Chapter 33 ۵ Leave

YARA'S POV

I was sitting at the kitchen island, speaking to Elena. She told me about how good her life was now that she moved to Spain. I smiled knowing that at least one of us was enjoying this whole experience. She shoved a piece of chocolate into her mouth when Alejandro waked into the room. He looked at me like I was a problem he had to solve, one he didn't particularly mind solving.

"Yara" he said, his tone already carrying that note of authority I hated.

I stopped my conversation with Elena midway. "What?"

"There's an event this weekend"

"And?" I muttered, concentrating on Elena which didn't last for long because the next second she got down from her seat, announcing she needed to go to the bathroom as she practically sprinted out the room. I could help but laugh at her but my smile soon faded as I looked back at Alejandro.

"And you'll be coming with me" he said, grabbing a glass of water from the counter.

That made me look up. "What?"

"You heard me" he said, taking a sip, his calmness making it even more infuriating.

"No, I'm not going Alejandro" I said, shaking my head.

"Yes, you are" he spoke, his voice deadly.

"I don't want to go" I protested, crossing my arms.

He leaned against the counter, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as if he were trying to figure out how best to deal with a child throwing a tantrum. "That's unfortunate" he said dryly. "You're going anyway"

"I have no interest in whatever mob boss convention you're hosting" I said, leaning back in my chair.

He smirked, his expression infuriatingly smug. "That's cute, but like I've said before, this isn't a fucking discussion"

"Why can't you just get some other girl to go with you" I rolled my eyes. He stopped in his tracks, a smirk tugging at his lips as he held my chin turning my face up to look at him "because I want you cariño" before I could answer he was already moving on. He let go of my chin.

"You'll need a dress"

"Something that makes people pay attention to you"

"Oh, you mean like a neon sign that says 'Help, I'm being held against my will'?"

"Funny" he said, unbothered. "I'm serious, Yara. Pick something pretty"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why not just go alone? You'll be fine"

"Like I said I want to go with you. You should be grateful really" I hated the way my stomach flipped at those words, so I masked it with sarcasm. "Lucky me"

Alejandro just smirked. "You have two days to find something suitable"

"Well then i guess I'll be doing nothing in those two days because I won't be goin-" he grabbed my wrists firmly, making me wince. He brought me closer to him, chest against his.

"Don't make me punish you princess. Now be a good girl and do as I say" I clenched my teeth, that was all I could do I didn't have it in me to do anything else. When he let go I began to calm down my heartbeat going back to normal as he slowly left the room.

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The rest of the day I know I had no choice but to look for an outfit. My personal that Alejandro had so kindly gotten to help pick out a dress for me gave me two of the best options to pick from. Dark red or black, but I couldn't decide. I don't know whose idea it was to let me have the final decision because me being as Indecisive as I was it would take me years to pick out a dress. Every time I thought I liked the black one more, something would bring me closer to the red. After a few hours of deciding absolutely nothing, I realised I needed another opinion. I went to Elena, who was watching a movie on the tv. She looked to concentrated on it that I felt bad interrupting her to ask her boring questions. I sighed making my way across the house, dreading having to ask Alejandro.

Alejandro was seated at his desk, engrossed in whatever important mafia thing he had going on. Papers were scattered across the polished wood, a half empty glass of whiskey sat to his right, and his usual brooding aura made the air heavy.

"Alejandro" I said, stepping into the room with my phone in hand.

He didn't look up. "Not now, Yara" his dismissal made me almost hurt.

"It's important" I insisted, moving closer until I was standing right in front of his desk.

"Everything's important to you when it means interrupting me" he muttered, still not looking up.

I smirked at his comment, ignoring his dismissive tone. "I need you to pick one for me"

"Pick what?"

"Red or black" I said, shoving my phone in his line of sight, right on top of the documents he was staring at. I showed him the two dresses.

"I need to buy a dress for your event thing" I told him, taking a seat onto his desk.

His gaze flicked up to me. "Then buy one and leave me alone" he spoke his jaw clenching as he shoved the phone away from his papers.

I huffed. "I can't decide. You have to pick"

"I don't have to do anything"

I rolled my eyes. "Come on, Alejandro. Just say a color. Red or black?"

"No" he said flatly, his pen scratching across the paper in front of him.

I stared at him, dumbfounded by his sheer stubbornness. Fine. If he wanted to act like a wall, I'd just have to attempt to chip away at him. I reached across the desk, snatching the pen right out of his hand. "If you won't help, you don't get to work"

"Fucking hell Yara" he said, his voice low, warning.

"What?" I twirled the pen between my fingers, grinning at his irritation. "I'm just borrowing it"

"Give it back" he ordered.

"Nope"

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing. "You really want to do this right now?"

"Mhm, absolutely" I said, tapping the pen against the desk in a steady rhythm. He furrow his brows slightly before taking another pen and continuing with his work, or at least trying to.

He exhaled sharply, his patience clearly wearing thin as I continued to tap my pen.

