, Yara" he hissed through gritted teeth. "Every inch of you belongs to me. And I won't let anyone else touch what's mine"

His dark eyes bore into hers, filled with possessive fury. Yara tried to twist out of his grasp, but he was too strong. His hold on her wrists tightened as he leaned in closer, his face mere inches from hers.

"You think I'd fuck your best friend?" She bitterly laughed, defiance in her tone.

Alejandro's eyes narrowed dangerously at the taunt. "Careful, princess" he warned darkly. "You're treading on thin fucking ice"

Yara just smirked up at him, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Are you scared I was going to fuck him? Scared someone else would claim me, huh Alejandro?"

Alejandro's fist clenched at his side, his knuckles turning white. He looked ready to explode with rage. "Don't test me, Yara" he snarled out. He tore open her blouse, sending buttons flying across the room. Her breasts out, nipples already pebbled with arousal. Yara gasped as cool air hit her heated skin, but she couldn't look away from the pure fury etched into Alejandro's handsome face.

"You want to play games?" he purred, palming her breasts roughly. "Let's play then"

Alejandro pinched and tugged at her sensitive peaks, sending jolts of pleasure and pain straight to her core. Yara whimpered, arching into his touch despite herself.

"That's it" Alejandro growled, tweaking her nipples between his fingers. "Let me hear you moan for me slut" He slid a hand under her skirt, pushing her panties aside to delve into her dripping folds. Yara cried out at the intimate touch, her head falling back against the pillows.

"Fuck, you're soaked" Alejandro groaned, circling her clit with his thumb. "So fucking wet for me. Good girl"

He plunged two fingers inside her without warning, pumping them in and out at a brutal pace. Yara keened loudly, her hips bucking against his hand as he fucked her hard and deep.

"That's it, baby" he growled, leaning down to capture her lips in a bruising kiss. Yara moaned into his mouth, surrendering to the pleasure coiling in her belly. She could feel her orgasm building, the tension spiraling tighter and tighter with each thrust of Alejandro's fingers. But, just as she was about to unfold, he withdrew completely, leaving her empty and aching. Yara whined in protest, trying to grind herself against his thigh for friction.

"Don't stop Alé" she begged, her voice thick with need. "Please......I was so close....."

Alejandro just chuckled darkly, trailing his wet fingers up her quivering stomach. "Not yet, mi amor. First, I want to hear you say it"

Say what?" Yara panted out, confusion clouding her lustful gaze.

"That you're mine" he snarled. "That no one else will ever touch you like this. That you belong to me and me alone"

Yara stiffened at his demand, anger flashing in her eyes. "I don't belong to anyone, Alejandro" she spat out. "Especially not some arrogant, possessive assho-" before she could finish he sent a sharp slap to pussy, the stinging sensation making her go red. Alejandro's eyes narrowed dangerously. Before she could react, he had flipped them over so that she was straddling his hips, his thick cock pressing insistently against her entrance.

"Let me be clear, Yara" he bit out through gritted teeth. "You are mine. Every inch of you belongs to me. And if I find out that you've been letting anyone else near what's mine......"

His hand fisted in her hair, yanking her head back sharply. Yara yelped at the sudden pain, but she could feel her arousal spike.

"......I'll make them pay" Alejandro continued darkly.

Yara whimpered as he positioned her over his thick, throbbing erection. She could feel the broad head nudging at her entrance, slick with her juices.

"I want you to ride me" Alejandro commanded, gripping her hips tightly. "Show me how much you want this dick"

Yara hesitated at first, she was conflicted for only a moment before sinking down onto his cock with a low moan. Alejandro groaned as her wet heat enveloped him, his eyes shutting closed for a moment.

"Fuck, just like that" he praised, guiding her hips as she began to move. "Take what you need, baby girl"

She rode him for a few minutes, her inexperience clear from her slow and cautious movements. Alejandro couldn't take it anymore, he wanted to more, his hands dug into her hips and instead of giving her control he took it away by hammering into her tight pussy, hard and fast, her breasts bouncing with each rise and fall. Alejandro watched her hungrily, his gaze filled with dark possession. He set a punishing pace, fucking up into her hard and deep. The obscene sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the room, mixing with Yara's cries of pleasure.

