"I like you, Rachel," Daniel said, looking straight into her eyes, while Rachel looked perplexed.

"Look, I know this might come out as a shock to you. But I have always liked you since the day we met. At first, I thought it was mere admiration. I was wrong. I like you, a lot actually. But I get it if you don't feel that way." Daniel scrunched his eyebrows, looking at Rachel frown.

"I am sorry. Forget everything I said. Let's just be friends." Daniel said trying to ease the awkwardness.

'Maybe it was a bad idea to tell her about my feelings.' He thought.

"No we can't be friends." Rachel said and walked out of the door. Daniel immediately followed her out.

"I am sorry," Daniel yelled, making Rachel halt in her tracks.

"I understand. Things have become awkward between us. It's okay if you don't want to be friends with me." Daniel said, bowing his head in shame.

"Can we talk in my office?" Rachel walked away, without waiting for his reply.

Daniel followed her silently. He didn't know what to do now. How was he going to face her from now on? They didn't utter a word until they were alone in Rachel's office room.

"So, what were you saying before?" Rachel turned to look at Daniel and folded her arms.

"I am sorry."

"No before that."

"It's fine if you don't want to be my friend."

"Oh I'll come to that. But not that. It was something you told at the beginning."

Daniel looked at her confused. He did not know what she wanted to hear. After a few minutes of pondering, he understood.

"Is it that I like you?" He asked, skeptical.

"Yes, it is. How dare you?" Rachel glared at him, placing her hands on her hips.

"I am sorry."

"How dare you say something like this out of the blue? You must give a heads up first. Do you have any idea how wildly my heart fluttered when you confessed?" Rachel was still glaring.

"Look, I am sorry. Wait what?" Daniel looked up to see her. Did he hear her correctly?

"You idiot. I like you too." Rachel immediately hugged him and Daniel staggered back a few steps due to the force.

"You scared the shit out of me," Daniel said, hugging her back.

"Oh, it was fun to look at your face all tensed." Rachel said, patting him on his back.

"You are wicked."

"And you are cute."

"Do you have any idea how scared I was? I thought you were angry with me."

"Nah. If you make you any better, I will apologize. But I must say, it was quite fun."

"This is not done. You deserve a punishment."

"For what crime?"

"For almost killing me due to tension?" Daniel said, pushing her back in his arms and looking at her.

"And what would my punishment be?" Rachel said, anticipating it.

'Will he kiss me? Oh my god. He is going to kiss me now. Do I have bad breath? Will he like my kiss?' Rachel spoke to herself in her mind. However, Daniel's next words killed all her excitement.

"Have dinner with me?"

"What?"

"I said have dinner with me today."

"What a bore!" She exclaimed totally baffled.

"Sorry. What did you say?" Daniel looked at her, unable to comprehend what was running in her mind.

"Haven't you read any romantic novels or seen any movies?"

"Why are you asking me this?"

"Ugh. I can't believe you." Rachel huffed and walked away from him.

"Wait a minute. You thought your punishment was I was going to kiss you?"

Rachel's cheeks reddened at once. Daniel smirked looking at her shy face.

"Oh I didn't know you had this side too."

"What side? I don't have any other side." Rachel turned away from him in embarrassment.

Daniel chuckled and hugged her from behind.

"I can fulfill your fantasy for you." He said and made her turn to him. He then leaned forward. Their lips were almost touching each other and they could feel each other's breath on their face. Rachel closed her eyes, her face became hot at once.

Daniel too was a little excited for the kiss. Even though he had been with quite a few women, he had never felt this giddy before.

The door to Rachel's office opened suddenly and her assistant walked in. Rachel pushed Daniel at once, making him almost fall. He glared at the assistant for his sudden intrusion.

The assistant had not seen what had happened when he had opened the door. But looking at his Boss flustered and Mr. Adler giving him an icy look, he realized that he had entered at the wrong moment.

"I am sorry, Miss Carter." He apologized and turned to leave.

"What is it Bryan?"

"Miss Carter, your father is here to meet you."

"Ohh. I'll see him in a moment."

Bryan walked out, cursing himself for the bad timing. Rachel saw Daniel a little pissed and giggled.

"You look cute when you are angry."

"He ruined our moment."

"My Dad is here. You have to go."

"Mr. Carter is here? That's great. I'll wait for him. Maybe we can tell him about our relationship."

"What? No. He cannot know about us."

"And why is that?"

"You have no idea how overprotective my Dad and my brother are. They will probably kill you and don't you think it's too early to meet my parents."

"Relax, I was only joking. We will take it slow okay." Rachel punched him in his chest. She had thought that he really wanted to meet her parents.

"Ouch. Woman that hurts."

The door to the room opened and Samuel walked in. The couple separated from their embrace.

"Mr. Adler, I'll mail you the details regarding the next steps." Rachel said, trying to act cool.

"Yes Miss Carter. It will be a pleasure to have your assistance." Daniel shook her hand and walked out of her room after giving Samuel a nod.

Before walking out, he turned back to see Rachel looking at him. Her father's attention was somewhere else. So, he blew her a kiss and winked at her. Rachel's face flushed again at his gesture.

"Are you alright?" Samuel asked looking at her red face.

"I am fine Dad. Why do you ask?" Rachel was a little frightened. With his intelligence, she would not be surprised if her father had caught on what was happening between her and Daniel.

"Your face is red. Are you having a fever, dear?" He asked, worried.

Rachel took a sigh of relief. He had not suspected a thing.

"No Dad. I am alright. I think it was the spicy food I ate." Rachel said thinking about Daniel.

"Silly girl. Take care of your self." Samuel said.

"Anyway Dad, why are you here?" Although she was listening to her Dad speak, her mind was somewhere else. She was thinking about Daniel.