Chapter 38 ۵ Julian

ALEJANDRO'S POV

Yara was slipping through my fingers and for the first time in my life I didn't know how to stop it.

I sat in my car, hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. The city buzzed around me, people moving, laughing, living their meaningless little lives while I sat here, consumed by one thing. Her.

She wasn't supposed to be so difficult. She wasn't supposed to fight me this hard. But I had underestimated how deeply she hated me. And now, I had no idea how to fix what I'd broken.

I dragged a hand down my face, exhaling sharply. I had to start by getting rid of that fucking weasel, Julian.

I leaned my head back against the seat, closing my eyes for a moment but all I could see was her face, furious, stubborn, fucking beautiful. My jaw clenched, the frustration curling in my stomach. I had destroyed everything between us. And still, I couldn't fucking stay away.

I needed to fix this. I needed to pull her back to me, whether she wanted it or not. I wasn't done with Yara. And she sure as hell wasn't done with me.

🎀🎀🎀

I spotted her the moment I stepped inside the café.

Yara

She was behind the counter, laughing at something one of her coworkers had said, her head tilting back just enough to expose the delicate curve of her throat. It was effortless, the kind of laugh that made people stop and watch, the kind that wrapped around you and pulled you in before you even realised it.

Fuck me.

I hadn't seen her in days and yet the sight of her hit me like a punch to the gut.

Her hair was pulled into one of those perfectly messy buns that looked like she hadn't tried but I knew better. A few strands had slipped loose, framing her face. Her makeup was subtle, just enough to enhance what was already there, lips with a hint of gloss, lashes dark and full, skin glowing under the lights.

And then there was what she was wearing.

A black top, snug enough to show the curve of her waist, the outline of her breasts. An apron was tied around her hips, but it didn't hide anything, only added to the image. She stood there, hands moving effortlessly as she worked, completely oblivious to the way she had every fucking man in this café watching her.

Including me.

I clenched my jaw, shoving my hands into my pockets as I moved toward the counter.

She still hadn't noticed me.

I exhaled slowly, getting myself to stay composed, to act as if seeing her didn't make my blood heat, didn't make my fingers twitch with the need to reach across the counter and pull her to me.

Then, finally, she turned.

And froze.

For a second, her expression didn't change. Like her mind was struggling to process the fact that I was standing here, in her space, even after the clear instructions she gave me to leave her alone. Then, slowly, her lips parted, her breath hitching ever so slightly.

The warmth in her gaze flickered out.

I smirked, letting my gaze drag over her, slow, deliberate.

"Didn't know you worked here" I said casually, leaning against the counter.

Her fingers curled into the edge of it. "What are you doing here, Alejandro? I thought I told you to leave me alone"

I furrowed my brows, faking confusion, glancing at the menu behind her. "Getting a coffee. Isn't that what people do at cafés Yara?"

Her jaw tightened. She didn't respond, just grabbed a cup and marker, waiting for my order. She looked like she was seething.

I watched her, taking my time, enjoying the way she was avoiding looking at me. "I'll have whatever's your favorite"

That got her attention.

Her eyes snapped to mine, burning with something between suspicion and frustration. "Don't play games with me"

I grinned. "Who says I'm playing?"

She let out a breath, shaking her head before speaking "Fine" She grabbed the coffee pot, moving like she just wanted this to be over.

But me?

I was just getting started.

I watched her move as she poured the coffee, her hands steady, her expression carefully blank. But I knew her too well to not notice the slight clench in her jaw. She was trying to act like I wasn't affecting her. Like she didn't feel my eyes dragging over her. It was cute, really

She slid the cup across the counter without meeting my gaze. "Here"

I picked it up but didn't move. Instead, I leaned in just slightly, letting my fingers graze hers for the briefest second.

She flinched but didn't pull away fast enough.

I smirked. "When do you get off?"

