It shouldn't be bothering me...but it was. That one kiss masked my every thought and gave me sleepless nights. It's not that it was my first kiss but it was something that took my peace away—not in a negative way but in a positive way.

It had been two days since that moment at his penthouse but it was still fresh in my memory. I was a little relieved that we hadn't met for the last two days because of our busy schedule as it gave me time to think about all that was happening in my life.

Other than the kiss, I was thinking about the one most important matter—who is this princess, and what importance does she has in his life? He said she is someone special but he, not for once clarified his relationship with her.

He said that he was ready to fit me in his heart but how could he do that when he already had someone there? But his statement felt promising. The determination and sincerity in his voice fluttered my heart. He never looked at me in the wrong way. He listened to me when it was needed, he guided me, gave me reasons to smile, and most importantly he managed to fill positivity in me. His mere thought was enough to make me positive and make me smile.

His nature made me recall my father's words. My father said to me that—the day I decide to stay positive and the day I find a man in whom I'll find positive vibes, that day I'll know how to love.

Is Daniel really that man my father was talking about? I too wanted to experience love. I too wanted to be loved. I had ignored God knows how many men just to find the one for me.

Respect, care, and love; the things I wanted from a man and... Daniel was capable of giving me all.

And after contemplating for two days, I finally managed to accept the fact that I wanted to be close to him as without any hindrance he managed to cross the line I had created to not let anyone in. Even though he didn't clarify who this Princess was, I was ready to take a chance because he never seemed to be the kind of person who gives false hopes and he for sure is not the kind of person who will kiss anyone if he already has someone in his life. Still, I would clarify everything between us before taking another step.

I was trying to build my trust in him. I hope I'm not making any mistake by giving Daniel a chance.

"Okay, enough." Trish's voice brought me out of my dreamland. I looked at her to find her staring at me with her hands crossed in front.

"I'm trying to suggest a dress for you and you're lost in your dreamland." She chided. She was helping me to choose the dress.

It was the day of Amara's birthday and it was going to be a day event. The event was nothing fancy but a small gathering where only close friends and family members were invited; no media, and no other guests. And to be honest, I was feeling awkward about going there.

"Hey, you're lost again." She snapped her fingers in front of me. "I'm observing you from the last two days, you're always thinking something and now, I'll not leave you until you tell me what's happening with you." She sat on my bed, cross-legged. I stayed quiet, staring at her.

"Tell me, now." She raised her voice, glaring at me. I bit the inside of my cheek and scratched the back of my ear.

"Well, umm... Actually... We kind of... kissed."

"We? Who are we here?" Goodness, how could she act so dumb?

"Daniel and me." I blurted out and averted my eyes. I could feel the heat crawling up my face.

When I didn't hear anything for a second, I looked at her to find her blinking her eyes with her mouth wide open. I snapped my fingers in front of her face and in no second I was engulfed in a hug and I almost became deaf because of her squealing.

"My baby finally kissed Daniel. I'm so happy." She shook me in her embrace with so much intensity that we both slumped on the bed.

"Trish, leave me," I shrieked. She removed me from her embrace and sat up.

"Goodness, Eloise. I'm so, so, so happy. So, tell me where this leads you to?" She scanned my face. I sat up and placed a pillow on my lap.

"He said that he wants to take things further," I mumbled. Trish suddenly got off the bed and started jumping.

"Yes, yes, yes. You have finally found a man for you. You're no more single." She squealed.

"Goodness, Trish, we're not official. We still have things to clear between us. I can't take the risk." I voiced out but she didn't listen and kept on jumping like a kid.

I groaned and threw the pillow at her. "Shut up and help me find a dress." I got up from my bed.

I decided to wear a blue and white striped, knee-length dress, perfect for summer. I was in my walk-in closet when my phone rang in my room.

"Trish, check who is it," I shouted from inside.

"It's someone Mr. Playful, should I pick up?"

I dashed out of the closet and snatched my phone from her hands. I picked up the call.

"Hi, Daniel." I turned my back to Trish as she was smirking in my direction. "Oh, yeah I'm almost ready. Half-hour? Yes, that would be fine." I hung up the call.

"So? What did Mr. Playful say?"

I faced her and ignoring her amusement filled expressions, I threw my phone on the bed and said, "He's picking me up in 30 minutes."

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I parked my car in front of Eloise's apartment building and headed to her apartment. I rang the doorbell and waited for her to open the door. It had been two days since I last saw her and I was dying to see her.

