General pov...

Leaving her office, Hayden was frustrated with all the thoughts in his mind, his marriage, his bond with Elena, his family mess everything was creating havoc in his mind. Nevertheless he stayed in his office whole day attending meetings, reading files and signing contracts with the chain of thoughts in his mind.

It was ten at night when the whole building was nearly empty leaving some guards, security and his P.A. in it.

"Oh shit" he murmured, his P.A. it was 10 and he didn't realise that Delilah was waiting for him to go so she can leave quickly. He usually informed his assistant to go when he stays in late. He packed his stuff in haste and locking his office, he reached her "What are you doing here this late Delilah, you should have informed me and had gone already." He said in a strict cold tone. To others it would have been a boss commanding his employee, but Delilah has come to knew her boss in all these she had worked for him. It was difficult at first with cold and demanding behaviour but gradually she realised, he has his own ways of expressing concern and this was his way of showing he cares. Hayden didn't show concern for everybody but Delilah goes around fulfilling his demands full day without replying back, whenever he would shout, she would just ignore it, they both knew he meant no harm, its just her luck that she was his P.A. and has to bear him, so he treated her different from other staff with more respect and subtle concern. "Sorry sir, I knocked twice but you were busy so I decided to wait on you" she replied meekly.

"Next time don't wait, come Michael will drop you off first" he said non chalantly trying to not slip any emotion.

"But sir" she started which was cut off.

"Delilah" He warned her in firm tone leaving no room for arguments. Michael dropped her off, then Hayden.

When he reached home, Martha was as usual up, waiting for him at dinner. He got freshen up and had dinner without interacting with her or lifting his gaze to Martha for he was so busy thinking about all the things happening in his life. Not in the mood for early sleep, he moved to living room, switching on the TV he watched some business news, sports whatever kept his thoughts in check.

"You alright, my child"Martha asked interrupting him patting his head.

"Yeah" he murmured lowly "i am fine" they remain like that for some time both lost in their thoughts with TV still on in the background. "Martha"he whispered "yeah" she said equally lowly not to break the moment as it was very rare Hayden spoke his mind with others.

"Nothing" he said contemplating after some time. She knew he was again thinking too much. "Whatever it is honey, you know I am there for you right?" She asked lovingly still hand in his hair... He nodded without saying anything, got off and left his condo picking his own car keys without Michael and Leo and left for a bar. He needed to breathe in open air, drink his ass off and relax...

He reached some bar, without reading its name, he entered and ordered shots to the bartender. After 3-4th drink, although he was well aware of his surroundings and in very much control of himself but his disturbing thoughts have subsided for the time being and was feeling light. He was about to call for another shots when a hand on his shoulder attracted his attention, turning around he saw a woman standing there with a sexy smirk, seductively trying for his attention.

"Hi handsome" she purred pouting her red lips to mark an effect. "Hi" saying he diverted his attention back to ordering shots. "Two for me, same" she said to the bartender sliding next to Hayden. "What is your name" she again tried her luck..

"Not interested" he shrugged nonchalantly

"Why, I promise it to be the best time of your life" she said placing her hand on his chest. He followed her hand with his eyes, then match his gaze with hers, both staring down at each other, "what say?" She said again breaking his reverie of thoughts "not here" he said. She followed him to far, revealing a room when no music can be heard. She initiated the kiss planting her lips on his the second they entered. He kissed back roughly when she tried taking off his shirt. Hayden pulled back and pushed her hands from his shirt. "What are you.. " she started but he cut her off "don't, I..I... sorry," saying he left the room more hurriedly than required. He was thinking about his stupidity and knew it was idiotic move to go with her but he wanted to test his feelings for Elena and realised he was not feeling good with her touching him all over, wishing it to be Elena, not giving a fuck about Veronica - his soon to be wife. Thinking about what would he feel doing it with a stranger like old times, he felt disgusted with himself just kissing her and the shocking or not so shocking part was he did not thought about Veronica for a second, all his thoughts were about Elena, if she would saw him like this, what would happen, would she be hurt, or jealous or disgusted. How it would be having her in his arms forever - wait.. what? Jealous? forever?? When did he became thinking like this.

All he wanted was some peace.. pushing his thoughts back in his mind for some time but here he had created a bigger problem for himself. He was going to marry Veronica but all time he thought about Elena.

He shook his head to clear his mind and called Michael to pick him up from certain bar. Michael reached exactly after 25 minutes. Hayden sat into the car and asked him to head to his condo. When they reached there, Hayden was hesitant to step down. Michael was noticing his every move from driver's mirror. He was waiting for him to say something. But when he did not, he was about to ask Hayden what happened when suddenly he beat him to it and spoke "Michael?"

Hayden after much pondering over and sighing called Michael. "Yes Hayden" he said with all his attention on him.

He did not spoke for a minute or two and then "nothing" he said after exhaling loudly trying to step out of the car. "Hayden?" Michael said softly trying not to break the moment to make him spill. "Hmm" he replied on reflex. "You know I won't say you can share anything with me cause I know you won't, so tell me, maybe I can help with a little more experience I have than you in life" he said to him in a non offending, soft and caring voice. "If I go near any woman, I always see one face, always remember her, think about her, what does this mean?" He asked him uncomfortably. "It means whoever this woman has plagued your mind, you are in love with her" he said staring at him facing him turning his back to staring wheel making him understand he meant it. "What?" He asked with wide eyes "and how do you know it is not lust, infatuation or initial attraction and is love?" He asked now without hesitation or realisation as he was so into the conversation.

"Ok if it is lust, you will just do your one night stands like you used to do" he chuckled "you will not feel anything towards them other than seeing their body. If it is attraction or infatuation, you will like spending time with each other but eventually after some time, it will become boring to you. Remember love is trustful, attraction is doubtful. Attraction is physical lust, love is lust for the soul of your partner beyond physical touch. Attraction is when you concentrate on looks rather than emotions. Love is when you care deeply about HER rather than her mascara and lipstick.

Attraction is when you get bored of each other in few days. Love is when you have the same new feeling even after years. Attraction is when you want everything perfect. Love is when you embrace all their imperfections with all the care and respect in the world. And last but not the least attraction is when you care about yourself and your needs all the the time, Love is when you care about them all the time." He said explaining to him while Hayden was listening to him patiently. "Oo.. kay" he said with all the information processing in his head. "Think about it" he said patting his shoulders. "And Hayden?" Michael said when he was about to step out.. "don't give up on YOUR LOVE for anything or anybody in the world, it is the most amazing feeling to have your love by your side every moment of you life" he said seriously.

"I was not planning on it" saying they both chuckled. Michael left that night with contentment in his heart for once being able to help Hayden emotionally. He has done for him so much, given him financial security more than a chauffeur could deserve and had always been understanding whenever he needed anything. He felt so happy seeing Hayden was finally in Love with Elena - yes he knew it the day is not far by his actions which he was oblivious to himself but he had been noticing him, he was waiting for him to realise.

That night Hayden too went with a big goofy grin on his face realising what has been going on with him...