"Alejandro, just pick it's for your stupid mafia convention or whatever anyways" he looked up at me in pure irritation. But still, I wasn't done. Setting the pen aside, I reached for his right hand, lacing my fingers through his without warning. His palm was warm, his grip instinctively tightening around mine before he could stop himself.

"What are you doing now?" he asked, his tone heavy with exasperation.

"Well you can't exactly write without your hand" I said innocently, tracing my thumb along the curve of his knuckles.

"Yara" he said, his voice sharper now.

"Yes?"

"Stop"

"Make me" I teased, still playing with his hand, my fingers now tracing the lines on his palm, he didn't move it away. He stared at me for a long moment, his jaw ticking. Then, with a sudden, swift motion, he pulled me forward, the movement making me lose my balance on the desk. I stumbled forward, landing awkwardly in his lap.

"Now you've bloody done it princess" he said, his voice low and dangerous. I blinked, startled, but quickly recovered. "You could've just picked a color, how is this my fault?" I said, trying to wriggle out of his grip.

His arm wrapped firmly around my waist, holding me in place. "And you could've left me alone. But here we are princess" I stared into his eyes for a moment too long, gulping down the lump in my throat.

"Black" he finally said, his tone clipped. "Now get off me" but I didn't budge, I was glued to his lap, intoxicated by the close proximity. I could smell the strong cologne he always wore, I could hear his irritated breaths, I could feel the warmth of his chest and I never wanted to let go of that warmth.

"I said black Yara" he repeated, his voice smooth but sharp "and you're still here" I crossed my arms, feigning indifference. "Maybe I don't want to get off of you Alé" I could tell he didn't fail to notice the nickname I had given him. His dark eyes narrowed, his gaze dropping to where my fingers had begun absentmindedly fiddling with his tie. "I'm comfortable right here" I carried on, staring down at his tie.

"Comfortable causing trouble, maybe"

"I wouldn't call it trouble" I said sweetly, tugging lightly on the tie. "You're the one who put me here"

"You put yourself here" he countered, his free hand now resting against the desk. His fingers drummed lightly, but his focus stayed on me.

"You could've just picked a color in the first place" I teased, playing with the silky material between my fingers. "I bet you secretly enjoyed all this attention" I smirked as I teased him. He leaned in slightly, his face inches from mine, and my breath hitched. "Is that what you think?" he murmured, his voice dangerously low.

My heart stuttered, but I refused to back down. "Well you aren't denying it" The corner of his mouth twitched, a smirk threatening to break through the mask he always wore. "Yara, you have five seconds to get off my lap before I-"

"Before you what?" I interrupted, leaning closer, our faces now impossibly close.

"Push your luck" he warned, his tone calm but loaded with meaning.

I tilted my head, staring into his dark eyes. "Maybe I already have" He let out a low, exasperated sigh, releasing my waist just enough for me to feel like I could move, but I didn't. Still, I stayed right where I was, my fingers tracing patterns over his tie.

"I have work to do" he said, his patience clearly wearing thin.

"And I have to choose a dress" I countered. "Red, I think" I stifled back the smile that was threatening to show.

He raised an eyebrow. "I said black"

"And I said red" I replied, giving his tie a tug. He reached up, his fingers lightly circling my wrist, pulling my hand away from his tie.

"You don't listen, do you?" he said softly, though the intensity in his voice betrayed the calm facade.

"Well, I like red better" I said, matching his tone.

He studied me for a long moment, his grip on my wrist firm but not painful. "Then why did you bother asking me if you knew your answer" he tightened his grip on my wrist, his voice husky.

"To give me an excuse"

His eyes scanned my face "An excuse to do what?"

"To talk to you, annoy you, to sit on your lap" his eyes turned darker, his hand still on my wrist, his other hand moving up to my face, his thumb pulling down on my lip.

"So desperate for me, Hm?" he let go of my lip, then my wrist. His hand moved towards my hair, fisting it lightly as his other hand reached under my shirt, his hand moved towards my breasts. His cold fingers teased my nipples, making me shudder, but before he could have his way with me I pulled away, getting up off of him.

"Red it is then" I spoke, brushing down my shirt, watching as the lust faded and frustration settled in on him.

He leaned back in his chair. "Fine. Get the red dress. But don't bother me about it again Malik"

"And what about my hair? Up or down?" I asked, his lips tugged up into a smile, he was clearly amused.

"I don't know Yara" he went back to his document.

"What do you mean you don't know" this time I was the one getting irritated, all he could do was chuckle at my response.

"Down" he finally answered.

"See was that so hard Alejandro?"

"You don't want to know what was hard baby" he spoke, amusement dripping from his tone. I ignored his comment.

"And what about my heels, what colour-" he pinched the bridge of his nose "Out Yara" he sighed.

I grinned "Fine then, I guess I won't be nice enough to take your opinion again" he smirked, focusing back on his papers.

I was going to walk out of his room and leave him to peace when he ushered me over "come here" he ordered. I obeyed, moving towards him, he got up from his chair and without a warning he leaned down to my lips and placed a rough, intense kiss on them, before letting go and allowing for me to leave his office.

