Abhay ignored his sister Anjali's curiosity as she stared at him, and he continued to watch Priya and his daughter interact happily through his glass window. Aisha was doing all the talking animatedly while Priya held Aisha in her arms, listening to her with a look in her eyes that moved his stone heart. He mentally groaned when Anjali cleared her throat.

He doesn't know what would have happened if Priya hadn't pushed him or Anjali hadn't come on time. How could he let his control slip off? He thought incredulously. When he saw the welling tears in Priya's eyes for his daughter, he felt something move in his heart, and unknowingly, he moved closer to her. He wanted to assure her that everything was fine. But with his actions, he gave a contrary notion to the people who witnessed it. What would Priya think of him?

"Earth to Bhaiya!" Anjali snapped her fingers in front of his face.

He glanced at his sister. "What are you doing here?" he asked finally.

Anjali gave him an incredulous look and started scolding, "You wouldn't take Aisha to her mysterious aunt. And keep on procrastinating. What should I do? The poor one has been sulking the whole week. I decided enough was enough, and I promised Aisha we would meet her aunt today. I'd have asked Ramesh, but he wasn't taking my calls. So, we dropped off here. But, how fortunate are we?" she clapped her hands excitedly, "We found her here itself. And that too in a more compromising way."

Abhay glared at her. "Don't talk rubbish. She..." he paused a bit, "she has something in her eye... And..."

"And you are helping her," Anjali completed with a smug look.

He rolled his eyes and moved around his table to sit in his chair. "Why did you come here? You could have called me and..."

"What'd you have said?" Anjali glared and held her hand to her ear, and her facial expressions turned comically into a scowl, mimicking him. "I am in a meeting. We'll talk later," she said coldly.

True to her actions, Abhay's face morphed into a scowl.

"Anjali," he warned. "Anyways, today I am going to take her to Priya."

"Oh! Really," Anjali mocked and looked where Abhay was looking before. "Hmmm... She's a beauty."

Abhay's lips curled up slightly.

"I wonder how fast our Aisha got close to her. Isn't it surprising?" Anjali asked as she took a seat in front of the desk.

"Indeed."

For a few minutes, no one said anything, and they were in their own thoughts. "How did you know I was here?" Abhay asked. He'd not informed anyone in his family about the merger.

She shrugged. "I have my sources," she said smugly.

"Varun!" he gritted.

She frowned. "Don't take that tone with me. Especially when talking about my fiancee."

He took a calming breath. Not wanting to rile his sister by scolding her fiance. "And for your information, it's not Varun. Your P.A."

He sighed in irritation.

After a few seconds, Anjali asked a question that was bugging her mind. "Bhai, you didn't say anything about taking over a textile company." He inwardly smiled at the interest in her voice.

"This is the only field we are not involved in. I thought, why not take a risk when I have a talented person with me," he said nonchalantly.

"Who?" she asked hopefully.

"Who else! Mr. Vijay Sharma. Former chairman and now the CEO of this company."

Her face fell. "Oh!"

He pressed his lips together to not laugh. "Do you want to see around?" he offered.

She nodded eagerly but then her face fell. "Next time. I have a lunch date with Varun."

Just then, the door opened, and Priya entered with a happy Aisha. Immediately Aisha ran up to her father and hopped on his lap, giving a sloppy kiss. "Thank you, Papa."

He sighed dramatically. "To have your kiss, I should have Ms. Priya Malhotra, always with me, I think." Priya flushed as Anjali and Aisha laughed. Though, he observed the guilt look on her face.

"You are so silly, Daddy," Aisha pulled his cheek and gave a kiss again, making Abhay crush her in a tight hug. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Anjali walk up to Priya.

"I'm Anjali. Aisha's bua."

He might be imagining, there was a kind of relief wash over Priya's face. "Priya," she said, accepting Anjali's extending arm.

"What magic did you do on my niece?" Anjali said jokingly. "She was talking about you the whole week." The pink hue just seemed to increase as Priya gave an awkward smile to Anjali.

Priya looked at Abhay. "I have some work to do. I thought I would leave Aisha with you."

He nodded while Aisha asked sadly. "You are going."

"I am not. I'll just be in the sewing room," Priya smiled at Aisha before nodding at Anjali and Abhay and left.