Her lips parted, her brows pulling together like she couldn't believe I had the audacity to ask that. "That's none of your business"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "That's not an answer, princesa"

She exhaled sharply "I'm not your princesa. Just drink your coffee and leave Alejandro"

I tilted my head, letting my gaze drop to her lips, slow, deliberate. "You know, I could just wait around and find out"

"Go fuck yourself Alejandro" She rolled her eyes, trying to turn away, but I was faster. I reached out, catching the edge of her apron, tugging her forward just enough that she gasped. Her hands braced against the counter, her breath shaky.

"When you do you finish Yara?" I demanded an answer.

Her eyes snapped to mine, heat flashing through them, but she didn't pull away. She just stayed there, trapped between me and the counter, her lips parting like she wanted to say something, maybe to tell me off, maybe to tell me to fuck off.

Didn't matter.

I wasn't going anywhere.

I leaned in when she gave me no answer, my lips hovering near her ear, just close enough that I knew she could feel my breath. "Tell me...." I murmured, my voice dropping lower.

She sucked in a sharp breath, her fingers curling into fists. "Alejandro, people are going to-"

"....does he make you cum the way I did?"

She jerked back, eyes blazing, face flushed, but it wasn't just anger. It was something else. Something deeper. Something she didn't want to admit. Desire.

"Shut up" she said, her voice low as she quickly patted down her apron, trying to look away from me.

I grinned, leaning back like I hadn't just completely wrecked her composure.

I made my way over to one of the tables, placing my coffee down on it before glancing over at her. Be face was still flushed.

The moment the coffee touched my tongue, I almost spat it out. A disgusted curse nearly slipped past my lips, but I swallowed it down along with the sickeningly sweet liquid coating my throat. What the fuck?

I set the cup down slowly, my fingers tightening around the handle. Of course she wasn't going to make my coffee nicely.

Lifting my gaze, I found her at the counter, pretending to be busy. But she wasn't fooling me.

She stole a glance in my direction, her eyes flickering with poorly concealed amusement. Then, just as she registered the slight irritation on my face, the corners of her lips curled into a grin.

That fucking grin.

My jaw clenched, but any frustration I had melted into something far more dangerous.

I leaned back in my chair, swirling the coffee in my cup, watching her with quiet amusement. She wanted to play games?

Fine

Game on, little girl

I watched as she turned her attention to the cafe door swinging open.

And there he was

Julian.

He was completely  focused on her. His lips tugging into some sweet smile that made my stomach curl.

Yara's entire expression changed.

Not in the way it did when she saw me, no anger, no wariness, no heat. With him, it was something gentler, something....almost forced. Like she was trying to convince herself of something.

Interesting.

I didn't move, didn't leave, just took my time stirring my coffee.

"Hey babe" he murmured "I got here a little early"

Babe. I clenched my jaw, tightening my grip on the cup before forcing myself to relax.

Yara smiled, but it wasn't real. I knew her smiles. I knew what they looked like when she meant them. This one? This was just muscle memory, something she did because she was supposed to.

"I won't be long" she told him. "Just let me-"

Then she looked past him.

Her eyes locked onto mine, and everything in her shifted. Her breath hitched, her smile faltered, her body stiffened like she'd been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to.

Guilt.

Oh, Yara.

Julian followed her gaze, finally noticing me. He frowned, his brows pulling together slightly, not in anger but in confusion. He had no fucking idea who I was.

Even better.

I kept my eyes on Yara. "Don't keep him waiting, princess" I murmured, watching as her lips parted, her fingers tightening around the counter like she wanted to say something. But she didn't.

She just stood there, frozen.

Julian, still blissfully unaware, turned back to her. "You okay?"

It took her a second too long to answer. "Yeah" she breathed out. "I'm fine"

Liar.

🎀🎀🎀

I stepped into my penthouse, shutting the door behind me. The space was exactly what I needed, discreet, private, close to her. That last part was the most important.

The security systems had been updated the moment I signed the contract, cameras, motion detectors, a direct line to me if anyone tried to get in uninvited.

I didn't take risks. Not with my life.

And not with hers.

She just didn't know that yet.

