The first thing in the morning for Haider was his regular exercise. He would spend a good two to three hours in the gym but before that he would jog outside the villa. After the tiresome workout, he would bathe in warm water and be refreshed. Then by eight, a warm cup of black tea awaits him in his room. He was a very punctual man; this his servants knew very well and so abided by the timing accurately.

Haider sat down on his bed and slowly drank his tea. He doesn't rush with this as it calms him to take every sip and relish it. Then, he would get dressed for work and be downstairs at the dining table around 9.30. By this time, the food was served. Haider maintained a strict diet as well, so he would just have a scrambled egg, bread, and any fruit juice.

'Sir, your car is ready.' A butler interrupted his breakfast. Haider looked at him. He stood with confidence holding his boss's briefcase in one hand and coat neatly hanging on the other arm. Haider gave a small nod and stood up. Two other butlers got busy in clearing the table. He walked towards the butler and swiftly grabbed his coat. The butler scurried behind him as he briskly walked whilst wearing his coat.

One thing Haider hated the most in life was being late. And now, stuck in the traffic jam he was getting late. He kept impatiently glancing at his watch and then questioning his driver who would give him grim answers. He sighed, wore his sunglasses and turned to look out of the open window. Noida's traffic would take time to clear. It was awful, even though he tries to be early to avoid the congestion, he fails.

As Haider looked around, his gaze stopped wandering as he spotted the beautiful intern standing by the roadside stall. She had picked up a greeting card and was examining it. Haider removed his goggles and squinted his eyes for a better look. Today she was dressed in V neck, knee-length full-sleeved coffee color bodycon. He felt a strange and filmy moment when the time paused and amongst the crowd, his gaze got stuck on her. Oblivious with his presence, she read the card, placed it down and picked up another. Haider was amazed as he ogled at her. He had never eyed or thought of any other woman like this ever before. In fact, he felt silly and stupid. Quickly, he looked away and tried to distract himself with his mobile. As he checked the building design on his phone, his mind kept wandering to her. With a huge struggle, he tried to not think of her. He sighed deeply as the car moved forward.

Alina walked into the building with a bright smile on her face. She kept holding on the strap of her handbag tightly. This time, she had started her day early, with morning walk and bath but she felt slightly cranky because she had missed her morning dose of caffeine. She had to skip it because getting a card for her parents was much more important. It was their marriage anniversary after all.

Alina stopped in front of the coffee machine and took out a ceramic cup from the tray. As she was about to pour herself some coffee, she noticed there was a paper stuck on top that read,

- 'Out of Service'

'Damn!' She cursed under her breath. Alina had just turned when a masculine voice spoke, - 'Any problem.'

'Yikes.' Alina exclaimed clenching the cup tightly and the other palm over her chest.

A tall charming young man having a rosy-pale complexion stood in front of her. His mesmerizing green eyes stared at her with a questioning gaze and his body language seemed genuinely concerned.

'Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.' He said politely. Alina shook her head. She licked her lips and straightened in her place.

'It is okay.' She said pushing back her hair.

The man smiled, - 'Hi, I am Mikael. An intern like you.' He introduced himself.

'Alina.' She replied. He straightened, adjusted his tie and hesitated for a moment before asking,

- 'There is a coffee shop nearby—' he paused, - 'we can –if you are okay, I mean.' He rushed towards the end. Alina involuntarily smiled but quickly fixed her expressions.

'Actually, we are getting late for office. Maybe in the cafeteria at lunch?' She suggested. Mikael readily agreed. Alina doesn't miss his crimson red cheeks. With the pale complexion of his face, it was hard to miss. She also noticed he had medium brown hair, he looked almost Anglo Indian-ish. But she knew she did well by refusing him because he was practically a stranger to her. Her parent's over-protectiveness had made her paranoid; slightly.

Mikael and Alina walked together into their cabin. As interns, everyone shared a huge cabin with separate cubicles. They exchanged smiles as Alina stood by her cubicle and Mikael walked ahead. She watched him walk three cubicles ahead, he shot a glance at her before disappearing behind the thick cubicle wall. Alina sighed and dropped her back next to the computer monitor.

'He is good-looking.' Meera spoke and Alina yelped nearly falling off her chair.

'Gosh! Meera.' Alina gasped and began to adjust her stationary that got messed up with her hands.

Meera grinned in response. Alina rolled her eyes, a smile on her lips. Then, she let out a breath and focused her attention on her computer.

Sometime, later she thought of Mikael and slightly raised from the chair to peek above her cubicle. Just then, co-incidentally Mikael peeked too. Their gaze met and both hurriedly looked away. Red face, Alina tried distracting herself with the computer cursor and bit her smile.

Haider sat in his cabin working on his laptop. He was very much focused on the design that he made. Then, there was a knock.

'Come in.' He replied without moving his gaze from the screen. With his brows furrowed, he thought hard as he tapped his fingers against lips.

