"The phone's ringing," Mia's voice chimed out informing an already late and hassled Layna.

"Really? I am sitting right next to it but didn't realize," Layna retorted, rolling her eyes as she picked up the phone.

"Hello," Layna spoke as she made a grab of the toast Emily offered.

A sweet voice sang from the other end," Hello, my god-daughter. "

"Aunt Mary," Layna discarded her toast,"Umm..hi."

She glanced around and found Mia and Emily's attention focused on her. She asked them to hijack the phone call but was met with indignant no's.

Dammit! Now she was going to get really late for college.

"You're such a naughty girl."

She blinked.

"Me?" Layna asked in an innocent voice.

Mary huffed," No use pretending otherwise with me. I know you and have loved you three like my own daughters."

Oh, that cunning woman. She was emotionally blackmailing her. Layna knew she would once again fall for it. Yes, her darling Aunt Mary was that good.

"Aunt Mary," Layna used her sweetest voice.

"No. You left without informing me. Do you even realize how worried I was?"

"I am sorry but I did receive a call from Alan, I asked him to convey to you I was fine and had reached home safely," Layna thought she would throttle Alan if she learned that he had not conveyed the same to his mother.

"I am aware of that. Who do you think made him place that call?" Aunt Mary's voice carried a smug tone.

"Of course, you, Aunt Mary. Who else?" Layna said cheekily as she bit into her forgotten toast and signaled Emily pleadingly to make her a ‘to go’ cup of coffee.

Emily made a 'you owe me' gesture as she stomped back to the kitchen.

"Yes, yes. Don't you be cheeky now? You forget I have a son who carries with élan the same outrageous behavior. Wonder what's wrong with kids nowadays?"

Layna made sympathetic noises as she finished her toast.

"Anyways, I still haven't forgiven you," Mary's scolding tone made Layna wince.

"But, Aunt Mary."

"No. So, you can beg for my forgiveness when I see you tomorrow," not so surprisingly, Aunt Mary's voice sounded too pleased.

What was she up to now?

"See us, where?"

Her voice rose an octave," Why, here, at my place. Tomorrow is Saturday and we're having a mid-day picnic."

"Oh, I am sorry I forgot its Saturday. We will be there ready with a big bowl pleading for forgiveness," Layna slapped her forehead; she couldn't ever forget that Saturdays were picnic days at Aunt Mary's place.

It was the time of the week, when they all met and simply enjoyed each other’s company.

Layna kept the phone after a long winding goodbye, she loved it. Aunt Mary, bless her, loved this tradition more and anyone not abiding with it would be promptly relegated to the 'Blasted and outgunned' list.

Layna along with her sisters preferred to remain far away from that offending list.

She stopped to tell her sisters about tomorrow's picnic, picked up her coffee, profusely thanking Emily and waved Mia goodbye.

...............

Layna smiled inwardly, badly suppressing the urge to throw her head back and laugh out loud. She had never seen such diligent students actually listening to each and every word of hers. And why wouldn't they?

After all, today was 'a student pick a topic day' and the chosen topic was the one that gained the most press coverage and interest of the public- clandestine affairs that led to downfall of political marvels; all it took was a lapse in judgment, one moment of weakening of character, one mistake, a desire unchanneled; to lose all for that few seconds pleasure.

“Have you ever wondered, why would people succumb to such low levels when they very well know it can lead to their downfall? Was the cheap thrill worth losing everything one had striven for?"

She met the eyes of students as if questioning them, if they would ever succumb to such level; Layna was met with a deeply absorbed pin drop silence. Mentally, Layna sighed, during her regular classes any such pause would be met with disinterest looks, a five second break to fiddle with the phone, notorious yawns. But, give them a scandal and one will be surprised with the amount of information that can be stored in their brains.

Human nature!

She moved back to the pedestal, “They cannot plea ignorance. These precedents set before them acts as guiding lights for something that shouldn't be done. The implications are rife, they don't just undermine the position but destroy the person, belief and a family."

Layna continued the class for an hour, blessed with rapt attention from the students.

"That about sums up today's lecture, take it this way, clandestine affairs don't just extinguish power, authority but a more precious, valued personal treasure."

She paused for affect. She was glad to be given this topic. Afterall, we being weak humans only focussed on one aspect of it- the affairs not the other drastic, bone chilling factor that have led to the downfall of numerous big shots!

