Haider took a step back, - 'Keys to your new scooter'. He said. Alina almost slipped from her chair. She stared at him with her eyes wide and mouth half-open.

'My what?' She managed to speak in a shocked, cracking voice. He shoved his hands into his pocket, keeping his lips tightly pressed in a grin. Alina was spared the embarrassment when a peon entered with the tray. Haider was pleased to know that this one was a new peon. His smile widened as he remembered firing the previous peon who was here last time with their order.

'I will have Banerjee show you your new scooter.' Haider announced. Alina shook her head to get back to reality.

'Haider, why are you giving me a scooter?' She blinked at him. He nodded and straightened. She stilled as he passed by her, running his long fingers over her chair.

'Because you don't have a car license.' – he leaned over his glass desk and placed his arm on his thigh, - 'else I would have gifted you a car.' He confessed.

Alina was taken aback; she opened her mouth, but words failed her. She simply watched him walk and sit in his seat. He picked up his cup and took a sip.

'You learned to ride a scooter by driving your father's scooter in your locality in Bangalore. Then,' – he took another sip, - 'you got your license.' He revealed and her mouth dropped an inch more.

She composed herself, - 'Do you have such interests on all your employees?' She managed to speak in a shaky voice.

Haider scoffed observing his fingernail, - 'Only the special ones.' He looked at her. Alina gulped looking into his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. She took a moment, licked her lips, and pushed aside the keys.

'I am sorry, I can't take this. This—this doesn't make any sense.' She said, standing up. Haider stood up placing his hands into his pocket he walked towards her.

'It does.' – He took a step closer, - 'Miss. Alina.'- He paused taking another step. Alina stepped back and her legs hit the chair. She flopped on the chair. Haider picked up the white ceramic cup and forwarded it to her.

'Your coffee. Miss. Alina.' He said in a calm deadpan tone. As though in trance, she took the cup from him. Haider purposefully caressed her finger before retracting his hand. Alina felt an accurate current again and she almost dropped the cup.

Haider sat in his seat and took another sip, - 'It does make sense. I gifted you with this scooter as a reward for your good work. Compensation, as you were only a few points less than the winner.'

After he explained himself it made some sense. Alina thought for a while and then shook her head, - 'Still it's—'

'Shh!' Haider hissed and she instantly quietened. He leaned closer, - 'I don't need to explain anything further. I am the boss and I get to decide what makes sense and what does not.' – he sighed leaning back and unbuttoning his blazer, - 'Your scooter is outside.'- he picked up his phone and gestured Alina to drink her coffee. She nodded and quickly grabbed her cup. She watched him call Banerjee and speak to him.

Alina felt her heart pounding inside her chest as Banerjee took her excruciatingly slowly towards her scooter in the parking lot. Anxiously, she ran her fingers through her ponytail and ran her damp palms over her baby pink pantsuit. Banerjee stopped at the empty parking space. She peeped from behind him and saw a scooter covered with a grey cover. He turned and she straightened pulling on her blazer. He gestured her to walk by his side and she nodded. Together they walked towards the covered vehicle.

Banerjee pulled the covers and Alina gasped, covering her open mouth with her palm. Under it was a sunshine yellow Piaggio Vespa.

'Here you go!' He dangled the keys in front of her face. In a daze, not looking at him, she took the keys. Banerjee snorted, - 'Congrats.' He said in a sarcastic tone. Alina ignored him as she was busy examining the scooter. She ran her fingers through the metal rear view glass. Also, she sat on the scooter and held the handle.

'Wow!' She breathed with a wide smile on her face. Banerjee twisted his lips and walked away. Alina wanted to go for a ride, but she knew now it was office time.

Haider worked on his laptop and paused when there was a knock at his door. He smiled, - 'Come in.' He called, placing his index finger against his lips. The door opened and he looked up. Alina walked in. This time her demeanor was confident.

'Thank you, sir.' – she slapped her forehead, - 'Haider.' She smiled at him. He shifted closing the flap of his laptop and leaned against the chair. He buttoned his coat and stood up.

'Not like this.' – he waved his index finger, - 'I will accept your gratitude only if you agree to give me a treat.' He said taking Alina by surprise. She blinked at him. Haider nodded and turned walking towards his desk, - 'I will be at your place by 7.' He spoke without looking at her.

Meera kept bugging Alina as to what Haider had called her for. But she simply kept smiling mischievously and ignoring her. After office, Meera was so relieved as though she has been liberated from a lifetime in prison. Alina also got Mikael with her. The trio walked in the parking lot. While Mikael was calm and composed. Meera, as usual, was hyper. Alina was biting her smile so hard that her lower lip began to hurt. She stopped in front of the scooter. Meera looked around, - 'What?' She shrugged. Mikael eyed the scooter but didn't say anything.

Alina held the handle of the scooter with pride, - 'The boss has rewarded me.'

'Wow!' Meera exclaimed.

'Why?' Mikael shrugged. Alina frowned at him.

'For my hard work.' She then went on to inform them about Haider praising her work and rewarding this scooter for that. Mikael looked skeptical while Meera gushed with joy. She squeeze-hugged her friend so hard that Alina could barely breathe.

'Hmm.' Mikael exhaled placing his hands on his hips, - 'Then why didn't he do it in front of everyone? Wouldn't that be better acknowledgment for your work.' He reasoned. Alina and Meera both scowled at him.

