Chapter 15:The Closer You Get

Rain poured again.

Like clockwork.

Andaleeb Shah glared-to-ceiling windows of Khan Global Enterprises as heavy droplets painted the city in shifting waves. Her reflection stared back at her with a familiar expression—annoyed, resigned, and just a little betrayed.

Of course, she had forgotten her umbrella. Again.

She sighed dramatically, tugging her scarf tighter. "Why does the weather always betray me?" she mumbled, stepping away from the glass.

She was halfway to the break room when the elevator doors began to slide shut.

She darted forward and caught it just in time.

The universe, in all its cosmic comedy, had clearly planned this moment—because standing inside the elevator was none other than Zayan Khan.

The CEO himself.

Black suit, pristine tie, unreadable eyes.

He didn't look surprised.

He just raised one of his perfectly sculpted brows. "Forgot it again?"

"I like the rain," she muttered defensively.

"Mm-hmm." His voice was smooth, like sarcasm drizzled with espresso. "That's why you're muttering death threats to the clouds?"

Before she could fire back a witty retort, the elevator jerked violently.

And then stopped.

The lights flickered.

Buzzed.

Darkened.

Andaleeb groaned, slapping a hand to her forehead. "Not again."

This was the third time she'd been trapped in this elevator.

With him.

Zayan didn't seem annoyed. If anything, he looked… curious.

He leaned against the railing, arms folded, watching her carefully. "Why does this only happen when you're in here?"

She exhaled. "I attract chaos."

A faint hum filled the air, an eerie quiet settling over them. Thunder rolled outside, echoing through the building. The tension in the small space thickened.

Zayan's gaze drifted to her hands.

"You're shaking," he said softly.

She clenched her fists. "I'm claustrophobic."

"Or something else?"

Before she could reply, the lights flickered again—more violently this time.

And for just a second, blue light shimmered faintly near her fingertips.

She gasped and quickly shoved her hands behind her back. "I-It's just nerves."

Zayan didn't say anything.

But he had seen it.

And she knew he had.

He took a slow step forward, eyes still on her. "I always find you during storms," he murmured.

Andaleeb's breath caught in her throat.

"Maybe I'm the storm," she whispered, not trusting her voice.

Zayan leaned in slightly, his voice so quiet it was almost a thought. "Then why do I feel calm near you?"

Her heart skipped.

Loudly.

Time seemed to stop.

Until the elevator jolted back to life.

Ding.

The doors slid open.

They stepped out.

But something heavy and unspoken clung to the air between them.

---

Restless Thoughts

Later that evening, Zayan sat alone in his office, city lights glittering behind him through the glass wall. His blazer was draped over his chair, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

He couldn't focus.

Not on reports. Not on meetings. Not on anything.

His mind kept circling back to her.

The shimmer. The flicker. The words from his dream—"You're not supposed to know."

He opened his drawer and pulled out a small post-it.

The doodle.

A cartoon version of his face, scowling, with a tiny heart floating above his head. Drawn in blue ink, slightly smudged.

He'd meant to throw it away.

He never did.

Zayan stared at it, his fingers tracing the edge.

"You're hiding something," he whispered to the silly drawing. "But why does it feel like… I already knew you once?"

---

At the Café

The bell above the café door chimed softly as Andaleeb walked in, soaked from the rain. Her hair clung to her cheeks in messy strands, her shoulders sagging with exhaustion.

Eman handed her a towel and poured two mugs of steaming tea.

"Don't even ask," Andaleeb grumbled, slumping into a chair.

"Elevator again?" Eman asked, settling across from her.

Andaleeb nodded. "And he saw it. Almost."

Eman's brows pulled together. "You sure he didn't notice everything?"

"I don't know. But my powers reacted." She looked down at her hands. "They always react when I'm near him."

Eman tilted her head. "Maybe it's not fear. Maybe it's something else."

Andaleeb shot her a look. "Don't start."

"You like him."

"I'm trying not to," she snapped, cheeks turning pink.

Eman smiled into her mug. "You're failing."

---

Haroon Watches

From the far corner of the café, Haroon sat quietly, pretending to read a document.

But his eyes were watching.

Not Andaleeb.

Not Eman.

But Zayan Khan.

Or rather—the way Zayan was starting to look at Andaleeb.

Haroon remembered the promise he made long ago. To observe. To protect. To never interfere.

But now?

Now everything was tangled.

And feelings had started to complicate what was once simple.

He didn't like it.

Not one bit.

---

The Tech Sabotage

The next day was one of the most important events on the Khan Global calendar—a massive investor presentation that could shift the company's international future.

Andaleeb stood beside Zayan, clipboard in hand, her role simple but essential.

Everything was going smoothly.

Until the lights flickered.

And the main presentation screen sparked violently.

Panic rippled through the room.

Andaleeb froze.

Her hand twitched involuntarily.

Energy surged under her skin.

She felt it. She knew it was her.

But before anyone could notice, Zayan stepped in front of her.

He didn't speak. He didn't question.

He just moved—his body shielding hers, his presence a silent wall of protection.

"Calm down," he whispered so low only she could hear.

Her heartbeat thundered.

Why did he keep doing this?

Within minutes, Zayan took control—redirecting the files, speaking smoothly to the investors, regaining control of the room with poise and precision.

Applause followed.

The crisis passed.

But neither of them were okay.

Because the real tension wasn't technical.

It was emotional.

And it was growing.

---

Late Night – The Almost Confession

At 10 p.m., her phone buzzed.

> "Miss Shah. My office."

She blinked. Seriously? At this hour?

Still, she went.

The office was dim when she entered. Zayan stood by the window, the city skyline glowing behind him. His tie was loose. His shirt sleeves were rolled up.

She paused at the doorway.

"You wanted to talk about… files?"

"No."

He didn't turn around right away.

Then he did.

And his eyes weren't cold.

They were searching.

"I wanted to ask why you make me forget things I didn't even know I knew."

Her breath caught.

"You keep secrets," he said quietly, walking toward her. "Like armor."

She looked away. "Everyone has secrets."

"I don't care about everyone." His voice dropped. "I care about yours."

Her heart pounded.

She could feel it—that invisible thread between them pulling tighter and tighter.

"What do you see," she whispered, "when you look at me?"

He hesitated.

Then spoke, voice raw.

"Something I can't lose."

Their eyes met.

She stepped closer.

So did he.

The distance between them vanished.

Their breaths mingled.

Their lips nearly touched.

And then—

Creeeak.

The door opened.

Aryan poked his head in. "Oh! Sorry, should I…?"

"Get out," they both snapped in unison.

He vanished.

Andaleeb stepped back, flustered. "I should go."

Zayan didn't stop her.

But his eyes stayed on the door long after she was gone.

And in his chest, something he couldn't name… began to unravel.

---