"You're mine" he growled, reaching up to palm her tits roughly. "This body belongs to me. No one else gets to see you like this"

"Understand, you stupid girl?" He slapped her heated ass again, making her buck her hips deeper.

"Y-yeah" she moaned out.

"Good" he smirked, reaching down, rubbing her clit in tight circles. Yara bucked against him, her orgasm building quickly. Yara gasped as he pinched her nipples, the sharp zing of painful pleasure sending sparks straight to her core. She leaned forward, bracing her hands on his chest as he pounded into her cunt.

"Oh god" she panted out, feeling another orgasm building. "A-Alejandro.....I'm gonna....."

"Beg for it" Alejandro demanded.

"Please!" Yara cried out, desperation clear in her voice as she teetered on the edge of ecstasy. "Please let me cum......I need it so ba...."

Alejandro chuckled darkly, continuing to fuck her pussy. "Such a needy little slut" he purred. "Begging for my cock like a whore"

Yara whimpered, her hips bucking wildly as she chased her release. "I'm not a fucking whore " she spat through her endless moans.

"Whatever makes you sleep at night princess" he grunted in between thrusts, fucking her harder.

Just as she was about to crash over the edge, Alejandro abruptly stopped. He stopped drilling into her pussy, moving her away from his throbbing cock.

Tears of frustration pricking at the corners of her eyes. "Why did you stop? I was so close" her breathy voice let out. Alejandro grinned down at her, his eyes glinting with sadistic amusement. "Because I can" he said simply, giving her ass a sharp smack.

He flipped them over so that she was lying flat on her back, legs spread wide. Alejandro knelt between her thighs.

"You're not in charge here, Yara" he growled, tracing a finger down her sternum and over her navel. "I am. And I'll give you what you need......when I decide you've earned it"

Yara whimpered pathetically, her hands fisting in the sheets as she writhed beneath him. "Please" she begged shamelessly. Alejandro tsked, shaking his head slowly.

"You'll take what I give you and be grateful for it puta" His hand clenched down on her inner thigh, leaving a red handprint behind.

"Fuck you!" She shouted, earning a quick slap to her dripping pussy, she whimpered, snapping her legs shut. She watched as he zipped his jeans back up, sliding his belt on

"You know, I should punish you for that little outburst"

Yara glared up at him defiantly, her cheeks flushed and hair disheveled. He paused, looking back over his shoulder with a mocking smile. "Although from the way you're squirming, it seems you're enjoying my teasing a bit too much" Yara bit her lip, trying to suppress a whimper at his words.

Before I could answer his phone rang. He ignored it, continuing to focus his gaze on me.

Yara glared at him, her teeth gritted. "You think you're so tough, so in control. But you're just a cruel, sadistic bastard who gets off on other people's pain"

Alejandro just laughed, buttoning up his shirt. "And you're a brat who needs to be put in her place" He bent down, getting in her face. "I could destroy you, Yara. Ruin you completely. But I prefer to watch you unravel slowly, piece by piece" He straightened up, tucking his shirt in. "When I get back, I expect you to be on your knees, ready to apologize for that little outburst. Understand?"

Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Yara naked and fuming on the bed. The door clicked shut behind him with a finality that made her want to scream.

Yara sat frozen on the bed, her fists clutching the sheets so tightly her knuckles turned pale. Alejandro's words echoed in her mind, sharp and cutting, leaving a storm of anger and frustration in their wake. She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her skin, and it made her stomach twist with conflicting emotions.

'I could destroy you, Yara. Ruin you completely'

Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the closed door. The sound of his footsteps had long faded down the hallway, leaving the room shrouded in silence. For a few minutes, she just sat there, glaring at the space where he'd been as if she could summon him back just to scream at him.

Her pulse thrummed with adrenaline as she swung her legs off the bed. "He thinks he can control me?" she muttered under her breath, wiping at the stray tear that rolled down her cheek.