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Elena had left. She was surprisingly not as sad as I was about her leaving. I guess the house she stayed at wasn't that bad after all.

I stood in front of the mirror, the deep red satin dress hugging my body perfectly. It shimmered under the light, flowing down to the floor with a slit that revealed just enough leg to make me second guess my choice.

A knock on the door startled me, and before I could respond, the door opened. Alejandro strode in, his presence filling the room before he even said a word. I turned to face him, my pulse quickening as his dark blue eyes swept over me. He didn't speak right away. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, his head tilting slightly as his gaze traveled slowly from the top of my head to the tips of my heels.

"Say something" I muttered, feeling more exposed by his silence than the daring neckline of the dress.

He pushed off the doorframe and stalked toward me, his footsteps deliberate. When he stopped just a breath away, I had to crane my neck to meet his eyes.

"If I could...." He paused, his voice dropping to a low, gravelly tone. "I would rip this tight dress straight off that pretty body of yours and fuck you right here, right now"

My breath hitched, my fingers twitching at my sides. "Well it's too bad you can't" I played off my pure arousal by throwing out a teasing comment. His lips twitched into the faintest smirk, but his gaze stayed locked on mine.  His hand reached out, his fingers brushing against my exposed collarbone, trailing down slowly, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.

"You think this is a game, don't you?" he murmured, his voice rough and low. "Playing innocent, throwing out those little comments"

I swallowed hard, my breath catching at the intensity in his eyes. "I'm not doing anything" I said, my voice softer than I intended, betraying me.

"Liar" he said, his tone holding a dangerous edge.

I couldn't help the defiant smirk that tugged at my lips, even though my heart was pounding. "Maybe you're just too easy to rile up" I said, tilting my head slightly, daring him to react.

His eyes darkened, and he let out a low chuckle that sent a shiver down my spine. "Careful, Yara" he said, his fingers suddenly hooking under my chin, tilting my face up to meet his. "You don't want to see what happens when I stop holding back"

My breath hitched, and I couldn't stop myself from leaning into his touch just slightly, the heat between us almost unbearable. "Maybe I do" I whispered. His hand slid down from my chin, grazing my neck before stopping at my waist. He pulled me closer, his grip firm but not painful, his other hand coming up to rest lightly against the small of my back.

I could feel the heat of his body through the thin fabric of my dress, the tension between us crackling like a live wire. His lips were so close to mine, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me.

Instead, he smirked again, his gaze dropping to my lips before meeting my eyes. "If you were wearing black I would've fucked you right here, right now" he mused. I felt my cheeks heat, and I looked away, trying to hide the way his words affected me.

"Still annoyed I didn't choose what you wanted?"

"Maybe I am princess" I lightly laughed at his response.

"Here" he said simply, holding out the small velvet box that he placed on the table when he first came in.

I stared at it for a moment before taking it hesitantly. "What's this?"

"Open it and find out" he said, his voice calm but laced with that ever present authority.

I flipped open the box to reveal a necklace a stunning piece of delicate gold with a single diamond pendant. It was simple but breathtaking, catching the light.

"Alejandro, this is........beautiful" I trailed off, admiring the piece of jewellery.

Taking the box from my hand, he plucked the necklace out and gestured for me to turn around, facing myself in the mirror again. The room was so quiet I could hear the faint sound of his breath as he moved closer. His hands brushed my neck as he swept my hair over one shoulder, the roughness of his fingertips sending shivers down my spine. I felt the cool touch of the chain as he draped it around my neck, his fingers lingering on my skin as he clasped it at the back. When he was done, he didn't step away. Instead, his hands slid down to rest on my shoulders, his thumbs gently brushing against the bare skin there.

"There" he said, his tone softer now. "Perfect"

I turned back to face him, feeling a little breathless. His gaze was steady, intense, as it moved from the necklace to my eyes.

"You didn't have to get me this" I said quietly, my fingers brushing over the necklace. "I don't do anything I don't want to, Yara. You should know that by now"

I rolled my eyes, trying to break the tension, but he caught my chin with his fingers, tilting my face up toward him.

"Don't downplay it" he said, his voice a low rumble. "I wanted you to have this" The way he said it, so serious and direct, made my breath catch. I felt vulnerable under his gaze, like he could see right through me.

"Thank you" I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

His thumb brushed over my jaw, a touch so soft it contradicted the commanding energy he always exuded. "You're welcome" he replied, breaking away from me.

"Hurry" he said, his tone shifting back to that coldness. "We're going to be late"

As we stepped out into the hallway, I couldn't help but reach up and touch the necklace again. It felt like a brand, a reminder of the control he held over me. And yet, I couldn't deny the warmth it brought me, even if I wasn't sure I wanted to feel it.

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AUTHOR'S POV

The sleek black car pulled up to the grand venue, its polished exterior reflecting the sparkling lights. Yara fidgeted with her clutch as Alejandro opened the door. The second Alejandro turned around, his commanding presence drew immediate attention from the gathered crowd. He turned and extended his hand to her, his expression unreadable but expectant.

