Chapter 9 ۵ Dinner

YARA'S POV

The next morning, I woke up with a dull ache in my arms, a reminder of the previous day's confrontation with Mr. Moreno. Despite the discomfort, my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Elena, her bright eyes and innocent smile replaying in my head. She was so sweet, so full of life—a stark contrast to her father's cold and harsh demeanor. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of man Mr. Moreno was when he was with her, away from the classroom and his dark office.

I had promised Elena that I would see her today, but I knew that was almost impossible. Mr Moreno would never willingly let me go near his daughter.

I spent the day in Heidi's dorm watching horror movies and stuffing my face with junk food. Watching horror movies in the morning definitely helped me to not shit myself as much.

When I finally reached my dorm room, all I wanted to do was collapse onto my bed and sleep. It was around about 6pm the hassle outside had calmed down. I tossed my bag onto the floor, kicked off my slides, and lay down, staring blankly at the white ceiling. But just as I was starting to unwind, there was a soft knock at my door. I frowned, sitting up. Who could that be? I got up and opened the door sluggishly, and to my surprise, there stood Elena, her tiny fist still raised from knocking, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"Elena?" I gasped, crouching down to her level. What was she doing outside my dorm at 6pm? "What are you doing here?" I giggled. Seeing her in front of me definitely gave me a wave of energy.

"I asked the lady at the desk" she said proudly.  "She said you live here. I missed you, Yara" she said playing with the hem of her baby pink dress. My heart melted on the spot. "You missed me?" I asked softly, a smile tugging at my lips.

"Uh-huh," she nodded eagerly, her braids bouncing. She invited herself into my dorm and plopped down on my bed "Daddy was busy with work, so I escaped. I wanted to see you, cause you're my best fwiend in the whole wide world"

"Your best friend, Hm?" I echoed, feeling a warm glow spread through my chest. "Well, I'm glad you came little miss mischievous but you know your dad's going to be worried when he finds out you're not with him" a frown settled on her face, it was as if she was disappointed by what I had said.

Her face fell a little, her tiny brows furrowing in concern. "I don't want Daddy to be mad. But I wanted to see you so, so much" Her big eyes looked up at me, full of worry and hope, and I couldn't bring myself to send her away. Her face lit up instantly, when I finally gave in and let her stay. Her little shoes were pattering softly on the floor. She looked around with wide eyes, taking in every detail as if my small dorm room was the most fascinating place she'd ever seen.

"Is this where you live Yara?" she asked, her voice filled with awe. "Yep, this is my room," I giggled, watching as she wandered over to my desk and poked at a few of my textbooks. "It's not as nice as your house, but it works"

"I like it," she said with a decisive nod, climbing back up onto my bed and sitting cross legged as if she belonged there "it's pretty" I couldn't help but laugh at how easily she made herself at home. "Thank you" I said, sitting down beside her. "So, what did you do today?"

Elena's face brightened as she launched into a long, detailed story about homeschooling and how she colored a picture of a butterfly and how she wished I could've been there. I couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy for the precious little girl in front of me. She was cooped up in her house with barely any friends.

"I made this for you" she said suddenly, reaching into her tiny pocket and pulling out a small crayon drawing. It was a picture of the two of us holding hands, with big smiles on our faces and a sun shining overhead. My heart swelled as I took the drawing from her. "Oh, Elena, it's beautiful! Thank you so much. Wow who knew I'd meet such a great artist" I smiled.

"You like it?" she asked, her eyes widening as she waited for an answer.

"I love it Elena" I assured her, leaning down to give her petite frame a gentle hug "I'm going to hang it up right here so I can see it every day" I pointed to the wall above my desk, and she beamed with pride and joy.

For the next hour, we talked and played, and I found myself growing more and more attached to this sweet, little girl who had somehow wormed her way into my heart. She was so full of life, so eager to share her world with me, and it was impossible not to feel a deep affection for her. But all too soon, our peaceful time together was interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Elena froze. Could it be him?

"Yara" Mr. Moreno's voice came through the door, stern and unyielding "open the door" he commanded. I felt a chill run down my spine as I stood up, glancing at Elena, who was attempting to hide so her dad wouldn't catch her in here.

Hesitantly I opened the door "Professor Moreno" I spoke my voice shaky. His eyes flicked past me, spotting Elena's little feet poking out from under the bed making me sigh. I guess it was a valiant effort......sort of.

"El, I can see you" he said, pinching the bridge of his nose, his voice full of disappointment.

