FLAMES BENEATH THE VEIL Episode 3 — The Nonexistent Fiancé

That night, Neyya’s house returned to silence.

The celebration had long ended. No guests remained—only fading flowers and unwashed plates left behind. But within that quiet… something was shifting.

Mieya sat in the living room, admiring the ring on her finger.

A smile.

Faint… but meaningful.

“Perfect…” she whispered.

From the kitchen, Neyya stepped out, drying her hands.

“Mak is calling you. She wants to discuss the dowry.”

Mieya nodded without looking.

“Hmm… in a bit.”

Neyya noticed something.

The way her sister smiled… was different.

“You okay?”

Mieya finally looked up.

A sweet smile. Too sweet.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

Neyya paused.

“I don’t know… you just seem different.”

Mieya chuckled softly.

“You’re overthinking.”

She stood and walked toward Neyya.

Her hand gently rested on her sister’s shoulder.

“I’m happy, Neyya. That’s all.”

Neyya nodded slowly.

But deep inside—

something felt wrong.

Elsewhere—

The roar of a motorcycle tore through the night.

Zack Bahar sped down an empty highway. Streetlights streaked past like fragments of time slipping away.

He stopped in a quiet area.

An abandoned warehouse.

The place where he grew up.

The place where he fell… and rose into something people feared.

He removed his helmet.

Leaning against his bike, he took a deep breath.

In his mind—

Neyya.

The way she looked at him.

Not afraid.

Not submissive.

Not trying to impress.

And strangest of all—

when he got close… he didn’t feel suffocated.

Zack clenched his fist.

“Why…”

That wasn’t a simple question.

It was… a disturbance.

“Boss.”

Baharuddin’s voice came from behind.

Zack didn’t turn.

“What?”

“We’ve got a situation. A new group entered our territory.”

Zack let out a quiet laugh.

“It’s only a problem… if I don’t know who they are.”

He finally turned.

Sharp eyes.

“Who?”

“His name is Rayqal. Used to be one of us.”

Zack went silent.

The air grew heavy.

“He’s still alive?”

“Yes, boss.”

Pause.

“And he’s looking for trouble.”

Zack smiled.

This time—

dark.

“Good.”

The next day—

Cafe De’ Lalate.

Everything seemed normal.

Except Neyya.

She was quieter.

More cautious.

Her eyes frequently drifted to the door.

Miysa noticed.

“Okay… you definitely have something going on.”

Neyya sighed.

“The guy from yesterday…”

“Ha! I knew it!”

Miysa leaned in.

“Who is he? Your ex?”

“Not funny.”

“Then?”

Neyya hesitated.

“He’s… strange.”

Miysa raised an eyebrow.

“All men are strange.”

“No. This one… is different.”

The café door chimed.

And as if fate insisted—

he came again.

Zack Bahar.

Today, no hoodie.

Dark hair. Clear face.

Neat.

But his aura… unchanged.

Dangerous.

Miysa froze.

“Okay… not strange. He’s a problem.”

Neyya took a slow breath.

“You handle the counter. I’ll stay in the back.”

“Hey—”

But Neyya was already gone.

Zack noticed.

And this time—

he didn’t sit in the corner.

He walked straight to the counter.

“Where is she?”

Miysa blinked.

“Who?”

Zack gave a faint smile.

“The one from yesterday.”

Miysa hesitated.

Her instincts said—don’t play around.

“She’s busy.”

Zack leaned slightly forward.

“Call her.”

That tone—

wasn’t a request.

It was an order.

From the back—

Neyya clenched her fists.

She heard everything.

And she knew—

she couldn’t run forever.

She stepped forward.

Calm.

But ready.

Their eyes met.

Again.

Closer.

Clearer.

“You’re looking for me?”

Zack smiled faintly.

“Finally.”

Neyya crossed her arms.

“What do you want?”

Direct.

No wasted time.

Zack liked that.

“I want to know you.”

Neyya let out a small, cynical laugh.

“I don’t even know you.”

“Zack.”

For the first time—

he said his own name.

Neyya paused.

The name… carried weight.

“Okay, Zack. I’m not interested.”

Straight.

Firm.

Zack stepped closer.

And this time—

Neyya didn’t step back.

Their eyes locked.

Steel against steel.

“Your sister’s fiancé.”

The words dropped… slowly.

But heavy enough to stop time.

Neyya froze.

What?

Zack watched her reaction.

And he knew—

he had just dropped a bomb.

“What did you say?” her voice was low.

Dangerous.

Zack leaned slightly closer.

“The one engaged to Mieya…”

Pause.

“…is me.”

Silence.

The café noise faded into nothing.

Neyya shook her head slowly.

“Liar.”

“No.”

“The one who came that day—”

“My man.”

Zack’s reply was calm.

As if it were nothing.

Neyya’s eyes shifted.

Anger rising.

“You’re playing with my family?”

Zack didn’t answer immediately.

He just looked at her.

Deep.

As if trying to read her.

“Why?” Neyya asked.

Not weak.

But serious.

Zack paused.

Then—

“At first… it was just business.”

He stopped.

His gaze never left her.

“But now…”

Pause.

“…it’s not anymore.”

Neyya knew.

This wasn’t a simple game.

This was—

danger.

And from afar—

someone was watching.

Mieya.

Her face calm.

But her eyes…

dark.

“Zack…” she whispered.

A sharp smile appeared.

“Interesting.” 🔥

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