The night was heavy with an eerie silence as Noel's sleek black car pulled into the grand villa. 🌙✨ The headlights cast long shadows against the towering walls, swallowing the world beyond in darkness. The moonlight dripped silver over the marbled entrance, illuminating Ani's pale face. 😨

Her hands trembled in her lap. Noel noticed. His golden-brown eyes softened as he reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. 🖤

"Why do you look so scared, sweetheart?" he asked, his voice dangerously soft. 🫠

Ani opened her mouth, but no words came out. What could she say? That she was afraid of him? That she was afraid of herself? 😰

Noel sighed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Let's go inside. Freshen up, sweetheart. We'll just sleep together tonight, nothing else." His words were meant to be reassuring, but to Ani, they sounded like a silent promise—a promise she wasn't sure she could handle. 💔

🗡️ The Silent Battle

As they stepped inside, Biswan was already there, standing stiffly by the dining table, his eyes burning with something unreadable.

Ani barely had time to react before—

💥 Clang!

A knife clattered onto the floor.

Biswan had dropped it, his fingers shaking with restraint. His gaze flickered between Ani and Noel. What had he walked into?

Noel's playful smirk vanished. His posture stiffened, irritation flashing across his face. "What the hell are you doing, Biswan?" 😠

Before the storm could explode, Ani quickly stepped forward, gripping Noel's sleeve.

"I'm tired... can you take me upstairs?" she whispered, her voice weak. 😟

Noel's expression softened again. Without hesitation, he scooped her into his arms effortlessly. Ani gasped, her arms instinctively looping around his neck. ❤️‍🔥

Biswan clenched his fists. This man had too much control over her. 😤

🍽️ The Dress & The Kiss

Noel smirked, his golden-brown eyes darkening with something unreadable as he pulled the silk dress from its sleek black box. A sinful choice. A dangerous temptation. 🖤🔥

The fabric was as light as air, smooth between his fingers. The deep black satin clung to the body like a second skin, dipping scandalously low in the front, with thin, delicate straps barely holding it together. The hemline was short—too short—revealing the soft curve of the thighs, promising too much yet leaving just enough to imagination. 😈💫

He held it up, letting the soft material catch the dim lighting of the villa. His smirk deepened.

"You'll look stunning in this, sweetheart." His voice was low, edged with something that made Ani shiver.

Her stomach twisted. Heat rushed to her cheeks as she stared at the scandalous piece of clothing. How could he expect her to wear this? 😨

Biswan stiffened. His hands curled into fists as he watched the scene unfold. He didn't like this. Not one bit. His gut twisted with an unfamiliar anger. Ani wasn't just a plaything. She wasn't something to be dressed up for Noel's amusement. 😤

"I... I can't wear this," Ani murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her fingers trembled as she touched the fabric. It was too revealing... too intimate... It was something meant for a lover's night, not a mere dress. 💔

Noel stepped closer. Too close.

His scent surrounded her—a heady mix of spice and expensive cologne. He trailed a single finger along her jaw, tilting her face up to meet his heated gaze.

"Why not?" he murmured.

Ani's breath hitched. His thumb brushed the corner of her lips.

"It's just you and me, sweetheart. No one else gets to see you like this." 😈

Biswan's jaw clenched. His patience was snapping.

"She doesn't have to wear it if she doesn't want to," he said coldly.

Noel's eyes flicked toward him—sharp, calculating. Then, instead of replying, he leaned down, brushing his lips against Ani's cheek.

The kiss was slow, lingering. Possessive. 😵‍💫💋

"Everyone. Out." His voice was a command. A dangerous one.

The room fell silent.

But Biswan did not move.

Noel raised an eyebrow. "I said, out."

Biswan's jaw tightened. "Sir, if everyone leaves... who will serve you?"

A heavy silence filled the room. Noel let out a low chuckle. "Fine. Stay, then. As you wish."

Ani, trapped between them, felt the air shift. She wanted to push Noel away. But her hands remained still at her sides.

"I'm full," she murmured, hoping it would end here.

But Noel was never the type to let things go. He swept her off her feet once more, carrying her toward the bed.

"Noel—"

💥 Thud!

Ani barely had time to breathe before her back hit the plush mattress. Her pulse hammered in her ears as Noel hovered over her, his weight pressing her down in a way that made her breath hitch.

The heat in his eyes burned her skin. 😵‍💫💋

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his fingers brushing against the strap of her dress.

Ani swallowed hard, her fingers twisting in the sheets. She knew she should stop him. But when he looked at her like that—like he wanted to consume her whole—she couldn't move.

