Chapter [X]: The Disturbance
Rayyan Zayd wasn't a man who got distracted easily.
His mornings were strict—gym by six, black coffee by seven-thirty, boardroom by nine.
But today, everything felt… off.
The gym session had been rushed, his muscles tight from restlessness, not exhaustion. His black coffee sat untouched on the marble counter, turning cold. And now, at precisely 8:42 a.m., he was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window of his penthouse suite, jaw clenched, staring blankly at the skyline.
What the hell is wrong with me?
The answer came quickly—Noor Khanzada.
Last night kept playing on a loop in his head—her quiet, steady gaze during the dance, her playful smirk in the car, the lingering calmness in her tone… and the way she walked into her home without a second glance back, like she hadn't just completely turned his world sideways.
And that memory from school…
How the hell had I not recognized her before?
A sharp knock broke through his thoughts. Ahmed, who is his PA ,entered without waiting, tablet in hand, eyes hesitant. "Morning briefing, sir."
Rayyan's glare snapped toward him. "Later."
Ahmed blinked, startled. Rayyan never delayed work. Ever.
"Sir… the investors' morning call is in twenty minutes—"
"Later," Rayyan repeated, tone like a whip.
Ahmed cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh… Noor sent a message."
Rayyan straightened, arms uncrossing. "What?"
"Just… a polite thank you for the party. Said she'll be in late today—helping her sister with something."
Rayyan's jaw worked. He should've felt… relieved. She wasn't shaken by the fight, wasn't hiding. But instead… something coiled tighter inside him.
Late meant someone else would see her before him. It meant her day wouldn't start under his watch.
He hated it.
Grabbing his phone, he dialed her number instinctively but stopped right before pressing call.
Why do I even care this much? he cursed under his breath.
Yet deep down, he knew. Noor wasn't just another girl he could flirt with and forget.
She was tied to a part of him that he never allowed anyone to touch—his protective instincts, his possessiveness, that old memory of calming a crying girl who didn't know how much she'd haunt him years later.
Rayyan turned from the window, voice sharp. "Ahmed, get the car. I'm going to the office now. And find out which clients Noor's meeting today."
Ahmed blinked. "But—"
Rayyan's stare cut him off.
"No one makes Noor uncomfortable again," Rayyan muttered under his breath, low and dangerous. "Not while I'm breathing."
Noor stretched lazily on her bed, the morning sunlight creeping through the edges of her grey curtains. She wasn't in a rush—and for once, she loved it.
Her phone buzzed near her pillow. She checked—just a polite reply from Rayyan's assistant, Ahmed. Morning meeting postponed, take your time.
A tiny smile appeared on her lips.
Last night should've left her shaken. The party, the fight… the way Rayyan stood in front of her, protective and intense.
But instead, she felt fine—good, even. Like she'd walked into a storm and came out stronger.
She tied her hair in a loose bun, slipping into her comfy hoodie and track pants. Simple. Comfortable. Herself.
In the kitchen, her niece was watching cartoons while her elder sister prepared breakfast. Noor jumped in to help, flipping the parathas, humming softly under her breath.
"Party queen returns," her sister teased lightly.
Noor chuckled. "More like… fought-at-the-party queen."
Her sister frowned. "He really punched someone?"
Noor shrugged with a mischievous grin. "What can I say… the man's got reflexes."
Her sister stared for a second before shaking her head. "Rich men's world… you sure you want to get involved?"
Noor paused, lips twitching. "Not planning to. It's just work."
But even as she said it, she knew she was lying—to herself.
Because somewhere deep down, Rayyan's intense black eyes and that strange protectiveness were lingering in her mind longer than they should have.
She finished breakfast, grabbed her phone, and plopped on her bed again, texting her best friend.
> Noor: Yesterday was weird…
Bestie: Weird how?
Noor: Ever been protected by a CEO who could snap a neck but then offers you water like you're a queen?
Bestie: Girl. You're in trouble. 😏
Noor rolled her eyes, typing back but laughing softly.
Trouble… yeah. And for the first time, she didn't hate it.
By noon, Noor was dressed and ready—simple yet elegant. A soft lavender blouse tucked into black pants, paired with her usual no-nonsense flats. Her hijab was neatly wrapped, minimal makeup, just lip balm. She didn't need much. She had her own kind of presence.
When she walked into Zayd Enterprises, the usual quiet greetings followed her. Ahmed gave her a small smile near the elevator.
"Boss is in," he said quietly, like it was a warning.
Noor raised a brow, tilting her head slightly. "And…?"