"Okay," Anjali turned around, checking her time, "It's time for my date. I should go. Aisha," she looked at her pouting niece, who clutched to Abhay, not leaving him. "Baby... come on. Bua should go somewhere. I'll drop you home."

"No!" Aisha whined and crossed her hands stubbornly.

Anjali was surprised as Aisha never threw a tantrum, excluding this week. "You met your aunt, baby. Now we should go."

Aisha turned her head away.

"Princess," Abhay coaxed. "Listen to bua. I have some work..." he stopped when Vijay Sharma walked in. "Mr. Sharma."

Vijay smiled, seeing the young woman in front of him and the cute little one in Abhay's arms.

"Meet my sister, Anjali. And my daughter Aisha."

Vijay looked at Anjali as if in recognition. "Isn't she..." he stopped as he saw Abhay shaking his head from behind Anjali. He smiled, extending his hand to Anjali. "It's a pleasure to meet you, beta."

"The pleasure is all mine, sir," she said, happily accepting his hand.

"Your brother said a lot about you. How passionate you are about your designs and work," Vijay said.

"He said, huh," Anjali muttered as she glanced at her brother. "What's the use, sir? When I can't put my talent to use," she said, looking at Abhay pointedly.

Vijay stared at the silent war between the siblings. "Very soon you will, dear. Mark my words."

Anjali smiled. "Thank you, sir," she said and looked at Aisha. "Come, baby. We should go."

"No," Aisha snapped and hugged Abhay hiding her face in his neck.

Anjali shook her head while Vijay laughed.

"Why don't you show her the kid's play zone. She won't be bored as you take a look around."

Abhay and Anjali looked at him, surprised. "Kids zone?" Anjali asked.

"Yeah. We provided a facility to have their kids over for mothers who cannot leave their children and come to work and created some space. In that way, they don't have to worry about kids and also can work without any tension," Vijay smiled fondly. "This is Priya's idea. I'm glad I considered her idea. The smiles the workers have when they have kids over, and the enthusiasm they show is surprising."

Abhay smiled hearing how thoughtful the idea was, and as he pondered over it, he decided he'd implement this in all his companies. He had experienced how it was to not see his kid for two days, and he wished no one would face what he'd experienced.

His thoughts were disturbed as Anjali's phone rang. From the excitement in her eyes, he knew who called.

"That's my cue to leave. It's nice meeting you, sir," Anjali said to Vijay before hurriedly running out the door, and Abhay shook his head.

∞∞∞

"So, you almost kissed the boss?" Madhu asked, stopping the folding of material and staring at Priya wide-eyed. The whole room echoed with worker's chatter, sewing machines working, and thumps of cloth materials.

"No!" Priya exclaimed as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "I told you it was an accident."

Madhu looked at her skeptically but thankfully didn't probe. Priya confessed how their boss' sister had practically found her and Abhay in a compromising position and worried what she would be thinking about her.

"You said she didn't say anything when you left Aisha with sir, right? Maybe she's a cool person, or sir would have clarified to her," Madhu shrugged, resuming her work to fold the cloth material.

Priya nodded absentmindedly as she helped Madhu. She still couldn't shake off the feeling of the intensity in his eyes. And the way he made her feel had been making her feel more guilty. For god sake, he was a committed man. Then how could she be close to him, least think of him that way?

Priya and Madhu continued with their talks, thankfully distracted by the topic of their new boss. As Priya looked at Madhu, she said thoughtfully. "Maybe now you can show your designs to the boss," she said suggestively.

Madhu sighed. "Won't you give up?" she asked exasperatedly.

Shaking her head, Priya said, "Not unless you show your designs."

"I'll take a raincheck..."

"What are you scared of?"

"I am not scared."

"You are."

"No!"

"If you don't, then show those designs to Mr. Sinha. I am sure Mr. Sinha will appreciate your designs."

"And... how do you know that?" Madhu drawled.

"I..." Priya trailed off. "I..."

Madhu looked at her and was baffled by the lost look on her face. "Priya..."

"I just do...." she whispered, and just then, Priya felt a tug on her skirt. As she looked down, she was shocked to see Aisha and immediately held her. "Aisha. What are you doing here?" she asked.

Aisha was simply smiling at her.

"Hi, Aisha," Madhu chirped as she came around. Aisha just smiled in return.

"Does your Papa know you are here?"

