This my latest story novel...

The rain was drizzling that night.

My worn-out baju kurung was half-soaked because I had just finished hauling vegetable baskets from the night market. The scent of cabbage, celery, onions… it was all clinging to my body.

As usual.

People passing by would pull a face.

“Ugh… she smells.”

“So fat.”

“Looks like an old lady.”

“Who would even want her?”

I was used to it.

But my tongue was still sharp.

“If you don’t want to smell it, hold your breath. No need for the drama; it’s not like your nose is made of gold.”

The woman immediately scowled.

I just rolled my eyes as I dragged my vegetable baskets into the dark alley behind my dilapidated rented house.

My name is Dhia.

Twenty-five years old.

Vegetable seller.

Chubby.

A bit tanned.

I don't know the first thing about fashion.

And according to people…

No sane man would ever want a woman like me.

I never thought about love myself.

Until that night.

The screech of tires stopping abruptly at the entrance of the alley made me turn around.

Three men climbed out.

All big-bodied. Dark clothes. Terrifying.

Like gangsters.

I immediately grabbed a wooden broom leaning against a trash can.

“Hey! What do you want?”

One of the men opened the back door of a long black car.

A tall man stepped out.

Black suit.

Hands in his pockets.

A face as cold as ice.

His eyes were sharp, scanning me from head to toe.

I instinctively felt annoyed.

“Why are you looking at me like you’re about to vomit?”

He remained silent.

But his lip curled slightly.

A sneer.

“Is this the woman?”

His voice was deep.

The man beside him—Kraken Hafiz—nodded slowly.

“Yes, boss.”

Boss?

I raised an eyebrow.

“Boss of what? Boss of the farmer’s market?”

Kraken stifled a laugh.

But that man…

His expression didn't change at all.

He walked toward me slowly.

The scent of his expensive perfume immediately clashed with the smell of vegetables on my skin.

I felt like spitting in his arrogant face.

“Is your name Dhia?”

“What if it is?”

“Do you know who I am?”

“I’m not interested in memorizing the faces of rich people.”

His eyes softened slightly.

Almost like he was irritated.

“Fahad Afnan.”

The alley went dead silent.

I didn't know much about the underworld… but that name?

Everyone knew it.

CEO of a massive corporation.

And rumors said…

He was the leader of the most dangerous illegal organization in Kuala Lumpur.

I swallowed hard.

But my mouth kept running.

“Ooo… so? You want to buy some mustard greens?”

Kraken turned his head away, trying to contain his laughter.

Fahad stared at me for a long time.

So long that I began to feel uncomfortable.

His eyes were like a scanner, taking in all of me.

My tattered clothes.

My market slippers.

My grimy face.

My messy hair.

He looked disgusted.

I lost my temper.

“If you want to insult me, say it to my face. No need to look at me like I’m trash.”

He moved closer.

Too close.

I could see the veins in his neck.

“You are.”

My heart stung instantly.

He continued softly.

“A slob like you… doesn't even have the appearance of a woman.”

I let out a cynical laugh even though my chest was burning.

“Good. I’m not exactly dying for a man with a face as stiff as a corpse, either.”

Kraken coughed slightly.

Suddenly, Fahad gripped my chin firmly.

I gasped.

“That mouth of yours…”

I slapped his hand away harshly.

“Don’t touch me!”

The bodyguards immediately tensed up.

But Fahad just stared at me.

It was strange.

He looked angry… but also… intrigued.

“I’ve come to take you.”

I laughed out loud.

“Hah?! I’m a human being, not a crate of vegetables.”

“From tonight onwards, you’re coming with me.”

“Am I crazy? Why would I follow a mobster?”

“Your uncle sold you.”

My world went silent.

“…What?”

Kraken handed over a thin file.

“There’s a debt. A big one.”

I felt the blood rush to my head.

That damn uncle.

After my parents died, he was the one who looked after me.

And it turns out…

He sold me?

I clenched my fists tight.

“I’m not going.”

Fahad answered calmly.

“That wasn't a choice.”

“I’m a person!”

“You’re collateral.”

Tears almost fell.

But my ego was bigger.

I spat right on his expensive shoes.

Kraken’s eyes widened.

The other bodyguards reached for their guns.

“Just shoot me!” I screamed. “I’d rather die than follow a madman like you!”

Fahad looked down at his ruined shoes.

Then, he slowly lifted his head.

And for the first time…

I saw his eyes change.

Dark.

Dangerous.

He dragged me into the car so roughly that I shrieked.

“Let me go, you pig!”

I punched his chest.

He pinned both of my hands down.