Ahmed scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Been in a mood since morning. You know… intense."
Noor smirked, adjusting her bag strap. "Let me guess. Coffee untouched?"
"Exactly," Ahmed whispered, stepping back as the elevator doors opened.
The ride up was smooth, but Noor felt the shift in atmosphere as soon as she reached the top floor. It was like the air itself tensed up.
She walked down the hallway, head high, calm but alert.
And there he was.
Rayyan stood by the glass window of his office, sleeves rolled up, jaw sharp, black eyes locking on her the second she entered.
No words. Just… stare.
Noor blinked, slowly walking in, unfazed. "Morning—well, noon."
Rayyan's arms crossed. "You're late."
Noor shrugged coolly. "I was told to take my time."
A muscle ticked in his jaw, but she noticed the subtle shift in his eyes—a flicker of relief? Satisfaction?
She stepped closer, maintaining her ground. "You look like you haven't slept."
Rayyan's lips curved slightly, but it wasn't amusement—it was something darker, possessive. "I didn't."
Noor's heart did a tiny jump, but her expression stayed neutral. "You really need to chill. Have your coffee before you start scaring people."
Rayyan moved, slow but purposeful, stopping just a step in front of her. His voice dropped lower, intense. "You think I'm the scary one?"
Noor tilted her chin, giving him that signature half-smile. "I think you're the one who gets weirdly dramatic when he loses control."
Rayyan's jaw clenched again—but this time… he smiled.
A soft, dangerous smile.
And Noor suddenly realized… the game had officially begun.
Rayyan's smile was slow, calculated—the kind that didn't quite reach his eyes but still managed to stir something in her chest.
He leaned forward, his tone quiet but commanding. "You think I lose control around everyone?"
Noor didn't blink. "I think you hate it when you can't predict someone," she said smoothly.
Rayyan's gaze sharpened, the distance between them practically non-existent now. "You're right," he whispered, voice like steel wrapped in silk. "I hate it."
Noor felt her heart race, but outwardly, she stayed her usual calm—chin tilted up, brown eyes steady. Her lips tugged into a slight smile. "Guess I'm good at making your life difficult."
His head dipped just slightly, like a predator watching its prey—except Noor didn't feel like prey… she felt like a challenger.
"You have no idea," Rayyan murmured, before stepping back.
Noor's posture remained effortless, as if she hadn't just survived a verbal tug-of-war with the most intense man in the building.
Rayyan cleared his throat, shifting back into CEO mode. "Meeting in ten minutes. Conference room."
"Copy that," Noor said, spinning lightly on her heel, heading out like nothing had happened.
But Rayyan's voice followed her.
"Noor," he called, making her pause in the doorway.
She looked back.
His eyes were darker now, a little smug. "You'll sit beside me."
Noor smirked without hesitation. "As if I'd sit anywhere else."
And with that, she left him standing there—his chest burning, jaw clenched, fighting a grin.
Conference Room – Fifteen Minutes Later
The boardroom was already filled when Noor walked in, files in hand, her stride unbothered. Top executives, department heads, and a few external consultants occupied the seats. Among them sat Umer—the only person Rayyan called a friend.
Rayyan arrived seconds later, cool and commanding, but his eyes found Noor instantly, giving a slight nod toward the chair beside him.
Without hesitation, she took her seat next to him.
Umer, seated diagonally across, leaned back in his chair, brow lifting slightly.
As the meeting commenced, discussions jumped from quarterly targets to expansion plans. Noor contributed when necessary—sharp points, calm delivery. Nothing dramatic… but Umer noticed everything.
Every time someone spoke directly to Noor, Rayyan's fingers drummed against the table, eyes narrowing slightly.
Whenever someone disagreed with Noor, Rayyan's jaw flexed, cutting in to back her opinion—subtly, but enough for Umer's lips to twitch in amusement.
At one point, during a minor debate about marketing proposals, Umer deliberately directed a playful jab.
"So, Noor… you've got the boss fighting your corner now. When did you manage that?"
The room fell quiet for a second.
Noor blinked but recovered smoothly, lips tugging into a cool, swag smile. "I don't need anyone fighting my corner, Umer. Just happens the boss agrees with logic."
A few chuckles floated around.
Umer's smirk widened, his gaze flicking to Rayyan—who, for a moment, allowed the smallest hint of a grin to pull at the corner of his mouth before his expression turned sharp again.
"Back to the numbers," Rayyan said coolly, ending the banter.
But Umer leaned back, arms crossed, watching silently.
