Alina hurried with the sheets as well as a pen drive. She almost tripped over her black heels but quickly steadied herself and clenched the sheet tightly under her arm. She pushed back her cat-eyed glasses and in a hurry, she opened the door to the boss's cabin.

'Oh!' She exclaimed.

A woman and Haider glanced at the door. His expressions changed while Roma looked at her with an arrogant look on her face. Alina was surprised to see an elegant woman dressed in a white sleeveless cowl neck top tugged in a knee-length pink pencil skirt in his cabin. One hand of her hand on his neck. Haider gulped softly and moved Roma's hand from the knot of his tie.

'Don't you have any manners?' Roma said haughtily.

'Roma!' Haider intervened sternly. Both the women were taken by surprise with his tone. He looked at Roma with a strict look, - 'Don't you dare talk to Alina that way.'

She shrugged, - 'But why should I worry about this riff-raff.' She said, looking down upon Alina. Swiftly, Haider held her cheek. Alina gasped but Roma's yelp got caught in her throat. His fingers pinched her skin, as he looked menacingly into her eyes. Alina shuddered. She had known about his infamous personality but spending some time with him she had thought all that were rumors. But now, seeing him in this avatar made her feel threatened.

Haider looked at Alina, her fearful stare calmed him down.

Control, Haider- He thought and quickly moved his hand. He sighed, tugging on his blazer, then ran a swift palm over his wavy hair. Roma gasped for air, touching her cheeks. Alina noticed finger marks on her cheeks and gulped softly.

'Please leave, Roma. I don't want to see in my office.' He said without sparing a glance at her. Roma felt terribly insulted. She huffed and picked up her hand purse. She walked to Haider and grinned sarcastically,

- 'Enjoy your latest toy, Haider. Then, you will come to me.' – She ran her fingers through her blonde streaked black hair, - 'Remember we had the longest relationship. I know you like the back of my fingers.' She grinned clenching her fingers into a fist. Haider looked away; Alina stood frozen on spot. Roma paused next to Alina. She was surprised to realize that this woman was Mrs. Roma Subberwal, former Miss. India and an A list actress. She looked at Alina and scoffed. Then, snootily she walked out of the cabin.

There was an eerie silence that was broken by Haider's sigh and his palms banging on the glass table. Alina flinched grasping the sheets tightly, her fingers pinched the fragile pieces of papers.

Haider looked at her, - 'Alina, can you give me some time to –' She nodded and turned around. She had just held the doorknob when he called her, and she stilled. He picked up a glass of water and looked at her, - 'Will it be possible for you to drop by my place in the evening? We can discuss the designs?' He asked in a gentle tone. Alina was surprised how swiftly he changed his attitude. She felt numb but she managed to nod her head.

'Great!' -Haider exclaimed, - 'I will send Gopi.' –he paused, - 'my driver to pick you up by 5. Okay?' He asked.

'Oh-k.' Alina could feel her voice hoarse. Reflexively, she touched her throat. Haider's gaze lingered over her fingers before he forced himself to look away. Then, he gulped down some water. Alina quietly walked out of the cabin. Haider watched the door closing behind her and a slow smile crept over his thin lips. Perhaps, Roma coming to his cabin had a positive side.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Mikael wiped his palms over his trousers and checked his watch. It was fifteen minutes past 7 and the office would be closing soon. He raised from his seat and looked towards Alina's cubicle. He frowned upon seeing her cubicle was empty. He thought she might be out and decided to wait a little longer. Fifteen minutes later, he looked again, and she was missing. He cleared his throat and nervously rubbed his chin with his fingers.

Meera leaned with her eyes immersed into the computer screen. She blinked a couple of times and clicked her tongue in irritation when someone interrupted her concertation. She looked up and her frown faded. Mikael stood at Alina's desk fidgeting and accidentally toppled the pen stand. He gasped and in response, Meera bit her smile.

'What happened, Mikael?' She enquired watching him collect all the pens, pencils and markers.

