🌙 A Sleepless Night & A Morning of Desire

Ani lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep had abandoned her, leaving her tangled in thoughts she couldn't escape. Something was wrong. Deep in her bones, she could feel it.

She had to do something about it.

By the time the first golden rays of the sun peeked through the windows, Ani had already made up her mind.

She turned to Noel, who was still asleep, his arm draped possessively over her waist. His face was relaxed, a stark contrast to the commanding aura he carried during the day.

A mischievous smile played on her lips as she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek. "Wake up, darling."

Noel stirred, his lashes fluttering open. The moment his dark eyes locked onto hers, a lazy smirk curved his lips.

"Now that's a wake-up call I wouldn't mind every day," he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

Ani giggled, slipping out of bed and heading toward the closet. She pulled out a swimsuit—one that left just enough to the imagination but promised sinful thoughts.

Noel propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze darkening as she slid the straps over her shoulders, letting the fabric hug her curves.

"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" he groaned.

Ani winked. "Come to the pool, and maybe I will."

Noel was out of bed in seconds.

🏊 A Poolside Seduction & A Dangerous Interruption

The water was cool against Ani's skin as she floated effortlessly, her gaze locked on Noel, who was watching her from the poolside. His suit jacket had been abandoned, his shirt half unbuttoned, his expression unreadable.

She swam closer, her fingers trailing along his chest. "Join me," she whispered.

Noel smirked, undoing the rest of his buttons. "You're making it impossible to say no."

As he stepped into the water, Ani moved closer, her hands resting on his shoulders. She could feel the tension in his muscles, the heat radiating from his skin despite the coolness of the water.

Noel's hands slid down to her waist, pulling her against him. "You're playing a dangerous game, love," he murmured against her ear.

Ani tilted her head back, giving him a challenging look. "And what if I like danger?"

Noel's grip tightened. His lips brushed against her jaw, moving slowly, teasingly. Just as he was about to claim her lips—

A loud voice shattered the moment.

"Ani!"

She turned her head sharply.

Biswan stood at the entrance, eyes scanning the scene with urgency.

Noel groaned in frustration, resting his forehead against Ani's shoulder. "I swear if he doesn't have a damn good reason for interrupting..."

Ani ignored him, her heart pounding.

Biswan's expression was tense, his gaze flickering to the chain around her neck. She reached up, her fingers grazing the pendant.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Before she could process it, Noel cupped her face, his thumb running along her lips. "We're finishing this later," he murmured before kissing her deeply.

By the time Ani pulled away, her mind was already racing with a new plan.

🏢 A Business Meeting & Badzz's Jealous Rage

Ani stepped into the business hall beside Noel, her fingers intertwined with his.

The moment they entered, conversations halted. Eyes turned toward them, filled with curiosity, admiration, and—most importantly—jealousy.

Badzz.

He sat at the far end of the room, his expression carefully controlled, but Ani could see it—the way his hands curled into fists, the way his jaw tensed.

She knew that look.

He was on the verge of snapping.

The meeting began, discussions flowing effortlessly, but Ani barely paid attention. Her focus was split—part of her searching for the real stone, the other part maintaining the act.

She let out a soft sigh, pretending to shiver.

Noel, ever the attentive lover, immediately shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. His fingers lingered on her skin as he whispered, "Better?"

Ani nodded.

A murmur spread through the room.

"They look perfect together."
"What a couple!"
"He treats her like a queen."

Badzz's pen snapped between his fingers.

His friends exchanged worried glances, but no one dared to say a word.

🔥 Jealousy, Betrayal & A Warning Ignored

Noel's assistant entered the room, his expression hesitant. "Sir, the AI business meeting—"

Noel waved him off without even looking. "Cancel it."

"But sir—"

"I said cancel it," Noel repeated, his eyes fixed on Ani. "Right now, my only priority is her."

The assistant hesitated before nodding. "Understood, sir."

Ani felt a rush of warmth. Noel's devotion was undeniable.

But Badzz...

He was done being quiet.

He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "This is ridiculous."

The room went silent.

Noel tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Something wrong, Badzz?"

Badzz clenched his fists. "We're here for business, not your personal love story." His gaze flickered to Ani before returning to Noel. "Maybe if you focused on the meeting instead of—"

"Instead of loving my woman?" Noel interrupted smoothly.

Badzz's nostrils flared. "This is a joke."

Noel smirked. "If you have a problem, Badzz, feel free to leave."

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Ani, playing her part perfectly, rested her head against Noel's shoulder, her fingers playing with the buttons of his shirt. "Relax, Badzz," she murmured. "Getting worked up won't change anything."

Badzz's lips pressed into a thin line.

His friends tried to calm him, but Ani could see it—the storm brewing behind his eyes.

This was far from over.

And Ani knew one thing for certain.

If they didn't find the real stone soon...

Someone was going to get hurt.

📲 A Message That Changes Everything

As the meeting wrapped up, Ani's phone buzzed in her lap.

It was Biswan.

Biswan: "I can't find the stone. 

Shilapa, Rionde Princess—there's more to this than we thought. Be careful."

Ani's grip on the phone tightened.

She glanced at Noel, who was completely unaware of the storm that was about to hit them.

Badzz was watching her.

Biswan was searching.

Shilapa was waiting.

And somewhere out there...

The real stone was still missing.

Ani took a deep breath.

She had to plan something fast.

Because if she didn't—

Everything would fall apart.

To Be Continued... 🔥💎💋