"Come on" he said, his voice low but firm.

Yara hesitantly slipped her hand into his, letting him guide her out of the car. As her heels hit the ground, her heart raced. The dress she had chosen, the deep red satin that clung to her body, suddenly felt too bold. Alejandro's fingers tightened around hers, silently grounding her. It felt as is all eyes seemed to turn toward them. And when Yara looked up her feelings were confirmed, all eyes were indeed on them. But with one deadly glare from Alejandro, they all went back to chattering. Alejandro led her through the crowd with the kind of confidence that made people instinctively step aside.

"Relax" he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear as he leaned down, noticing her nerves. "You're with me"

His reassurance didn't do much to settle her nerves, but she nodded, her fingers tightening around his hand.

The ballroom was luxurious, with high ceilings covered with glittering chandeliers and walls lined with gold accents. Guests mingled in clusters, their expensive attire and calculating eyes making it clear this wasn't just a social gathering. This was a showcase of power. Yara followed Alejandro as he greeted a few men dressed in sharp suits, their eyes flicking to her with interest. Alejandro's hand moved to the small of her back, a silent warning to them and a reminder to her that she was his. She forced herself to smile politely, nodding when introduced but keeping her words brief. She was hyper aware of the curious stares, the way people whispered behind raised glasses.

Finally, they reached a quieter corner where Alejandro's mother stood, her posture regal and her expression warm.

"Yara" the older woman greeted, her smile genuine as she reached out to take Yara's hands. "You look stunning, my dear"

"Thank you, Mrs Moreno" Yara replied, her voice steadier than she felt.

"Call me Cynthia my love" Alejandro's mother insisted, her tone gentle but firm. "You'll make me feel old otherwise" Yara chuckled nervously, glancing at Alejandro, who was watching the exchange with mild amusement. "Cynthia, then. It's lovely to see you again"

"And you" Cynthia said, her sharp eyes studying Yara in a way that felt both comforting and scrutinizing. "Alejandro told me you were nervous about tonight. Don't be. You're doing wonderfully"

Yara blinked, surprised by the woman's insight. "Oh, I-thank you. That's kind of you to say" Cynthia patted her hand before stepping aside to let her husband approach. His expression was unreadable as he extended a hand toward Yara.

"Mr Moreno" Yara said, shaking his hand awkwardly. His grip was firm but not crushing, and his sharp eyes seemed to weigh her in an instant.

"You look pretty Yara" he said, his voice deep and measured.

"T-thanks, sir"

He nodded, releasing her hand and turning his attention to Alejandro. "We'll talk later" he said, his tone making it clear that it wasn't a request.

Alejandro inclined his head slightly, his jaw tightening. "Of course"

Yara felt a small wave of relief as the older man moved on to greet another guest. She leaned closer to Alejandro, whispering "Your dad is.......intense" Alejandro smirked, his hand brushing her waist, settling on her hips. "I guess so princess"

As the evening progressed, Yara found herself speaking to Rafe and several new people Alejandro introduced her to. One of which was Carmen, Rafe's sister. She was pretty, her hair curled, her dress was navy blue and flowy.

"So, this is the infamous Yara my brothers told me about" she said, her grin wide as she studied her. "I've heard so much about you"

"All lies, I'm sure" Yara replied, her tone light but cautious.

"Not all" carmen said, winking at her before glancing at Alejandro. "Though I have to say, you've got your hands full with this one, don't you?"

Alejandro's expression darkened slightly in annoyance, his grip on Yara's waist tightening. "Don't you have to go annoy someone else Carmen?"

She chuckled, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Alejandro. I'm just making conversation" They seemed to be close and spoke for a few minuets, mostly bullying each other.

As the night wore on, Yara began to relax slightly. Alejandro would disappear every for hours, easily slipping into conversations with the suited men who worked alongside him.

Yara, on the other hand, felt like a misplaced puzzle piece. At first, she tried to be patient, smiling politely at his family and exchanging pleasantries, but the annoyance bubbling inside her grew harder to ignore. Alejandro hadn't so much as glanced in her direction in over a few hours, too caught up in his business dealings to remember she was even there.

Her gaze flitted across the room until it landed on a man standing near the bar, a tall, blond guest with a sharp suit and a confident smile. He wasn't as intimidating as the others in the room, and the way his eyes lingered on her told her she had his attention.

Perfect.

Yara made her way over, her steps deliberate and her smile coy. The man introduced himself as Marco, and she quickly fell into light conversations with him. She found herself purposely laughing and moving closer towards Marco. She didn't have to look to know Alejandro had noticed. She could feel the weight of his gaze burning into her from across the room. Turning her head slightly, she caught sight of him, his sharp jaw clenched, his piercing blue eyes locked on her.

The look on his face was pure fury.

Before she could say another word to Marco, Alejandro was suddenly at her side, his presence a storm that made the air feel electric.