“Shut up.”

“I hate you!”

“Good.”

“Bastard!”

“Keep going.”

I cried out of pure rage.

He stared into my face without blinking.

There was something in his eyes.

Something I didn't understand.

The car began to speed away.

I tried to open the door.

Locked.

I looked at him with pure hatred.

“I swear, I will make your life a living hell.”

Fahad gave a thin smile.

The coldest smile I had ever seen.

“I’ll be waiting.”

•••

That night, I was brought into a massive mansion that looked like a dark palace.

I immediately felt out of place.

There were many armed men.

They all bowed in respect to Fahad.

“Boss.”

“Boss.”

And there I was, wearing my smelly rubber flip-flops.

I looked completely lost.

Once inside, I started blurting things out.

“Whoa, your house is filthy rich.”

Kraken choked on a laugh.

Fahad glared at him.

He went quiet instantly.

I purposely acted unimpressed.

I touched an expensive vase.

I sat sideways on a white sofa.

“If I farted here, this sofa would probably faint.”

Kraken laughed out loud this time.

Fahad pinched the bridge of his nose.

Like he was getting a headache from dealing with me.

“Can your mouth ever stay shut?”

“My mouth isn't a museum.”

He approached.

He leaned down slightly in front of my face.

“From this day on… you are my wife.”

I froze.

“…What?”

“The marriage has been arranged.”

I stood up abruptly.

“ARE YOU CRAZY?!”

“I’ve always been crazy.”

“Why me?!”

He was silent for a long time.

His eyes landed on my face.

Then, slowly…

He said something that shattered my heart.

“Because no one will ever try to steal an ugly woman like you away from me.”

I slumped back down.

It hurt.

It hurt so damn much.

Even Kraken looked guilty.

I let out a small laugh.

But the tears finally fell.

“Good…”

My voice broke.

“No one wants me anyway.”

Fahad suddenly went quiet.

His eyes changed for a second.

Like… regret.

But only for a moment.

Because after that, he returned to being cold.

“I don't need a beautiful woman.”

He turned away.

“What matters is… you belong to me.”

And for some reason…

The way he said “you belong to me” made the hair on the back of my neck slowly stand up. 🖤

🖤

Continue now.. can't wait....

I didn't sleep at all my first night in that mansion.

How could I?!

A room as big as a five-star hotel, an incredibly plush bed, expensive lamps… everything made me feel like an outsider.

I sat on the bed, hugging my knees.

My head was still a mess.

Me… married to a mobster?

To a man with a toxic mouth like Fahad Afnan?

I looked at the large mirror in front of the bed.

I felt like vomiting just looking at myself.

Eyes swollen.

Hair messy.

Plus-sized.

Clothes from a night market.

Truly like a maid lost in a rich person's house.

I pulled the blanket up to my face.

"…No one wants an ugly woman like you."

Fahad's words from earlier repeated in my head.

It stung.

Even though I was used to being insulted…

When it came out of that man's mouth, why did it hurt differently?

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

I quickly wiped my eyes.

"Come in if you want to kill me."

The door opened slowly.

Kraken Hafiz appeared, holding a food tray.

"Boss told you to eat."

I immediately pouted.

"Does your boss think I’m a farm chicken?"

Kraken placed the food on the table.

He seemed more relaxed than the other bodyguards.

The kind of face that liked to laugh.

Not like Fahad.

Fahad looked like a man who had never known happiness.

"I think the boss actually—"

"If you're going to back him up, get out."

Kraken stayed silent for a moment.

Then he gave a small smile.

"Dhia… I’ve worked for Fahad for almost ten years."

I didn't bother looking at him.

"Okay?"

"I’ve never seen him bring a woman into this house."

I went silent.

Kraken continued.

"Never."

I made a face of disbelief.

"Great. Congratulations to me for being the first victim."

Kraken looked like he wanted to say something…

But eventually, he sighed softly and left.

I was alone again.

I looked at the food on the table.

Steak.

Soup.

Some kind of expensive drink.

I opened another food cover.

"…Oh, there’s sambal."

I sat down and started eating immediately.

It was delicious.

I was about to go for seconds when a heavy voice suddenly appeared from behind.

"Like a starving person."

I choked.

"WEH!"

Fahad was standing at the bedroom door.

Black suit again.

Hair slightly damp.

Cold expression as usual.

I immediately scowled.

"Don't you know how to knock?"

"I'm the owner of the house."

"I don't care."

He looked at my empty plate.

"Just said you didn't want to stay here."

I kept chewing.

"Anger can't fight hunger."