'Sir,' – Banerjee's voice floated into his ear, but he doesn't respond, - 'as you had said we got the first task for the interns.' He informed. Slowly, Haider looked at him and nodded.

'Good.' – he spoke slowly in an explanatory manner, - 'inform them all the details, especially the deadline and the prize.' He said and Banerjee instantly nodded. Then, he told him that he will gather all the interns and inform them of everything. Haider gave a nod whilst being busy with his design.

Alina and Meera were first among the interns to arrive in the board room. They sat in the front seat while waiting for others to come. Alina was busy scrolling her phone checking her cousins on Instagram. Meera agitatedly kept craning her neck and checking the door.

'We are early, babes.' Meera whined.

'Hmm.' Alina replied mindlessly, her gaze fixed on the screen. Meera scowled at her then look a moment and leaned against her friend.

'I hope the boss comes as well.' She nudged her arm. Alina looked at her and Meera beamed.

Alina sighed, - 'I wish too but we can't get all our fantasies to come to life.' She reasoned. A frown instantly replaced the grin on Meera's face. She nodded and looked away.

'True.' She commented and took out her phone too.

Cautiously, Alina raised her head and she saw Mikael walking in. She looked down and then her head shot up again. He smiled at her and she shifted in her seat. His piercing gaze fixated on her as he walked towards her. She inhaled deeply as he sat beside her.

'Hi! I hope I am not late.' He said. Alina shook her head. Meera leaned front and smiled widely at him.

'No, Mikael. We two over-excited souls arrived early.' She winced as Alina sharply nudged her. Meera and Alina shared a glare. Mikael nodded with a nervous smile and looked away adjusting his tie. Alina eyed him from the corner of her eyes. This doesn't go unnoticed by a bored Meera. She smiled mischievously and pushed Alina to her side.

'Ah!'

'Woah!'

Alina and Mikael exclaimed as she fell against him. He held her arm and helped her steady.

'Sorry.' She murmured while tugging her hair behind her ears.

'It is okay.'

Meera clasped her mouth to prevent her giggle but a squeak escaped her mouth. She quickly fixed her expressions as Alina glowered at her. She coughed and shook her head.

'Sorry.' She faked a cough again. Normally, Alina wouldn't have minded her childish antics but this time she felt unnecessarily embarrassed in front Mikael. She looked at him and they shared an awkward smile.

Soon, the hall filled with the interns and Banerjee too arrived. Both Meera and Alina were disappointed that Haider hadn't come. Banerjee cleared his throat, and everyone looked at him. He clenched the file that was under his arm and spoke whilst observing everyone carefully.

'Hello, interns. It has been just a day since you all have arrived and our boss is interested in picking out the best in you.' – he paused as collective chattering sounds echoed in the room, he coughed and there was silence, - 'So, there is an interesting project for you all. Sir wants you all to work on designs for Mr. Ashwin Ahuja's hotel. It's a renovation project.' – he paused again for any reaction and then smiled for a moment before continuing, - 'the best of the design will be selected as the project and the winning intern will get to work directing under Haider Minhas,' – there was a collective gasp and excited murmuring that instantly died down as Banerjee started to speak, - 'on his latest project in Mumbai for film star Jimmy Issac.' He finished and then there was a collective gasp. Banerjee smiled to himself with a puffed-up chest.

'Wow, this is huge.' Alina exclaimed. Meera excitedly nodded and Mikael agreed.

Meera exhaled deeply, - 'See, I am so gonna beat you guys in this and go on a date with Haider.'

Mikael pressed his lips, suppressing his smile and shook his head and Alina playfully rolled her eyes. She punched her arm lightly, - 'Dear it isn't a date and you will see I will steal this project for sure.' She said confidently. Mikael scoffed grabbing the girls' attention.

'You girls so wish. I am going to grab this opportunity and you girls will just keep watching.' He said with a prideful smile. Then, he got up and walked out. Both Meera and Alina watched him leave the room.

Alina seems to be a practical girl. And the stranger, Mikael, seems like a friendly person. But can he be trusted *hmmm* 

Meera right now *winks*

Precap:

Haider left his cabin, loosened his tie and unbuckled the buttons of his sleeves as he walked. He stopped as he noticed lights to the activity room were on. Then, he pulled up the sleeve and checked his watch. 10.30. He was always the first one to arrive and last to leave. Haider pressed his lips and exhaled deeply. He walked towards the large glass window and was about to peep when he cringed noticing the uneven blinds. Ignoring it, he peeped and saw only Alina standing near to the window. He took a step back but kept his gaze fixed on her. Slowly, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

'Hello, Gopi. I will be getting late, you leave.' He cut the call, glanced at Alina and smiled to himself. Then, he silently walked inside the room.

OOOOOOO,

So, guys how was the Chapter? and the Precap? Are you, my lovelies, excited? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments, please. And Stay Tuned for the next update *smiles* *lots of love*