"Marco" Alejandro said coolly, his tone polite but laced with menace. "I need to speak with her"

Marco glanced between them, his smile faltering as he took a step back. "Of course. Have a good evening"

Before she could respond, Alejandro's hand closed around her wrist, firm but controlled, and he pulled her away from the crowd.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed as they reached a quiet hallway outside the ballroom.

"Talking" Yara replied, her tone laced with defiance as she yanked her wrist free.

"Talking?" Alejandro's voice was dangerously low, his dark brows furrowed. "Is that what you call it?"

"What do you care?" she snapped, crossing her arms. "You were too busy talking to those men for hours. Did you expect me to just stand there and wait for you like a trophy on a shelf?"

His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened as he took a step closer. "You're mine, Yara. I don't share. Not with anyone"

Before she could respond, Alejandro grabbed her hand and pulled her again, this time into one of the massive, marble covered bathroom lining the hallway. The door clicked shut behind them, cutting off the noise of the party.

"What are you doing?" Yara demanded, though her voice lacked conviction as she found herself trapped between him and the cold marble wall.

Alejandro didn't answer. His hands came up, bracing on either side of her head, caging her in. His chest heaved with restrained anger, his gaze searing into hers.

"You enjoy testing me, don't you?" he growled, his voice low and rough.

She met his gaze without flinching, her chin tilting defiantly. "So what if I do?"

That was all it took.

He crashed his lips against hers, the kiss hard and unrelenting. Yara gasped, her hands instinctively gripping the front of his suit jacket. His kiss was demanding, a claim as much as it was a punishment.

"You drive me insane" he muttered against her lips, his voice strained with barely controlled desire.

"Good" she whispered back, her fingers threading into his hair, pulling him closer.

Alejandro's mouth moved to her neck, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin before his tongue soothed the spot. Her back arched against the wall as a soft moan escaped her lips, and his hands gripped her thighs, lifting her effortlessly. She wrapped her legs around him, her dress sliding up as he pressed her harder against the wall. He took down the straps of her dress from her shoulders, exposing her breasts to a sudden coldness which soon disappeared when he leaned down her and sucked on her peaks, making her back arch.

"You think you can play games with me?" he growled, his breath hot against her ear. "Flirting with another man right in front of me?"

"It worked, didn't it?" Yara shot back, her tone teasing despite the heat coursing through her veins.

"You're going to regret that" he promised, his voice dark and filled with promise.

"I-" Yara's sentence was cut short by the sound of a sudden pop of a gunshot ringing through the air, followed by the harsh sounds of more shots being fired, screams and chaos. Yara gave Alejandro a scared look he quickly let her down and dragged her out of the bathroom, keeping her close as he pulled her through the panic stricken crowd.

"Get her out of here" he barked at one of his men. "Take her to the car, now!"

Yara tried to protest, her mind racing with questions, but he wouldn't hear it. He shoved her toward the car as she tried to grasp what was happening.

"Why aren't you coming?" she asked, her voice rising with confusion and fear.

He stopped, his face a mask of resolve. "I need to stay. I have to make sure my parents are safe. You need to go"

"But-"

"Yara just fucking go. Please"

His eyes met hers, and for a brief moment, she saw something unfamiliar there, worry. He didn't want her to stay. He needed to protect her from whatever was coming. She didn't argue further. He had made his choice. The driver sped off as Yara looked back at the chaos, her heart heavy with the uncertainty of what was happening to Alejandro behind those walls.

When she arrived back at the house, hours passed in painful silence. Yara hadn't seen or heard from Alejandro. The house was eerily still. The air felt thick with tension, and her mind refused to rest. She had tried calling him, but the line went straight to voicemail. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, he was gone for hours.

Finally, the door opened. Alejandro's father, his face dark with fury, stepped into the room. His mother, tears streaking down her face, followed behind him. But it was Alejandro, his usual controlled demeanor now absent, who caught Yara's eye. His expression was emotionless, cold, and he didn't even look her way. She rushed downstairs to him, panic flooding her chest. "Alejandro" she whispered, her hand reaching out for him. "Are you okay? What happened?" His eyes avoided hers completely, his posture rigid."Yara, go upstairs" he spoke.

Yara froze, shock and confusion battling in her chest. But Alejandro didn't even look back. He and his parents moved past her without a word.

She waited for hours. The minutes crawled by, each one heavier than the last. The house was so quiet, it felt suffocating. She couldn't hear a thing from upstairs. Unable to stay still any longer, Yara decided to check what was happening. When she went down she found Cynthia in one of the sitting rooms, her hand pressed to her forehead, eyes swollen with tears. A small cut resided on her lip as if someone had hit her.

"Are you okay?" Yara asked softly.

Alejandro's mother glanced up at her, offering a small, sad smile. But it didn't reach her eyes. "It's been a long night, Yara" she said quietly. "You should stay upstairs. It's safer" Yara stepped closer, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Why would it be safer? She thought to herself "What happened Cynthia? Where's Alejandro?"

