FLAMES BENEATH THE VEIL Episode 2 — The Watching Eyes

Dawn was… peaceful.

But for Neyya, something felt off.

She stood on her prayer mat, whispering her final supplication. Her lips moved softly, but her mind… was restless.

Last night’s feeling.

Still there.

Like a shadow that refused to leave.

She rose, folding the prayer mat neatly. A slow breath escaped her.

“Maybe it’s just in my head…” she murmured.

But her heart disagreed.

Morning at the religious school went on as usual.

Children sat cross-legged, reciting in uneven rhythms. Neyya walked between them, correcting tajwid, occasionally reminding them gently.

“Stretch that letter… don’t cut it short.”

One boy grinned.

“Ustazah Neyya is strict today…”

The class giggled.

Neyya raised an eyebrow.

“Strict? Want me to be actually strict?”

Silence.

She gave a faint smile.

This was her world. Clear. Clean. Controlled.

Very different… from the world outside.

In another corner of the city—

The roar of motorcycle engines echoed.

Rough. Wild. Free.

Zack Bahar stood in the middle of an abandoned warehouse, surrounded by his men. Black leather jacket, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

“Tonight’s route clear?” his voice was low.

“Clear, boss. Police already ‘settled.’”

Zack nodded slowly.

Everyone lowered their heads in respect.

He wasn’t just a leader.

He was… the law.

But today—his focus slipped.

A name circled in his mind.

Neyya.

“Boss?”

Zack snapped out of it.

“Yeah?”

“Tonight’s race… you joining?”

Usually, Zack never missed it.

But this time—

“No.”

Silence fell.

That was… unusual.

Evening.

Cafe De’ Lalate slowly filled with customers.

Miysa worked the counter, fingers moving quickly across the register. Neyya stayed behind, arranging cups and preparing drinks.

“Hey… you look different today,” Miysa commented.

“What’s different?”

“You’re quieter than usual.”

Neyya gave a faint smile.

“Just tired.”

Miysa didn’t buy it.

“You? Even when you’re tired, your mouth still runs.”

Neyya chuckled softly.

But her eyes… kept drifting to the door.

As if waiting.

Or… guarding.

The café door chimed.

A man walked in.

Cap low, dark hoodie.

His steps were calm, but his presence… heavy.

Zack Bahar.

He wasn’t supposed to be there.

His world didn’t belong in places like this.

But he came anyway.

For one reason.

Neyya.

Miysa noticed him first.

“Welcome—” her sentence paused briefly.

“Uhh… what would you like to order?”

Zack didn’t look at her for long.

“Americano.”

Short.

Cold.

Miysa keyed it in, slightly unsettled by his vibe.

“Take a seat, we’ll bring it over.”

Zack nodded and sat in the farthest corner.

Strategic.

Slightly shadowed.

From there… he could see Neyya.

Without being seen.

Behind the counter—

Neyya held a cup.

Her hand stopped.

That feeling… came back.

Stronger.

Slowly, she lifted her head.

Her eyes searched.

And—

stopped.

That corner.

The man in the dark hoodie.

His face unclear, but—

Neyya knew.

It was him.

Her heartbeat shifted.

Not fear.

But… alertness.

“Miysa,” Neyya called softly.

“Hm?”

“That customer at the end… you handle him.”

“Why?”

“Just… you handle.”

Miysa frowned.

“You okay?”

Neyya stayed silent.

Her eyes still locked on him.

“I’m fine.”

But that was a lie.

Zack noticed.

He saw the change in her.

The distance.

The avoidance.

And that… made him smile faintly.

“Strong instincts…” he whispered.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Miysa brought the drink.

“Americano.”

Zack nodded.

“Thank you.”

His tone… slightly softer this time.

Miysa raised an eyebrow.

Oh, so he can speak nicely.

Minutes passed.

Neyya didn’t come near.

Zack stood.

His steps slow, deliberate, approaching the counter.

Each step… carried weight.

Miysa got busy with other customers.

So—

Neyya had no choice.

She stepped forward.

They stood face to face.

Close.

For the first time.

Zack leaned slightly.

The scent…

Clean.

No strong perfume.

Nothing that irritated his senses.

That… was strange.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

Straight.

No introduction.

Neyya paused for a second.

Too direct.

She lifted her chin.

“Why should I get close to you?”

Sharp.

Zack smiled.

Not a normal smile.

The smile of a man who found a challenge.

“Because you noticed me.”

Neyya didn’t move.

“I notice many things. Doesn’t mean I like them.”

Silence.

Tension formed between them.

Subtle… but powerful.

Zack stepped closer.

Reflexively—

Neyya stepped back.

Her hands ready.

Defensive stance.

Zack noticed.

And… he stopped.

His gaze shifted slightly.

“You know how to fight?”

Neyya didn’t answer.

But her eyes said enough.

For the first time—

Zack Bahar felt something unfamiliar.

Not hatred.

Not allergy.

Not boredom.

But—

interest.

He turned, grabbed his drink.

Before leaving—

he spoke without looking back:

“Neyya…”

Neyya froze.

“…I’ll be back.”

The door chimed.

He was gone.

Miysa rushed over.

“Hey—who was that?!”

Neyya stayed silent.

Her eyes still on the door.

Her heart… racing.

“Trouble,” she whispered.

Outside—

Zack stood beside his motorcycle.

Helmet on.

Engine roaring to life.

A faint smile formed.

“Game on.” 🔥

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***