Fahad walked in slowly.

I wondered why this man liked being so close to me.

Like he enjoyed crowding my space.

He sat down in front of me.

I immediately lost my appetite.

"Why are you looking at me?"

"I’m curious."

"What?"

"A woman like you… aren't you ashamed of eating so much?"

I felt the blood rush to my head.

I slammed the plate onto the table.

"Fine. Take the food back."

He was silent.

I stood up abruptly.

"Fine, I’m fat! I’m ugly! I’m sloppy! Everyone says the same thing!"

My voice began to break.

"But I don’t bother anyone's life!"

Fahad stared at me for a long time.

As usual.

Expressionless.

That was what I hated most.

I shoved his shoulder as I tried to walk past.

But suddenly, my head spun.

My vision blurred.

My body swayed—

And I collapsed.

•••

Faintly, I heard voices shouting.

"Boss!"

"She has a high fever!"

"Call the doctor, now!"

I tried to open my eyes.

Blurry.

All I could see was Fahad.

He was carrying me.

His face… was panicked.

Genuinely panicked.

"Dhia."

His voice was harsh.

But his hands were trembling as he held me.

I was delirious.

"Why do you look like you’re dying…"

"Be quiet."

"Do you hate me that much…"

His eyes shifted instantly.

"Who said I hate you?"

I let out a weak, small laugh.

"Your mouth did…"

Fahad screamed at his subordinates.

"THE CAR, NOW!"

I was slightly startled.

Eh?

This mobster…

Is panicking?

•••

I woke up in the hospital.

The smell of medicine hit my nose.

I groaned slightly.

And immediately saw someone sitting by the bed.

Fahad.

His black shirt was wrinkled.

Hair messy.

Eyes red as if he hadn't slept.

He was holding my hand.

I froze.

"…What are you doing?"

He quickly let go of my hand.

His face immediately turned hard again.

"Troublesome."

I looked at him, puzzled.

"If I’m troublesome, why did you look like you’d lost your soul earlier?"

He was silent.

I saw Kraken behind the door.

Kraken was smiling weirdly.

Like he wanted to laugh.

I looked back at Fahad.

"Eh…"

I gave a small, spiteful smirk.

"Were you worried about me?"

Fahad stood up immediately.

"Don't flatter yourself."

"But your eyes are swollen."

"Lack of sleep."

"Because of me?"

"Because of work."

I laughed softly.

Somehow…

I liked seeing him flustered.

This arrogant man looked a bit more human when he was scared.

But suddenly, the doctor entered.

"Mr. Fahad, your wife needs rest. She has severe gastritis and low blood pressure because she hasn't been eating properly."

Wife.

That word made both Fahad and me go silent at the same time.

The doctor left.

Silence.

I looked out the window.

"…I’m not used to people worrying about me."

My voice was soft.

Fahad didn't answer.

I smiled bitterly.

"Usually when I’m sick… people say it’s a good thing."

My hands played with the edge of the blanket.

"Because a fat girl like me… is just an eyesore to the world."

Suddenly, Fahad’s voice came out softly.

"You talk too much."

I glared at him.

He stared back at me intently.

And for the first time…

His voice wasn't cold.

"…Don't ever say that again."

My heart stopped for a second.

Because that man’s eyes…

Didn't look like they hated me at all. 🖤

Does Fahad actually not hate Dhia? Does he hate her because he's afraid of falling in love/losing her?

Tired but motivated to write this story

🔥

😱😭🖤🖤🖤🖤

That night, the rain poured heavily.

I was still in the hospital even though the doctor said I could go home tomorrow morning. Fahad refused to allow it.

He said:

“You’re weak enough to die. Stay put.”

His mouth was truly cursed.

But…

I started to notice something.

That man hadn't left my side since I fainted.

I pretended to sleep several times earlier.

And every time I opened my eyes just a crack…

I saw him still there.

Sitting in the chair.

Playing with his phone.

Or staring at me silently like a madman.

Creepy.

But strangely…

It felt safe.

I let out a small sigh while staring at the ceiling.

The lights were dimmed.

Silent.

Kraken had already gone back to handle whatever mafia business.

It was just me and Fahad in this VIP hospital room.

Suddenly, his voice emerged from the sofa.

“Not asleep yet?”

I gave a lazy side-eye.

“My stomach is hungry.”

He immediately stood up.

I was startled.

“Eh?”

“I’m going to get food.”

I let out a cynical laugh.

“Afraid I’ll die again?”

He stopped walking.

His back stiffened for a moment.

“…Yes.”

I went completely silent.

Eh?

He answered?