The sadness in the woman's gaze deepened, and for a brief moment, Yara saw the vulnerability in her eyes. "He's.......not here. He's......dealing with things" she said, her voice wavering slightly. She could tell Cynthia was lying.

"Where is he?" Yara pressed. "Please, tell me what happened"

But the woman only shook her head. "You don't understand, Yara. Please, stay upstairs"

Yara's pulse quickened. She had been around enough to know that something was very wrong. Her mind raced back to the things Alejandro had told her, of his father's unpredictable temper and abusive nature. The fear in his eyes earlier, his coldness now, it all came rushing back.

"Where are they?" Yara demanded.

For a long moment, there was no answer. Then, in a whisper, Alejandro's mother said "They're in the basement. The soundproofed basement" before she stared shaking with tears again.

Yara's heart dropped. Without another word, she turned and bolted down the hall, heading for the basement stairs. She barely noticed the cold chill in the air or the eerie quiet as she reached the door to the basement. She pressed her ear against the door, her breath catching in her throat. There was a faint sound, muffled voices, a low hum, the slight thudding of something against the wall.

"Alejandro!" she called, banging her fist on the door. Her voice trembled with urgency. "Alejandro, please! Let me in!" There was nothing. Just the faint echo of muffled sounds from the other side. Yara pressed harder against the door, straining to hear anything that could tell her what was happening in there. What was going on? What had happened tonight?

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Alejandro's father stood there, his face filled with cold fury. Without a word, he grabbed Yara by her hair, yanking her to the ground. The sharp pain shot through her skull, and she gasped, her vision blurring from the force of it.

The first thing her eyes landed on was Alejandro, kneeling on the cold floor, his body battered and bruised. Blood smeared across his lips, his nose, his torso. But it wasn't the blood that shocked her most, it was his eyes, which stared coldly at the floor, completely detached, as though he had surrendered to the pain.

"Look who it is" his father said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Didn't your little boyfriend here tell you to go upstairs?" Alejandro didn't speak. He didn't even look up. Yara's chest tightened. "What are you doing to him?" she screamed, trying to push herself up, but her body trembled with fear and confusion.

Before she could react, a sharp slap cracked across her cheek. The sting was instant and overwhelming. Her body jolted in pain, and she felt a warm trickle of blood against her skin.

Alejandro's eyes finally flickered toward her, his gaze hard but distant. "Just keep quiet Yara" he muttered under his breath, his voice hoarse. He wasn't pleading, he was resigned. Her tears flowed freely as she glared at his father. Refusing to keep quiet even though she knew it would only get her into worse trouble "Why are you doing this to your own son?" she cried, desperation and anger mixing in her voice. Without warning, Alejandro's father moved swiftly, tying Yara's hands behind her back "you're disgusting" she spat and with that he gagged her mouth, silencing her screams. Her body trembled, helpless as she was forced to watch. She could only sob silently as the cruel punishment began. In one quick motion he grabbed the metal pole on the floor and hit Alejandro with it, making Yara shut her eyes.

"Open your eyes or I'll only go harder on him" she sobbed against the gag, having no choice but to open her eyes to the gruesome scene in front of her. Alejandro took hit after hit, each blow seeming to land with devastating force, yet he didn't react. He took the pain in silence, his head low as though he had become numb to it. His father's words rang out, harsh and cold.

"Watch this, Yara" he sneered. "This is the price of failure" he punched Alejandro across his face. The sight of Alejandro enduring such punishment broke Yara's heart, but there was nothing she could do. She screamed against the gag, her body wracked with sobs. Her only focus was on Alejandro, on the man she had come to care about, trapped in a nightmare that she couldn't wake him from.

With one final command "Don't fall for a pussy like him Yara" he growled and sent a kick straight to Alejandro's stomach.

The door slammed shut behind her as his father left.

In the silence that followed, Yara could only stare at Alejandro, her heart shattered. There was nothing left to say. His father had made sure of that.

Yara's body trembled as she cried, her chest wracked with sobs that seemed to shake her very core. Her hands, bound and bruised, lay limp as she stared at Alejandro, still on his knees, battered and broken. The sound of her tears echoed through the empty space, and for a long, agonizing moment, the only thing that existed was the weight of their shared pain.

Then, through the haze of her sorrow, Yara saw it, the slightest movement. Alejandro's head lifted, his eyes slowly finding hers. There was something in his gaze that stopped her breath, a mixture of coldness and a depth of emotion she couldn't fully understand. He stood, his body stiff and battered, but he moved toward her. Every step he took toward her seemed like a struggle, yet his presence still held a sense of undeniable strength. When he reached her, he looked down at her, his expression unreadable, a cold softness lingering in his eyes.

He gently removed the gag from her mouth, allowing her cries to be heard freely, raw and unfiltered. She couldn't even comprehend the weight of his actions, the tension in the room felt like it would crush her. Then, with a practiced and calm precision, he untied her wrists, loosening the ropes that had held her in place. As the last knot came undone, Yara's arms fell limp to her sides. Her breath came in shallow, ragged bursts, and her sobs refused to stop. She could barely catch her breath, and as the overwhelming emotions surged through her, she reached for him, desperate for any semblance of comfort.

