Chapter 4. Stalker or prospective suitor?

Leonardo's POV.

"Where were you last evening, after you abruptly left us at the beach?" Druv asked and I almost cringed inwardly.

Trust him not to let go of this!

"I – had some work- I told you- something urgent that had to be taken care of immediately." I said shrugging my shoulders casually.

Luckily for me I am a workaholic and no one would doubt me I say I have been working. As expected it worked on Dhruv as well and I sighed in relief.

"So what did you find out about her?" Dhruv asked grinning at me cheekily and I almost groaned out loud.

He always manages to see through me. I decided not to answr him and pretended to be pre occupied on my phone.

***

I sat glaring at Mark as he continued to tuck in the pancakes. My every attempt to talk to him has been futile. I should have known better than thinking of taking his help. I should have insisted Dhruv to stay over for breakfast.

"Do you want some more pancakes Sir?" Martha my housekeeper asked him.

"I am sure he does. He has just eaten a few dozen till now!" I said feeling pissed.

"Tch Tch big brother patience is a big virtue while chasing a gi-"

"He won't be having any more Martha. He is about to leave." I cut him off. Martha nodded and left us alone.

I glared at him but to no effect. He really can be thick skinned at times!

"Mark do you really have any idea how to help me or are you just happy to gorge on breakfast?"

"Okay so what you are looking for is how to woo a girl, right? That is a first big brother!"

"Not me." I said in a rush. "Er- a good friend of mine. He wants to know. I am just trying to help him."

"He who?"

"What?"

"Who is this friend?"

"You don't know him." I said feeling sillier by the minute. What the hell was I thinking calling my brother over and asking him such a damned silly thing.

I love him but right now that is one emotion I don't feel towards him.

The fact was after leaving the library all thoughts of revenge on her had vaporised. Problem was only the revenge part had changed, Saira's thoughts stayed with me, keeping me awake almost all night.

Saira- the name befitted her.

"Have you spaced out on me?" Mark cut in my thoughts. One look on his gleeful expression made me want to reach out and shake him. Cocky ass! He was having the time of his life obviously. I should have known better than calling him.

G****e would have been a better option. And what would I have typed? 'How to ask a girl out on a date?'

Stupid. Stupid .Stupid.

I have not really led a hermit's life but no girl has ever intrigued me to ask her out. It's always been the other way round. And I ended up choosing from among plenty! They were anyways few hours' company.

My flings did not even essentially meet the tagline 'one night stand.' They could at best be 'few hours stand!' That was the extent of my patience around the plastic dolls full of fake charms. I was easily bored in their company and their senseless banter.

This woman has been different. Initially I had been certain her ignorance about my identity had made her act the way she had.

I had been wrong in assuming that. She was not only aware of who I am but is also seemingly immune or at least uninterested at the prospects of achieving things that my mere presence could get her.

I am not sure whether that is refreshing or a hefty blow to my ego. It is something new for sure.

The word 'new' has been quite elusive in my life other than the material things that money could easily get me. Even holidays did not hold the refreshing charm anymore.

I don't believe in beating around the bush. Since she has been occupying my thoughts, my mind was quick to deduce I should spend time with her, attempt to know her. The only problem was I did not know how.

"I would sure love to meet this woman whose thoughts have got you to constantly zone out."

"They have not!"

Shit.

"It's not for me! Why cannot you get that simple fact in your pea sized brain?" I tried to cover up my slip up.

"Yes of course. Your only friend I don't know." Is he goading me into arrange a funeral for him?

"Clearly you have no idea how to help me, so you can go about doing your own regular worthless stuff." I said wanting to actually lift him and throw him out of my apartment.

"Are you asking me to leave?" That does it. He asked for it.

"No I am throwing you out." I bodily drag him. Not a big task, since he is more busy laughing than resisting.

"Okay okay big brother. Don't pout. Are you looking for a long term or just a passing fling?"

"Have you lost your mind? Just a simple date is all I want to ask her to. What type of questions are these?" Thankfully we have almost reached the front door by now.

My head jerks at the jackass as he starts on a fit of laughter. "What?" I snap at him.

Then I groan as I realise he managed to catch me off guard and give myself up. "Breath a word about it to Mom or anyone and you have your funeral date fixed." I glare at him.

"Dating is not a bad thing big brother. Why are you so worked up about it?"

"Are you kidding me? I can hardly be home without having Mom show me magazines full of wedding planning stuff or mentioning ' oh so amazing daughter' of someone or other, If she gets the slightest whiff of this she will probably book a venue!"

"You have a point." The first sensible words to leave his mouth this morning. I reach out to open the door and shove him out.

"Flowers. Roses lots of roses." Mark says as I begin to close the door. "They always work."

"Worthless suggestion." I shoot daggers at him.

"You are welcome and I will help you with the second date too." He winks at me as I bang the door shut.

Roses? What does he think I am doing? Asking a woman out for a valentine dinner?

The fiery moss green eyes invade my mind again. I can almost visualise myself with a bouquet of roses being hit on my head!

No. Roses are out.

But flowers is a good idea. Orchids, I think satisfactorily. I head out of my apartment feeling happy that at last I do have an idea. Calling Mark had not been a complete mistake. Not that I am going to tell him that.

***

"Sir, Are these for any special occasion?" The kind looking lady asked me. I look up as I dispose off yet another card after scratching out what I had written. Choosing the flower had been easy. Green orchids, wild ones. One look at them had me decided.

They reminded me of her. But I was not able to figure out what to write on the accompanying card as a note!

'Will you go out with me?' made me feel creepy for a first time note. l can imagine what she would feel. 'How are you?' 'Have a nice day.' 'Best wishes.' All had been tried and rejected in the last ten minutes.

"Not really. Just a 'hello' gesture." I said.

Hello! That's it! I quickly write it, a smile playing on my lip. 'Hello Saira - Leonardo Norcross.' I arrange for them to be delivered at the fast food joint later in the day. I hope her shift time is same. I would meet her face to face later and then ask her about going out with me.

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