♥ Chapter 20♥

Magnus Darkmore.

I'm sitting at my desk, staring at a pile of papers that I have no idea how to deal with. All I can think about is Yara. For the last few days, she's been avoiding us as if we were the devil himself. Every time she sees us, she hides, disappearing down the corridors like a ghost. Even Damien hasn't been able to get close to her, which is frustrating for all of us. We're all in the same situation, trying to find a way to break through this barrier she's put up between us.

I bang my fist on the table, annoyed. This has been going on for days, and my patience is at its limit. It was my idea to take it easy and give her time to get used to it, but now I'm wondering if that was the right choice. The truth is that this delay is killing me. I wanted to go slowly to show her that she can trust us, but how can I do that if she runs away whenever she sees us? All this waiting is starting to suffocate me.

'' Damn it! '' I curse, throwing the pen on the table. My hands are shaking with frustration.

I can't even concentrate on my work. Everything around me revolves around her. It's as if Yara is always there, even when she's not. I can smell her in the house, hear the soft sound of her footsteps in the hallway, and every time I close my eyes, I see her face. It's driving me crazy.

I get up and start walking around the office, trying to calm down, but it's no use. I'm on the verge of throwing everything away. Furthermore, I need to see her and talk to her. We need to stop this distance. All this waiting is only increasing the desire I feel for her, and I know that Damien and Kael feel the same way. We're all on edge, and Yara doesn't make it easy.

I approach the window and look out, but my mind is still stuck on her. The idea of seeing her or touching her is consuming me in a way I never imagined possible. I have to do something. This situation can't go on like this. I can't stand this game of cat and mouse any longer.

''We need to change tactics. '' I mutter to myself, determined. If she wants to keep running away, then we need to be more persuasive. I'm not going to let this distance keep separating us.

I sigh deeply and return to the table, picking up the phone. Furthermore, I'll figure something out. If I have to, I'll make her understand once and for all that there's nowhere to run. She'll be ours. Only ours.

Enough of this stalling. I'm not wasting any more time. I take one last look out of the window before leaving the office. The decision has already been made.

I leave the company with firm steps, my serious face reflecting my frustration. I need to resolve this once and for all. Likewise, I walk into the garage and straight to my car. I open the door and settle into the seat, letting out a heavy sigh. I try to push the thoughts away, but Yara dominates my mind—her face, her voice—everything about her is a damn enigma that I need to unravel.

''Enough of this. '' I mutter, turning the key in the ignition. The engine roars, and I accelerate out of the garage towards the mansion.

The drive home seems longer than usual. Impatience eats away at my nerves, and my fingers drum on the steering wheel to the rhythm of my agitated thoughts. When I finally arrive, I park the car in front of the main entrance. I get out of the vehicle and close the door a little harder than necessary.

As I enter the mansion, I look around, searching for Yara. My eyes scan the entrance hall, but I don't see her anywhere. Could she be hiding again? This has to stop. I decide to take a shower first to clear my head.

I hurry upstairs, eager to have a moment of privacy. When I reach my room, I open the door and walk in, but I immediately stop in place. My eyes fixate on the scene in front of me: Yara is there, with her back to me, holding one of my jackets. She brings the fabric up to her face, inhaling deeply of my scent.

My heart races. For a second, I'm completely paralyzed by the sight. She's so focused that she doesn't notice me. Desire and surprise mix inside me. The sensation of seeing her there, so close, so surrendered to such an intimate gesture, is overwhelming. A predatory smile forms on the corner of my lips.