Self

Chapter 14

“I can’t stay for dinner, I’ve got stuff to do. Let’s catch up some other time.”

Yara was always friendly with Zachary, and even when she turned him down, she did it with a smile that was hard to be upset about.

Zachary noticed the fancy custom jewelry box in her hand. She clearly had something to do; it was not just an excuse.

He nodded in understanding, but before he could say more, Yara had already breezed past Yale and was out the door,

She did not even sneak a peek the whole time!

The mood suddenly turned icy.

Zachary looked at Yale’s expression and tried to make light of it. “So, maybe Yara just didn’t see you. Don’t sweat it, okay?”

When he mentioned it, Yale’s mood seemed to turn even stormier.

He cleared his throat, not daring to say another word.

Zachary could not help but think–Yara finally showed some backbone!

“Sir, will you be making a purchase?”

Yale glanced up, his eyes icy. “Of course, I’m buying. Fetch me the priciest one.”

Yara might not want him, but loads of other women sure would!

The party was at a swanky villa on Cloudview Avenue. When Yara got there, the place was already buzzing with people.

A few recognized her, and their looks took on a weird edge.

When she was Yale’s plus–one, she attended many occasions, and her face became pretty well–known.

However, to them, she was not Yara; she was just Yale’s girlfriend.

A nobody who had hit the jackpot.

Lately, though, the gossip mill had been churning out stories about her and Yale’s split. When they saw her by herself, that pretty much sealed the deal on those rumors.

That was why everyone was giving her those odd looks.

Was the nobody who almost made it big about to crash back down to

earth?

Six years down the drain, and she was the one who got dumped.

What a juicy story!

Yara brushed off the stares and bee lined it to Rainie to hand over the

jewelry.

“Yara, come on, hang out for a bit? The food’s actually good today.

“No, I’m good. Just take it easy with the drinks and stay safe getting. home.”

“Sure thing.” Rainie did not push it. She knew the score–Yara sticking around would be awkward. “Understood! Mr. Wick will drive you home.

“Thanks.” With that, Yara headed out.

Around her….

“Did you see that? She’s got some nerve showing up here. Talk about. shamelessness!”

“She hung around Yale for six years. There’s gotta be an old flame here, right?”

saun what she’s wearing? My maid

Everyone we cha’s practically as shadow, doing his laundry. cooking his meals–the might as we be his nanny.”

“Me Summons Mr. Wick caught a glimpse of Yara’s face.

The nasty rumors were enough to make anyone cringe, but she was as cool as if she had not heard a thing

“Let’s head out.”

She knew the kind of talk that followed her

She had braced herself for that very scene when she first decided to break it off with Yale.

Mr. Wick said, “Ms. Simmons, just a moment, I’ll get the car.

“Sure ” Yara lingered outside the banquet hall, gazing up at the fading light

The sun dipped low, and a soft breeze whispered by.

That was when….

“Yara?”

A deep, slightly slurred voice called out.

She spun around, their eyes locked. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Mason Lark toyed with his wine glass, his dark eyes lit with a subdued joy. “It’s been ages. I never thought I’d bump into you like this. I’m trying to think

“Last time was your college graduation, right? Too bad Yale threw me out before I could give you the flowers.

Yara squirmed inwardly.

Back in the day, Mason and Yale had both chased after her. They were two rich kids with looks to kill and both wild to the core.

I’ve got to run…”

Mason was not about to let her slip away, though. “All those years, Yale’s kept you like a trophy, tucked away at home. Seeing you has been next to impossible.”

Yara’s smile waned. “What are you getting at?”

Mason’s voice was tinged with a mix of frustration and longing. “You know, you turned both Yale and me down back then. But you ended up with him because he just wouldn’t give up–he was all over you.

“Ever think that maybe he hung on so long because he was more into winning the game than winning you?”

Yara felt as if her heart, already in pieces, had just been torn open

anew.

Had she mistaken true love for nothing more than a guy’s stubborn pride and competitive streak?

Mason’s eyes softened as he noticed her face lose all color.

He reached out, trying to brush her cheek with his fingers, but Yara stepped back, putting space between them.

“Mr. Lark, keep it together, please.”

Mason leaned in closer. “Come on, quit the act. I know you and Yale are done.”

“And?” Yara lifted her gaze, a wry smile playing on her lips.

“Choose me, Yara. I’ll treasure you and protect you way more than Yale ever will. Whatever you want, I’ll make it happen. Just say you’ll be mine…”

Chamer

Six years had not changed the way his heart skipped a beat at the

sight of her. Mason knew he was still holding on to something that might never be his.

Yara let out a laugh, light but edged with bitterness. “Out of one mess and straight into another? It was good to see you, Mr. Lark. Let’s just stick to our own paths from here on out.”

With those final words, she turned and walked away.

She did not want anything to do with Yale or Mason–not then, not ever.

And they had better stay out of her way, too.

Mason watched her go, a shadow passing over his face.

A quiet sigh slipped from his lips, and he chuckled. “Yara, you think you can just walk away from it all? Life’s not that simple.”

Unbeknownst to him, someone had been watching the whole

exchange.

Michael glanced at the photo he had snapped, a satisfied smirk on

his face.

Shane had stepped out to clear his head when he caught Michael grinning at his phone like he had just pulled off the world’s sneakiest prank.

“What’s got you looking so smug?”

Shane’s blunt tone did not faze Michael; he waved his phone triumphantly.

Shane, quick on the uptake, caught a glimpse of the photo and recognized the face. “Yara?”

“Yep,” Michael said, tilting his head with a look that spelled trouble.” And Mason’s in the mix too. Sent the picture to Yale already.”

They remembered the love triangle drama from the past and how wil Yale had been. The memory alone was enough to make them shak their heads.

Shane’s gaze grew intense. “Mason’s on the scene right after the spli

and Yara’s vibe…”

He trailed off, his voice heavy with implication. “Looks like Yara’s no just playing around this time.”

“No way. Yara’s not cut out for that. Just watch. She won’t split from Yale for good. Actually, she can’t leave him.”

“Then why’d you send him the photo?”

Michael shrugged it off. “Just stirring the pot, enjoying the show. What’s the harm?”

Shane arched an eyebrow. “Don’t stir a storm, or you might lose a

friend.”

“It’s just a picture. Besides, Yale’s not going to sweat over an ex. But check out this shot I got–pretty spot–on, right? Captures the

moment…”

guve

Shane’s eyes lingered on the stunning side profile of the woman in the photo. “You’ve got a point. She’s an ex, after all. It’s normal to have other

around…”