Chapter 7:Mr. Heartless Has a Heart

The city was asleep, the moonlight lazily spilling over the towering skyline of Karachi. But inside Zayan Khan's penthouse—perched above the world—loneliness buzzed louder than the wind.

The living room lights were dim. A vintage bottle of red wine sat half-open on the kitchen counter. The birthday cake—chocolate truffle, sent by the office staff—rested untouched on the dining table.

Zayan sat alone on the couch, coat off, shirt unbuttoned at the collar. His usually perfect hair was slightly ruffled. One hand gripped a glass of wine, the other rested over his forehead.

No texts. No calls. Just silence.

He let out a dry chuckle, eyes glassy. "Another year."

He'd been trained to hate emotions. Raised by calendars and contracts. Every birthday had passed like this since he could remember—sterile, silent, and forgettable. His parents hadn't even bothered with a call this year.

He drink a glass of wine

And another

And another

He raised the next glass to his lips.

Then the doorbell rang.

Zayan frowned. At this hour?

Dragging his feet, he opened the door.

Andaleeb stood there, holding a folder. Her hair was messy from the wind, and she clutched her scarf as it almost flew away.

"Your assistant said this file needed urgent signing... Wait... are you okay?" Her voice dropped.

Zayan blinked. "It's just a file. Why are you here?"

His button was open him hair was messy his eyes are red but he is not fully drunk

"To get yelled at by a tipsy CEO, apparently," she muttered, stepping in. Her eyes scanned the empty room. "Wait... is this a cake?"

He looked away. "Don't touch it."

"Birthday?" and you alone how boring you are why you are like this Mr.heartless

He stayed silent.

She took a slow breath. "You're seriously alone on your birthday? Drinking wine and sulking in a penthouse? What are you, a sad Netflix show?"

Zayan slumped onto the couch. "Go home."

She didn't.

What you will do I don't go!

Instead, she placed the file on the table and sat next to him—keeping a cushion of space.

"Tell me a bedtime story," he mumbled.

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Like... a story. The kind nannies tell. I never had one."

Andaleeb hesitated. But then he looked at her, eyes red but not from the wine—more like from something older.

He hugged her tell me a story I want to hear nanny please!

Ohh My god save me its not suit to him to be this kind of sweet and soft

So she adjusted herself and began, "Once upon a time, a tea-loving alien princess crashed on Earth..."

He laid his head on her lap.

And just like that, the coldest man in Karachi turned into a sleepy baby.

As her voice softened into the middle of the story, she noticed he was still awake.

"Did she ever go home and she marry to a prince of earth?" he asked, groggily.

"Not yet," she whispered. "She was waiting for someone to believe she belonged."

Suddenly Andleeb feel her hands wet.

This is not water this is Zayan tears.

He turned his face. His breath hitched. "It's my birthday."

Her heart pinched. "I know."

"Every year, it's like this. Empty cake. Empty house. Empty me."

Andaleeb touched his hair gently. "You're not empty Zayan I am with you. You're just... quiet."

He shut his eyes. "No one ever stayed."

Her voice softened. "I'm here now."

She stood after a while, brushing crumbs from her lap. "Alright, Mr. Heartless. Let's do this right.she took her hand tightly"

He raised a brow. "Do what?"

"We're celebrating. Cake, candles, and off-tune singing. Like humans."

She ordered a cake instantly. Within thirty minutes, she returned from the lobby with a glowing box.

They lit a single candle.

Zayan, barely steady, watched her sing the birthday song in the most off-key, ridiculous voice.

He couldn't help it.

He smiled.

She clapped. "Miracle spotted. Zayan Khan has teeth!"

Make a wish: she said

"Shut up and give me the knife."

I don't have any wish.

He sliced the cake.

They sat on the floor, eating with plastic forks and they drink Andleeb don't drink too much but now Zayan is drunked.

As she stood to leave, he grabbed her wrist.

"Stay."Zayan said

"Zayan..."she said

"Please. Just... one more story." He said in his baby voice

She sighed but followed him to the bedroom.

He didn't do anything inappropriate. Just flopped on the bed like a child.

She sat beside him.

He rested his head on her lap again and hug her tightly.

She told another story, this time about a lonely CEO who didn't believe in love.

Halfway through, he mumbled, "Don't leave me alone tonight."

She softened. "I won't. Sleep."

He wrapped his arms gently around her waist.

And fell asleep.

, Andaleeb whispered in his ear:

"Happy Birthday, Zayan. You're not as heartless as you think."

And far above the Earth, in a hidden alien transmission relay, a soft pulse recorded:

"Subject Zayan: Emotional attachment developing. Monitor closely."

But she didn't know that.

Not yet.

So did she.

Next Morning

"AAAAHHHH!"

Zayan shot up. His eyes landed on Andaleeb beside him in bed, tangled in blankets.

"What the—what are you doing here?!"

She groaned. "Me?! YOU begged me to stay, Mr. Heartless! Don't you remember?"

He blinked, flashes returning. His head hurt. "I was drunk. That was a mistake."

"Mistake? You cried on my lap, confessed your trauma, and hugged me like a teddy bear. Not my fault."

He looked away. "Sorry."

"Did you just say sorry? Wait... let me record this miracle."

He rubbed his temples. "Stop talking. Are you hungry?"

"Yes. But I only know how to eat, not cook."

He stood. "I'm Zayan Khan. I'm perfect at everything."

She copied him in funny voice

He smile

You smile I am dreaming pinch me:she said

Shut up:he said

I starving go and make something for breakfast or I will kill you "I can't bear being hungry"

Behaved yourself Miss shah:he raised a brow and said