Oh yeah, he thought, this isn't business anymore… Rayyan's already gone.
The meeting wrapped up smoothly, but Umer didn't miss a single detail—especially the way Rayyan's jaw relaxed whenever Noor spoke, and how his entire focus shifted whenever her name came up in discussions.
As everyone filtered out, Noor gave a polite nod and left with her files. Rayyan's eyes followed her until the glass door closed.
Umer was already leaning against the conference table, arms crossed, smirking.
Rayyan didn't look at him. "Spit it out."
Umer chuckled, pushing off the table. "Didn't think I'd live to see the day when Rayyan Zayd loses track of a financial graph because someone smiled."
Rayyan's shoulders tensed slightly. "You're imagining things."
"Oh please," Umer scoffed. "You, the man who doesn't blink during billion-dollar presentations, was halfway to breaking Ahmed's pen every time someone made Noor explain herself. You didn't just back her—you defended her like a man on a mission."
Rayyan remained silent, walking to the side counter to pour himself water, ignoring Umer's grin.
Umer stepped closer, dropping his tone. "It's her, isn't it?"
Rayyan's hand paused mid-pour.
Umer's expression shifted—curiosity sharpening. "The girl… from school?"
The water glass remained half-full, forgotten in Rayyan's grip.
Umer blinked. "You remember her… she doesn't."
Rayyan finally spoke, voice low. "She doesn't need to remember."
Umer shook his head, watching his friend—a man known for ruthless logic, now consumed by something dangerously personal.
"This isn't going to stay simple," Umer warned quietly.
Rayyan's jaw set hard, his voice like steel. "It was never simple."
Umer's lips pressed together, part impressed, part concerned. "And you're already too far gone."
Rayyan finally turned, black eyes sharp, determined. "Exactly."
Later That Evening — Rayyan's Penthouse
The city lights blinked far below, but Rayyan wasn't looking out at them. He stood by his private study window, fingers tapping his phone, unread message to Noor still unsent.
He didn't believe in coincidences.
That little girl from the schoolyard… was now the woman walking through his company's doors, fearless on the outside but holding layers no one else noticed. He had seen both versions of her—fragile and strong.
And now… he wanted her to realize she wasn't just another employee, not in his world.
Ahmed entered quietly with a tablet in hand. "Everything's arranged. The dinner booking for the client is canceled. You'll have a free evening tomorrow."
Rayyan nodded. "Good. Change of plans."
Ahmed raised a brow. "You're taking the evening off?"
Rayyan's smirk was sharp. "No… I'm taking Noor out."
Ahmed blinked, surprised but wisely kept quiet.
Rayyan's fingers drummed against the desk, his mind sharp.
No formalities. No boardroom. Just her seeing me beyond the suit… while I remind her exactly who I am.
"And Ahmed…" Rayyan's voice was steady, commanding. "No big restaurants, no PR dinners. I want quiet… something private. A place where I can watch her drop the office mask."
Ahmed nodded, making notes. "Simple… but special?"
Rayyan's smirk deepened. "Exactly. Noor isn't impressed by wealth… I need her to feel comfortable… but I want her to feel me everywhere."
Ahmed paused, then said quietly, "You're not used to this… are you?"
Rayyan's jaw flexed, black eyes cold but burning. "No… but I'm going to get exactly what I want."
Noor's Bedroom — Same Evening
Noor was scrolling through her phone, half-watching a cooking video when the notification popped up.
RAYYAN ZAYD:
Dinner tomorrow. 8 PM. Dress comfortable.
Noor blinked, rereading it.
No would you like to join me… no are you free.
Just… a statement. Direct. Intense. So him.
Her best friend's chat was still open, so she instantly snapped a screenshot and sent it over.
> Noor: Look at this. CEO behaving like he owns my weekends.
Bestie: 😂 OHHH HE IS IN DEEP SIS.
Noor: He's intense.
Bestie: You like it. Don't lie.
Noor: 😏 Maybe a little. It's… entertaining.
Noor tossed her phone on the bed and lay back, staring at the ceiling. She wasn't used to this kind of attention. Not the fake, sugary compliments. This was something different—solid, protective… possessive almost.
She smiled to herself.
He thinks he's pulling me in… but maybe I'll mess with his head a little too.
With a little swag in her step, Noor texted back.
> NOOR: Noted. Hope your food is as good as your fight moves.
It took less than ten seconds for the reply to come.
RAYYAN ZAYD:
I never lose in either.
Noor shook her head, fighting a grin.
"Game on, boss."