Chapter 15: Windows, Whispers, and a View from the Top

Zain jogged through the early morning fog, his steps light and rhythmic. The air was fresh, and the quiet road toward Elena's house felt unusually calm. As always, he stopped at the side yard, where the tap and stone basin sat under the neem tree — his makeshift outdoor shower.

Unbothered by the open space, Zain rinsed the sweat off his body. His shirt hung nearby, and droplets of water slid down the lean lines of his back as he stood in nothing but his shorts, soaking in the chill of the water.

Unbeknownst to him… a pair of curious eyes were watching.

Behind the curtain of a slightly opened window, Elena's fingers gripped the fabric tightly. Her breath caught as her gaze trailed along Zain's figure.

"Why is it hot so early today..." she whispered to herself, face flushing red.

Her heart raced as she ducked suddenly when Zain turned his head.

Downstairs, Zain towel-dried his hair and glanced at the gate. Odd. No sign of Elena. Usually, she'd have opened the door by now, even just to tease him.

He reached into his bag, pulled out the second-hand phone Elena had gifted him, and dialed her number.

"Hello?" Elena answered too quickly, voice slightly breathless.

"You not working today?"

"It's Friday. My day off. Remember?"

Zain scratched his head. "Right… I forgot."

"Since you're already here…" she paused, biting her lip, "…wanna go out?"

The Closet Crisis

Elena hung up and immediately sprinted to her room, yelling to herself.

"Oh my god, oh my god—what am I wearing?!"

She tore open her wardrobe like a hurricane. Dresses flew. Tops rejected. Jeans that made her look "too serious," skirts that felt "too much." At one point she stared at the mirror, holding a denim jacket in one hand and a white flowy blouse in the other, eyes wild.

"Zain's seen me covered in paint and sweat," she told herself. "But suddenly I need to look like a princess? Ughhh!"

Half an hour later, Zain sat outside, sipping bottled water from the porch table, humming a tune.

Finally, Elena emerged, a little too breathless and blushing. She wore a simple navy blue dress with a thin cardigan — the perfect mix of sweet and effortless.

"Sorry," she mumbled, not making eye contact.

"Took you long enough. I thought you escaped out the back window," Zain teased.

"I considered it," she grumbled, brushing her hair back.

The Skybound Plan

"So, where to?" Zain asked, walking beside her.

"I dunno... surprise me?"

He grinned. "Dangerous thing to say to a man like me."

After a short drive, they reached the heart of the city — where the skyline cut through the clouds. And there it was: the tallest building in the city. The Elite Tower. 412 stories of shimmering glass and quiet power.

Elena's jaw dropped. "Zain, what the heck… this is for billionaires. This place has a freaking helipad with gold rims!"

They parked near the grand lobby. Zain stepped out casually, walking toward the front entrance as though he owned the place — which, technically, he did.

"Zain, stop! We can't go in there — they'll kick us out," Elena whispered, grabbing his wrist. **"Let's go to like, a mall or a lake or—"

"Relax. Security knows me."**

"Knows you? How—wait, wait, don't tell me you did electrical wiring here or something?"

Zain just gave her a secret smile. They entered the grand lobby, greeted not with suspicion but with respectful nods from the staff. Elena noticed the receptionist gave Zain a subtle salute, and the security guard quietly opened the private lift without being asked.

"I told you," Zain whispered. "They're just nice guys."

Elena looked confused but followed him in.

Inside the mirrored lift, Zain pressed the button for Floor 412.

"Wait… the top floor? That's like—executive suite level."

Zain didn't answer. His face was unreadable.

Just as the lift doors began to close, a hand reached in to stop them.

A man stepped in. Older. Powerful build. Sharp eyes.

Elena's face went pale.

"Mr. Harith…" she breathed. "…Dad's rival."

The air turned colder. Zain's expression didn't change.

But in his mind?

Now this was getting interesting.