"Nooooo, I'm not Elena, you're imagining thing dad" she tried to convince him she was a hallucination. Somehow that didn't work.

"Elena I'm giving you 10 seconds" he spoke his voice now more cold I could tell he was starting to get frustrated.

"No I want to stay in Yara's room" she whined.

"E-Elena I promise he won't make you go if you get out" I tried to reason with her and thankfully it worked. She ended up crawling out from under my bed a devious look on her face.

"You don't get to decide what I will and won't do Malik" he snapped, his eyes narrowing in disgust. "Come Elena" instead of listening to him little Elena ran behind me using me as a shield. For a long moment, he just stared at me, his eyes cold and calculating. I could see the conflict in his gaze, the struggle between the hate he had for me and the love he had for his daughter. Finally, he let out a frustrated sigh and took a step back.

"Five fucking minutes Yara" he said, his voice clipped and angry.

I nodded, relief flooding through me as he left the room. I closed the door and turned back to Elena. She was sitting on the bed, a victorious smile plastered on her face.

"I don't wanna go with him, he never gives me any attention at home. He's always doing work" she raved on, her arms crossed as if she was a single woman working a 9-5 with 4 kids. I could help but smile, she was so pure.

"I know, but he love you, you know that?" I murmured soothingly.

"You don't spend time with your mummy?" I asked out of plain curiosity.

"Nope, my mum hates me, she's always dwinking" she said looking down at her hands sadly. So that's the type of woman Mr Moreno's into......I didn't quite see that coming. Her sentence made me realise how much of a rough childhood she has, a dad who works all the time and a mum who's an alcoholic. Her words pierced my heart, filling me with a fierce determination to never disappoint her like her own mother did.

"Alright, let's go to your dad?" She agreed even though I could tell she didn't want to leave.

I held Elena in my arms just as she had requested.

I sighed as I gently closed the door behind me, Elena's tiny hand wrapped securely in mine. Her bright, innocent eyes sparkled with excitement, completely unaware of the knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach. As we walked across campus toward Mr. Moreno's office, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't going to go well. When we finally reached the door, I hesitated. I glanced down at Elena, who grinned up at me, oblivious to the tension I was feeling.

"Ready?" I asked softly, trying to sound more confident than I felt. She nodded eagerly, her hair bouncing with enthusiasm.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door, the sound echoing through the hallway. After a moment, I heard Mr. Moreno's familiar cold voice call out, "Come in"

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside, Elena still in my arms, braiding strands on my open hair. Mr. Moreno was at his desk, his eyes narrowing as he looked up from his work. His expression was as icy as ever, but for the briefest moment, I thought I saw something softer in his gaze when he looked at Elena playing with my hair. It was gone in an instant, replaced by the usual hardness.

Elena piped up breaking through the tense silence "Daddy, Yara and me and best friends! We were playing, and she made me laugh loads" she giggled jumping out of my arms. Mr Moreno's eyes shifted to Elena, and I noticed his jaw relax just a little. But when he turned back to me, that small flicker of softness vanished, replaced by a sharp, cold glare.

"Why didn't you send her back to me Yara?" he interogated, each word like a dagger aimed right at me.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I-I didn't want to upset her, so I let her in. We were just talking."

"Just talking?" he let out a humorous spine chilling laugh, his tone even colder. "Do you have any idea how irresponsible that was? Letting my child into your dorm room without my permission? What if something had happened?" His accusation stung, and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. "I was trying to be nice. Elena wanted to see me, and I-"

"That's enough. You really are quite stupid Yara" he taunted, cutting me off. "This is exactly what I expected from you. You're careless and thoughtless. You should have brought her to me immediately"

His harsh words made my stomach twist, a slight rage settled in me. Elena was too busy taking her dad's phone and playing with it to hear anything we were talking about. I knew he wouldn't do any harm whilst Elena was in the room "I'm thoughtless? Says the one who keeps her locked up in a house and pays no attention to her?" My voice was shaky but I knew everything I was saying was right. Mr Moreno looked at me with a bitter expression, one I hadn't seen before it was as if he felt guilty but his anger overweighed it "she's my daughter I'll do whatever I want with her" he seethed.

Before I could answer back Elena tugged on her father's blazer sleeve, her small voice breaking the tension "Daddy, can Yara come to dinner with us tonight? Pleaseee she's my only friend"her voice got rid of every inch of anger in my body. The room fell silent as Elena's innocent request hung in the air.