Then—a sharp sound.

Riiip!

Her breath caught as Noel's fingers tugged at the fragile satin, the thin straps snapping under his grip. 😨🔥

"No!" Ani gasped, her hands flying up to stop him.

In a desperate move, she threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly, pressing her trembling body against his.

His breathing stilled. His body stiffened.

For a moment, the world stopped.

Her lips brushed against his neck as she whispered, "Please... don't rush this. Just hold me."

His grip on the torn fabric loosened. His rough breaths fanned against her ear.

"Damn it, Ani," he growled.

His arms wrapped around her, crushing her against his chest. His scent—dark, musky, intoxicating—filled her senses. His warmth seeped into her skin, melting her in ways she didn't understand.

He didn't let go.

Not even when she shivered.

Not even when Biswan clenched his fists, stomach burning with fury, watching in silence. 😤💔

And not even when, somewhere deep in the shadows, a dark force whispered her name... reminding her of the dangerous deal she had made. 👁️🔥

"Noel... I can't..." her voice trembled. "I feel overwhelmed. I just—just give me two days. Please." 🥺

Noel paused. His eyes studied her, as if peeling through layers of secrets. Then, slowly, he exhaled.

"Two days, sweetheart." He brushed a thumb against her lip. "Take your time."

But then, his voice dropped lower. "Can I at least hug you?"

Ani had no choice but to nod.

His arms wrapped around her, strong and possessive. He didn't let go. Not for a long time. 😶‍🌫️

🔥 Elsewhere... Revenge Brews 🔥

Badzz's phone buzzed.

📩 From Biswan:
"He's holding her too close. She asked for two days. But why? Something is wrong."

Badzz's grip tightened around his phone, his knuckles turning white. His heart burned with a mix of rage and unease.

"That bastard..." His voice was dangerously low. "I want to kill him now." 🤬

His friends were still on the call.

"Wait," one of them said. "There's something bigger going on."

From the other end, Muuhmi's voice trembled.

Badzz didn't answer. He just clenched his fists, his heart pounding with frustration, jealousy, and something else—fear.

🌿 Deep in the Forest...

A dark, glowing mist swirled between the towering trees. The wind howled like a whispering voice, carrying secrets between the leaves. 🌬️👁️

At the heart of the mist, a shadowed figure emerged—Princess Rionde. 👑✨

Ani sat on the cold floor of her room, tears slipping down her cheeks. She whispered into the silence, her voice fragile.

"Princess... please. Say something."

The mist thickened, wrapping around her like a ghostly presence.

A hauntingly beautiful voice emerged. "Ani... you promised me."

Ani sucked in a shaky breath. "I know. But I don't think I can do it."

The air turned colder.

"You and your friends escaped the cursed forest because of me. If you fail me now, Badzz will die." 💀

Ani gasped, horror gripping her chest. "No... please."

"Then get the stone back."

Ani's blood ran cold.

Noel's chain stone.

The same silver chain he never took off. The same one she had almost touched today.

"It's my power," Rionde continued. "He stole it. If I regain it, I can protect you all."

A heavy silence.

Ani's lips trembled. "How do I take it?"

The voice turned sharper.

"Use his desire." 😨🔥

Ani's heart stopped.

"You must choose, Ani. Do you want Badzz... or not?"

A shiver ran down her spine.

🔮 The Curse of Shilapa

The mist darkened. A new voice joined the whispers. Echoing. Haunting.

"Ani... you must not fail."

Ani's breath hitched.

Shilapa.

The one Noel cursed. The one trapped in an endless loop of longing and vengeance.

"You promised to help me marry Noel." 💔

Ani clenched her fists.

"If you don't... I will kill Badzz myself."

Ani clutched her chest. She had never feared death as much as she feared losing Badzz.

"I won't let that happen."

The mist thickened, twisting around her body.

"Then take the stone, Ani."

Her fingers trembled. The necklace... Noel's chain...

Could she really do it?

Betray him?

Her chest ached. Noel had kissed her. Held her. There was something in his eyes, something she wasn't ready to understand.

But Badzz... he was her past, her loyalty.

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I will do anything for Badzz."

A cruel silence followed.

Then, Princess Rionde's voice faded.

"Then you know what to do."

✨ To Be Continued...

🔥 What do you think?
Will Ani betray Noel? Or will something deeper awaken between them? What is the true curse behind Shilapa?

💬 Comment below!
Are you on Team Badzz 💙 or Team Noel 🔥?