Chapter 31:Heartbeats and Heartbreaks
The waves whispered beneath their feet. The night sky stretched above them, studded with stars and a glowing moon, as if the entire universe had paused just to watch them.
Andaleeb stared at him—Zayan Khan, the man she once thought untouchable, unfeeling.
Her voice trembled with emotion, but her words were clear.
"First… I thought you were cold. Rude. Heartless."
She gave a soft, broken laugh. "And I wondered—what kind of fool would ever fall for someone like you?"
Zayan raised a brow, half-smiling. "And now?"
Her eyes shimmered as she stepped closer, chest rising and falling rapidly. "Now I know. I was the fool."
She placed her hands gently on his chest.
"I ended up falling in love with you. I love you, Zayan. I love you more than all the world and the galaxy combined."
And then she hugged him tightly, burying her face into his chest.
Zayan stood frozen.
Completely still.
As if time itself had forgotten to move.
Then she looked up at him with watery eyes. "Why don't you hug me back?"
He didn't respond with words.
Instead, he wrapped his arms around her—tight—and suddenly lifted her off the ground, spinning her in circles under the starlit sky.
He laughed, loudly, joyfully.
"At last… you're finally mine! Hurrah! I can't believe it!"
She giggled through her tears. "Are you mental? Put me down! You'll drop me!"
He smiled into her hair, voice husky. "You're mine. I'll never drop you. No matter the situation. And now, no one dares to even look at you the wrong way."
She playfully smacked his shoulder. "Put me down, Mr. Possessive!"
He slowly set her down with a grin. "Your order, madam."
Before she could respond, she leaned up on her toes and kissed him softly. Just four seconds—tender, hesitant, full of emotion.
Zayan's breath caught.
Then, with one sudden motion, he pulled her flush against him and kissed her again—this time deeper, fuller, like he'd waited for a hundred years.
His hands held her as if anchoring himself. Her fingers tangled in his hair. The sea sang beside them, and the moonlit sky wrapped them in silver warmth.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless and dazed, he whispered,
"I love you too… more than I ever thought I could love anyone."
The stars above them shimmered, as if blessing the moment.
---
The Next Morning – Office Gossip
The employees of Khan Global noticed something very strange.
Their cold, terrifying CEO… was smiling.
Worse—he looked happy.
Zayan walked into the office with light steps and warm eyes. Andaleeb walked beside him, trying to hide her smile, cheeks still pink from the night before.
Aryan leaned over to his coworker and whispered, "Is it just me, or did he just… smile at her?"
Then Zayan did something absolutely scandalous: he pulled Andaleeb's chair out for her at her desk and placed a cup of tea in front of her. Not coffee. Tea.
"You love this stuff, right?" he said, eyes twinkling.
Andaleeb smirked. "Trying to earn brownie points, Mr. Heartless?"
"I already did last night," he replied smoothly, whispering close to her ear. "You even kissed me first."
Her eyes widened and she elbowed him under the desk.
He chuckled and returned to his cabin, stealing glances through the glass every few minutes.
Later, Aryan snuck in and whispered, "You've either been body-swapped… or you're in love."
Zayan gave him a warning glare, but the faint blush on his face betrayed him.
---
Office Rooftop Break
Zayan called her up with the excuse of an "urgent discussion," but just sat beside her on the rooftop bench, holding her hand under the open sky.
"You know," he murmured, "I didn't sleep a wink. I kept thinking... this must be a dream. But you're real."
She looked away, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Zayan brought out a small sketchbook. "I've been trying to draw you. But it never turns out right."
She blinked. "You draw?"
"Only you. But I keep failing. You're too bright."
Her smile melted him.
---
Copy Room Chaos
Andaleeb reached for files on the top shelf and stumbled. Zayan caught her effortlessly.
Their eyes locked.
He didn't let go.
"You fall into me too often," he murmured.
"Maybe gravity likes you," she teased.
He grinned. "Or maybe it knows you belong here."
She looked at him, breathless, and whispered, "Zayan... what happens if someone finds out?"
He cupped her face gently. "Then let them. I won't hide what you mean to me."
---
Aleena's Suspicion Deepens
Outside the meeting room, Aleena narrowed her eyes as she watched Andaleeb walk past. A faint shimmer danced across Andaleeb's hand again.
She lifted her phone and snapped a picture, though blurry.
Message sent to unknown contact:
"I told you she's not normal. I want proof. Now."
Later in her office, she stared at the blurry image. She zoomed in, and her fingers trembled.
"This is beyond office rivalry," she muttered. "She's hiding something. And I'll find out what."
---
Eman and Haroon – Hidden Lab
In the secret lab beneath the café, Eman frantically tapped through data screens. Andaleeb's energy levels were spiking dangerously.
Haroon appeared behind her, calm but alert.
"They know. Maybe not everything. But it's getting closer."
Eman's shoulders sagged. "If she falls in love completely… the Recall Protocol will activate."
Haroon folded his arms. "Then stop her."
"She can't stop her heart."
"She'll be taken," Haroon warned. "She'll disappear. And Zayan—he'll be destroyed."
"I know." Her voice broke. "But so will she."
---
Office Night Scene – Rooftop
Zayan found Andaleeb sketching alone under the stars.
He snuck up behind her. "Is that me? Again?"
She jumped. "Don't sneak up on me!"
He looked closer. "You drew another heart."
"Shut up," she mumbled.
He laughed softly. "You're obsessed. Maybe you're the alien."
Her smile faded for a second.
But she laughed anyway.
He leaned closer. "Whatever planet you're from, I'm just glad you landed here."
She blinked, startled. "That was oddly poetic for Mr. CEO."
He shrugged. "You're changing me."
---
Final Scene – Her Apartment
Andaleeb sat on her bed, staring at the ring Zayan gave her.
Her pendant glowed red. A low hum filled the room.
A holographic warning hovered in front of her:
"Emotional Bond at 92% – Breach Protocol Initiated. Prepare for Recall."
She gasped, clutching the ring tightly.
"No... not now. Please…"
Across the city, Zayan sat in his room, holding her doodle, smiling quietly to himself.
He had no idea... the universe was already trying to take her back.
And this time, it might succeed.