Chapter 7. The long drive.

Saira's POV.

"Right Mr. Norcross! How totally believable that is! I am the first woman you are asking out!" sarcasm drips from each word of mine.

I heard him sigh loudly. "Saira I have never been interested in a woman enough to try and get to know her! I have taken women out before, of course I have! But I just choose from the ones who so evidently show interest in me!"

"Oh how delightful for your pride, having a long list to choose from! Please carry on and chose from there! Spare me for God's sake!" I burst out on him close to yelling. "And we are going in the opposite direction from where I want to go!"

"I will drop you wherever you want me to Saira." He says quietly. He pulls the car to a stop and turns to look at me. "Saira I realise I am not doing things right, but I don't know how else to go about it. I am new to this. I have never ever tried to woo a girl and I always feel direct approach is best."

I stared at him. He sounds sincere. But then don't men always do especially when they are after someone?

"Just don't shut me off, okay? Give me a genuine chance. Once you get to know me a bit better than you do now and you feel you can go out only then we will. I don't believe in beating around the bush or trying to trick. I always go for direct approach even in my business dealings. I am doing the same with you. I am sorry if I have offended you by tampering your car but you would have never come on this ride with me if I would have asked you to. That much I have understood about you."

Damn right he is, I would never have! But no point I arguing him about all this now. I just want to get out of his car and go home.

"Mr. Norcross-"

"Miss Zaveri" he cuts me off. I see him smile and stretch out his hands "Let's try at least to be friends, hmm?"

I simply nod and take his hand only because I want to get out of this situation without delaying it even mote. I know saying anything will just prolong my returning home!

Silly me, getting myself into such a situation.

"This calls for celebration!"

I turn to him startled. What exactly does he have in his mind?

"With ice cream!" he says laughing slightly as he points to a vendor nearby.

I smile back inspite of myself. He is being harmless, at least for now.

Twenty minutes and three scoops of ice cream each, later we head back to the car.

I may not be keen to be with the current company however that does not mean I will not gorge on these heavenly frozen delights!

He has managed to make me feel more relaxed in his company. And that can be dangerous! No wonder he has a long list of women to choose from!

I think back to what he had said about me being the first woman he is trying to get to know. Not that I believe him but it does make me feel good.

I look at him as he starts the car. He gives me another of his charming smile as he moves the car forward

I tell him where he should drop me. "Just few minutes more. I have not felt so relaxed in ages Zavi . I will turn around at the next bend, okay?"

"Zavi??"

"I like that name on you. Zavi." He said as though trying the feel of this distorted version of last part of my name on his tongue.

He looks happy. Really happy as though he means when he says he is liking to be in my company!

Of course he is! Men have just one target around women! At least these spoilt arrogant brats have just one thing in mind.

He keeps talking about mundane things, either not realising my lack of adequate response or just ignoring it.

The worry in my mind is that I am actually beginning to enjoy his company. That will not do! I really have to keep my guards up.

"So where do you want me to have your car dropped in the morning?" he asks me about thirty minutes later as he drops me outside the gym.

"Right here. Seven o' clock in the morning." I say wanting him to go off before he realises I don't live in this building. "Just ask the person who drops it here to leave the keys at the reception of the gym. I will collect it from there."

"You work at the gym too?" He asks sounding surprised.

"Not everyone is blessed with a roaring business Mr. Norcross. Goodnight." I say feeling pissed. I don't actually work at the gym, however the way he put it annoyed me for some reasons.

"Goodnight Zavi." He said quietly with a small smile. Thank god he let the matter be!

I raised my eyebrow at him when he makes no move to leave. Then I realise. Of course he is trying to portray himself as a gentleman so he wants the lady to enter her home first.

Fighting the urge to sigh in irritation I return his smile and turn around and walk into the building.

Leonardo's POV

I look at her as she walks inside the building and cannot help but smile. I know she does not live here.

It is easy to guess that. For a woman who is not giving in the slightest bit, this would be the most predictable thing to do- not show the man in question where exactly she lives.

I drove away not wanting to ruin whatever little ground I have established with her. I know she still doubts my intentions, even though I am being totally honest with her.

After this drive I am even more intrigued by her. Money, power good looks cannot sway her. I know I have all of these, the swarms of woman surrounding me actually leaves no space for doubt.

None of them has ever managed to hold my interest. I find my business ventures far more thrilling than the brainless chatter they offer.

Either they are damsels in distress or batting their eyelids trying to show how understanding and supportive they are to me. Fake vixens all of them. In my kind of position it is not easy to find a genuine person.

I know Zavi will take time to come around, I am prepared to try harder. But there is another concern in my mind right now.

Her resistance to me is not directed purely at my trying to ask her out. I sense there is something deeper. I can understand her sceptical outlook. She is not wrong to perceive it. Most men are like that. My own brother is absolutely like she thinks I am!

I need to find out what is she holding on to other than being apprehensive about my intentions.

I believe in the direct approach and that is what I am doing. Fiddling with her car had not been right. But I had to get her to talk to me.

Though I have not managed to dent her defences even the tiniest bit, I genuinely want her to get to know me, understand me. Just like I want to know her.

I am not giving up. I know it, and I am sure she knows it too.

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