Before she could stop herself, Yara flung herself into his arms, clinging to him as though her life depended on it. She buried her face into his chest, feeling the warmth of his body beneath the blood and bruises, the faint scent of him that felt so familiar. His arms hesitated for a moment before they wrapped around her, pulling her tightly to him. But even as his grip tightened, there was an undeniable coldness in his touch, a barrier she couldn't break.

"I told you to stay upstairs" Alejandro's voice was low, his words barely a whisper, but they cut through her like a blade.

"I'm sorry" Yara choked out, her voice breaking as she pulled back slightly to look at him. Her tears flowed freely, and she reached up to wipe her face. "I'm so sorry, I should've never gone up-upstairs" Alejandro's gaze was distant, but he shook his head ever so slightly. His face, though bloody, seemed unreadable now, like a mask had settled over the raw pain she had seen earlier. "It's not your fault. You couldn't have stopped it" he said, his voice emotionless. His hands, once warm, now felt detached as he gently brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away some of her tears.

For a long moment, they just stayed there, his presence comforting in a way, but distant at the same time. Yara wanted to hold onto him, to somehow make everything right, but the chill between them felt too great to overcome. She had never seen him like this, so helpless, so far away.

He took a step back, pulling away from her slowly. His eyes were now cold and distant, a quiet storm brewing beneath the surface. "You shouldn't have come down here" he said again, his voice laced with frustration. There was no tenderness, no comfort in his words. Just an emptiness that chilled her to the bone.

Yara's heart ached, and her throat tightened as she fought back more tears. "I was worried about you......"

"I'm fine" he said flatly as if his father hadn't just left him bloody and broken. "Just go upstairs. And next time I tell you to do something you do it. You can't help me Yara" the last words he spoke only made get tears shower down her face more. She knew he was shutting her out. She saw it in the way he spoke, in the coldness of his touch. So she didn't argue.

She didn't know what to say, what to do. So she just nodded, her throat constricting with unshed tears "Okay" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alejandro watched her retreat, his body tense, as though holding himself back from something. The sound of her footsteps faded as she ascended the stairs, but Alejandro remained in the basement, his heart torn between the need to protect her and what had just happened. He couldn't let her in anymore. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.

But deep down, a part of him wanted to scream, to beg her to stay, to hold him, to make everything okay again. Instead, he stood there in the darkness, frozen.

When Yara got back to the room all she could do was cry. The images of Alejandro being brutally hit played in her mind. How helpless he looked, how she couldn't do anything to help. He looked so used to it, which only made her sob even more. She continued like this for hours and hours before a pounding headache finally sent her to sleep.

🎀🎀🎀

Weeks passed, and every day felt like a slow, suffocating weight pressing on Yara's chest. Alejandro remained cold, distant, a stranger in the same house. The once warm, tender moments they shared now seemed like distant memories. He barely spoke to her anymore. When their paths crossed in the hallways, he didn't meet her gaze. When they sat at the dinner table, there was no conversation. He had built a wall so high that Yara felt invisible to him and the silence between them was deafening. Yara tried to reach out, to break through the icy exterior he had constructed but he never responded. Each effort was met with indifference. His coldness cut deeper than any physical pain. He was simply.......gone. He had locked himself away behind a door that she couldn't open.

Each night, she would cry. Silent, aching sobs that wracked her body as she lay in their bed, alone. She would curl up in the dark, holding onto the pillow, wishing it was him, wishing the warmth would return.

But it never did.

Her mind spiraled in a thousand directions, all leading to the same conclusion, Alejandro didn't want her. Not anymore. One morning, she woke up and found a note on the kitchen counter. It was brief, written hastily, as though he had no interest in discussing it. It was simply a request for her to take care of some things, as he wouldn't be home for the next few days. The words felt like a punch to the gut. It was the first time in weeks he had communicated with her, but the cold, impersonal tone only stung. She stared at the note for what felt like an eternity. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and a hollow ache filled her chest.

Weeks continued to pass in this painful limbo. He didn't ask how she was. He didn't check on her. She missed him more than anything in the world, but no matter what she did, it felt like she was invisible to him. She couldn't even bring herself to confront him.

One evening, Yara sat by the window in their bedroom, staring out at the dark sky. Her thoughts were scattered, her heart heavy, when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to find Alejandro.

"Yara" he said, his voice flat. It was the first time in weeks he had spoken to her, and even though it was just her name, it made her heart race.

She swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. "Alejandro, please...." she started, but her words faltered. Her throat was tight with emotion, and she could barely get the words out.

His eyes flickered, but he didn't step closer. "Don't cry" he said, his words distant. "It won't change anything"

Yara stood up, trembling. "Why are you shutting me out?" She whispered.

There was a long silence. Alejandro didn't answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was colder than she had ever heard it before. "It's not about you" he said quietly.

She wiped away her tears "then what is it about? Hm? because clearly you're trying your hardest not to be near me!" She shouted as loud as her weak voice would let her.