"No, Elena" he said firmly "But whyyyyy dad?" She asked disappointed filling her.

"She's my student Elena. That wouldn't be appropriate" he spoke simply. It was funny dinner wouldn't be appropriate but assaulting your student verbally and physically is? I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Elena's face fell, and my heart ached for her. She looked up at me with wide, disappointed eyes. "But Daddy, I want Yara to come..." Mr. Moreno's expression remained as cold as ever, and I knew there was no point in arguing. I forced a small smile, trying to keep my own emotions in check. "It's okay, Elena. Maybe another time?" I warmly smiled at her.

She pouted but didn't push any further "I should get going" I said softly, meeting Mr Moreno's icy gaze one last time. He had no response to me and instead went back to marking papers.

"Goodbye, Elena" I added, my voice gentle. She ran into my arms giving me a tight hug. I couldn't help but laugh at how she wasn't willing to let me go. My laugh soon disappeared when Professor Moreno spoke "that's enough Yara, leave" he instructed.

I gave Elena one last smile before turning to leave.

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AUTHOR'S POV

Yara sat in the lecture hall, her back straight, fingers nervously tapping on the edge of her notebook. The content of the lecture floated past her, little more than background noise. The real reason for her unease was the relentless gaze of Mr. Moreno. Every time she dared to glance in his direction, his eyes were already on her, dark and unwavering. It wasn't just the anger that radiated from him, it was something deeper, more sinister, something that made her skin crawl. She tried to focus, tried to take notes, but it was impossible. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel her palms growing damp with sweat. The seconds ticked by painfully slowly, each one bringing her closer to the end of the lecture, and to whatever Mr. Moreno had planned next.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lecture drew to a close. Students began packing up their things, chatting about assignments and weekend plans as they shuffled toward the door. Yara moved to do the same, hoping to slip away unnoticed, but she was too late.

"Yara" Mr. Moreno's voice cut through the chatter like a knife, stopping her in her tracks. She froze, feeling the weight of his command. The other students, oblivious, filed out, leaving the room empty except for the two of them.

She turned slowly, dreading what was to come. Mr Moreno was standing just a few feet away, his face a mask of cold indifference. But his eyes, they told a different story. There was something there, something predatory that made her heart race even faster.

He didn't waste any time, stepping closer, his presence overwhelming. "Elena won't stop complaining about you not coming to dinner," he said, his tone harsh, as if he was scolding her for something "She's been a nuisance. So you are going. Not because I want you to, but because I'm tired of hearing her whine" The words were bitter, laced with something she couldn't quite place, resentment, perhaps, or maybe something darker. Yara's throat tightened, but she forced herself to meet his gaze, refusing to be cowed by him.

"Meet me at my office at half-past six," he continued, his voice dropping lower, each word deliberate, almost threatening. He didn't even give her a chance to decide or even say no "And dress nicely" but in all fairness she didn't want to say no, she wanted to see Elena and make her happier.

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, her mind spinning. She watched him go, the tension in the room finally dissipating as the door closed behind him.

Back in her dorm, Yara paced nervously, her thoughts racing. She had told Heidi everything, spilling the details of Mr Moreno's demand. Heidi looked shocked she couldn't comprehend the fact that Professor Moreno had invited Yara to dinner. Heidi helped Yara look for a dress, digging through her wardrobe until she found the perfect dress.

"Yara I've been waiting for 10 minutes hurry up" Yara finally came out wearing a sleek, black sleeveless dress that clung to Yara's body like a second skin. The fabric was soft and cool against her heated skin, the dress elegant yet understated, a perfect balance between sophistication and subtle allure.

"Oh.....my gosh!" Heidi's jaw hung low making Yara blush.

"So does it look nice?" She questioned

"Of course it looks nice. Mr Moreno might change his mind and end up doing other things with you tonight" Heidi had said deviously making Yara's face go red "shut up Heidi" she said out of embarrassment, lightly slapping Heidi's arm.

Now, as she stood in front of the mirror, the full weight of what she was about to do settled on her. She wasn't just dressing up for a dinner, she was stepping into a situation that felt increasingly dangerous, and she wasn't sure what was waiting for her on the other side. She knew it wasn't a good idea to wear this dress, he'd find a way to make her feel pathetic in it.

But she didn't have a choice. Not really.

When she finally arrived in the hallways of Mr Moreno's office, it was exactly half-past six. The halls were quiet, the only sound was her heels clicking against the polished floor. Her heart pounded louder with each step, and when she reached his door, she hesitated for just a moment before knocking softly.

