The next morning began with chaos. Not unusual for Zayan Khan's office—especially now that Andaleeb Shah existed within its walls.
Zayan was standing in the lobby with Aryan, briefing him on the investor lunch when the elevator dinged behind them.
"I don't trust that girl," Zayan said, eyes fixed on the office entry. "She causes damage just by breathing."
Aryan grinned. "Yet somehow saves your projects and your presentations."
"She's reckless. She almost electrocuted herself yesterday trying to fix the water dispenser."
"She just pressed a button."
"Exactly. Without asking."
Ding.
The elevator doors opened, and Zayan stepped inside, still mid-rant. "I swear, if she spills anything on me today—"
A blur of red crashed into the elevator just as the doors began to close. It was Andaleeb. Of course.
"Wait, wait! Hold the—ahh!" she stumbled in, knocking into Zayan hard.
His hand slammed into the wall. Her lunchbox hit the floor with a dramatic clang.
"You again!" he hissed.
"You need to stop being so huggable!" she snapped, brushing her hair back. "Not my fault the elevator loves dramatic timing."
The elevator jolted.
Both froze.
Jerk. Whirrrrr. Clunk.
It stopped.
Zayan pressed the buttons. Nothing. He glanced at Andaleeb. "What did you do?"
"Why do you assume I did something?"
"Because every time you're involved, the universe malfunctions."
She crossed her arms. "Maybe the elevator got tired of your deadpan face. Even machines have limits."
10 Minutes Later…
The emergency light flickered above them. Zayan leaned in a corner, clearly calculating all the ways he could sue the building management.
Andaleeb sat cross-legged, nibbling on a cookie she'd pulled from her lunchbox.
"You keep snacks in your bag?" he asked, tone accusatory.
"I'm always prepared. Hungry people make stupid decisions. Like going into elevators with grumpy CEOs."
Zayan exhaled. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"Do you ever smile?" she countered.
His lips twitched. Almost. But then the moment passed.
She leaned her head back, staring at the ceiling. "You ever wonder why elevators always stop during important moments?"
"No."
"I do. Maybe it's a sign."
"Of what? Your cosmic tea party?"
She smirked. "Close. I think elevators sense emotional tension."
"You're delusional."
She giggled softly. "Says the man who talks to his coffee like it's a living being."
Meanwhile, in the Main Lobby
Aryan was pacing near the reception when the glass doors swung open with a crisp whoosh. High heels clacked confidently on the marble floor.
Aleena Hashmi had arrived.
CEO of a rising tech company. Fierce. Beautiful. Obsessed.
Clad in a maroon power suit, her sleek ponytail bounced with each step. She carried herself like a queen entering her castle.
"Aryan," she said smoothly. "Where's Zayan?"
"He's, uh..." Aryan cleared his throat. "Temporarily... unavailable."
Aleena narrowed her eyes. "Unavailable?"
"In the elevator. With someone."
Her lips pressed together. "Who?"
"…Andaleeb Shah."
Aleena's smile vanished.
"I see," she said, her tone sharper now. "I'll wait."
She crossed her arms, but her nails tapped furiously on her clutch.
Back Inside the Elevator
"I'm telling you, Zayan, the buttons aren't broken. It's the energy. Something's off," Andaleeb said, poking the wall.
"What are you, an electrician now?"
"No, but I have... instincts."
He eyed her. "You always speak like you're not one of us."
She blinked. "What do you mean?"
"You say things like 'humans' or 'Earth food.' You act like you just landed from another planet."
She laughed nervously. "I've just... always felt a bit out of place, that's all."
Zayan didn't reply, but his gaze lingered a bit longer this time.
Suddenly...
The elevator shuddered. Then it moved.
Both stumbled slightly as the floor resumed motion.
"See?" Andaleeb said, brushing dust off her skirt. "Told you. Just needed a little patience and... snacks."
Zayan straightened his collar. "You are dangerously unpredictable."
"Thanks. I try."
The doors opened.
And standing directly in front of them—heels tapping, arms crossed—was Aleena Hashmi.
Her eyes scanned the disheveled Zayan. Then the relaxed, smiling Andaleeb.
And something deep and possessive darkened Aleena's expression.
"Well," she said, voice sharp as glass. "Looks like I missed the party."
Zayan stepped out. "Aleena. What are you doing here?"
"I thought I'd surprise you. But I seem to be the one surprised."
Her gaze didn't leave Andaleeb.
Andaleeb just sipped her juice box, waved, and said, "Hi. I'm the chaos."
Zayan sighed. Aryan appeared behind him, whispering, "So... chapter three just got spicy."
In Zayan's Office
Aleena sat opposite him, legs crossed, eyes fixed.
"I didn't know you hired entertainment," she said flatly.
"She's just an intern."
Aleena leaned forward. "Interns don't ride elevators with you alone. Or make you look... relaxed."
Zayan raised a brow. "I don't relax."
"Exactly. Until now."
He didn't respond.
"Just be careful," she added sweetly. "Some girls pretend to be harmless, but they're after everything."
Zayan leaned back. "Are you warning me or threatening her?"
Aleena smiled. "Both."
Meanwhile...
Andaleeb was in the pantry, pouring extra sugar into her tea. She looked at the spoon in her hand.
Suddenly, it bent.
Not dramatically. Just slightly.
She blinked.
"Not again," she mumbled.
The lights flickered.
She quickly looked around to make sure no one noticed, then straightened the spoon with effort.
There were cameras in the office. She had to be careful. One slip and everything could be exposed—her speed, her telekinesis, her ability to fly.
So she acted normal.
At least on the surface.
After work, she returned to the small apartment she rented above The Wishing Mug—a cozy, boho-style café. Her room was tucked behind the kitchen, painted soft pink with floral curtains, fairy lights, and a tiny round window where she often stared out into the night sky.
The café's owner, Zareen Aftab, was stylish, thirty, and full of charm. To the world, she was just a brilliant baker with a sharp tongue and an even sharper fashion sense.
Zareen thought Andaleeb was just a small-town girl working to survive. Andaleeb helped wait tables on weekends and washed dishes at night.
But Zareen didn't know the truth. No one did.
That when the shift ended, Andaleeb didn't walk home. She sped.
In the blink of an eye, she could be across the city. Faster than any car, quicker than any thought. She used her powers only outside the building, never near cameras, never near humans.
She sat in her pink room now, curled up on the bed with her knees hugged to her chest.
Her fingers glowed faintly blue before she hid them beneath her sleeves.
No powers at work. No mistakes.
But Zayan Khan...
He was getting closer.
Too close.