Self

Chapter 64

The knocking intensified.

Flashes of what had happened at the villa, when Yale had nearly forced himself on her, sent a chill through her. She clutched the blanket tighter, her lips going white.

“Yara!

“Open up!

“Yara!”

She pressed her hands over her ears, praying he would get tired of being ignored and leave.

Yale was not giving up, though. Five minutes of relentless pounding proved he was prepared to knock all night if he had to.

The building was old, with thin walls, and at that ungodly hour, his racket was sure to wake the dead.

Right on cue…

“Who’s making all that noise? We need to sleep!”

“Is someone’s dog barking? Shut it up!”

“I’m calling the cops if you don’t get lost!”

With no other option, Yara tossed the blanket aside, slid into her slippers, and stomped to the door.

“Yale, have you lost your mind?!” she snapped, her voice sharp with anger.

“I knew you were in there.”

“And?!”

“Open up. Let me in.”

“Why on earth would I do that? You think you can just barge in whenever you feel like it?”

Yale smirked. “Okay, I’ll just keep knocking then.”

“You-”

“I’m knocking!”

Feeling trapped, Yara reluctantly swung the door open.

Yale wasted no time, shoving the door wide open, as if afraid she would slam it shut in his face any second.

The man staggered into the room, reeking of booze, his cheeks unnaturally flushed as if he might topple over any second.

Yara’s brow furrowed, and she instinctively took three steps back. “What are you-”

Yale’s dark and glazed–over eyes fixed on her, but he did not utter a word. Time dragged on until he finally murmured, “Yara, please come back..”

Yara shook her head, hugging her coat around her. “You know that’s not going to happen,” she said.

“It’s been half a year. Isn’t that long enough?”

“Yale, this isn’t some game. You get that, right?”

Chapter of

2/2

“I don’t get it–what do you want from me? Just tell me! Should I grovel online, beg for forgiveness, or do something crazy to prove myself?”

He had hit rock bottom, showing a vulnerability he never had before, not after all their past fights.

However, Yara was unyielding as she shook her head.

“That’s enough!” Yale exploded, then gasped for air. “You let me in. Doesn’t that mean there’s still a chance for us? Just tell me your terms!”

Yale clenched his jaw in frustration. He had conceded so much; what else did she expect?

Yara replied, “I let you in so you wouldn’t make a scene and bother everyone else, nothing more. You were the one who said when it was over. It’s over. To be clear–cut, to let go. So what’s this all about now?”

Yale moved closer, reaching for her shoulder.

She recoiled in fear, her eyes wide with alarm. “Don’t touch me!”