Aisha shook her head. "He left me with Cake face to play," she said and circled her arms around Priya's neck.

"Cake face?" Priya asked as she stood holding Aisha in her arms.

Aisha nodded. "She always does that thing with her cake box and brush," she said while dusting her cheeks with her tiny hands.

Suddenly, Madhu laughed, making them look at her. "You mean, makeup."

An involuntary giggle escaped Priya. Aisha shrugged. "I don't like Cakeface," she pouted.

"Then you should have told your dad," Priya said as she tucked her hair behind.

"He goes to work, and I don't want to dis..." Aisha struggled with the word, "dis... rb...," Aisha said, making the adults look at her amused.

"Such a small girl and big thoughts," Madhu commented.

Priya smiled. But then she couldn't shake off the thought that she could be hurt because of his negligence and got angry. "You shouldn't have come here. You could be hurt," she admonished gently.

Aisha looked down as if she'd done a naughty thing. "Sorry."

Priya looked up at the ceiling haughtily and then at Madhu. "This man..." she gritted. "First leaves her with people who cannot take care of her for a single second and then regrets and worries."

Madhu stared at her friend, amused.

"Don't scold Papa aunty. He doesn't know."

"Of course. Your Papa doesn't know. Because you didn't tell him."

Aisha's lips trembled as she looked down.

"Take a chill pill, Priya. You are scolding her unnecessarily," Madhu interjected.

Priya shook her head. "This is not done," she said, "I am taking her to her Papa," Priya said and left, taking Aisha.

"I am sorry, aunty,"

"Why?" Priya asked as she entered the lift.

"For making you angry."

"I am not angry, sweetheart," Priya said gently, "I am just worried about you. You shouldn't wander alone here. Okay?"

Aisha nodded.

"Promise me that next time you'll tell your Papa wherever you go."

"I promise," she showed her pinky finger.

Priya smiled, and just then, the elevator door opened. As they walked out, they heard an angry voice.

"There you are!"

Priya watched as a petite woman stalked towards them with an angry expression on her face. Priya raised an eyebrow as the woman glared at Aisha.

"Where did you go, you little brat?" The woman spat, gripping Aisha's arm, still cradled in Priya's arm and making her whimper. Priya gasped.

"Excuse me," Priya snapped. She held the woman's hand, removing her grip on Aisha. "What do you think you are doing with her?" she whisper-yelled as she covered the little one away from her prying eyes.

"Who are you to ask?" The woman glared at her and harshly pulled Aisha, making her stand on her feet. She started to drag her away, but Priya held Aisha's other hand.

"This is not appropriate," Priya said firmly, pulling Aisha back to her, "You cannot behave with Aisha this way." Aisha hugged her leg and hid her face.

"And... who are you to tell me that?" The woman questioned.

Priya raised an eyebrow at her attitude. "Leave about me. Who are you? I have never seen you here."

The woman looked smug as she answered. "I am Tina. Assistant of Abhay Sinha."

"You sound as if you are an assistant to a Prime Minister."

Priya heard snickers in the background at her counter. She could imagine her colleagues trying to hold back their laughter.

The snarky woman named Tina gasped dramatically. Priya scowled. She gave her a once over and shuddered at her dress. A revealing sheer white blouse, showing her pink bodice, with her first two buttons undone and a red skirt that reached the middle of her thighs.

Priya wondered whether it was a uniform in Abhay Sinha's office. She could never imagine herself wearing that type of dress and working for anyone.

"You," Tina yelled, pointing one finger at Priya, "I'll see you later," she warned and looked at Aisha, "You brat. Come on," she once again held Aisha's hand. The next second, she was on her butt on the floor. Priya stifled her laugh. She didn't mean to push her down, but...

"Dare you to touch her again," Priya said challengingly.

"How dare you?" Tina shrieked just as the door behind her opened.

Priya looked up and found Abhay standing there. He had a confused frown, and when he looked down at Tina, his frown deepened.

"What's going on?" He asked, stepping out of the room, followed by his father, Krishna Iyer, Vijay Sharma, and... Kunal. Priya averted her eyes when she saw Kunal giving his usual flirty smile.

"Sir," Tina whimpered, what seemed like an innocent one, which made Priya look at her in surprise. "Your daughter and I are having a good time. She wanted to play around, so I was letting her... while keeping a close eye on her. But... She..." she gave a dramatic pause, pointing at Priya, "She said brats shouldn't be here and tried to hurt your daughter-" she continued on with a story.

