---
THE PARTY
Dee was done. Mentally, emotionally, physically—done. University drained her, the undercover acting fried her brain, the flight cramped her bones, planning everything frayed her nerves, and Mr. Kang? He was just the cherry on top of her chaos cake. No matter how tough she pretended to be, even the strongest need to crash.
She didn't even bother changing—just dove into the bed like a professional napper. The mattress was so soft it felt illegal, like sleeping on clouds with the wind whispering lullabies in her ear. And in less than a minute, she was knocked out cold.
Two hours later...
Knock knock knock.
She stirred.
Knock knock.
"Ughhh," she groaned, half-blind with sleep. The door creaked open. It was Rayyan.
"You know," she muttered in a raspy, just-woke-up voice, "you won't die if you knock before entering someone's room."
Rayyan leaned against the frame, unapologetic. "I usually do. For everyone else."
She raised a brow.
"But you?" He smirked. "You don't deserve that kind of respect."
"Oh really?" She shot him a deadly glare through sleepy eyes.
"Yeah. You're not my boss," he shrugged, strolling in like he paid rent. He casually placed a fancy black box on the table.
"What's that?" she asked, sitting up.
"I saw you sleeping like a baby, so I brought you a little something. To keep you company in your dreams."
She narrowed her eyes. "What?"
He grinned. "Lizards."
"WHAT?!" Dee shot up like a firecracker. "Rayyan! If you're pulling some prank—"
"I'll kill you!" she screamed loud enough for Ayat to cackle from the kitchen. "These two," she chuckled, "will never grow up."
Rayyan backed away with his hands up. "Relax! I'm joking. It's just a dress."
"A dress?" she blinked, suspicious. "For who? Who sent it?"
"For you," he said with a casual shrug. "I mean... I don't know if you can pull it off, though."
Dee stood up, already walking toward the box. "What do you mean by that?"
Rayyan hesitated. "It's really pretty, but when you wear it, it might—uh—look... less pretty."
She picked up a pen.
Rayyan stepped back.
"Okay okay!" he laughed. "Don't murder me. It'll look fine. Maybe."
She grabbed a book this time.
Rayyan dashed out the door. "I'M SORRY OKAY! DON'T THROW THE DICTIONARY!"
"RAYYAN!" she shouted, chasing him to the stairs, launching pens and books like missiles.
Ayat peeked out. "Would you two grow up already?! Dee, get dressed! Rayyan, get lost before I commit a crime!"
"Fine!" they both groaned and retreated like scolded school kids.
Rayyan went outside, but his mind wasn't on the chaos anymore. He could still see her—curled up on that green flower-patterned mattress, soft hair spilling around her face, lashes resting like feathers on her cheeks. She looked... unreal. For the first time, Rayyan realized how beautiful Dee truly was—not just the looks. The way she argued, worked hard, chose skincare over heavy makeup, mangoes over guavas. She was everything not today's girls were.
He remembered everything she ever said. Every small thing she liked. Even their dumb group chat, where she once argued for 12 minutes straight about the best mango season.
"You're falling," he whispered to himself.
"Tell her that, not me," Ayat's voice broke his trance. She stood behind him, arms crossed. "Before it's too late."
Rayyan looked away. "I don't even know what I'd say."
Ayat stepped closer. "Control it, Rayyan. She's... not like us. Not one of us."
"You mean, she's normal," he scoffed.
"I mean, she's human," Ayat whispered.
Rayyan didn't answer. He didn't need to. They both knew what she meant—Dee didn't know about their world, their powers, the risks. She was walking into a storm without an umbrella.
---
Later, in Dee's room…
Ayat burst in—and stopped in her tracks.
Dee stood in front of the mirror, draped in a deep red dress with shoulder straps and a folded neckline. Her black hair tumbled in waves, silver earrings glinting under the lights. She looked... like a goddess.
"You look—"
"A cartoon, right?" Dee smirked.
"No. A bombshell. I hate you," Ayat gasped, fake-jealous. Then launched into a hug. "I wanna eat you. You're so pretty."
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"This dress. This look. The whole princess package."
"Thank Rayyan," Ayat smiled. "I picked something else, but he insisted on this. And that necklace? His sister's design. It's not even launched yet."
Dee blinked. "You mean I'm the first one to wear it?"
"Yup. First client. Lucky duck," Ayat winked.
Dee panicked. "Oh no no no. Take it off. I'm not wearing this—it must cost a fortune."
"Girl, please. Rayyan knows what he's doing. And he's not gifting it to you out of pity."
"But—what if he thinks I'm using him? I'm not that girl."
"Exactly," Ayat said, taking her shoulders. "That's why you deserve it."
---
In the basement…
The lights switched on. Confetti popped. Cheers erupted.
"WELCOME DEE!"
She blinked at the unexpected mini-party: lights, music, food, drinks, about 20 well-dressed guests—it looked like an underground bar met a fashion show.
Then someone stepped forward. A tall guy in a sleek black tuxedo, hair styled like he walked out of a magazine.
"I'm Kevin Maroni. Rider. Investor. Welcome to the Bureau."
Dee shook his hand. "Ohhh, I know you! You won last year's race!"
"Fan?" he smirked.
"Guilty," she chuckled. "Unless you want to be friends?"
"I'd love that."
They hit it off quickly. The music kicked in. Kevin offered a hand. "Dance with me?"
"I'm a disaster on the dance floor."
"Perfect. I'm worse."
She placed her hand in his. Kevin pulled her close, hand to her waist, and they swayed.
"What's your hobby?" he asked.
"Reading. Music. Cooking—badly. Writing."
"I'm bad at lying."
She laughed. "That's... cute."
But then, Kevin stiffened. His eyes locked on something behind her.
Dee turned.
Rayyan.
Descending the stairs like a villain in a K-drama. Eyes locked on her and Kevin. Murderous eyes.
Kevin whispered, "Uh... I think I just saw my life flash before my eyes."
Dee blinked. "Why's he looking like that?"
"Dunno. Did you steal his cat or his heart?"
Before things could escalate, Ayat grabbed Rayyan by the arm. "Not now. Don't cause a scene."
Instead, she yanked him to the floor and started dancing herself.
---
Later…
Dee stood in the corner, sipping her juice. Ayat joined her.
"So, Kevin, huh?" she teased.
"He's just friendly."
"Sure. Friendly with great hair and dimples."
Dee blurted, "Where's Rayyan?"
Ayat froze. "Oh… he said it's too loud. Went to the kitchen."
"I'm tired. Tell the guests goodbye for me. I'm heading up."
But she didn't go to her room.
She went to the kitchen.
Rayyan was there. Alone. Glass of wine in hand. Staring into it like it had betrayed him.
"What happened?" she asked.
He looked up, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"I asked first."
He didn't answer.
"I got tired," she shrugged. "But you… drinking alone? That's new."
Rayyan laughed bitterly. "Tired from dancing with your new boyfriend?"
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You and that Kevin guy. First meeting and boom, couple goals?"
"Rayyan, watch your tone."
"Why should I? You seemed pretty happy out there."
"I came here to check on you. I shouldn't have bothered."
"Who asked you to?" he snapped.
"Fine. My mistake." Her voice cracked, but she turned and walked away. Straight upstairs. Slammed her door.
Rayyan stood still. Breathing heavy. Then—
Crash.
The glass shattered against the floor. Wine spilled like blood.
He stormed outside, only to be stopped by Ayat.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Out."
"You're drunk. Let me drive."
He didn't argue.
He just got in the passenger seat—and stared at the road.
Silent.
Burning.
---