MARRIED TO MR MAFIA

--- Chapter 1: Beginning THIRD PERSON P.O.V “Have you seen the time? You’re going out this late? What’s wrong with you?” Shanaya’s mother scolded, fastening her coat as she checked herself one last time in the mirror. “Mom, chill,” Shanaya said, slipping on her heels. “I’m going to the party. It’s my friend’s birthday. I can’t miss it, you know that, right?” “But beta, look at the time!” her mother protested, turning toward her. “It’s so late. You don’t know how dangerous the world outside is. ” Shanaya laughed, shaking her head. “Mom, don’t be so dramatic.” “There are vultures roaming outside. It’s not safe anymore for women,” her mother said worriedly. “Mom… seriously? So, you want me to hide from the world and stay locked in my room to be safe from these so-called vultures who, by the way, are ready to eat me?” She rolled her eyes sarcastically. “But beta—” “Mom, enough! We are today’s generation of women, and I’m not the only one going out. There are others too! And by the way, I know how to take care of myself, okay?” With those words, she stormed out of the room. But her mother’s heart was pounding fast, a strange heaviness settling in her chest ,as if something terrible was about to happen. The bass from the speakers shook the floor as Shanaya stepped into the club. Neon lights flickered across the walls, and the air was thick with perfume, laughter, and music that pulsed straight through her veins. For a moment, all her mother’s warnings vanished beneath the electric thrill of the night. A smile broke across her face when she spotted him. Her heartbeat quickened, and without thinking, she ran forward and wrapped her arms around him. “Happy birthday, baby,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music. “Thank you,” he said with that same charming smile that always made her forget the world. They spent the next hour laughing, greeting friends, taking selfies under the strobe lights everything felt perfect. Or maybe too perfect. Because while Shanaya was busy dancing with her friends, her boyfriend’s smile faltered. He excused himself and slipped toward a dark corner of the club, where a man in a black coat stood waiting. The man’s expression was unreadable. Her boyfriend’s hand trembled slightly as he took the envelope from him, stuffing it into his jacket pocket. The man whispered something, and her boyfriend gave a small nod his eyes flickering briefly toward Shanaya. She was laughing, unaware, her drink glittering under the lights like liquid gold. Minutes later, her laughter began to fade. Her head felt heavy, the room spinning in slow motion. “Hey… I don’t feel so good,” she mumbled, clutching her temples. Her boyfriend was there instantly, concern etched on his face. “It’s okay, baby. Maybe it’s just the crowd. Come on, I’ll take you home.” She leaned against him, dizzy and trusting. The cool air hit her as he led her through the back door of the club the music fading behind them, replaced by the sound of her unsteady breathing. “Why are we going this way?” she slurred softly. “Shortcut,” he said quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Her eyelids grew heavy. The world tilted. Her body went limp in his arms. And the last thing Shanaya saw through her fading vision , was her boyfriend tossing her over to the man from the shadows. Ayat’s POV “SHANAYA MAQSOOD — MISSING SINCE 5 DAYS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NUMBER BELOW IF FOUND.” The words glared at me from the tattered pamphlet hanging on the school notice board. Her picture smiling, carefree, full of life stared back like a cruel joke. Zoya and I stood there quietly, surrounded by other students whispering in groups, each one pretending to care for the drama of it. “Five days,” Zoya muttered under her breath. “What if she’s dead?” I snapped my head toward her. “Astaghfirullah, say good things at least!” She rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, like flowers would start falling from her mouth for you whenever she use to see you ” I sighed, looking back at the flyer. “She was a lot of things,” I admitted softly. Zoya raised a brow, smirking. “You mean she was trouble.” I didn’t argue. Maybe she was. Shanaya wasn’t exactly known for being the saintly type bold, reckless, loud the kind of girl who didn’t care what anyone thought. But still… no one deserved to just disappear like that. “That doesn’t mean we should celebrate her being gone,” I said, more to myself than to Zoya. My voice softened. “Think about her mother…” My throat tightened unexpectedly. The thought of a mother waiting for her daughter praying, hoping, breaking it did something to me. We turned to walk toward our classroom, the chatter around us fading into a distant hum. But something about that poster wouldn’t leave my mind. For some reason, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that Shanaya’s story wasn’t over yet. THIRD PERSON P.O.V. The room was unbearably still, save for the shallow, desperate gasps of the man on the floor. Blood seeped through his trembling fingers as he pressed them to his wounded side. “Hadi, please…” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to cross you. They forced me—I swear. My family… my kids… please, spare me.” Hadi Feroz stood by the window, his silhouette outlined by the dim moonlight streaming through the blinds. He was silent, his expression unreadable as he slowly turned, his sharp gaze cutting through the dimly lit room like a blade. “Did they force you to speak, too?” His voice was low, almost detached, as he finally addressed the man. The man’s head bobbed frantically. “Yes! Yes, they made me! I swear, I didn’t want to—” Hadi’s steps were deliberate, echoing against the floor as he walked closer. He stopped just short of the groveling figure, tilting his head as if sizing him up. Without another word, he reached into his jacket, pulling out a sleek black revolver. The man flinched. “No, wait! I’ll disappear. I’ll—” A single shot rang out. The man collapsed, his wide, lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling. Hadi stood up, dusting off his coat. One of his men, dressed in a sharp black suit, approached from the shadows. “Sir, we have the target’s location. Should we proceed?” the man asked, his tone respectful but cautious. Hadi didn’t answer immediately. He adjusted his cuffs, then glanced at the lifeless body. “No.” His lips curled into a faint, chilling smirk. “Leave him to me.” Without another word, Hadi walked out, the sound of his footsteps fading into the silence of the room. ____________________________________ Author’s Note: So… how was the first chapter? 👀 Did it give you chills, curiosity, or that sinking “something’s not right” feeling? What do you think really happened to Shanaya — and why do I feel like Ayat might be next? 😶‍🌫️ Tell me your thoughts below — I love reading your theories! 💬✨