Haider stood facing the life-size glass windows and stared at the clear blue sky. He heard the door click and open. He smiled to himself and straightened, - 'Welcome, Miss. Alina.' He turned around. Alina looked surprised as she entered the cabin. The door closed softly behind her.

'How did you know it was me?' She asked.

Haider smiled, walking towards the door. He pulled down the blinds of the window. Alina felt uneasy as he closed all the binds and then he walked towards her.

'Haider—' She stopped speaking when he placed a finger on her lips. She shivered with his touch on her lips. Haider admired her, loving the feel of her smooth lips against his skin.

'You are so gorgeous my love.' – he raised her chin and gently caressed her lower lip with his thumb, - 'I am inviting you to dinner, tonight. I will send Gopi by 7.' He informed. Alina blinked at him, then took a step back.

'Haider?'

'Are you busy?'

Alina shook her head. He smiled taking a step closer. Alarmed, she took a step back. Haider held her arm and observed her.

'What happened, my love? You look worried.' He said with concern. He hooked his finger under her chin and pulled her closer. Alina closed her eyes and then moved back. Haider's smile faded.

'You shouldn't have announced it this way.' – she noticed his expressions turning stern, so she quickly added, - 'at least you should have spoken to me about it.'

Haider looked at her and forced a smile, - 'Okay, my love.'- he held her shoulders, - 'I will make it up in the evening.' He said. Alina sighed and moved his hand away. His smile dropped again, then he curled his fingers into fists and tugged his hands into his formal trousers.

'You have no idea my friends have turned against me. Meera fought with me and they aren't talking to me and—'

'Then dump them.' -Haider interrupted her, then he took out his hand adjusted the strap of his watch, - 'you don't need those ungrateful, useless friends. If you want, I can have them fired.' He said calmly. Alina's eyes widened. She shook her head.

'No!'

Haider smiled and turned around. He walked to the black leather double sofa placed opposite the glass table. Alina watched him pick up a rectangular cardboard box. He stood in front of her and passed it to her. She felt curious and uncertain as she unopened the box. She gasped looking at a beautiful red dress and her head shot up to look at him.

'The moment I saw this dress, I imagined you in it. You look breathtaking in red.' He said lovingly. Alina forced a smile at him. He frowned.

'Why are you so hesitant? Aren't you comfortable with me?' He enquired. Alina looked at him and shook her head.

'It is just too new for me.' – Haider's expressions relaxed, - 'and my friends, err—'

Haider smiled and softly gripped her shoulders, - 'May I hug you, Miss. Alina?' He asked politely. She looked surprised at him and took a moment before nodding. He leaned forward and her heart skipped a beat as he wrapped his arms around her figure. She felt his warm body touch her and instantly felt butterflies erupt in her stomach. The feel of him so close and the smell of his cologne made her feel weak in the knees.

Haider rested his chin on her shoulder and smiled as he felt her delicate arms around him. He nuzzled his nose into her hair and inhaled deeply her enticing smell.

'I love you, so much.' He whispered tightening his arms around her. Alina smiled back, she blinked at the ceiling while being secure in his embrace. The intimate feel of her, her hair on his face, her soft body pressed against his and her arms securing fastened around his waist made goose-bumps erupt on his skin. He hadn't felt so relaxed in any other woman's embrace.

He didn't want to break the hug, but Alina stepped back, and they separated. She lowered her gaze and tugged her hair behind her ear. Her cheeks burned as they turned red with shyness. Haider looked at her, his body itching to feel her again. The touch of her body still lingered with him.

'This is an office—we should not.' Alina avoided his gaze. He nodded.

'See you in the evening then.' He said and she nodded. Then, he leaned and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. Alina's heart jumped to her throat and her eyes widened. She looked at him and he smiled in response.

Haider's gaze accidentally fell on her hands and he frowned. Alina gasped as he grabbed her hand.

'Where is your ring?' He demanded. She was stunned and slightly frightened with his tone. He gripped her fingers tightly and she winced.

'Why did you remove it?' -He sounded menacing. Alina opened her mouth to speak but he spoke instead, - 'Never.' – he said in a stern, slow and threatening manner, - 'never, remove your ring. It is for the world to know that you are mine, Miss. Alina.' He stated, possessively. Alina blinked at him. She was stunned by the change of his tone and demeanor.

