Chapter 0003

“ It's none of your business, now please get out of my way.” I said quickly, trying to sound all strong and bold and he seemed to have believed me because he took a couple steps back. I gave him a curt nod and made for the door when his voice came.

“ Do you love him?” He whispered as though he tried to believe otherwise, that I didn't love Harrison, and truly, I didn't but I wasn't going to tell him that. We were done and there's nothing left to fix.

“ Yes. I do love him.”

“ Then I'm sure you know that saying that won't stop me from having you.” I could hear the thrill in his tone, his steps echoing behind me. My heart sped up in my chest.

“ We broke up, Cassian. It's time you move on.”

“ There's no moving on when it comes to us, Dusha Moy. You were mine, You are mine, You'll forever be mine, even if you try to forget it.”

“ I'm not yours.” I turned, pointing my finger at him. “ I will never be yours, so get out of that stupid fantasy world of yours!” With that, I turned and walked back to my bedroom and locked the door.

His eyes followed, not once did he pull them away and they carried the same intensity that made the room thick with tension. I finished my snacks, had my shower and soon prepared for bed. Not without Cassian making his way into my thoughts once or twice.

The thought of him being in the same building as me, after so long. His presence made the huge house feel so small, memories of the night I’d ended things burning in my thoughts, the pain stung fresh, the wound peppered anew. The night I tried so hard to forget.

____

“ What do you mean by we're done? You can't just do that Eli, it's wrong!” Cassian yelled, his fists banging hard against the metal gates. The rain poured over— wetting the earth and him as he spoke.

“ You can't break up with me, Eli, I love you. I need you to fucking breathe. Don't do this to me!” He croaked once more and my heart burned even more, tears brimming in my eyes as I stared at him through my bedroom window. I wished I could go to him, tell him it was all a lie but it wasn't, we had to face reality, we weren't meant for each other. At least that was what father told me.

“ Lara! Eli! Lara!!” He banged harder and harder, his pain in his voice sinking deeper and deeper into my chest. I closed the curtains, unable to watch him suffer anymore and I walked back to my bed, my body slumping on the mattress.

Metals clicked and the door to my bedroom opened, I didn't need to look to discern who it was. His presence which demanded attention and fear, scent which screamed wealth and power, his footsteps which sent a shiver down my spine— father.

“ Get rid of him. I don't want him anywhere near you.” He ordered coldly and walked out just as he came, banging the door behind him. I flinched, my eyes wandering back to the window.

“ I'm not leaving until you talk to me!” His voice came once more, and I sniffed. My fingers brushing over my cheeks, wiping the tears away. Father was right, he wasn't meant for me, we weren't meant to be.

My limbs trembled as I stood, a breath climbed up my nostrils as I tried to calm my bundled nerves. I turned and made my way down the stairs. I needed to end this and end it now.

As I approached the gates, his eyes sparkled, a look which seemed to melt away all the resolve I'd gathered. My fists tightened as I clinged to the last string of strength I had and I marched forward. “ Lara! I knew you would come, I—”

“ What are you doing here?” I cut him off abruptly, each word hurting me more than it did him.

His smile faltered, the sparkles in his eyes dimmed. His grip around the bars tightened as the rain increased in volumes, his shirt gummed his skin. “ I came here to see you, you just ended things between us and you didn't even give me a valid reason why. I wanted to at least know the reason why before letting you go.”

“ You're not normal! You're psychotic! Insane! I can't be with someone as toxic as you, it'll ruin my family's reputation.” I didn't stutter, I didn't cry, my words were raw and clear and I could see how much I'd hurt him but yet I continued, “ Besides, you're broke and an outcast from your family, I don't see myself having a life with you.”

Silence rained, only the consistent splatter of droplets against the hard ground rang in the air. The wind grew colder, sweat pigmented my palms, the back of my eyes burned but I didn't let the tears form. I had to be strong.

“ Is this what you want?” He whispered, tilting his head, to the side a smile crept up his lips, one which barely reached his eyes. His voice dropped to a new level of low which it hadn't done before. Fear rattled my bones, I almost tripped but I held myself.

“ Yes. It's what I want.”

He released the bars which had now been compressed from his steel grasp. My throat bobbled. “ Then it's fine. So be it.”

“ But know this. You'll always be mine and I'll never stop chasing you, even if I have to run to the very ends of the fucking universe. I'll find you, claim you and make you mine.” He grovelled, his voice cold.

“ And if I'm married and happy?” I wasn't curious to find out what he would do but yet I asked.

“ Then you'll find out just how psychotic I can be.”

_____

The morning approached quickly, the rays of sunshine slithering through the slightly parted windows, the morning breeze brushed my skin, making me open my eyes weakly. Right, I needed to prepare some tea for Harrison.

With wrecked bones, I slowly picked myself up and walked out of the room. Maids rushed to me, greeting me with smiles plastered over their faces. I just waved them off and continued my walk to the kitchen.

I immediately brewed some coffee and grabbed some loaves and made my way back up the stairs. My steps slowed as I came to the bedroom door, my heart thrumming against my ribs, I pushed some air through my lungs, as my hands braced the handle. I pushed the door open and my gaze landed on a figure sitting in front of the mirror. A towel around her hair, a white robe to her skin. Cleo

Sensing my presence, she turned slowly and stood, taking slow steps towards me, my grip tightened around the tray, my fingers trembled, threatening to spill the contents but I held myself and forced a smile up my face. “ Cleo, You're still here?”

“ Cut the crap bitch and wipe that stupid smile off your face.” She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms around his chest. Her gaze cut through me like a piece of paper. I swallowed.

“ I brought Harrison's morning coffee,” My eyes searched the room, “ Where is he?”

“ You know doing all these shits won't make him love you right? He’ll never love a boring bitch like you.” She sneered, her words piercing deeper than I'd expected.

“ He's my fiancé, he's going to learn to love me.”

“ Yeah, that's never going to happen.”

“ Just let me drop the coffee please, he'll be mad if I don't.” I tried to move but she stood in my way.

“ He'll be mad if he sees you, don't ruin our perfect morning, now get out.” She pushed and the hot cup of coffee poured over my chest and palm. The cup smashing against the floor, the loaves sprawling over the wooden flooring.“ Oops, not sorry.” She closed the door leaving me there, humiliated.