Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*JEALOUSY OF THE PLAYBOY*

***author's pov***

Maya stepped out of the bathroom, flaunting her short skirt and off-shoulder top, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Payal, clearly staking her claim on Daksh. Payal felt the tension in the air but before she could react, Daksh smirked at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. As he walked out of the room, his hand casually slid across Payal’s waist, sending a wave of warmth and confusion through her.

The possessive gesture left Payal breathless, while Maya's glare deepened, clearly irritated by the unspoken tension between them. Payal stood still, torn between her growing jealousy and the strange thrill of Daksh’s attention.

Maya rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with disdain as she taunted, "Oh, Payal, you really think Daksh is the kind of guy who cares about love? Please! He only sleeps around. Don’t get your hopes up that he’d ever love a nerd like you. He’s just playing this game to get you in his bed."

Payal’s heart sank at Maya’s words, though she tried to hide the sting they carried. She knew Daksh’s reputation, but the way he looked at her, the way he touched her, it all felt different. Still, doubt began to creep into her mind, leaving her torn between her feelings for Daksh and the fear that Maya might be right.

She opened her suitcase .

Payal hesitated for a moment, staring at the nude-colored bodycon strapless dress she had packed for the trip. It wasn’t her usual style, but something about this beachy, bold dress made her want to step out of her comfort zone. After a brief pause, she slipped into it, the soft fabric hugging her curves in a way that made her feel both nervous and confident.

She glanced at herself in the mirror, smoothing down the dress and wondering what Daksh would think. Would he notice her differently tonight? A part of her wanted to show him she wasn’t the shy, nerdy girl everyone thought she was.

Maya’s jaw dropped as she caught sight of Payal’s transformation. The dress accentuated Payal's figure, and the way her light brown hair cascaded down to her waist, adorned with flowers, made her look effortlessly stunning.

“What are you trying to do, Payal?” Maya said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she put down her phone. “Trying to impress Daksh? It’s not like he’ll fall for you just because you’re wearing a pretty dress.”

Payal shrugged off Maya’s comments, feeling a surge of confidence. “Maybe I just want to enjoy myself for once,” she replied, smoothing out her dress.

“Enjoy yourself? By trying to be someone you're not? Good luck with that,” Maya shot back, rolling her eyes again before returning to her phone, but Payal ignored her.

She took a deep breath, glancing at herself one last time in the mirror before stepping out of the room. Tonight was about more than just impressing Daksh; it was about discovering herself and enjoying the moment. As she walked towards the common area, she felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Would Daksh even notice her?

Rayansh leaned back against his bed, arms crossed, and gave Daksh a pointed look. “You know, for someone who claims to not care about girls, you sure spend a lot of time flexing in front of the mirror,” he teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

Daksh shot him a playful glare but couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face. “What can I say? A little self-appreciation never hurt anyone,” he retorted, wiping his brow with the back of his hand. “Besides, it’s hot as hell here.”

“Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night,” Rayansh replied, rolling his eyes. “Just don’t get too distracted when Payal walks in. I’d hate for you to trip over your own ego.”

Daksh laughed, the banter easing the tension. “Please, Payal is in the other room, and I’m not interested in any drama. Besides, she’s not my type.”

Rayansh raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Right, because you’ve been so uninterested in her lately.”

Daksh shrugged, trying to play it cool. “She’s just… different. I don’t know how to explain it. But I’ve got my eyes on other things.”

“Like who? Maya?” Rayansh asked, raising an eyebrow.

Daksh shook his head. “Nah, not her. I’m more interested in seeing how things go with Payal. She’s cute in her own way, and I like that she’s not trying to be someone she’s not.”

Rayansh smirked. “Well, good luck with that. Just don’t let Maya get in your head. She can be a real pain.”

Daksh nodded, determination flaring up inside him. “I won’t. I’ll make sure she knows she can’t mess with Payal. She deserves better than to be judged by someone like Maya.”

With a shared understanding, the two friends prepared to head out, ready to embrace whatever the night had in store.

As Rudra and Daksh stepped out of their respective rooms, they called out for the girls, eager to head out together. The atmosphere shifted the moment they spotted Payal.

Dressed in a form-fitting bodycon dress that accentuated her curves, she looked stunning and confident. Rayansh’s eyes widened in admiration, and he couldn’t help but compliment her new look. “Wow, Payal, you look incredible!” he exclaimed, clearly impressed.

But Daksh’s expression darkened instantly. He clenched his jaw, irritation brewing within him. Memories of the last race night flashed in his mind, where he had made it explicitly clear that he expected her to dress modestly. He had warned her against wearing anything too revealing, wanting to protect what he believed was only for him to see.

“Who is she trying to impress?” he thought, his gaze narrowing at Rayansh, who seemed to be entirely captivated by Payal’s appearance. The possessiveness stirred in Daksh as he scanned Payal’s outfit again, feeling an overwhelming surge of protectiveness.

Despite his thoughts, he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want to create a scene or draw attention to his discomfort. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked out, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The jealousy gnawed at him, but he resolved to keep his feelings in check, at least for now. He needed to process what he was feeling and figure out how to address it without pushing Payal away.

As he exited the house, he tried to focus on the day ahead, even as thoughts of her dress lingered in his mind.