After quickly pulling on her skirt and a fresh shirt, Yara stormed out of the bedroom, her heart still pounding in her chest. Her skin burned with residual frustration, anger prickling at her as Alejandro's words echoed in her mind. She gritted her teeth as she descended the stairs, determined to shake off his hold on her, even if it was only in her head.

When she reached the living room, she stopped abruptly. Alejandro was there, sitting in one of the large armchairs, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked composed and maddeningly unaffected, his sharp jaw tense as he stared into the amber liquid swirling in his glass. Across from him sat Rafael, relaxed on the couch with an easy smile, a casual confidence about him that felt out of place in the heavy atmosphere.

Both men looked up as she entered the room, but Alejandro's gaze barely lingered before flicking back to his drink. The fact that he didn't even care she was there sent a fresh wave of irritation through her. Rafael, on the other hand, smiled warmly. "Yara" he greeted, his voice smooth as ever. "Decided to join us?"

"Looks that way" she said curtly, walking toward the couch. Her gaze lingered on Alejandro, who didn't spare her a second glance, before she sat down deliberately close to Rafael instead of Alejandro. She didn't know why she was doing this, why she was risking angering him but some reckless part of her wanted to get a rise out of him.

Rafael raised an eyebrow at her sudden closeness but said nothing, a subtle smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Didn't expect company tonight" he teased lightly, his voice low enough that it felt almost intimate.

Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at Alejandro. He sat perfectly still, swirling the whiskey in his glass as though he hadn't noticed the exchange. His face was unreadable, but something about the way his grip tightened ever so slightly around the glass gave her the faintest hint of satisfaction.

Rafael chuckled softly at her response, his voice like a low rumble. "You know, if you ever need to talk......or need a change of scenery, I'm around, I know my best friend can be a dick" He said it lightheartedly.

She tilted her head, letting herself laugh softly in return. "I'll keep that in mind"

This time, Alejandro's eyes lifted just slightly from his drink. It was quick, barely a flicker, but Yara saw it. Her stomach twisted in triumph even as her nerves prickled under his unseen scrutiny.

Rafael seemed to notice the tension but brushed it off as he leaned back into the couch, looking entirely at ease. "So, Alejandro" he said casually, his voice breaking the silence. "You're awfully quiet tonight"

Alejandro's gaze slowly rose to meet Rafael's. "Am I?" he replied coolly, his voice steady, though there was a faint edge to it. Alejandro's reaction or lack of one only added to her frustration. She shifted slightly closer to Rafael, letting her knee brush against his. It was subtle but intentional, and she watched Alejandro carefully for any sign that he noticed.

Nothing.

Alejandro didn't so much as blink. He sat back in the chair, bringing the whiskey to his lips in a slow, deliberate movement as if the two of them weren't even there.

Yara clenched her jaw, the anger bubbling to the surface. He doesn't care. He really doesn't care. The realization stung far more than it should have. She turned her attention back to Rafael, forcing herself to smile wider.

"So, Rafael" she said, her voice a little too light. "Tell me, what's more fun, sitting around here or actually getting out and doing something interesting?"

Rafael's brows lifted, intrigued. "Depends on the company"

Yara laughed, her voice airy. "Well, I'm sure you can handle better company than this"

The sharp clink of Alejandro's glass on the table sliced through the room like a blade. Yara's heart jolted in her chest, her gaze snapping to him as he rose from the armchair with an air of indifference. He didn't glance at her, didn't even acknowledge her as he turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Yara blurted out before she could stop herself, her voice sharper than she intended. She regretted it immediately, but she couldn't hide the sting she felt at his sudden exit.

Alejandro paused, his broad shoulders still and rigid. Slowly, he turned just enough to glance at her, his expression cold and unreadable. "I have better things to do" His voice was clipped, low. Without another word, he turned and strode toward the hallway.

"Always so dramatic, huh, Alejandro?" Rafael quipped, his voice breaking the tense silence as he stood up. His tone was playful, but there was an edge to it. He glanced back at Yara with a half smile. "Well, seems I've overstayed my welcome"

Rafael's smile turned rueful as he met her gaze. "I'll see you soon" I lightly smiled at him as he left, walking toward the door where Alejandro was already waiting, leaning casually against the frame. Rafael muttered something to Alejandro under his breath as he approached, low enough that Yara couldn't hear, but Alejandro's response was audible.

