Club Asteria, 11:26 PM.
Dark lights. Loud bass. Gold bottles popping. Bodies grinding. Mafia heirs and heiresses blowing off steam before the storm—aka, the wedding of the century.
Ayla was at the center of it all.
Red leather corset top, ripped jeans, and killer heels. Hair wild, makeup sharp, lips blood red.
"Let's party, b*tches," she announced, raising her tequila shot.
Everyone cheered.
But deep down?
She wasn't partying.
She was plotting.
Because across the club, standing like a god among mortals, was Sadiq Amir Al-Farouk.
Leaning against the wall in a fitted black turtleneck, silver rosary wrapped around his wrist, sleeves rolled up just enough to flex that holy-sinful vibe.
Tatlong babae ang lumalapit sa kanya.
Isa, nilalaro ang hair.
Isa, kumakapit sa arm.
Isa, halos lumuhod na sa harap niya.
Pero si Sadiq?
Nakatingin lang kay Ayla.
Dead stare. Unmoving. Like the chaos around him didn't matter—only she did.
That pissed her off.
Ayla grabbed a random guy from the crowd.
Tall, cute, muscular. Puwede na.
She smirked. "Wanna kiss me?"
The guy grinned. "Hell yeah."
She kissed him.
Openly. Wildly. Right in front of Sadiq.
But the moment their lips touched—she felt it.
Wrong.Empty.Not him.
She pulled away.
And when she looked back—
Sadiq was gone.
Outside the club.
Ayla walked out for air, heart pounding. "What the hell is wrong with me?"
Then suddenly—
Strong arms grabbed her by the waist, dragging her into the shadows.
Her back hit the cold wall.
Sadiq.
His eyes were burning. Jaw clenched. Hands on either side of her head.
"Don't you ever do that again."
Ayla smirked. "Do what? Have fun?"
"You call that fun?" His voice was low, deadly. "Or were you just begging for my attention?"
"Wow. Confident. Why would I beg for that?"
He leaned in, lips brushing her ear.
"Because only I know how to kiss you right."
Her breath hitched.
Sadiq slowly traced a finger along her jaw.
"I don't mind waiting, Ayla. I don't mind your games. But don't ever involve another man again."
She glared. "Or what?"
His lips were now inches from hers.
"Or I'll show you exactly what kind of man you just made jealous."
Pause.
Their eyes locked.
Tension so thick it could snap.
But then—
Sadiq stepped back.
"Goodnight, future wife."
And just like that—he walked away.
Leaving her breathless, furious… and way too turned on.