You entered the hall, and all eyes were instantly on you. It wasn't surprising; the fiery red saree you chose for the evening highlighted your beauty in an unprecedented way. You felt confidence flow through your veins with every step you took. It was only a few moments before you found your best friend, the one you share your secrets and inside jokes with. You walked up to him, and you stood together. Spontaneous laughter burst from both of you, and your smile was wide and radiant as he told you something funny about his latest escapade. You were completely engrossed in that comfortable, friendly moment. Suddenly, as you were laughing out loud, you felt a dense shadow approaching. You hadn't anticipated him, but the scent of his strong masculine cologne was enough to tell you of his arrival. Your brother’s best friend. The one who gives you cold, sharp looks whenever your paths cross, and whom you know harbors mysterious feelings for you that words haven't yet revealed. He stood right behind you. Your best friend turned to greet him, but he only gave him a fleeting, icy glance. His eyes never left yours. Then you heard his voice whisper, or rather, growl. It was a low hiss, like a snake's, yet it cut through the party noise and landed directly in your right ear, causing you to freeze in place. "Laugh with him one more time, and I will kill him right in front of your eyes." Your smile froze. The laughter caught in your throat. Your brother’s friend raised his gaze to yours, and his dark brown eyes glowed with a fire of jealousy and rage you had never seen in him before. It was more than a threat; it was a terrifying promise. You felt your breath held hostage, and your red saree suddenly felt incredibly heavy. He pulled you gently yet firmly by your arm, moving you a step away from your shocked best friend, and held you possessively by his side. Now, you stood beside him, your body taut, wondering what would come after this shocking confession, and what was truly hidden within the heart of your brother's friend, the one who now breathed fire.