'What?' Mikael raised both his palms and shrugged.

'Shut up, Mikael. Don't be a spoilt sport.' Meera reprimanded him. Alina kept glaring at him. He looked at her and sighed.

'Sorry!' He muttered. But he looked unconvinced. Alina ignored him. She felt hurt that he was suspicious about her achievement.

Meera got a call from Ronnie. She was breathless with joy. Alina shook her head slightly and she gave a small nod. Mikael walked towards Alina, but she ignored him and pretended to be busy with her scooter. Though he found all this fishy, more so found Haider suspicious, he decided to not upset Alina.

'Hey! I am sorry.' He said with a sad face. Alina looked at him. He smiled a little and she smiled back then lowered her gaze. Mikael exhaled deeply, - 'Will you give me a ride on your scooter? Mine is broke.' He said in a fun tone. Alina nodded, flashing a wide smile.

Meera was disappointed but she boasted that Ronnie has a better bike and he will drop her home.

'You are a newbie driver, Alina. I don't want to fracture my bones.' She commented. Mikael and Alina chuckled in response. Meera kept warning him till he sat behind her on the scooter.

'I am willing to take the risk.' Mikael winked at her and Meera smirked at him. Alina laughed as she wore her helmet. Honestly, she was nervous and was happy that he was with her to motivate her.

At first, her driving was very shaky. Mikael held the scooter but with the unsteady driving, he was forced to hold her shoulder. Alina sensed his warm hand and felt better with his touch.

'How am I driving?' She asked tilting her head a little.

'Awesome.' Lied Mikael and forced a smile. He was nervous as well but didn't want to show to her.

Mikael asked Alina to stop by a five-apartment building. She squinted her eyes and read the hoarding above the main gate of the building. It was all boys PG.

'You stay in a PG?' She inquired with surprise. She was shocked to know that son of a billionaire was living in a middle-class lodge with random boys. Mikael got down and sighed in relief. Alina frowned at him and he flashed a smile.

'Thanks.' He said gratefully and she nodded in response. He patted her shoulder, asking her to be careful. She looked at him gratefully and thanked him for being a motivation. Then, she watched him walk towards the building. He stopped at the gate and waved at her. She rose slightly from her seat and waved back with enthusiasm.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

At first, Meera doesn't believe Alina but when the shock sunk into her head, she became panicky. Even more than Alina. The two girls decided to tidy up the house. Alina asked her to arrange the house while she got some snacks and stuff from nearby stores. Also, it was an excuse to ride the scooter again.

Haider reached home and asked the servants to arrange his bath while he does some warmup exercise. After a quick work out session, he got into the bathtub. Visiting his employee's home was a leap and a risk he was taking. He has never gone to any of his employee's houses. It was exciting as well. He could feel adrenaline rush just by imagining her. Her presence, the quick brush of her fingers, the look of her gorgeous gray eyes. He held his breath and took a dip into the bathtub water. A few seconds later, he emerged from inside taking a huge gulp of air. He ran his palms over his wet hair and fell against the cold marble bathtub.

'Miss. Alina.' He mouthed and smiled to himself.

Jessica unlocked the door and entered the house. She was taken aback, finding Alina and Meera all over the place. One was cleaning the kitchen and the other one arranging the sofa cushions.

She dropped her keys and shrugged, - 'What the hell?' She folded her arms. Meera smiled ear to ear and rushed out of the kitchen. Alina watched her with her eyes wide. But Meera had just opened her mouth when she rushed to her and grabbed her by her waist placing a firm palm over her mouth. Jessica observed them with an eyebrow raised and lips twisted.

'Whatever.' She sighed dropping her arms.

After she had gone, Meera pushed Alina. She held her friend's elbow and pulled her closer, - 'What were you doing? Don't spoil the surprise for her.' Alina winked at her. Meera thought for a moment then nodded, smiling wickedly at her. Both the girls giggled and hi-fied each other.

It was five minutes to seven and Meera went to denial mode. She was now convinced that Alina played a prank on her. She began whining so loudly that Alina had to cover her mouth again. As the women struggled there was a doorbell and the two froze; with one holding the other's throat and the other pulling hair of her flatmate. 

Okay, Haider, I am having a feeling of what you are trying to do,

While Meera and Alina are very happy and excited, Mikael

Are you guys like Meera or Mikael in this matter? Drop your opinion, my lovelies *muaaah*

Precap:

Haider worked on his design, desperately trying to distract himself from thoughts of Alina. Just then, he heard loud screeching voices.

'I am sorry, but you can't go.' A manly voice, he recognized as the receptionist came from outside his cabin.

'Ya, Allah! Are you deaf I said I need just a few minutes of your boss? I am sure he can spare that.' A young woman screamed. Haider cringed at the tone.

'And we said no.' The watchman's voice could be heard next.

'No one asked you.'

'Security throw her out.'

'You dare touch me; I will call the cops.'

'Wow! You are threatening us while we should be the one calling the cops.'

'Ahh! Leave me you, villain. I just need one mo—'

Haider opened the door andslightly raised one arm, - 'What the hell is going on?' 

Oh, who could this be *thinking* Any idea, guys? Drop your thoughts *smiles* *lots of love*

Stay Tuned for the next update *love* *love*