Self

Chapter 94

Sure, they were at odds, but once upon a time, they were as tight as brothers could be

Shane had Yale’s sweet talking playbook memorized–buy a gift, flash a smile, drop a compliment, or give a little nod and whisper some magic words.

It was too bad Yara would no longer fall for that old song and dance.

“Young Master Shields, you seem pretty happy?” Xandra piped up, wide–eyed innocence and a smile as pure as fresh snow.

Shane nodded. “Absolutely.”

“Is it because Yale got the cold shoulder from Yara?”

Shane gave her a look, the first real one he had ever given her. “You’re not exactly sad about it either, right?”

Xandra did not dodge the truth. “Yeah, I want to be by his side, always.”

“So, should I offer my congratulations and happily ever after?”

Shane dropped her hand and stepped back.

Xandra’s smile did not waver. “Thanks for that, Young Master Shields. And hey, I hope you catch your dream girl too.”

Shane just clicked his tongue and turned away.

He shot Yale a look of pity. Yale thought he had snagged a sweet little bunny, but he had actually stirred a wasp with a nasty sting..

When they crossed paths, Yale could not help himself. He said, “Same as before, keep your distance from her.”

Shane paused, his gaze sharp. “And I’ll repeat myself too–you’re not the boss.

of me.”

“At least I had something real with her. What do you have?” Yale’s eyes were dark, but there was a hint of triumph.

“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be in the picture. She wouldn’t spare you a second glance.”

Shane sald, Just remember, you and I are in the same boat right now. An ex and a pursuer–we’re only faces in the crowd to her.”

Yale shot him a frosty glance, but Shane was not in the mood for chit–chat and exited through a different door.

Back in her room, Yara peeled off her mask and indulged in a soothing bath.

Hair cascading down her back, she ascended to the second floor, greeted by the night breeze that whispered secrets of the sea, tinged with a hint of salt.

The waves rose and fell in their rhythmic dance, their hushed roar casting a spell of tranquility.

She leaned on the railing, her eyes tracing the glistening sea that stretched into the darkness, dotted with lights that twinkle like stars birthed from the earth.” The beauty of the night healed her spirits

Just then, Shane, from the standalone water villa next door, stepped out onto his terrace.

He caught sight of Yara, serene in the lamplight; her gaze was lost in the horizon. Her profile was soft and pale, the light draping her like a delicate veil.

Shane stood, captivated, for a heartbeat too long before snapping back to reality.

Sensing his presence, Yara turned.

Shane said, “Here, you dropped this.”

He revealed a dainty earring resting in his hand.

Touching her ear, Yara realized she had lost one while taking off her makeup. She had not thought it would end up at the ball.

She accepted the earring with a word of thanks, but Shane lingered.

“You know, I’ve traveled far and wide, but only here in the Maldives have I found peace, a gentle embrace like the sea itself–vast and welcoming.”

His eyes lingered on the distant waters, his words carrying a weight of sincerity.

Yara felt the same.

307

Before that getaway, she was a bundle of nerves, bogged do her thesis

and Yale’s erratic episodes.

by

At that place, though, her worries seemed to dissolve, allowing her to savor her very own slice of paradise.

Catching her gaze, Shane asked softly, “Is there something on your mind you want to share?”

Yara gave him a complicated look and said, “Can we talk about something? Can you maybe not try to date me anymore? It’s futile, and it’s a waste of our time.”