"Mind your business" Alejandro replied flatly, not even looking at his best friend. Rafael shook his head with a small chuckle. "You're insufferable sometimes, you know that?"

Alejandro didn't respond. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, his footsteps fading into the hall. Rafael shot Yara a final glance, his expression softer this time. "Goodnight, Yara" he said simply before following Alejandro out.

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Yara alone in the heavy silence of the living room. She sank back against the couch, her arms wrapping around herself as she stared at the empty doorway. The ache in her chest was infuriating, why did she care so much? She'd wanted to provoke Alejandro, to make him react, but instead, he'd walked away like none of it mattered. Like she didn't matter. With a frustrated sigh, she leaned her head back against the cushions, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Time passed slowly, the room growing darker as the hours stretched on. No matter how hard she tried to push it down, the hollow feeling in her chest remained.

That night, unable to take the silence and the heaviness pressing on her, Yara made her way up the stairs. Her steps were quiet, her heart pounding as she stopped in front of Alejandro's bedroom door. It was slightly ajar, the faint light of the moon filtering through the crack. She hesitated. Gently, she pushed the door open and slipped inside. The room was dark, cold, the breeze from the open window making her hairs prick up. Alejandro lay on the bed, his arm resting under his head, his chest rising and falling steadily. For a brief moment, Yara thought he might be asleep, but something about the way his body was so still made her wonder.

Quietly, she crossed the room and slipped onto the bed beside him. The mattress dipped slightly as she sat on the edge, and Alejandro didn't move. He stayed perfectly still as if he hadn't noticed her presence.

Don't ignore me, she thought bitterly, though she didn't dare say it aloud.

After another moment of hesitation, she shifted onto the bed fully, sliding next to him and under the duvet. Slowly, carefully, she leaned into him, resting her head against his chest, his body bringing some warmth to her.

"Yara" Alejandro's voice came low and rough, startling her slightly. He didn't sound angry, just tired, maybe even resigned. "What are you doing?"

She swallowed hard, her heart hammering. "I don't know...."

"That's not an answer" he muttered, but his arm shifted, curling gently around her back.

Yara blinked in surprise. She'd expected him to push her away, to bark some cold command for her to leave, but instead, he held her there, his touch warm and solid. The room was quiet except for the sound of his heartbeat under her ear, steady and rhythmic, grounding her.

"I thought you hated me right now" she whispered, trying to sound more casual than she felt. Alejandro let out a soft exhale, his fingers idly brushing up and down her back. "You exhaust me, Yara" he said quietly, though there was no malice in the words.

"You're the one who's exhausting" she shot back, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. "You act like I don't exist half the time, and the other half, you-" She stopped, unsure of how to finish the sentence. He didn't respond right away. For a long moment, there was only silence between them again. Alejandro's fingers stilled against her back, his arm tightening slightly as he pulled her closer.

"You don't know when to quit, do you?" he murmured finally.

"Well neither do you" The words were out before she could stop them.

She felt Alejandro's chest rise sharply beneath her head, as if her words had taken him off guard. He didn't say anything, but she could tell by the way his grip on her shifted that something had changed. She looked up at him.

"I'm tired Alejandro" she spoke.

"Go to sleep" he replied.

"I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of this" his body stiffened at her words. Alejandro stared at her for a long moment, then, with a quiet exhale, he pulled her back down against him, his arms wrapping around her like he was afraid to let her go.

"Go to sleep cariño" he repeated, his voice quiet but firm. Yara closed her eyes, letting herself relax against him. The warmth of his embrace surrounded her, steady and solid.

Yara drifted off to sleep, she felt safe, wrapped in the arms of the man who drove her mad but whom she couldn't seem to stay away from. And Alejandro, for all his walls and sharp edges, held her tighter, as if she was the only thing keeping him grounded.

A/n

Enjoyyy! 👹