"Reputation, ask yourself is your behavior fair for your hardwork, for your designation, your family. Don't let Morality and Ethics be supplements when they really are but complements."

Layna took a sip of water,"Alright, question time." She gave a teasing smile as she raised her hand," keep it clean and proper please."

Not to her surprise, fifteen hands shot up in a class of fifty.

She answered few on Morality v. Ethics debate, others on the blindness of desire, finally she took the ones she knew were going to be silly and completely dirty.

"Yes, Gary?"

A young, boy of twenty two with a serious smile on his face spoke," If we talk about the most famous one- Lewinsky one, I just have one question."

Layna stood straight as she linked her hands and waited for the dreaded question.

"Aren't there cctv's in the presidential office?"

"That goes without saying- no. It's about maintaining the secrecy and privacy."

"No wonder its a hub for these fantasies," chimed Luke.

"Alright, anything else that actually sounds a little intelligent?"

"How did everyone know that you know he did what he did to her on the couch?"

Layna let out a huge sigh," She testified."

"Do you think Miss Pitt, the dress which is the evidence will be up for auction."

"Miss Pitt, why didn't they choose a motel?"

"Alright, if anyone asks me more damaging questions they should be prepared to write a fifteen pages assignment," she tilted her head and asked sweetly," any more questions?"

She was met with deathly silence.

"Good, class dismissed," she turned to pick up her bag,"and Gary?"

"Yes, Miss Pitt?" He looked up.

"You will be doing the introductory presentation on Locke day after. Read up."

"Oh, man."

"We will be dissecting his theory and linking it with today's political scenario. Day after. Have a good evening."

..............

Layna walked out of the building. She mused, scandals always interested others. People loved important dignatories make a fool of themselves.

Criticizers always reasoned, didn't it make them human, made them lose their god- like character. She readjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder as she thought of the implications on the family; betrayal. That single word was all powerful and perfectly summed what was felt by the people close to the defectors. That word which had the capacity to twist itself and draw blood in immortals. Made them lose their will to live. Why would a man, who had been given the designation on his judgemental power would lose his reasoning knowing fully well the implications.

Well, she was glad her family had never given her an opportunity to taste that. She shook her head and smiled, no, she wasn't glad, she was lucky and blessed.

She stopped at the curb waiting for the taxi, already regretting not getting her car today. She was just in one of her 'not driving' moods.

"Can I give you a lift?" A voice spoke somewhere from her right side. Layna turned to see Thomas leaning on the hood of a huge, powerful SUV. He made a statement simply by existing.

This was the first time she saw him in casual clothes. Wearing a snug blue t- shirt with jeans, she agreed with her hyperactive heart, he looked wonderful.

"Thomas?"

He stood up and walked towards her,"Hi!"

He saw her black skirt and white formal shirt, and thought she looked elegant yet as beautiful as she was in a gown.

"Hi!"

He stopped near her and smiled.

God, that smile must be illegal in some counties, had to be. She desperately wanted to pat her heart and ask it to slow down.

Layna met his eyes,"What are you doing here? Meeting someone?"

"In a way, yes."

She smiled,"Oh, I will leave you to it then."

He tilted his head,"How can you leave when you're the reason I am here."

She gestured with her hand"Well, I don't recall being engaged for any meeting."

He caught her hand in his as he traced her knuckles with his thumb enjoying the feel of her smooth skin and her faster breathing.

"We shall call it an impromptu meeting."

She smiled at him and extracted her hand from his. She did not like what he was making her feel,"I would have to refuse."

He looked at her and shot straight from the hip," You have prior appointments?"

Layna wanted to nod and say yes but her mouth on its own formed," No."

What? Hadn't she decided she would make up an excuse.

Pathetic, Layna. Pathetic!

"What I mean is," she tried to salvage the situation.

"Yes," Thomas leaned on his car eyeing her as he crossed his arms.

Cheater! How was her brain supposed to function when he managed to look so delicious.

Damn, traitor heart.

Layna tucked her hair behind her ear,"I mean, I don't think it would be a good idea." She belted out firmly.

"Why, don't tell me you're scared?"