She gulped and nodded her head, - 'Okay, I will keep it in mind.' She said with her head lowered.

'Better.' He said sternly. She felt hurt with his tone and sense that his expressions softened. He sighed and held her shoulders.

'I am sorry, love. I got carried away. It is just that I am very possessive about you.' – he held her face, - 'you are the most precious thing to me.' He said lovingly.

Alina gazed at him. Amazed by how fast he switched from one tone to the other, for a moment she thought he was bi-polar but pushed aside the feeling. Haider and she stared at each other until they were disturbed by a knock on the door.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Haider showered and changed into a three-piece navy-blue suit. He admired himself in the mirror as he buttoned his shirt. Then, he combed his slightly wet wavy hair and sprayed some perfume on the collar of his shirt and under the arms.

He called AK for dinner and was pleased when he got his desired answer. He walked into the dining room. A huge chandelier hung above the twelve-seater dining table illuminating the entire room with warm yellow lights.

Haider adjusted the face down plates and moved aside the huge ceramic flower vase. He inwardly cringed upon seeing the cutlery tilted. Quickly, he adjusted it and just then heard the doorbell. His heart skipped a beat and hurriedly began to re-check his hair and clothes. A minute later, one butler arrived informing him of Alina's arrival. His lips curved into a small smile.

He hurried towards the main door and spotted Alina enter the villa. He admired her from top to bottom. His heart leaped inside his chest realizing how ravishing she looked in strapless short red cocktail dress. She fidgeted with her nails whilst looking around the dimly lit villa. Her gaze fell on Haider and she looked visibly relaxed. He smiled widely at her and welcomed her with open arms. He held her waist and she quivered as his fingers brushed her bareback. He rested his arm possessively around her waist.

'You are looking elegant.' He complimented and kissed the side of her head. Alina smiled in response and leaned a little back.

'You are looking dashingly handsome yourself.' She complimented placing her left hand on her collarbone making sure he had a good look of the ring. Haider's gaze fell on her sparkling diamond ring and felt prideful. He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles, his gaze unmoved from her eyes.

'Thank you.' He said and Alina flushed lowering her gaze. Haider eyed her glossy red lipstick and licked his lips. His hormones fluttered, but he forced himself to look away and guided her towards the dining room. AK stood at the table and was about to pull chair for her. Haider stuck out his palm and he stepped back. Alina sat as Haider pulled the chair for her. She placed the velvety maroon hand cloth on her table as he sat beside her on the head chair. He asked her if she was comfortable and she nodded. In the background, AK arranged the food at the table. Haider gestured her to start first. But she looked hesitant.

'What is the matter, Miss. Alina?' He enquired.

She shook her head and shifted closer to the table, - 'Nothing. I just—I am feeling stupid for not getting anything for you. I just came empty-handed.' She looked apologetically at him.

Haider waved her off with a smile, - 'Don't bother with formalities.' – he leaned back as AK served him food, - 'In fact, I have arranged this dinner so that we get to know each other. At a personal level.' He picked up the cutlery. Alina smiled at him.

As they ate together, Alina looked at him.

'Haider tell me about your family. Where are they?'

He paused with his fork close to his open mouth. She watched him take a bite and slowly munch on his food. He swallowed and looked at her, - 'They are in Seattle.' He replied. Alina nodded placing her cheek against her palm. She fidgeted with her food and then took a bite.

'How many people are there—'

'Miss. Alina, this dinner is for us. Let us talk about us.' He interrupted rudely. Alina was taken back. She was slightly offended because he was being mysterious. He knew everything about her, god knows how, but he wasn't willing to share anything about himself.

After dinner, they had desert and then Haider revealed he had a surprise for her. Alina looked excitedly at him. He forwarded his hand and she gave her hand in his. Then, he led her upstairs and into another dimly lit room. Alina found it strange that the entire villa was very poorly lit, on purpose. The room was tiny but had high ceiling. It had a split AC, and many candles stand with tiny yellow and white bulbs. She looked around and found many paintings, all were of sceneries.

Her gaze fell on a huge canvas covered with a red satin cloth.

Haider kissed the back of her palm taking her out her trance. She looked at him.