Fahad left the room before I could even process that.

I clutched my chest.

Why is my heart acting so weird?

•••

In less than fifteen minutes, Fahad returned.

With a plastic bag.

I looked at it, puzzled.

“…What is this?”

“Fried rice.”

I grew even more confused.

“Does the hospital sell fried rice?”

“No.”

He placed it in front of me.

“I had someone buy it.”

I slowly opened the plastic.

The smell of anchovy sambal immediately drifted out.

I looked at him in shock.

“This is…”

“Fried rice from the stall at the end of the night market where you sell vegetables.”

I was stunned.

How did he know I liked eating there?

I slowly raised my head.

Fahad was unbuttoning his sleeves while looking out the window.

“…Did you investigate me?”

He answered calmly.

“I know everything about my wife.”

Wife again.

That word made my face heat up.

I quickly lowered my head to eat.

But in my heart…

Why did it feel so soft?

I took a bite of the rice slowly.

It was delicious.

Exactly like usual.

And for some reason…

I almost cried because a man like Fahad bothered to remember a small detail like this.

Suddenly, he spoke again.

“Tomorrow, we’re getting married.”

I immediately choked.

“WHAT?!”

He handed me plain water.

“Don’t scream.”

“I haven’t agreed!”

“You’re already living in my house.”

“That’s because I was kidnapped!”

“It’s the same thing.”

I looked at him like I wanted to strangle him.

“Hey, you devil mobster, do you think marriage is like buying vegetables?”

He gave a lopsided smirk.

“If it were buying vegetables, I’d have picked the ugliest one.”

I immediately threw a pillow at his face.

“PIG!”

He caught the pillow calmly.

But…

I saw it.

He was holding back a smile.

WAIT.

This mobster can actually smile?!

•••

The next morning.

I was taken back to the mansion.

And as usual…

I threw a tantrum the whole way.

“I don’t want to get married!”

“You already signed.”

“I didn’t read it!”

“That’s your problem.”

I was so frustrated I pinched his arm hard.

Kraken, in the front, started laughing.

“Boss, she’s even more violent than you.”

“Shut up.”

I glared at Kraken instead.

“You too. You useless octopus.”

“Why am I getting dragged into this?!”

The car was filled with the sound of our bickering.

But it was strange.

I noticed Fahad wasn't angry at all.

He just stayed silent, listening to me nag.

Occasionally glancing at me.

Like…

He was entertained.

•••

Reaching the mansion, the atmosphere suddenly turned tense.

All the bodyguards stood up straight.

Serious faces.

Kraken walked quickly toward Fahad.

“Boss.”

“What?”

“The shipment at the harbor was attacked.”

I went quiet.

Shipment?

Harbor?

Okay, this is definitely real mafia stuff.

Fahad’s aura changed instantly.

Dark.

Dangerous.

He glared at Kraken.

“Who?”

“Zayn Malik’s people.”

I was blurred.

“…Huh? The singer?”

Kraken almost choked.

Fahad closed his eyes for a long time as if he had a headache.

“Not the singer, you idiot.”

“Oh.”

I acted nonchalant.

Fahad slowly gripped my jaw.

“That mouth of yours…”

“What? Is it cute?”

“It’ll go missing one day.”

I slapped his hand away.

“If it goes missing, your life will finally be peaceful.”

But before Fahad could respond—

SUDDENLY—

BOOM!

The sound of gunfire exploded outside the mansion.

I let out a small shriek.

All the bodyguards pulled out their pistols.

Kraken cursed harshly.

“SHIT—”

Another shot shattered a large window of the mansion.

I froze.

My heart felt like it was going to explode.

Fahad, however…

Didn't look scared at all.

He pulled me roughly into his embrace.

My head was pressed hard against his chest.

“Don’t move.”

His voice was low.

Dangerous.

I was trembling.

“F-Fahad…”

The gunfire increased.

People were screaming downstairs.

I was terrified.

My hands automatically gripped his shirt.

And for the first time…

I felt like this man truly could protect me.

Fahad gently held the back of my head.

“Listen to me.”

I looked up slightly.

His eyes were fixed on mine.

If he was cold before…

Now he looked like a wild animal.

“If anything happens later…”

His voice grew even softer.

“…run.”

I felt a strange sensation.

“Why?”

He was silent for a moment.

Then…

He touched my cheek with his thumb.

So gently that I was mesmerized.

“Because I can’t bear to see anything happen to you.”

My heart stopped.

And before I could say a word—

BOOM!

A massive explosion rocked the entire mansion. 🖤

What happened to them 🔥🥰😞