"Come in," his voice came from within, smooth and controlled, betraying nothing.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside, immediately feeling the weight of his gaze. Mr Moreno was sitting at his desk, but the moment she entered, he rose, his eyes raking over her in a way that made her feel exposed, vulnerable. For a brief moment, his expression slipped, revealing something dark and hungry before he quickly masked it with his usual sternness.

"You look like a hooker" he said abruptly, the words sharp enough to sting. Yara was sure this was going to happen. She tried to prepare herself mentally for all the hate he was going to throw at her but in the moment all of her attempts failed "Go change. Your outfits in appropriate"

Yara blinked, taken aback. She had expected many things, but not this. She didn't expect him to tell her to go change. Her initial shock quickly turned to anger, a hot, bubbling rage that she struggled to keep in check. She squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze with defiance.

"There's nothing wrong with what I'm wearing" she said, her voice steady despite the fire burning in her chest.

"You're the one who said to dress nicely" she crossed her arms trying to protect herself from his stoic gaze.

She could see the anger in his face. He hated when Yara deceived him, when she didn't listen to every demand given to her "I asked you to dress nicely not like a who- just go fucking change Yara" He cut himself off, pinching the bridge of his nose. But Yara knew what he was about to say and it hurt her, she wasn't a whore and those exact words made her hate herself but still she tried to keep her confidence "I-If you don't like it, then maybe I won't go to your dinner" she squeaked out clearly hurt by the sentence he couldn't finish.

She could see the conflict in his eyes, a flicker of something that made her think she had pushed too far. But she didn't care. She was tired of his games, tired of feeling like she was constantly at his mercy. She turned, ready to walk out the door, when his hand shot out, gripping her arm with a force that made her gasp.

"Don't be stupid" he hissed, pulling her back towards him. His face was close to hers now, too close, and she could see the strain in his expression as he fought to keep his composure. "You don't need to change. Just.....let's go" Yara stared at him, the defiance still simmering just beneath the surface, but she nodded, deciding it was better not to push him any further. His grip on her arm loosened, and he led her out of the office, his hand lingering on her lower back in a way that made her skin crawl.

The walk to the parking lot was silent, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. When they reached his car, a sleek, black Porsche that seemed to gleam under the fading sunlight, he opened the passenger door for her, the gesture oddly formal, almost mocking.

She slid into the seat, the leather cool against her skin. Mr Moreno got in on the driver's side, his movements smooth and controlled. As he started the engine, the powerful roar of the car filled the silence, a stark contrast to the suffocating quiet that had settled between them.

They pulled out of the parking lot, the campus quickly fading behind them as they drove through the city streets. The silence in the car was heavy, almost oppressive, and Yara found herself staring out the window, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside her. She didn't know what to expect from the evening ahead, but one thing was certain, this was just the beginning of something dark, something that she couldn't quite see the end of.

Mr Moreno drove with a focus that bordered on obsessive, his hands gripping the wheel tightly as if he was struggling to control more than just the car. Yara could feel his gaze flicking toward her every so often, the tension between them growing with each passing moment.

As they neared his house, Yara's eyes widened at the view in front of her. Mr Moreno's house was almost isolated and set back from the road.

The car pulled into the driveway, and Mr. Moreno killed the engine, the sudden silence almost deafening. He turned to look at Yara, his eyes once again roaming over her with that same unsettling intensity. She met his gaze, refusing to be the first to look away.

The house in front of Yara was pure luxury, an estate that screamed wealth and status. At the end of a long, curved driveway lined with perfectly manicured hedges and towering trees, the mansion stood tall and proud. The exterior was a mix of classic modern elegance but still had a dark touch to it. She got out of the car this time he didn't give her any assistance. She walked to the grand entrance. Massive double doors made of dark, rich wood greeted her, their surfaces smooth and polished, with intricate carvings. The brass handles shone under the soft light.

She attempted to stay professional but she had never seen a house this perfect, a house that screamed this much wealth.

"Remember," he said, his voice low and controlled, "you're here because of Elena. Nothing more" Yara swallowed hard, the cool evening air hitting her like a splash of cold water.

The door opened and Yara was greeted by what looked like a maid. She led her inside with a smile.

The foyer was vast, designed to impress. Yara couldn't help but feel a sense of dread settling over her. This wasn't just a dinner, it was a step deeper into the twisted relationship between her and Professor Alejandro Moreno, a relationship that was becoming more dangerous with every interaction.

A/N

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