'Here is your surprise, my love.' He confessed and let go of her hand. Alina clenched her fingers looking at him with batted breath. He pinched the cloth from the top and pulled it off. She gasped and looked wide-eyed at a life-like portrait of herself. She looked noticeably young and her mouth slightly dropped open as realization dawned upon her that it was her from her college days.

'How did you?' She was stunned. He smirked and walked towards her.

'My love,' – he held her shoulder, - 'you looked so beautiful in your college days.' He confessed. Alina was speechless. Haider dug his hands into his pocket and took out a photo. She looked at it, it was one of her photos with her college friends. Before she could ask, Haider answered her,

- 'I found it on the floor in the master bedroom of your room. I am sorry for picking it up like that.' He said. Alina let out a breath and smiled, shaking her head.

'It is okay.' She accepted.

Alina walked towards the painting and caressed it gently, - 'Its stunning. You are a multi-talented person, Haider.'

He stood next to her, - 'Thank you!' He said seriously. Alina smiled at him, but her smile faded when he held her hand. She felt giddy as he pulled her closer to him. She held his shoulder and placed a palm on his chest. Haider admired her holding her waist with both his hands. She squirmed slightly in his embrace.

'You can take this painting with you. It is for you.' He said and held her chin with one hand. Alina nodded, lowering her gaze. With his heart pounding inside his rib cage, Haider eyed her slightly parted and quivering lips. He found it difficult to look away. Her lips felt very inviting. He tilted his head and leaned towards her. Alina felt her heartbeat picking up pace as she felt his lips approach her. He took a step closer, but she stood rooted on spot.

Haider parted his lips and inaudibly drew in a sharp breath. Alina's heart leaped to her throat and eyes slightly widened. He pressed his thumb against her lower lip, eyeing her with a lustful gaze. His fingers slid over her bare-back and back arched in response. He smiled feeling goose-bumps on her skin. He moved his arm and gripped her waist tightly and closed his eyes. Alina composed herself and placed her palms on his chest gently pushing him back.

Haider's eyes snapped open as he looked at her. She gulped looking at the offended look on his face.

'What happened?'

Alina licked her lips and closed her eyes taking a deep breath, - 'Haider, can we take this slow. I am not comfortable.' She looked apologetically at him. Haider fumed and turned around. There was an eerie silence, except for his heavy breathing. This alarmed Alina. Instantly, her mind raced to his behavior with Roma in his cabin. She stared at his back, not knowing what to do or except.

'How much slower do you want to take things, Miss. Alina.' – he spoke all of her sudden making her flinch, then he sharply turned around, - 'what can I do to make you comfortable?' He asked.

Alina pressed her lips and then fixed her expressions, - 'Just give me some time.' She said in a calm tone, - 'please.'

Haider clenched his hair, looking exasperated. She panicked seeing rage in his eyes.

'How much more time, Miss. Alina? You took time to decide and now you are taking so much time to kiss your boyfriend?' He raised an eyebrow at her. Alina was taken aback by his statement.

Suddenly, she was regretting her decision.

'You know what, Haider. I think I did a mistake by choosing you. You are frightening me, also you don't care about my comfort.' She fired back. Finally, she mustered a courage and felt better. Her relieve was quickly turned into fright again as he leaped and grabbed her elbow.

'Never. Never say it again. Miss. Alina, you are mine.' He said through clenched teeth. Alina gulped. Seeing the fear in her eyes, Haider relaxed his grip. She held her elbow, massaging it. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, shook his head, and opened his eyes again.

'I am sorry, Miss. Alina. I—'

'Don't come near me, Haider.' – She raised a palm at him, stopping him in his tracks, - 'Just—I am leaving.' She then hurried out of the room. Haider followed her, calling out her name but she doesn't glance back. She took quick steps and before he could get hold of her she exited the Villa.

'Alina!' Haider yelled her name, but she had run out of earshot. He held his knees and let out a frustrated scream into the night sky.

Okay, so Haider is showing his true colors. Now, I am worried for Alina. Haider & guys, this is not romantic if it makes the other person (male/female) feel uncomfortable *sigh*

So, guys how was the Chapter? Sorry, for a long update *hehehehehe* Drop your thoughts in the comments, please and Stay tuned for the next update *lots of love* *hugs and kisses*

This Chapter is dedicated to @37SpreadYourwings. You requested an update yesterday, so here is a big one for you *smiles*