Haider glanced at a young woman. She sat in a confident posture, wearing a deep pink sweat-suit with a hoodie covering her shoulder-length bob-cut hair. Though, it wasn't very sunny. Half her face was covered by around over-sized sunglasses. She calmly sipped on her drink with a straw.

'Hi.' She threw her hoodie back and leaned placing the drink on the table, then she removed her glasses. Realization dawned upon Haider and his lips twisted into a smile.

'Miss. Eifad.' He exclaimed as the woman stood up. They shook hands and Eifad offered him to sit with her. Haider happily accepted her offer, - 'But first, let me get a drink.'

'Get strawberry or oranges. They have less sugar.' Eifad suggested and he nodded in response.

Sometime later, he got orange juice and walked up to Eifad. Though they had met a couple of times during business parties or entrepreneurs award functions, they had gelled well. Both spoke very less or only to the point and had "other" things in common.

'So, Eifad. How are you? How is Farhan, Zara, and Zavian?' He asked relaxing against the white straw chair.

Eifad chuckled as though remembering something funny. Haider observed her and smiled to himself, - 'Handling a business empire isn't too much of a hassle than handling a husband and two kids.' She sighed waving a hand. Haider laughed in response.

'And how are you? Recently, I haven't heard any gossip about your relationship. Single?' Eifad asked casually. Haider's smile faded away. He took a deep breath and nodded.

'Good you are Single. Single is happy.' Eifad confessed. Then, she noticed his expressions and frowned. She shifted, - 'I didn't mean to hurt you—I am—'

Haider forced a smile, - 'It is Okay.' He said calmly. She smiled, tight-lipped at him. He lowered his head and took a sip from the straw.

Eifad took a deep breath, looked away, and spoke whilst staring at the street ahead, - 'By the way, she shouldn't be worth it.' She slurped from her straw. Haider snapped his head towards her. Eifad was calm as ever.

'What do you mean?' Haider shrugged, pretending to look clueless. He gulped his drink. Eifad scoffed.

'I mean about you and Alina.' – She spoke with composure, - 'You said you were single but recently you were publicly engaged.' She informed. Haider blinked a couple of times. Eifad's gaze darted to the engagement ring that glistened on his ring finger. Haider pressed his lips and exhaled deeply.

'We are on a break.' He replied, his eyes not meeting her gaze.

'We or you?' Eifad arched her eyebrow. Haider observed her. She shifted in her place, leaned forward placing her tall paper-cup on the table.

'Listen, Haider.' – She sighed – 'I have been there, done that.' – She rested her arms on the armrest, - 'These one-sided loves have nothing in it. It gives you pain and nothing else. It is not worth anything. Sometimes, we feel we love someone, but we don't. Sometimes someone special makes you realize that or sometimes life, itself.' She explained politely.

 Haider didn't like her advice. What did she know about his feelings for Alina? Alina loved him, it was just fear and uncertainty that was holding her back. He took a moment and then cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. Then conveniently, he switched the topic.

After spending some time together, Eifad and Haider bid good-bye. She gave details of her stay and hoped they meet again. Haider agreed and they shook hands. As he made his way back to the mansion, he kept thinking about Alina and what she must be doing. Leaving her alone was risky, especially with Mikael around her. Upon reaching the castle, just as the guards let him in, his phone rang.

'Banerjee.' Haider sighed happily and picked up the call. He frowned upon hearing his former ex-employee sounding distressed.

'Sir, Jahangir sir is recklessly taking debts and many clients are canceling us because many had sighed only by your name. Interns are being pressurized and—'

Haider smirked, - 'Wasn't that what we wanted, Banerjee.' He spoke wiping his face with the sleeves of his tracksuit. His breath was still uneven.

'Yes, sir. But—' He lowered his volume to whisper, - 'Jahangir sir, looks tensed. I don't think it's anything professional.'

Haider sighed, climbing up the stairs, - 'I am not interested in that man. Tell me about Alina.'

His smile dropped as he listened to Banerjee and stopped in his tracks, clenching the railing of the stairs. He looked up and found Amaal stepping down. Looking at her, he realized Mikael was her brother and she shouldn't know that he was enquiring about Alina. Quickly, he disconnected the call and stuffed the phone into his pocket.

'Amaal.' He called as she passed by him. He sighed wearily upon being ignored.

Haider! He still believes that Alina loves him. Nothing wrong in being optimistic but it should not become obsessive again *fears* What are your thoughts on the Chapter, guys?? Drop your comments, please *smiles*

Precap:

'By the way, you are looking beautiful.' – Mikael paused to take a closer look at her, she lowered her gaze, - 'Thanks for accepting my request.' He said. Alina sighed dreamily and looked up into his eyes.

'Mikael, I lo—'

'Um, Alina.'- Mikael leaned back, - 'We are getting late.'

'What happened, Mikael?' Alina asked curiously. He was hesitant and this made her heart flutter as negative thoughts clouded her mind.

***

Slowly, she crept her hand over the length of his arm and held his shoulder, pulling him down so they faced each other and could look eye to eye. He stilled and stared into her eyes. She inched closer moving her arm around his neck and held his face with the other. Gently, she caressed his clean-shaven jawline, and confidently glanced into his green eyes.

***

'I am so—' He began to apologize but Alina interrupted him by holding the back of his head and pulling him for a kiss.

***

Haider fisted the paper tightly, clenching his jaw tightly.

'And I don't love Mikael.'- Alina's words echoed in his mind.

'We are on a break!'

'We or you?'

***

As Alina worked on her laptop, her phone began to ring. She glanced at Mikael and frowned. He was engrossed in his work. Then, who could be calling her? She wondered. Alina watched him, as she picked up her phone and was surprised to find an unknown number calling her.

'Hello?' She spoke with uncertainty.

'Miss. Alina.'

Alina froze and her eyes widened. The familiar deep masculine voice sent shivers down her spine. Even after so many weeks, his voice had the same effect on her. She gulped slowly, staring front she wound her fingers tightly around her pencil.

I think i spoke too soon *facepalm* But on a serious note, what will Haider do now *fear rising* Drop your thoughts about the Precap in the comments, please, my lovelies *lots of love* and Stay Tuned for the next update *hugs and kisses*