Yara |18+|

45

  VICO

It was late morning when I was pulled out of my sleep.

The windows had been slightly opened, allowing the bright sun to flood the room and warm my sheets. For a blissful second, I had forgotten about the past few days.

Only for a second—until I was reminded and my next instinct was to reach for Yara and have her cuddle into me. But she wasn't there and I missed her. Despite the confusion that came with her not trusting me, I wanted us—no, I needed us to be okay.

Am I crazy?

I dragged my gaze over the empty space, practically glaring at the messy sheets she wasn't in.

It was odd waking up alone and I wasn't a fan. I hated that she wasn't there with her sleepy grin and her morning hugs.

It was the best part of my day. It was the one thing I looked forward to after waking and I was deprived of it because she had chosen to sleep in a room that wasn't ours.

Last night, I returned from working at the warehouse and found Yara waiting for me. There wasn't much I could say except that I'd be going to bed with the silent hope of her joining me.

I waited, and she didn't show up until I heard her get ready to sleep in the guest room.

It pissed me off until I realised that I might have given her the impression that I wanted to be alone.

I didn't.

Anything but.

I had hoped that she'd sleep next to me and assure me that our fight was just that.

But I had fallen into a restless slumber all alone while I ached to have her close to me.

I let out an annoyed huff, frowning until I became aware and relaxed my face. The house was quiet and I listened for any noise, only to be greeted with silenced and the urge to call her name.

I sighed again and sat up. Resting on one hand, I used the other to rub a hand over my face and stopped to listen again when I thought I heard something. Nothing.

It must have been my imagination.

Dragging the sheets off me, I stumbled to the bathroom and headed straight for the basin. It was then that I noticed that the condensation still lingered in the air and knew she must have showered recently.

Please still be home.

Could caring for someone that much allow room for errors?

Yes.

Finishing up, I ended off with splashing warm water on my face. Yara...why couldn't you have just told me what you wanted? She had no clue that I'd jump if she said so, and that was the crazy part.

Had I not made myself clear? If not, I needed to.

I dabbed my face dry and walked to my closet to grab a t-shirt, still hoping that she'd make any sound to indicate that she didn't leave.

It might have been hypocritical of me considering that I left without saying where I was off to. Fuck. What was I thinking? I looked for her upstairs and found nothing.

Walking downstairs, the first thing I saw were her legs.

She was sitting on a dining chair, her legs crossed and propped up onto the table. I slowed down and noticed that she was reading a book. Yara hadn't heard me yet and I stood still for a moment, just watching her. Am I being creepy? I didn't care.

She looked...stunning.

As she always did.

Yara turned a page, her fingers gliding along the matte paper as if her book were the most interesting thing in the world. For the time being, it probably was as her eyes ran across the words with a focus I wished to have.

"Are you just going to stand there and stare at me?"

Her voice startled me and I jumped, my smile creeping up before I could stop it. I couldn't resist. I was hooked on her and stupidly so—being able to forgive her within a heartbeat.

Albeit, I got away last night because I wanted to find Amir and thought about it until I changed my mind.

My feet took me to her instantly and she dropped her book as if it had lost its important the moment she heard me approach her.

Yara stood up and turned to me, welcoming me into her arms as if she had missed me as much as I had missed her. The relief that resonated off the both of us was unfathomable. The thought of losing Yara over something fixable nearly fucked me over. No, I wouldn't let it.

I hugged her tightly and breathed in the smell of her hair, lifting her off her feet as if I couldn't get her close enough.

When I set her down and her cheek pressed against my chest, I felt her grip on me tighten until I was convinced she needed it too.

"Vico?" she murmured, her voice soft and unbelievable tender. There was regret in her tone, and a sincerity I picked up on instantly.

"I'm really sorry."

I rested my chin on the top of her head, closing my eyes when her hands curled into fists on my back. She moved her forehead to my chest and I didn't stop holding her, silently forgiving her.

"It was so stupid," she said, and her hand ran over my back.

"Very," I muttered, chuckling when I felt her frown against my t-shirt.

"I know," she muttered. "I'm constantly thinking about the things I could've done differently."

"Me too," I whispered, clasping her cheeks to pull her back. I needed to look at her. "But we're good now, yes?"

"Yes," she said, nodding her head. "We are."

"But," I stated, searching her eyes. "I need you to always be truthful with me. Do not lie to me, ever again. Yara, don't look away from me," I said when her eyes drifted. "I'm asking you to be honest with me, even when you feel as if it's not necessary." We would be nowhere without a level of trust, and I needed her to know that despite the hold she had on me, I couldn't be left in the dark about anything.

"I will be," she said, staring up at me with soft eyes and a look of awe. "I promise," she added.

I leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Good."

• • •

Read the full book on my patreon
patreon.com/onlyshannon
(fifty five chapters + epilogue)