Layna eyes blazed, she was smart enough to know he was needling her but foolish enough to let a challenge get to her,"Scared? Me?" She gave out a low chuckle as she walked by him, opened his car door and chivarously asked him,"after you, Mr. Conrad."

Thomas smiled at the pleasant turn of events, this was a new side of hers; carefree, gutsy and damn attractive.

He smile as he took a chance and affectionately flicked her cheek," With pleasure," and proceeded to sit on the passenger seat.

Layna grinned as she closed his door, as she vowed to take him on a drive of a lifetime.

Swinging his car keys she took a seat and looked at him," Ready?"

Thomas nodded and in a grannd gesture lifted her hands to his lips, "I bestow my life on these capable hands," making Layna laugh. It was difficult not to love his company; the teasing, the banter was unlike anything she had enjoyed till then. No doubt it was refreshing but more than that he managed to test her wits which in itself was a cause of great delight for her.

"I thought your profession demands you to be more elegant?" Layna posed the question as she jammed the key and started his car.

"Really? Let's not be insulting, sweetheart."

She looked at him and feigned ignorance,"Insulting and I, what an insinuation, sweetheart." She batted her lashes at him.

Thomas laughed loudly as he exclaimed,"I like you. I really like you."

She was stunned. His laughter sent unknowing tingles up her spine. He had a beautiful laugh. Why was she even thinking that? She shook her head.

Thomas smiled and cocked his eyebrow,"Your usage of the word 'elegant' in reality signified boring, Layna."

She chuckled and then really laughed,"You're the first man to recognize my thinly veiled sarcasm. Must say most impressive."

"Why thank you. I aim to please."

Layna gave him a smile full of retribution.

Few minutes later, Thomas holding on to his seat concurred the reason behind that satisfied smile of Layna. She had started off the drive smoothly enough but as soon as they reached the highway, it had been as if a devil had taken over, she was cruising way too fast forcing Thomas send countless prayer above to let him be alive at the end of the drive.

"What speed are we travelling at?" He asked her closing his eyes tightly as his car narrowing missed to nick a bus.

Layna smirked," why, aren't you enjoying yourself?"

"Ofcourse I am," the 'am' came out in a relatively squeaky voice. Thomas cleared his throat.

They made small talk which nearly always ended up with shouting commands from Thomas and 'tut tut' irritable voices from Layna.

Smoothly Layna parked his vehicle infront of her house, she got out of the car and looked at him," It was fun."

Thomas shook his head as he stumbled out of his car.

Layna laughed," I bet you won't ask me for any more drives," she twinkled at him.

Thomas gave her a small smile," Think again."

"Excuse me?"

Thomas stepped towards her and boxed her neatly between the car and his body," I loved your wildness."

Layna took a step back and arched her back towards his car,"B-but."

Thomas smirked," I love a woman who rides fast."

His voice, his closeness was creating havoc inside Layna. Why did he have to be so handsome. It just wasn't fair. How the hell was she supposed to defend herself?

"You pretended all that...I could..ah," Layna hit his arm.

Thomas smiled," I was expecting a thanks."

"Thanks...really," she asked him, sarcasm oozing out in her very tone.

"Yes, you agreed for the drive I had to give you the satisfaction of having me supposedly made queasy."

Layna rolled her eyes, well aware how close they stood.

"Well, thank you for your kind consideration. I am eternally grateful. Now, if you will just let me," she asked, motioning him to let her go.

"No offering of a coffee?"

Layna rolled her eyes.

"What impeccable manners."

"Thomas," she sent him a deathly glare.

Thomas gave her an innocent smile," Okay, next time then," nodded and shifted on his side, he watched her walk towards her house," Layna."

She stopped, gritting her teeth and turned," Yes."

"It will be a pleasure getting to know you. I will see you soon."

And before she could retort. He saluted her, got in his car and drove off.

………………………..

Hi,

A quick note from my end.

I know, you really missed me, I can understand *nods* your precariously balanced dilemma, after all, it's difficult to resist an amazing girl. To curb any confusion that might have imbibed itself in your mind, the amazing girl in question is me. *Happily points at self*

Don’t worry I am not going to ‘temporarily blind’ you with my bashful, beautiful laugh....as yet.

Haha. Sorry was way too tempting.

I hope you do love me now. *cuddles* Love you!!

And yes, please do comment and let me know what you think.

Warmest Regards,

HIndia150