Priya watched with her mouth wide open. She blinked in surprise. How easily the woman has transformed her character from a sour, snarky one to a sweet, innocent one?

"Ms. Malhotra," Abhay's voice made her look at him. He had a grim expression on his face.

Priya didn't feel right with the way he looked at her. Why was he looking at her with doubt and... accusations?

"You don't believe her. Do you?" Priya whispered, hurt. He didn't speak. "She's lying," she said and glanced at Tina. This woman has the nerve to smirk at her.

"Mr. Sinha-" Priya started and suddenly, jumped when Abhay growled. "Quiet," he held a finger up.

Priya gasped. After everything, he doubts her? Her subconscious was laughing at her. What did you expect? Her eyes started to tear up, but she didn't cry.

Someone clicked their tongue. Priya moved her gaze as Kunal moved closer to her with a pitying look on his face. But she knew very well the kind of men. Opportunists.

"Mr. Sinha. How can you put the blame on Priya?" Kunal asked as he put his arm around Priya. Priya looked at him wide-eyed and tried to move away. She wasn't ever comfortable talking to him... now he's touching her. She wanted to gag. She could smell cigarettes and alcohol from him.

"Priya... Sweetheart... We don't need to stay here. You have me. We can leave this office as my dad wished and-" Kunal stopped as Priya removed his hold with brute force without anyone noticing and quickly moved away. She wondered whether the man had any sense. Another critical issue was going on, and he was talking about getting out of the place with... her? That too in front of everyone? She looked at him disgusted.

"I didn't do any wrong. Even then... Sorry," She didn't know why she was apologizing, but then it felt like she was sorry for herself. Whether for getting attached to the little angel who clutched to her. Or for keeping an unknown trust in a man whom she had never known until a week before.

"Excuse me," Priya said and gently pushed Aisha from her, leaving to her cabin.

∞∞∞

Abhay felt like someone punched in his gut. The look on her face... What's happening to him? And this Kunal guy. Abhay wanted to shoot bullets through his head when he laid his hand on Priya.

His eyes moved along with Priya as she walked towards her cabin and closed the door with a slight thud. He recalled everything that happened a few minutes ago.

Priya could never do that to his baby girl, his subconscious said. A part of him started to trust Priya, which was a surprise to him. There were rare people aside from his family and friends he trusted.

Someone was shaking him by pulling his hands. He looked down to see his daughter looking up at him with confusion and hurt in her eyes.

"Daddy. Why did Priya aunty go? I don't want this one," Aisha pointed her tiny hand at Tina and said, "She beats me. I want my Priya Aunty."

His eyes widened. He looked up at Tina, whose face was blanched. He knelt down in front of his daughter and held her face.

"Did she do that before?" he asked. She nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me before?" This must have happened before he left for Mumbai, the day when he took Aisha to the office. Because Tina had been his assistant only for a month.

"She'll beat me again if I tell you. She said she'll hu..." she struggled with the word, "Hurt? you too," she said.

To say Abhay was shocked would be an understatement. He was mortified. His little girl suffered, believing a silly threat that could never be possible. He glared at Tina, who was shaking from top to bottom.

"Priya Aunty told my Daddy is a strong one. No one can beat him. I should tell you if anyone beat me," Aisha said innocently and smiled as if she had achieved something.

Priya... he closed his eyes. He could only imagine what was running through her mind at this moment.

"Sir... She's lying. It's not true," Tina's words made him snap at her. She shut her mouth immediately. This woman was really crazy. What was she thinking? That she could get away?

"Sweetheart," Abhay forced a smile as he looked back at Aisha, "Can you do a favor to your Daddy?"

Aisha nodded.

"Can you please go home with Tyagi? I promise to come early today."

"But why?" She whined.

"Please, sweetheart. I have work, right," He asked sweetly.

"Ok... But promise me you will bring Priya Aunty with you," She asked hopefully.

He didn't know how to answer. How can I ask Priya to come with me? He reluctantly nodded. "Yay! Thank you, Daddy!" Aisha hugged Abhay in excitement and pecked his cheek.

When he stood up and turned to Tyagi, he caught Vijay's disappointed look. Tyagi nodded at his boss and left carrying Aisha as she waved her hand at Abhay.