Meher never wanted her father's empire, but stepping into Khan Corp might be the only way to uncover the truth.
Thrust into chaos from the start—a sudden cyberattack, a surprise meeting with Zayn Hashmi—she realizes this isn't just business. It's personal.
And some debts, even over coffee, don't stay small for long.
***
Scene: Meher's Car
Meher gripped the steering wheel a little tighter than usual. The phone sat on the speaker beside her, Inaya's cheerful voice filling the otherwise silent car.
"Hey," Inaya said teasingly. "Why do you sound so upset?"
Meher's brows knit together. "I really don't want to take over Dad's company."
"Come on, Meher," Inaya replied calmly. "You need to do this. If you want to find your sister and that family—your dad's resources could help a lot."
"I have my own ways of getting information," Meher muttered, eyes on the road.
Inaya chuckled. "Yeah, you do. And I've got a few tricks too. But right now, more help isn't a bad thing, right?"
Meher sighed. "Okay. Fine. I'll do it."
There was a pause, then a soft smile crossed her lips. "And don't worry. I won't bother you on your date with Nabeel. Have fun."
Inaya giggled. "Thanks! See you later, alligator."
Meher smiled, her voice lighter. "Meet you in a while, crocodile."
The call ended just as Meher pulled up in front of Khan Corp—a towering glass building that gleamed under the late afternoon sun. Before she could even open her door, Zoya came rushing out of the entrance, looking pale and panicked.
"Miss Meher!" she called, out of breath. "We have a huge problem!"
Meher muttered under her breath, "First my dad, now his company."
She stepped out of the car, brushing imaginary dust off her blazer. "What's the matter?" she asked aloud.
Zoya's hands fluttered. "Someone hacked the company's software."
Meher frowned. "Why me?" She shook her head. "Get the tech team on it."
"They… they only check the system once a month," Zoya admitted sheepishly.
Meher rolled her eyes. "Naam bade, aur darshan chote," she said under her breath. Then, louder, "Alright, let's go."
Inside, the office was buzzing with tension. Staff hovered nervously, glancing at monitors and whispering in worried tones. Zoya led Meher to a terminal, where the screen displayed unfamiliar code and alerts.
Meher's eyes narrowed. Without another word, she sat down, fingers flying over the keyboard.
"Should we call the cybersecurity people?" Zoya asked, her voice small.
"I can fix this," Meher said flatly, her attention locked onto the screen.
Zoya opened her mouth to say something else, but one sharp look from Meher was enough. She fell silent, watching as her boss worked with the kind of calm confidence that didn't need backup.
Outside the glass walls of the building, the city moved on, unaware. But inside, Meher had already taken control.
The office had gone strangely quiet. People stood frozen, watching Meher as she faced the screen. But her mind was clear—steady, sharp.
She took a slow breath. "Alright," she murmured to herself, "let's do this."
One final click of the mouse… and just like that, the warning screens disappeared. Systems began returning to normal. A soft ding echoed, then another—and soon, the entire office burst into spontaneous applause.
Zoya blinked. "How did you do that?"
Meher didn't look away from the screen. "Learning about computers in Scotland isn't a crime, is it?" She turned slightly. "Now, please—get me a glass of water."
"Yes, ma'am," Zoya said, still stunned.
As she walked off, Meher sank into the nearest chair. The adrenaline was fading now, leaving behind a quiet exhaustion. She closed her eyes for a moment.
Then—
Footsteps rushed back in.
"Miss Meher!" Zoya called breathlessly. "They're coming! They said yes to the meeting!"
Meher opened one eye, brows lifting. "Who's coming?"
"Hashmi Enterprises"! Mr. Asad worked really hard to get them. Zayn Hashmi himself is coming!"
Meher sat up straighter, a small smile tugging at her lips. Her voice stayed even.
"Set the meeting for 2 PM today."
Zoya nodded quickly and hurried off again.
Meher leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. Her eyes held a thoughtful gleam as she whispered to herself:
"It's time to pay for that coffee, Mr. Zayn Hashmi."
^°
To be continued...
---Meher watched the office return to its rhythm, but her thoughts stayed a step ahead. Fixing the system was the easy part. Facing Zayn Hashmi—and everything his presence might unravel—was another story. As the clock inched toward 2 PM, one thing was certain: she hadn't just stepped into her father's company. She'd stepped into something much bigger.
^°
(Releasing date 9/8/2025)
^°
Meher's journey is just beginning, filled with challenges she never wanted but can't escape. Sometimes the hardest roads lead to the most important discoveries. As you follow her story, remember: growth often comes from facing the fears we try to avoid. Wishing you strength and smiles ahead.
Yours,
Galaxy's Eyes