Silently, Haider and Alina had their dinner, he looked at her and noticed Alina was fidgeting the veg rice on her plate with her fork. He straightened, clearing his throat, she looked at him.

'Aren't you hungry?' He enquired.

'I am.' Alina replied, then her gaze went to the wall clock and she was stunned to find it was 12 in the night. Urgently, she stood up and began panicking as it was so late, and she needed to get up early for work. Only after Haider calmed her a little, she sat down to complete her food. Alina hurriedly gobbled everything on the plate and then looked at Haider.

'Why aren't you eating? You don't want to get up early for work?' She asked wide-eyed. Haider shook his head and slowly looked up.

'You know I don't sleep, Miss. Alina.' He confessed. Alina nodded as realization dawned upon her.

'Okay, sir.' She faked respect and giggled. Haider smiled a little and sighed pushing aside his plate. Alina walked around the table and picked up his plate along with hers. He held her hand and she froze. Then, Haider stood up and took both their plates. To her surprise, he held her should and spoke softly,

- 'I will do the dishes. You go and sleep.'

Alina blinked at him. He held her shoulder and urged her to sleep. She was super amazed by his gesture but doesn't say anything.

After Haider was done with the dishes, he wiped his hand with a towel and hung it neatly on the towel stand. Then, he walked up to Alina's room. Cautiously, he opened the door and glanced inside. Alina slept peacefully, laying on her back. The duvet covered till her waist, one hand over her stomach and one next to her head. He eyed her parted lips for a moment before walking out of the room.

He entered the activity room and stood in front of the portrait. He ran a finger over the photo's jawline, recollecting their moments together and let out a breath. He knew it worked, from the way Alina reacted, she liked it. Just like this, he needs to seduce her so she will completely trust him.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

As expected, Alina woke up late. She scolded Farhana for not waking her up and doesn't listen to her reasoning. She stepped in the bathroom for a quick shower and got dressed in a knee-length pleated dusky pink dress. She winced as she combed her tresses and tied them with a claw clip leaving the rest flowing on her back. 

'I am getting late, so I will eat in the office.' She responded to Farhana's request for breakfast, whilst grabbing her handbag and scooter keys. As she exited the villa, she had completely forgotten about Haider.

Alina parked her scooter in the parking area and hurried to the elevator. She stopped by the coffee machine and restlessly glanced at her watch as she waited in line. Suddenly, she felt a heavyweight slap her back and she was thrown forward. She turned around to reprimand the person.

'Alina!' Meera growled at her, - 'Agree your fiancé is hurt but that doesn't mean you have to switch off your phone, man. You want us to have a heart attack.' She blasted her with her words. Alina's eyes widened.

'My phone.' She took a second to register it and began searching her handbag for her phone. It wasn't there. How could she have not noticed?

'Forget me and Mikael. What about your parents? There were fanatically calling me. Your mom was in tears. You dumbo.'

'What?' Alina breathed. She looked away; tears brimmed eyes at the thought of her parents being miserable. She always speaks to them every night; then how could she not realize.

'Meera, can I borrow your phone?' She asked with tears dropping from her eyes. Meera blinked at her and then stuffed her phone into her hand.

'Of course.'

Alina grabbed the phone and quickly dialed the number as she stepped out of the line.

Haider pulled out the drawer of the wardrobe in the spare bedroom. He smiled to himself as he took out Alina's phone. He recollected how he had stealthily stolen the device while they were spending time together. Then, when she was bathing, he had switched it off and placed it here. He was lucky, and it was a miracle, that Alina didn't notice. But sooner or later she will realize it.

Thinking for a moment, he removed the sim and kept it in his wallet. Then, he walked out of the room with the phone.

AK stood outside in the veranda. Haider came to him and handed him the phone.

'Here is the phone. Keep it safe in my room.' He ordered and AK nodded dutifully. He bowed and walked towards the gate. Haider placed his palms into his pocket and watched him go with a grin on his face.

Alina was fidgety and restless throughout the day. She couldn't concentrate on her work. At lunch, Meera suggested she went home and searched for her phone. She instantly agreed.

'Drive safe. Don't hurry.' Meera called out as her friend dashed out of the cubicle. Then, she sighed and leaned back. Just then, Mikael walked up to her, his gaze on the door from where Alina had just exited. He looked back at Meera and frowned seeing her flash a cheeky grin.

'I broke up with Ronnie, that idiot.' She slammed her palms on the armrest. Mikael looked amused as he sat down beside her on Alina's empty seat. He couldn't believe what he heard. Meera closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

'That rascal was two-timing me with a hot chick. I caught them in one of the cafés. They were all romantic. Doing couple stuff, yuck. Then I confronted him in our locality, and he had the audacity to try to break up with him. But before he could, I did.' She finished with a prideful smirk. Mikael patted her back and appreciated her.

'Aren't you upset about the break-up?' He asked. Meera giggled throwing her head back.

She composed herself and flashed a smile at him, - 'All thanks to you. I don't.' – she hugged him, and he patted her head, they parted, - 'you motivated me that I don't need a man in my life to make me feel beautiful. And definitely not an idiot like, Ronnie.'- she sighed throwing her arms in the air and slamming the computer table and armrest, - 'To think I had fought with Alina for that donkey. Now,' – She looked at Mikael, - 'not everyone is lucky as Alina, right?'

Mikael listened to her and nodded thoughtfully.

Alina rushed inside the villa. Ignoring a shocked Farhana and her words, she dashed into her bedroom. Flinging open the wardrobe, she began to rummage through it. Still in shock.

'What are you looking for, my love?' Haider's baritone floated into her ears. But she unheeded to him and continued her search.

'Looking for my phone. Can you believe it--' – She turned around and let out a squeak, - 'Oh!'

Haider stood at the bathroom door, his hair dripped with water and tiny water droplets over his bare chest and torso. The cream-white towel hung dangerously low around his waist with the V cut abs exposed.

Alina gulped and forced her eyes to look up at his face, - 'Uh! Why are you wearing just a towel?'

Haider chuckled, - 'Because I just finished my shower.' He shrugged casually. Alina glanced at the door and then back at him.

'You do know, Farhana is in the house alone with you. And you are roaming like this?'

Haider grinned, folding his arms, she eyed his muscles flex and gulped harder, - 'Are you jealous?'

She closed her eyes and turned to face the wardrobe, - 'Stop distracting me.' She spoke irritably. Haider watched her, recollecting Banerjee had called him and informed about Alina's rush home. He smirked to himself. Then, he gently pushed the door, letting it close behind him. And with his gaze glued to her, he took slow steps towards her.

So, guys how was the Chapter? Haider is at it again *winks*. Please drop your thoughts in the comments *smiles* and Stay tuned for the next update *lots of love* *hugs and kisses*