"What, you don't like me anymore? Is that it Alejandro" the words left her mouth stinging her mind but she didn't cry. She was angry if anything. He had shut her out for weeks and all he could do was stand there without a proper explanation.

Yara's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she stepped closer to him, her anger bubbling to the surface. Her voice, once trembling, now carried a sharp edge.

"No, Alejandro. You don't get to do this. You don't get to stand there like a statue and act like I don't exist!" she snapped, her voice growing louder. "You've been ignoring me for weeks! Pretending I'm not here, acting like I'm some kind of burden after what happened. Do I make you weak Alejandro? Is that it?" She rolled her eyes. Alejandro's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. That infuriating silence only fueled her anger further.

"Say something! Anything! You can't just stand there and shut me out like this!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "Do you even realize how much you're hurting me? Do you even care? Or is this all just some game to you? I mean that is what you wanted right? To see me break"

Still, Alejandro remained quiet, his face unreadable. His lack of reaction made something inside Yara snap. She stepped forward and shoved him in the chest.

"Stop it!" she cried, her fists pounding against his chest now, not hard enough to hurt but enough to let her frustration pour out. "Stop doing this to me!"

Her tears began to flow freely now, but her anger didn't waver. "You don't love me? Is that it?" The moment the words left her mouth, Alejandro moved. His hand shot out, grabbing her arm, not harshly, but firmly enough to stop her. She froze, her breath hitching as she looked up at him.

"Don't" he said quietly, his voice low and strained. "Don't say that"

Yara's brows furrowed in confusion, her voice softening despite her anger. "Why? Because it's true? You wasted so much time on me only to realise you hate me, you don't love me Alejandro, you don't even like me, you just like playing with my feelings, hurting me, because that's who you are, you're heartless"

He pulled her even closer "you really are a stupid girl" he let out a humourless chuckle. "If I didn't care for you I would've gotten rid of you by now" he spoke, his grip loosening on her arm and then letting go.

"Of course I fucking love you, and I hate it" he spoke, his voice low, as if he was still deciding whether or not he wanted her to hear those words.

"I love you Alejandro, why can't you just-" he cut her off.

"Well then stop loving me Yara. Loving me won't bring you anything"

"Don't say that Alejandro...." She clenched her teeth in pain.

"It's the fucking truth Yara. What else do you want me to bloody say? Lie to you and tell you that we'll get married and live happy little fucking life, because that's not what will happen Yara. You're a helpless little girl and I run a mafia. We don't work" he let out.

Yara stood frozen, his words slicing through her like a blade.

"You want me to hate you?" she whispered, her voice trembling. Her tears blurred her vision as she stared up at him. "Why? So you can push me away and convince yourself you're doing the right thing?"

"Yes" he stared at her.

"You don't get to decide what's best for me!" she shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. "Yes, I do!" he roared, his hand slamming against the wall beside her, the sound echoing through the room. The sudden movement made her flinch, and for a moment, there was nothing but heavy silence between them. He grabbed her jaw painfully, his breathing ragged, as if he was trying to regain control. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, but no less harsh. "You think this is what love looks like, Yara?" He gestured at himself, his expression full of self loathing. "I'm not some fairytale prince who's going to sweep you off your feet and make everything perfect. I'm a monster. You don't deserve this. You don't deserve me"

Yara shook her head, her voice soft but firm. "You're not a monster, Alejandro. You're just scared. You think pushing me away will protect me, but all it's doing is hurting both of us"

His eyes darkened, and before she could react, he grabbed her by the shoulders "Stop trying to fix me, Yara" he growled. "I don't want your love. I don't want your pity. I want you to leave" Her lip quivered, and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. "You don't mean that" she whispered.

"Don't I?" he said, his voice colder now. He let her go, stepping back as if her presence burned him. "You've wanted to leave since the day you got here. Fine. I'm giving you what you want. You're free to go. Pack your things, get on the next plane, and go back to England. Forget about me. Forget about this life"

Yara's knees felt weak. Her mind raced, trying to process what he was saying. This was what she had wanted for so long, freedom. A chance to go home, to escape the chaos and danger of Alejandro's world. But now that it was being handed to her, it felt like a cruel joke.

"You....you want me to leave?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alejandro's expression hardened, and he turned away from her, his back rigid. "Yes" he said flatly. "Leave. I won't stop you. And I promise, you'll never hear from me again" Her heart shattered at his words. She wanted to scream, to beg him to take it back, but no words came. Instead, she stood there, tears streaming down her face as he walked to the door.

"Alé, please" she choked out, but he didn't stop. "Alejandro" He paused in the doorway, his hand gripping the frame as if he was fighting himself. Without turning back, he spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. "Goodbye, Yara"

And then he was gone.

Yara collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. The emptiness he left behind was suffocating, and for the first time, she realized the truth, she didn't want to be free from him. She wanted him.

A/n

Enjoy xx

Also sorry for the late update. I've just been busy revising for an exam.