Leaving Sean in his house for lazing around, Hayden reached his office in no time. Entering his office passing security guards who wished him, he nodded curtly at them with a mission in mind. Passing the lobby, the employees who were working, chitchating around or others sat in cubicles stared at him wide eyed thinking he was earlier than usual. Everybody pretended to settled down for work wishing him good morning and then avoided him like a plague getting back to their work or pretending but who cares, they were just trying to not come in front of him and get lecture about a thing or the other in the morning or worst get fired. Exiting private elevator, he slipped in his office and got back to his work. After some time, he called someone he wouldn't have ever thought of calling. But for Elena he would do anything. Afterall it was the only way to prove his genuine stance in the relationship.

"Hello, I am Hayden McCarthy... Yeah... Yeah, Elena is my.... my.. wedding planner but I want to meet you... Its urgent...yeah, okay.. I will text you... Sure, bye"

Finally that work was done, now he had to made some other plans to finally annul the contract with minimum loss. He picked up his phone and called Michael to tell him he was going to drive himself for some personal work and asked Leo to take a break.

Elena when got home, She told her sister everything except Hayden's past as it was not her place to do so, it was pricking her conscience, she finally felt lighter after sharing. She told her that she was not going to think much about it, would go with the flow and was going to office for now to avoid overthinking. She reached her office, greeted Erica, Taylor and her other staff and started working on her upcoming events. She even got time in between when she called David to ask him jokingly to drop by to hang out whenever he was free from handling his billion dollar company. She had lunch with her friends to avoid overthinking in alone times but Hayden and the happenings of morning were still there lurking in the back of her mind. She often found herself wondering how the child Hayden would have handled everything and got emotional.

In the Evening, she was about to go when a parcel came for her to be directly and strictly handed over to her. Confused, she opened it and was shocked by it. There was a magnificent knee length royal blue off shoulder dress in it, with a note attached to it. She read the note that says

💚

Who says he can't sweet talk or do romantic stuff, this note and dress were enough proofs in his favour, she thought. She checked the time on the watch it was 6 in the evening, it means two hours were left for her to go home and be ready. She drove in her car and got home to take a shower and get dolled up Readying herself in the dress, with black heels, some foundation, eyeliner,a light pink blush and light lipshade with hair cascading down in waves, she noticed it was almost time. As if on cue, the doorbell rang, she opened the door with enthusiasm but dimmed when she saw Michael standing there. "Good evening Elena, Hayden asked me to pick you up" He explained when he saw she was standing there saying nothing.

"Good evening Michael, oh okay, I will just pick up my bag" saying she put the note on the fridge for her sister informing her she would be late, picked up her phone and bag and locked the door behind her, then followed Michael and sat inside the car. By now she was back to her chirpy self and asked Michael excitedly "Where are we going?"

He directed his gaze on her for a moment through mirror, went back to focus on driving and answered with a small unsure smile " I am not suppose to tell you"

"Huh, why not, you knew me before too, you should be on my side, tell me, it will be our secret that you revealed the secret" She complained like a baby which made Michael laugh loudly at her offer making her laugh with him. He immediately relaxed in her presence realising that his boss and her are so different yet so compatible for each other, and in a moment of emotions, he suddenly spoke "You are exactly what he needs in his life"

Both knew he was talking about Hayden without actually naming him but both didn't spoke after that reeling in their thoughts. After some time, the car came to halt making her realise that they have reached, Michael opened her door and she thanked him.

On stepping out, Hayden was Infront of her with a tiny yet noticeable smile only for her. He received her, gave a nod to Michael and held her hand to enter inside, only then she realised he was going to take her into one of the posh restaurant in New York 'The Clink' (imaginary). He was wearing a matching blue suit looking dapper as ever as he explained in low voice " It was so busy today, I just got enough time to get ready and come here directly to go together, I hope you don't mind" to which she gave a dazzling smile and shook her head in negative making him relaxed which was only visible to her.

He guided her with her hand in his and took her inside. Hayden was about to introduce himself when the receptionist on seeing Hayden blushed and said "Good evening Mr. McCarthy, its ready, our co-worker will guide you, we will send the waiter as soon as you are settled down."

He only gave a curt nod and followed the waiter. Elena frowned thinking everybody knows him, only she was too busy in her own world, but didn't speak anything. Hayden questioned her with eyes to which she only gave a small smile and nodded her head.

They reached the lit rooftop where a small circular table was decorated in the centre with two chairs at opposite sides. He nodded at the waiter to give them some privacy and pulled a chair for her to which she thanked him. "Its so beautiful, thank you so much for this effort" she spoke a charming wide smile. He acknowledged her smile with his own small smile, while the waiter reached to take orders. They gave their orders and the waiter departed. Hayden opened the bottle of red wine placed in the tub of ice cubes, poured it in two glasses and passed her one.

They started talking when the waiter reached the table with their orders. He asked him to not disturb them again and give some privacy. Both were talking and smiling, laughing but steered clear from morning event. They had their dinner. He asked her for a dance to which she obliged. He was hesitant to start that topic again but somehow he needed to it to make her understand. "Elena"

"Hmm" she replied absentmindedly busy in feeling the calmness around them.

"What happened today...."

"Hayden lets not talk about that but she was right, I have not right to be involved romantically with a to be married person" she cut him in between..

"No, Elena listen to me" He said firmly holding her shoulders seeing eye to eye

"What happened today was not your fault, it was.. i...i....it was.. m..my fault" he said with hesitantly accepting his fault for the first time in front of anybody "but lets not discuss it, I was right when I said I was not happy with her and have found a way to annul the contract, so you just relax and don't blame yourself for anything because the marriage is not gonna happen"

"Really? Are you sure I am not the reason for breaking this marriage?" She confirmed worriedly yet happy inside the deepest corner of her heart

"I promise" he said and sealed it with a hot passionate liplock...