I shrugged off my jacket, tossing it onto a chair before loosening the top buttons of my shirt. The city sprawled beneath me through the floo to ceiling windows. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I let it ring. There was only one thing on my mind right now. Only one thing I cared about right now.I ran a hand down my face, exhaling slowly as I moved toward the bottle of vodka, pouring a glass in, I took a slow sip, letting the burn settle in my chest. The warmth did nothing to loosen the tension coiling tight in my muscles.

Yara

She was a problem I hadn't figured out how to solve yet. I knew I'd ruined everything with her. Pushing her away was supposed to keep her safe. Keep her untouched by the life I lived.

I leaned against the counter, my grip tightening around the glass as flashes of her filled my head. The way she glared at me over the counter as I drank the coffee she made me, smug as hell. That little smirk she had on her lips as she watched me drink the trap she had planted replayed in my head, making my dick get harder and harder.

A muscle in my jaw ticked when the thought of Julian entered my mind ruining my monetary bliss. I needed to do something about that son of a bitch because right now he was the only thing stopping her from submitting to me. The idea of him touching her, making her laugh, fucking her, it made something dark curl in my chest.

I set the glass down with a dull clink, my fingers pressing against the table counter's edge.

This wasn't jealousy, or maybe it was. But, I had no reason to be jealous. I knew how this would end. Yara would come back to me, one way or another.

My fingers tapped against the counter, thoughts churning. There were a hundred ways I could take Julian out of the equation. A hundred ways I could make him disappear. But that wasn't necessary. No, I didn't need to kill him. I just needed to scare him which wouldn't be hard.

I reached for my phone, dialing a number without a second thought. It rang once before a voice answered.

"Sir?"

"Find out where Julian is" I said, my tone even, casual. "Bring him to me" a sinister smirk settled on my lips.

"Understood boss"

I hung up, my grip tightening slightly around the phone before setting it down.

🎀🎀🎀

Julian sat in the chair in the center of the room, his wrists zip tied behind his back, his breath uneven.

I sat on a chair opposite him, lighting a cigarette, watching him. He had a split lip, probably from when my men grabbed him off the street.

His eyes darted around the room, then locked onto me. "Who the fuck are you? You're the guy from the cafe, aren't you?" His chest rose up and down and I could see the anger and fear practically melting off him.

I smiled, slow and lazy, pushing off the chair and stepping closer. "That's not the right question, Julian" I crouched in front of him, tilting my head slightly. "The real question is, why are you here?"

He swallowed, his throat bobbing. "I don't know.....you tell me since you fucking kidnapped me" he said, his voice hoarse.

I sighed "Come on. I thought you were smarter than that" I watched as his jaw clenched.

"You're here because you have something that doesn't belong to you"

Confusion flickered in his eyes as he stared up at me.

"You're out of your fucking mind"

"Maybe" I sat back down on my chair, my elbows resting on my knees, hands clasped together. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're going to do exactly what I say isn't that right?"

He stiffened, his jaw tightening even more "And what's that?"

"You're going to end things with Yara"

Julian's face twisted in something between confusion and anger. "Are you kidding me?" He gave a breathless laugh. "You kidnap me just to tell me to break up with my girlfriend?"

I smirked slowly "Yes"

He swallowed hard. "The last thing I'm doing is listening to you. I mean who the fuck are you even?" He spat.

"Someone who's giving you a chance to walk away with all your bones intact. But only if you do as I bloody say"

"You don't scare me, I'm not breaking up with her"

The tension in the room thickened. I sighed, taking a deep puff of my cigarette before moving my blazer to the side, revealing my gun that was tucked into my waistband. I didn't raise it, I didn't need to. Just the sound of metal clicking against my belt buckle was enough to shut him up.

"I don't think you understand how this works princess" I mocked. "This isn't a request. This is me telling you exactly what's going to happen" I watched as sweat beads formed on his forehead, his face almost looking like it was paling as he eyed up the gun in my waistband. He looked back up at me. He was trying to look tough, but I could see right through it, he wanted to be anywhere but here. "A-are you going to kill me?....." I leaned back in my chair. His question bringing me a sense of amusement.

