Y A S M E E N I never explicitly tell guys when I like them but they tend to figure it out because I'm not very good at hiding it either. Aayan... Aayan seemed like a dream, he was so sweet and funny... not to mention, hot. He was out of reach for sure and honestly, I never wanted to reach out. There was no reason for me to even try with him because his league was supermodels and I was just me.I won't lie, it's not easy for someone to waver my confidence. I genuinely loved who I was in high school! Rejection didn't scare me, I was content with my appearance, I was loud, bold, and happy. But Aayan managed to ruin me in ways I never thought someone could. God, if I could scrub the memory out of my head, I would. I would sell my soul to forget that day. Philip had no right to bring that up again... He had no...I touch my cheek and realize there are tears running down them. I quickly wipe them away and try my best to put a smile on my face."Marcus!" My cheery voice somewhat cracks. He
Y A S M E E N The guitar strums out as I feel everyone's gaze on me, the feeling has adrenaline rushing through me. I feel my heartbeat in my throat as I take in a deep breath and let it out, "You know that I'm a crazy bitch // I do what I want when I feel like it // All I wanna do is lose control. Oh, oh."The crowd's expression goes from shock to an instant energy boost as they cheer and bounce around to the music."But you don't really give a shit // You go with it, go with it, go with it // 'Cause, you're fucking crazy rock-n-roll."My eyes trail to Marcus, who's just as shellshocked, if not more.Grinning, I look him right in the eyes as I sing the next bit, "You said, 'Hey, // What's your name?' // It took one look // And now we're not the same // Yeah, you said, 'Hey', // And since that day // You stole my heart // And you're the one to blame."My mind travels to how my mood instantly shifted from feeling insecure to safe once Marcus stepped in between Aayan and me. A bigger s
Z A R A "Wait!" I run after Alejandro.He stops but doesn't turn around. "I'll have your things sent to wherever you'll be going. Any form of communication between us will be exchanged through Mar—""Will you turn around and look at me?" I say softly. He listens, slowly turning around to face me. His expression is darker than it was minutes ago but instantly changes when he meets my eyes. Now, he's just confused as to why I'm here with him and not with Elijah."Can we drop by a shawarma place before heading home? I've been craving it recently," I say casually, copying the trait of his where he speaks plainly during a completely uncasual situation. "Can we—what?" He pauses. "Zara, what are you doing here?""Going home with you only if you promise to buy me shawarma on the way there," I say as I walk slightly ahead of him. He only blinks in further confusion."Alejandro, I'm married to you, I'm your wife. I have no home except with you." This whole situation feels bizarre. I'm here be
Z A R A Alejandro snakes his arms around my waist, "Mmm, it smells good. You're cooking?""Mhm," I answer."Special occasion?" He tucks his chin into the crook of my neck. I stop stirring the pasta and slightly turn my head. "It's Christmas, don't you celebrate?"I do," he says. "It's just that I haven't spent Christmas with someone in years." I raise a brow. "I can hear the lie seeping through your teeth."He raises a brow. "What makes you think I'm lying, my love?""Don't try to convince me that you didn't find someone to sleep around with every Christmas," I frown. He chuckles. "I mean, I haven't spent it with anyone important in years.""Oh?" I act amused. I cover the pot with a lid and lower the gas on the stove so I can turn around and look at him. "I'm important? Since when?""Since I met you," he answers nonchalantly.I roll my eyes. "You've also been a fabulous liar since I met you." He takes me by surprise by picking me up and sitting me down on the granite countertop so I'
Y A S M E E N Everything needs to be perfect. I have never wanted to perfect something so much in my life because I never had to impress someone as hard-headed as Marcus Wang before. In fact, I've never actually wanted to impress a boy before. I always went with the flow and as everyone knows by now, that never worked out. But something about Marcus makes me want to work harder, makes me crave his attention, and makes me pull for his approval. It is absolutely maddening and honestly, I would not want it any other way. Why? Because I thrive from the feeling of every nerve in my body pulling me towards him. So many people are afraid to fall, afraid of things not working out, and afraid they will end up torn into pieces but that doesn't bother me. Of course, I do care about being heartbroken and would prefer if I do not end up in a million pieces, but it's all part of life, no? We fall, we get hurt, and we learn. It's all part of the experience or maybe I'm just an insane masochist who
M A R C U S "At Yasmeen's? Like a date?" The shock present in Elijah's tone is irritatingly clear.I roll my eyes. "No, not a date.""That reminds me, I have to go grab something of hers from Yasmeen's apartment. I'll go grab it while you freshen up for your date," he says."it's not a date," I clarify again."Whatever you say, loverboy," he chuckles as he drives us to my apartment complex.• • •Fuck, why the hell am I so nervous? It's not a date, she just asked to cook for me and I agreed. There's nothing wrong with wanting to go somewhere for food. I changed out of three outfits already and I'm still trying to convince myself that this isn't a date. It isn't. It's nothing like that. Yasmeen isn't for me and I am not for her. We don't belong together and I should always remember that; I should always remember my place. Yet, the thought of her with someone else... Fuck this, whether she's happy with someone else or not is none of my problems.She had to go on and choose my birthdate
Z A R A "Elijah? What are you doing here?" The shock in my voice is apparent. No one is allowed up to our apartment without permission from Alejandro, except for Alejandro himself and Charlotte."Why?" He asks."Didn't you leave for Italy a couple of days ago?" I furrow my brows. That's what Yasmeen told me the other day. She told me that Elijah had left a couple of days ago to visit family."No, I leave tonight," he clarifies."And?" There's a hint of attitude in my tone because I'm still holding a grudge for how he almost had me killed by Alejandro by being reckless "What are you doing here? If Alejandro finds out—""You're not going to invite me in?" He interrupts my sentence. I'm silent, slowly pushing the door forward to not allow him to enter any further."Come with me," he says."W-What?" I blink, trying to wonder why he would try this again when it didn't work the first time."Come with me to Italy. Let's run away," he pauses before saying, "Together.""Are you insane?" I'm s
Y A S M E E N I couldn't sit still. I keep walking back and forth in Alejandro's office. Marcus left the second he dropped me off, so I had to ask the receptionist to ring me up at Alejandro's office. I can feel the adrenaline in my veins rushing at the horrible thought of what could've happened to Zara. My thoughts are interrupted when the door opens, hitting the wall hard. I jump at the loud sound, seeing Alejandro walk in. I can safely say he has probably slept less than me in the past three days. There are dark shadows under his eyes, he has a rough, unkempt stubble, and his lips are dry and cracked. The only thing that's put together are his clothes but even his tie is not on properly. But seeing him only made my uneasiness worst, whatever news he has can't be any better than all the possibilities that have been going through my head."Shut the fuck up! I want a location by tonight or I'll send your fucking limbs to your wife!" He yells into the phone, making me flinch."Alejand