General POV

It was the day of Jenna Wood's birthday. Elena was busy doing last minute preparations. After checking everything personally, she was quite satisfied with herself and her team's work. She patted herself for it. It was a beautiful baby pink and white decor with balloons all around the ground and foam to give a look of fairy world, set up in nearby small banquet hall reserved by them for a day.

Seeing everything almost done, She left for her apartment to change and to ready Noel and Jenna. "Are you sure, Aliya you don't wanna come, me and Noel will miss you" Elena said to her sister.

"No go ahead, I really have an important meeting otherwise I would have come, take care of yourself and Noel" Aliya replied and left for her office.

Elina readied Noel in a princess gown and did her lightest make up enough for a child, then she put on her royal blue lace knee length dress, did her minimal make up, curled her straight hair and put on heels. By the time, they were done, it was time for the party. They locked their apartment and reached the venue.

On reaching there, Noel ran towards her friends to play, Elena was finding Michael and Julia- Michael's wife to ask if everything is fine.

Hayden was done with his work when he remembered , he has to go the Michael's daughter's birthday. He thought of ditching it, because he did not feel like going but ditched the idea of ditching due to Michael.

He was exiting the building, not expecting Michael to be still standing there for him to drive to his apartment. He kept his shock at bay and curtly asked Michael to go home and enjoy his daughter's birthday. Michael chuckled, for he knew Hayden was not comfortable showing emotions like kindness but he did it for him. He wanted to contradict but one look from Hayden, he left for his house.

Hayden reached his apartment, Martha was resting in guest room as she was not feeling good, Hayden changed into burgundy suit and drove himself to the venue. Elena was looking for Michael when he and Julia entered the hall with Jenna. Jenna was looking like adorable princess in red dress. She greeted Mr. and Mrs. Wood and got the satisfied answer for the arrangements and decor. She was talking to them when she felt someone's eyes on her.

Hayden was looking for Michael and his daughter for all he wanted was to congratulate her and then leave. He was not comfortable in informal family parties and dinners.

He was impressed by the decor, it was perfect for a child's birthday celebration, must be some professional- he thought.. checking around the hall he saw someone and couldn't take his eyes off her. He froze for a second but composed himself and started walking towards her. Elena saw that Hayden was coming towards her. She frowned thinking what was he doing there. Could it be he was stalking her? Yes.. that could be.. otherwise what is the purpose of him here at a child's birthday party. She excused herself and started approaching him. She looked around here and there from the corner of her eye to see if anyone was noticing them. When it was clear she holded his hand and dragged him to the isolated corner where no one was noticing them. "What are you doing here?.. Are you stalking me??... don't tell me you came here just to apologise?? " she whispered still clueless.

Hayden was shocked when Elena dragged him to the corner holding his hand and more so amused when she asked him the purpose of his visit there. How much he wanted to in control in front of this girl, she has to do something everytime to shatter the cold facade he build around people. He was controlling himself to not smile by rolling his lips inside his mouth.

Elena was blabbering "Answer me, Why are you here? And what is so funny that you are trying to not smile and

Ah! What?..you are showing emotions ..." She changed her rant surprised.

When Michael called Hayden.. They both saw Michael heading towards them. Elena abruptly left his hand.

They both felt sense of loss but both ignored it . "U made it, thanks for coming" Michael said shaking Hayden's hand. Elena was red due to embarassment. She was shaking his head closing her eyes making faces due to her stupidity. How could She? How could She be so dumb? She was cursing herself. Hayden was finding it difficult to maintain blank expression. When Michael noticed Elena, he introduced both of them. " Elena meet Mr. Hayden McCarthy.. my boss" Michael said.

"Boss?? As in you work for him?" She asked bewildered.. Michael unknown to their previous conversation replied confused "yeah, I work for him as a chauffer" she nodded to him without meeting Hayden's eyes.

Her stupid mouth has to say everything she was thinking. She excused herself from them intentionally to avoid Hayden first due to embarassment and also she has not forgiven his behaviour towards her the other day. Hayden was noticing her avoiding him. Once Michael was off to his guests Hayden could not stop himself from smiling broad at her outburst. He was following her everywhere with his gaze maintaining it subtle, trying to be nonchalant.

Elena could feel Hayden's eyes on her but she dared not meeting his gaze when she was busy talking with Erica and Taylor. They were confirming something about the arrangements with Elena when Noel came running towards her. "Ellie.. washroom" she said making grabby hands.

She excused herself from her employees to help Noel with restroom. "Are you enjoying baby?" Elena asked holding her hand heading towards washroom. "Yesh Ellie, so much" Noel replied gesturing so much with her hands.

Hayden was watching it from afar talking to someone. He still felt weird thinking Elena has a daughter. But she uses Miss in front of her name, he thought. Without giving it a much thought , he started following her. Noel was done with her business so Elena told her to go ahead to join her friends while she used the Ladies room.

When she was done, she opened the door bumping into someone, she was about to say sorry when the said person covered her mouth dragging her afar. Her screaming sounded like muffled voices. When the person stopped in front of her, she halted her assaults and frowned "Hayden?"