A smirk tugged at my lips "relax, little Julie I won't hurt you" I drawled, taking the gun from my waist and placing it out on the table for him to see clearly "You look like you're about to faint. Want me to get you some water? Maybe a pacifier?"

His jaw clenched. "Go to hell" the fear left his body for a second, replaced with anger before it quickly came back again.

I grinned.

He swallowed hard. "Yara doesn't belong to you. She's mine"

That wiped the amusement from my face.

"Say that again" I murmured.

Julian hesitated. He wasn't that stupid. He kept his mouth shut, his lips tugging into an expression filled with anger, anger he couldn't let out.

"She's mine Jules. She just doesn't know it yet"

Julian flinched like he could already see where this was going. He quickly straightened, like he wanted to fight back, like he wanted to believe he had some kind of chance here. "If you think I'm just going to-"

I stood up, slow and deliberate, towering over him. His words died in his throat.

I leaned down, leveling our gazes. "You will" I said, voice dipping lower, colder. "You're going to break her heart, and you're going to make sure she never wants to look at you again"

He clenched his jaw. "What are you going to do if I don't do any of that?"

I smiled. "Then I make sure you never get the chance to talk to her again. Or anyone else, for that matter"

A thick silence settled between us.

I could see it happening, the moment the fight drained from his body, his mind racing through outcomes. There was only one that left him breathing.

Julian swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Fine"

"Smart choice"

"You'll leave me alone after this?" He questioned.

I smirked. "Sure, if you do exactly what I say"

"And what are you going to do with her?" He asked, his brows furrowing when he didn't get a reply.

I nodded to my men, and within seconds, the zip ties were cut. Julian flexed his wrists, wincing, but didn't move. He sat there like his body hadn't caught up to his brain yet.

"You have until tomorrow afternoon, don't piss me off"

Julian didn't say another word. He just staggered to his feet and let my men escort him out.

I exhaled, taking another drag of my cigarette. I was one step closer. Now, I just had to wait.

Julian would probably rip her heart out with whatever pathetic excuse he came up with. She'd cry over him, maybe even hate him. But that pain would pass. She'd move on. And when she did, I'd be right there. Because in the end, it didn't matter how it happened, as long as she was mine again.

YARA'S POV

I stared at Julian across the café table, my fingers curled around the edge like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. Something was wrong, I could feel it, Julian was acting off. He wouldn't look at me. His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight, his fingers twitching like he was debating running.

"Julian" I said softly, trying to catch his gaze. "What's wrong baby?"

He exhaled heavily, finally meeting my eyes. "We need to break up"

The world tilted. His words hit me like a punch to the stomach. My breath hitched, my chest tightening as his words echoed in my head. I forced out a shaky laugh, clinging to the hope that this was some kind of sick joke.

"What?"

His expression didn't change. "It's not working, Yara"

I shook my head. No. No, this wasn't happening.

"That's not true" I reached for his hand, needing to feel something, anything that told me I was imagining this. But, he only let me hold his hand for a few seconds before stiffening and tugging away.

The rejection stung.

He'd never pulled away from me before. Not like this. Not even when he was angry.

"Julian, please" I whispered, my throat closing up. "You don't mean that"

"I don't love you Yara" His voice was cold, detached, but there was something, something, in his eyes. A flicker of hesitation, of guilt.

He clenched his jaw, looking anywhere but at me "I don't think I ever did" his words shattered me.

"You're lying" I breathed. "You don't mean that Jul-"

"Stop" His voice was sharp, final.

My vision blurred, my heart hammering so hard it hurt. I shook my head again, unable to accept it. "You're just- maybe you're going through something, I don't know but-"

"I'm not going though anything Yara" His voice wavered, just barely, but it was gone in a second. He stood up abruptly, shoving his chair back.

"We're done" he said, his voice slightly cracking. "Goodbye, Yara"

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

I sat there, frozen, my chest caving in on itself. My hands trembled as I wiped at my cheeks, only then realizing I was crying.

He was gone.

