Episode 1 — The Smelly Vegetable Girl He Forced to Marry

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. 🖤

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