FLAMES BENEATH THE VEIL Episode 4 — A Face with Many Layers

Cafe De’ Lalate buzzed like any other day.

But beneath the clatter of cups and the hum of the coffee machine—

Neyya’s world felt… silent.

Her gaze stayed sharp, locked on Zack.

“You think this is funny?”

Her voice was low, tense.

Zack stood calmly, as if he hadn’t just confessed to a massive deception.

“I’m not laughing.”

“You lied to an entire family.”

“Not lied,” Zack replied quietly.

“I just… didn’t show myself.”

That was worse.

Neyya stepped closer.

Her aura shifted.

If before she was firm—

now… there was fire.

“You used someone else. You let my sister believe in something that doesn’t exist.”

Zack stayed silent.

He didn’t deny it.

And that… made Neyya angrier.

Without realizing—

her hand moved.

Fast.

She grabbed Zack’s wrist.

Twisted slightly.

A silat technique.

Reflex.

In a split second—

Zack could’ve countered.

Could’ve thrown her down.

Could’ve broken free easily.

But—

he didn’t.

He let it happen.

Their eyes locked.

Close.

Very close.

“Don’t play with me,” Neyya whispered.

Zack didn’t blink.

“You’re the one who came close to me.”

Neyya released his wrist.

Stepped back.

Her breathing slightly uneven.

Not from fear.

But because—

this man… wasn’t normal.

“Stay away from my family.”

Her words were firm.

Clear.

Zack gave a faint smile.

“I can’t.”

Silence.

“Why?” Neyya asked.

This time—honest.

Zack lowered his gaze slightly.

His eyes softened—

but his words didn’t.

“Because I’m already in.”

And without waiting for a response—

he turned.

Left.

The café door shut with a sharp sound.

Miysa rushed over.

“HEY—WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!”

Neyya stayed still.

Her eyes empty for a moment.

Then—

“Big trouble.”

That night—

their house no longer felt like home.

Neyya stood in front of Mieya’s bedroom door.

Her hand lifted.

But paused.

She took a deep breath.

Then knocked.

“Come in.”

The room smelled nice.

Neat.

Beautiful.

Just like Mieya on the outside.

Mieya sat in front of the mirror, brushing her hair.

A small smile on her lips.

“What do you want to say?”

She asked first.

As if she already knew.

Neyya stepped in.

Focused.

“That man…”

Pause.

“…who is he really?”

Mieya stopped brushing.

Slowly—

she turned.

Smiled.

Sweet.

But…

it didn’t reach her eyes.

“My fiancé.”

“No.”

Neyya’s answer came fast.

Certain.

Mieya laughed softly.

“Since when did you become an investigator?”

Neyya stepped closer.

“He told me himself.”

And this time—

Mieya’s smile…

disappeared.

Silence.

A few seconds passed.

Then—

she stood.

Walked slowly toward Neyya.

“You met him?”

Her tone changed.

Still soft.

But… something beneath it.

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

That question—

felt different.

Neyya frowned.

“That’s not the point.”

Mieya stopped right in front of her.

Close.

“Do you know…” she whispered,

“…men like him are dangerous?”

Neyya didn’t move.

“I know.”

“And you still met him?”

“I didn’t look for him.”

Mieya smiled again.

This time—

sharper.

“But he looked for you.”

Silence.

And in that silence—

something shifted.

“Akak…” Neyya began softly.

“…do you even know who he really is?”

Mieya looked straight into her eyes.

For a long time.

Then—

she smiled.

“More than you do.”

That answer—

made Neyya’s heart drop.

Outside—

the roar of a motorcycle echoed again.

Zack stopped at a dark junction.

Several men were already waiting.

Rough faces.

And among them—

one man stood out.

Rayqal.

He smirked.

“Took you long enough, Zack.”

Zack stepped off his bike.

Calm.

“You should be dead.”

Rayqal laughed.

“Plenty of people wish that.”

Silence.

The air tightened.

“I heard…” Rayqal continued slowly,

“…you’ve been busy with a woman.”

Zack said nothing.

“Her name… Neyya, right?”

And for the first time—

Zack’s eyes changed.

Dark.

Dangerous.

“I’ll kill you if you touch her.”

Rayqal’s grin widened.

“Interesting…”

He stepped closer.

“Finally… you have a weakness.” 🔥

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