Just like that.

🎀🎀🎀

The week passed in a haze of tears and exhaustion.

I barely moved from my bed, my phone constantly lighting up with messages from Heidi, but I ignored them all. She even showed up at my house a few times, knocking on my bedroom door, pleading for me to let her in.

I told her I didn't want to see anyone.

I barely spoke to my parents or Jasmine either. They tiptoed around me like I was fragile glass but I could hear the worry in their voices. My mom would peek into my room, tell me I needed to eat, and my dad lingered near my door longer than usual. Jasmine tried to make me laugh once or twice but I couldn't even force a smile.

I couldn't do anything but cry.

But eventually, even crying got exhausting.

So on the 9th day, I forced myself out of bed.

I needed fresh air.

I decided to walk to the park, wrapping my arms around myself in the evening breeze. The sky was a dull shade of grey.

I just needed to breathe.

But the second I turned the corner into the empty park, a sleek black car pulled up beside me.

I stopped walking, my chest tightening instantly.

I knew that car.

The drivers door opened and before I could even think about walking away, a familiar figure stepped out.

Alejandro.

I went rigid, my heart hammering painfully in my chest. The last thing I wanted was to see him.

"Yara" he spoke standing opposite me. I didn't want to talk to him, I wanted nothing to do with him so I turned to walk away but he caught my wrist. Gently.

"Leaving so soon, amor" His voice was smooth, teasing.

I yanked my arm, but he didn't let go.

"I heard you and Julie broke up" His lips twitched, like he was barely restraining a smirk. I slowly turned my head to look at him, my body shaking with anger and hurt at the mention of Julian's name.

He was amused. I see it in his damn eyes, the way they gleamed with satisfaction. He leaned down slightly, his grip still gentle but firm. "I wonder how that happened"

And that was when it hit me. My breath caught in my throat, my mind racing back to Julian's expression, the way he looked scared even as he broke my heart. The way he wouldn't meet my eyes. The way his voice had wavered. The way he spoke as if he was guilty.

The realization slammed into me like a truck.

It was him. Alejandro must've threatened Julian. Of course he did.

The heartbreak inside me twisted into something sharp, something burning and before I knew what I was doing, I shoved at his chest, my fists pounding against him with everything I had.

"You bastard!" I choked out, my voice breaking. "You did this! You made him leave me!"

Alejandro didn't stop me. He let me hit him, his body barely moving under the force of my weak, desperate punches.

"How could you! You sick fuck!" My voice cracked, tears spilling down my cheeks, my hands trembling as I shoved at him again. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Who the hell gave you the right-"

"I'm not the one you should be blaming princess" he murmured, his tone annoyingly calm. "Last I remember it was Julian who broke up with you, not me"

I froze, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I stared up at him, my vision blurry with tears.

"No! You threatened him, I know it" my voice cracked.

He tilted his head slightly, watching me with an infuriating mix of amusement and something darker. "So what if I did? He barely even put up a fight for you cariño" His voice was almost mocking, like he was enjoying this.

Something inside me shattered all over again.

I let out a choked sob, my legs shaking beneath me. My hands curled into fists, but I couldn't hit him anymore. I could barely stand.

Julian had just.....listened to him.

Like I meant nothing.

I sucked in a shaky breath, looking up at Alejandro through my tears, my voice hoarse.

"Why?" My voice cracked, raw and filled with hurt. "Why would you do this to me?"

Alejandro's smirk faded.

His hand lifted, his thumb brushing over my cheek, swiping away a tear.

"Because" he said, voice deep, steady. "You were never his to begin with Yara"

I smacked his hand away, my whole body shaking, rage, heartbreak, everything crashing down on me at all over again.

"What the fuck is wrong with you Alejandro" I snarled, my voice raw. "You had no right to-"

I barely got the words out before he moved.

Ge gripped my wrist and yanked me forward, my breath catching as my body collided with his. Hard. My hands flew up, pushing against his chest, but it was useless. He was solid, immovable.

He leaned in. His fingers curled around my jaw, tilting my face up so I had no choice but to meet his gaze.

