Morning poured through the glass, painting the city in gold. The office was quiet, but the kind of quiet that held weight — like something waiting to snap. Zayn sat still, his expression unreadable, his fingers tapping a slow rhythm on the armrest. Faqir spoke beside him, going over details that barely registered. Zayn wasn't listening — not really. His mind was still caught on a picture from before. It wasn't part of any deal, but it had taken root. And now, even in the light of day, it refused to let go.
* - *
A few hours ago
Zayn sat still in his office chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. The low hum of the city drifted in through the tall glass windows behind him, but he wasn't really there. His mind was elsewhere—somewhere in the storm he was about to set loose.
Knock. Knock.
The silence broke.
"Come in," he said, not bothering to look.
Faqir stepped in with his usual smirk. His steps were light, but his words, as always, had an edge.
"Mr. Asad khan" sent a proposal. He wants to collaborate."
Zayn slowly turned his head, eyes narrowing just a little.
"You sound more excited than I am."
Faqir laughed. "Not really, sir. I'm just wondering what breaks first—them or the internet."
He grinned. "Hard to say."
Zayn let out a soft scoff, the corners of his lips curling just slightly.
"Time will answer that," he said.
A heavy silence settled between them — the kind that came just before a calculated move on a chessboard.
Faqir raised an eyebrow. "So… should I prepare the acceptance?"
Zayn leaned back, eyes narrowing. "Hmm. Is his daughter running the company now?"
Faqir tilted his head, thoughtfully. "From what I've heard, Meher wants to start her own. But her father's forcing her to take over his instead."
Zayn didn't say anything for a moment. His gaze turned sharp, unreadable — then, a quiet smirk returned.
"Interesting…"
Faqir stepped closer, his tone curious. "So? Should I respond to the proposal?"
Zayn nodded slowly, fingers tapping the armrest.
"Go ahead. Let's give them something to watch."
Faqir grinned. "Understood. I'll set the meeting."
Zayn leaned back, letting his head rest against the chair. His eyes drifted to the morning skyline outside the window.
The city was waking up — soft sunlight spilling over glass towers, streets slowly coming alive.
But behind his calm, still posture, his mind wasn't at rest.
He kept seeing one image from the file.
A single picture.
One that stirred something dangerous.
Something old.
Something unfinished.
His eyes darkened, but the smirk never left his face.
The game had only just begun.
Zayn's fingers tapped slowly on the armrest as Faqir spoke, but his thoughts were already elsewhere.
That picture in the file — it wasn't just a face.
It was a memory.
Unwanted. But never forgotten.
Faint flashes moved through his mind like old film —
Laughter in a quiet room.
Sunlight falling perfectly on someone's face.
A promise, whispered too softly to last.
Then, just as fast —
Shattered glass.
Raised voices.
A door that never opened again.
Zayn blinked.
The city outside came back into view.
Whatever that picture had stirred... he buried it again.
Where it belonged.
For now.
To be continued....
The city moved on, unaware of the questions quietly taking shape behind Zayn's calm gaze. The meeting would happen, plans would unfold — but the picture stayed with him, like a thread pulled loose from something he thought was sealed shut. He didn't know what it meant. Not yet. Whether it was a warning, a coincidence, or something in between. But one thing was certain — it wasn't nothing. And that was enough to keep him watching.
" ^ "
{Realising date 12/08/2025}
Sometimes, the past doesn't return with noise — just a quiet reminder, out of place but impossible to ignore. In this chapter, nothing is clear yet. But something has shifted, and Zayn can feel it. Whether it's a warning or something more… time will tell. "The most dangerous signals are the ones that don't announce themselves." Until next time — stay curious, stay grounded, and don't ignore the quiet things.
— Galaxy's Eyes