'Nothing. Nothing.' He stammered. Once he arranged everything, he let out a breath and looked at her. 'Where is Alina?'

Meera looked away quickly thinking of an excuse. She looked at him when she decided on what to say, - 'She had a mild headache so, she has gone home.' She informed. Mikael's expressions dropped.

'Oh!' He exclaimed in a low voice. Meera frowned, she pushed back her chair and turned to face him.

'What happened, Mikael?' She rested her arms on the armrest. Mikael for a moment looked like he would talk but he simply shook his head. Meera leaned and punched his arm lightly.

'Actually, I wanted to—' on his rosy-pale white skin the crimson red hue was clearly visible, - 'ask her—I mean I thought we could grab coffee together.' He ran his palm on the back of his head and wandered his gaze. Meera observed him with a grin on her face. She sighed slamming her palm on the desk and stood up.

'Come, Mikael. We can grab burger and fries from the nearby burger joint.' She stood up and picked her mobile. Mikael blinked at her as she tugged her mobile inside the small leather handbag. She looked at him and stilled.

'What? My boyfriend bailed on me and Alina is gone home. So, we can hang out together. Right.' She shrugged. Mikael doesn't argue and agreed. Meera huffed and walked ahead talking about how he will have to take her to the joint and drop her home. With a smile, Mikael quietly followed her.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Alina knew that Gopi wasn't her driver and it would be rude to ask him to drop her home first. But she knew that she had to look her best in Haider's presence. He has dated beauty pageant winners and A list gorgeous actress. Swiftly, she changed from her office wear to linen boat neckline sleeveless top matched with a knee-length pencil skirt. She did touch-ups and changed her earrings to crystal block earrings.

Mr. Agarwal caught her tumbling, wobbling because of her high heels as she struggled with a lot of sheets and a large laptop bag. He eyed her but she ignored him and walked towards the elevator. She closed her eyes letting out a deep breath trying to overlook Mr. Agarwal's presence. She was relieved when the elevator opened, and she leaped inside.

Alina had her jaw dropped as she was led inside the luxurious villa. This wasn't a villa for her, it seemed like a large city. The high ceilings, the glasses, the large multi-layered chandelier, the posh, and elegant sofa set. The fleet of stairs seemed to lead to the sky. There were glass windows looking down upon the stairs illuminating the entire stairway with the rays from the setting sun. She was intrigued by Haider's obsession with glasses and mirrors.

The butler leads her towards a room to the left of the stairway. She was stunned as the life-size walls replaced the actual brick walls. The other side of the room had neatly trimmed grasses and tall, leafy trees.

'Finally, you are here Miss. Alina.' Haider's heavy baritone startled her. She looked at his direction. He was at the pool table holding on the cue stick and other hand in his trouser pocket. She noticed that he was dressed from work except that his blazer was missing, top buttons of his shirt were opened, that revealed his collar bone, and the sleeves were pulled up to his elbows.

'So—sorry, si—Haider.' Alina stammered pushing back her glasses. Haider smiled at her, then leaned against the table and aimed. She watched him drop a ball into one of the pockets, perfectly. She looked away and found a large piano. She was surprised to know that he played piano as well and now she was interested in listening to him play.

'Wow, Haider. You play the piano as well.' She smiled at him. Haider straightened and smiled back.

'I will play for you.' He said, his tone crisp and seductive taking Alina by a pleasant surprise. He paused observing her, - 'but not today. Some other time.' He said confidently. She looked puzzled.

'Next time? How can you be sure that I will be here next time?' She asked innocently.

Haider chuckled and then all of the sudden looked serious, - 'You will.' – he grinned, - 'for sure.' Alina blinked at him as an uncomfortable silence engulfed the room. 

Okay, Alina, you are being subtly warned. Run, girl, run!!!!!!!!!!

So, my lovelies. How was the Chapter? What do you think will happen next? Drop your thoughts in the comments *muaaah* *muaaaah* and Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *kisses and hugs*