"Careful, princess" he murmured, voice low, dark, taunting. "You keep looking at me like that and I might think you want me to ruin you"

I shoved against him, my pulse hammering in my ears. "I don't want you anywhere near me actually!" I hit against his chest again even though it was useless.

Alejandro only chuckled, deep and slow, his thumb dragging across my bottom lip, teasing me. "You don't mean that you stupid little girl"

"How would you know? You're a heartless psychopath" My voice barely came out a whisper.

His smirk deepened as he just watched me with those captivating dark blue eyes.

I shook my head, my throat tightening with fresh tears. "You took everything from me! You don't get to decide what is and isn't mines"

His expression darkened.

"But I did decide" His voice was sharp. "And Julian listened. That should tell you something, shouldn't it?"

"This isn't about Julian. You took everything from me since the day I met you Alejandro, in that lecture hall. Why didn't you just let me walk away with my phone? Hm? That way none of this would've happened, my life wouldn't have been ruined. I wish I'd never met you!" he clenched his jaw, his eyes darkening. His grip slid from my jaw to my throat, not choking, just holding like a silent warning like he was daring me to say another word.

His lips brushed against my ear, his breath warm. "Hate me all you want, cariño" His voice was thick with something dark "scratch me, bite me, scream my name while you cry, but you were never his. No matter how much you try and get rid of me, I'll always be here Yara because you're mine baby"

My breath stuttered as I took in his words. He was never going to go away. And deep within me, I never wanted him to gi away.

His fingers flexed slightly around my throat, just enough to make my pulse race beneath his touch. "And the sooner you accept that amor" he murmured, his lips hovering over my skin "the easier this will be"

I wanted to slap him.

I wanted to sob.

But worst of all I wanted to feel the warmth of his touch on my skin. I wanted to feel his hand run through my hair. I wanted him, deep inside I needed him.

I clenched my teeth. "I hate you" were the only words that were able to come out of my mouth.

"Then hit me again" His voice dipped, dark and edged with something rough. "Fight me. Scream at me. I'll let you"

I wanted to. God, I wanted to rip him apart. To claw at him until he felt even an ounce of the hurt that was splitting me open.

But my hands wouldn't move.

Alejandro's fingers wrapped around my wrist, firm but careful, and before I could yank away, he guided my hand to his face. His skin was warm beneath my palm, the sharp edge of his jaw tense under my touch.

"Go on" he murmured, his voice low and steady. "Hit me, love"

My breath hitched, my chest rising and falling too fast, too uneven. My fingers twitched against his cheek.

"You want to, don't you?" His gaze was unreadable, something dark flickering behind it. "Make me feel even a fraction of what you're feeling right now?" He didn't flinch, didn't move, just stood there, waiting.

My hand trembled. I tried to lift it, tried to force myself to do something, anything. But I couldn't.

Because he wasn't the one who shattered me. Not really.

Julian's face flashed through my mind. Alejandro had set the fire, but Julian had been the one to walk away and let it burn.

My arm dropped, my fingers stopped tensing. I hated how quickly Alejandro's lips curled like he already knew I wouldn't do it. Like he knew me better than I wanted him to.

His fingers were still wrapped around my wrist "what a shame"

I tore my hand away, my voice hoarse. "Just leave me alone Alejandro. Please"

His smirk deepened. "What's the fun in that?"

And then he moved. His fingers ptrailing lower, slow and deliberate until he reached my hips. My pulse betrayed me, hammering wildly against his palm as he looked into my eyes with an intensity I couldn't handle.

"Come, I'll take you home Yara"

"I can walk Alejandro" I said, pulling away from him, breaking all previous eye contact.

"Get in the fucking car Yara" he said, stopping me in my tracks. I looked back at him, I knew I didn't have a choice.

I sighed "Fine but only because I'm cold" he smirked, that damn smirk. I honestly don't know why I even bother lying around him, he could always tell I was.

"Whatever you say baby" he teased making me roll my eyes.

A/n

Enjoy!