Falling

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Yara

As I stared out of the BMW's window, the world outside rushed past in muted hues. There was something achingly familiar about the winding roads, the tall trees bending slightly in the winter breeze, and the distant silhouette of a mansion growing larger with every mile. Yet, I couldn't quite place it.

Home. I was going home. Or so they told me.

The truth was, I didn't even know what home meant anymore. I had lost my first seven years to a haze of forgotten memories, leaving me with nothing but fragments too blurry to make sense of. Now, at sixteen, I couldn't decide if I wanted to remember. What if those lost years held something too painful to face? My parents had tried everything to help me remember—photos, stories, familiar places—but the memories stayed locked away, just out of reach. Maybe they were better off there.

"Yara, we're here," my dad's voice broke into my thoughts, pulling me out of my reverie.

The car slowed to a stop, and I looked up. My breath hitched.

In front of me stood the kind of house that only existed in fairy tales—tall and imposing, its sprawling structure framed by manicured gardens and wrought-iron gates. It was larger than life, with windows that gleamed like jewels under the pale sunlight.

This was home?

I stepped out of the car, the crisp air biting at my skin, and took a hesitant step forward. My eyes roamed over the mansion's intricate details—the grand arched doorway, the stone walls, the rows of windows that seemed endless. For nine years, I'd lived with my aunt, far removed from this world. Now, standing here, it felt like I was stepping into someone else's life.

"Yara!"

Before I could take it all in, my mother came rushing toward me, her arms wrapping around me in a tight, warm hug. Her scent, a mix of roses and something familiar I couldn't quite name, brought a small sense of comfort.

"My baby," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It feels so good to finally have you home."

Her words made my chest tighten, but I managed a small smile. "It's... good to be back," I said softly, though the words felt strange on my tongue.

Before I could say more, another voice called out. "Don't tell me you forgot about me already."

I turned to see my older brother, Seth, standing a few steps away with his arms crossed and a lopsided smirk on his face. He looked the same—tall, broad-shouldered, with that protective older-brother energy that I both loved and found endlessly annoying.

"Forget you?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Not a chance, you idiot."

He laughed, stepping closer to ruffle my hair. "You're still a brat."

"And you're still an ass," I shot back, grinning. "Now, can someone show me where my room is? I've had enough of this emotional reunion thing for one day."

When I saw my room, my jaw nearly hit the floor. It was enormous—far bigger than I could have imagined. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate moldings, and the massive bed looked like it belonged to royalty. Floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the space with light, and a soft, plush rug covered the polished wooden floors.

"Holy crap, Seth," I breathed, spinning in place. "This is my room? Are you kidding me? It's—it's—so motherfu—"

"You can swear," Seth interrupted with a smirk, leaning casually against the doorway. "I won't tell."

Of course he wouldn't. Seth practically spoke in swear words.

Before I could start unpacking, Seth popped his head back in. "By the way, Yara, we're heading to the Luces' house at six. Family gathering. Wear something formal, yeah?"

The Luces. Our neighbors.

After a quick shower, I slipped into the most elegant dress I could find—a fitted, navy-blue gown that hugged my figure in all the right places. I threw on a coat, knowing it was cold, but the walk wasn't far. What could possibly go wrong?

When I came downstairs, I found Mum and Seth deep in conversation. Their voices were hushed, but I caught snippets.

"She won't," Mum was saying, her voice firm but soft. "She wouldn't."

"But what if she does?" Seth muttered back, his tone tense.

I cleared my throat, and they both turned to me. Mum's face softened with a smile, but Seth's expression was guarded, almost unreadable.

"When are we leaving?" I asked casually.

"Now," Mum said quickly, brushing past me toward the door.

The walk to the Luces' mansion was short, but the house was even more overwhelming than ours. It was colossal, with grand, sweeping staircases visible through the tall windows, and lights that glowed warmly against the evening sky.

As we approached, a woman emerged, her beauty striking and effortless. She looked far too young to be in her forties, with a perfect figure and a bright, inviting smile.

"You must be Yara!" she exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. Her laugh was light and musical, and she smelled of jasmine and honey. "I'm Lea, and this is my husband, Axe," she added, gesturing to the equally handsome man standing beside her.

We exchanged pleasantries and stepped inside. The interior was just as breathtaking as the exterior—so grand and perfect it felt like it belonged in a movie.

Then, I felt it.

A gaze.

My eyes wandered, searching for the source, and then I saw him.

He was leaning casually against the far wall, but there was nothing casual about the way he stared at me. His eyes—those eyes—were the deepest, most mesmerizing blue I had ever seen. They weren't just blue; they were like the ocean after a storm, mysterious and endless.

My breath caught.

The boy wasn't just handsome—he was captivating. His jawline was sharp, his features perfectly chiseled, but there was a softness in his expression that made my heart flutter. His tousled dark hair framed his face in a way that looked effortlessly perfect, and he had an air of confidence that made it impossible to look away.

For a moment, it felt like time stopped. The grand mansion, the people, the noise—it all faded away. There was only him, and the way his eyes seemed to see right through me.

My heart skipped a beat, then another.

Who was he?

AN:

GUYS PLEASE INFORM ME IF THERE ARE ANY MISTAKES HAI