The door opened and I was welcomed by Trish. "Hi, Daniel. Come inside." She chirped happily. I like her personality, always happy and beaming.

"Hi, Trish. Is Eloi ready?" I asked as I stepped in.

"Yes, she is." She said and then yelled. "Eloise, come outside."

Eloise came out of her room and she looked stunning in her outfit. "Hey, Eloi. Nice to meet you, after two days." I grinned as I approached her. Her face was covered by natural blush. Oh, she was still affected by the kiss. I was too, I couldn't get enough sleep after tasting those sweet lips.

I stood in front of her and whispered. "Still thinking about the kiss?" Her eyes went wide and the blush deepened.

"No, of course not." She said, looking everywhere but me. I chuckled and cupped her chin to make her face me.

"Really? Why can't I believe you?" I whispered, scanning her eyes.

"You should because I'm not thinking about the kiss. I have many other works to do." She said, clearing her throat.

"If you say so. Let's get going then." I said as I created some distance between us.

"Umm... Daniel, I still feel awkward about going there. I mean it's a family gathering and—"

"Eloi, everything will be fine. They are the best people you will ever meet. They will happily welcome you with open arms, okay?" I assured her.

"Now come on, we're getting late " I tugged her wrist before she could say anything else. We said goodbye to Trish and left the apartment.

We sat in my car and I drove to Knight's mansion where the birthday event was organized. Ariana didn't want anything extravagant for her daughter's birthday. She wanted a simple family gathering where we all could spend a good time with each other.

I was looking forward to everyone's reaction when they'll see Eloise. I was sure that they would tease me to death but I was excited to introduce her to my family. I knew they would love her as she's a good person and I wanted my family's especially Ariana's views on her. I didn't want to hide anything from them so I wanted everyone to know her.

And most importantly I was looking forward to seeing Eloise's reaction when she meets Princess. I was sure she would be shocked and I would love to tease her.

I glanced in her direction, she was sitting in a stiff pose so I decided to make a conversation.

"Hey, what's there in that big box?" I asked referring to the gift she bought for Amara. She looked at me and then at the box which was placed on the back seat of the car.

"It's a dollhouse. I couldn't think of anything else." She replied and I smiled to myself thinking about the three different dollhouses I had already given to Amara.

"What have you bought?" She asked me. I grinned and said, "It's a surprise."

"Oh, come on. It's not my birthday that you can't tell me." She shifted in her seat to face me. Finally, she was relaxed. She kept on asking me about the gift but I still didn't tell her.

I parked the car in the driveway of the knight's mansion and got out of the car and opened the door for Eloise. She got out and kept looking at the mansion. She again went stiff and uneasy.

"Daniel, I still feel unwanted—"

"Stop, Eloi. Xavier invited you, remember?" I grasped her shoulders softly. "Relax Eloi, everything will be fine and besides you are going to meet the one who you admire a lot. So, cheer up." I motivated her. She nodded her head.

"Good, now let's go." I walked her to the lawn where everything was set up. There the first person I saw was Ariana who was holding Amara in her arms. I approached her.

"Hey, Princess," I said loudly for particular someone to hear but I didn't look back.

"Hey, Daniel." She gave me a side hug and I kissed her forehead then I kissed Amara on her cheek. "Happy Birthday, my queen." She squealed, looking at me.

"This is for you." I waved the gift box in front of her face. She threw her arms to hold it but Ariana pulled her back and glared at me.

"I told you not to bring anything. All of you are spoiling her. A room in which she hadn't stepped yet is already filled with tons of toys. You and Sean bought toy cars for her saying what if she finds interest in cars and wants to become a racer; superheroes toys, saying what if she loves watching superhero movies; dollhouses, saying what if she wants to play with dolls. Stuffed toys, toy balls, dolls and I don't know how many more things you have stuffed in that room." She rambled in one breath. Amara and I kept staring at her in amusement because she was looking cute.

"Hey, Ari, calm down, it's okay, those are just toys. It's not like we have bought a real car for her." Xavier came and kissed her hair. She pushed him away and glared at him.

"That day is not too far. I could tell that you'll get her a car before she turns eighteen. Every single one of you is spoiling her." She rebuked. Xavier smiled sheepishly and kissed her daughter.

"I promise you, Ari, that I won't bring anything that is not needed. I don't want our daughter to grow up as a brat." He said solemnly which calmed Ariana. "And I also don't want to go through my wife's wrath" He added and earned a nudge from her.

"Princess, I knew you'll give me an earful for bringing a toy for her so..." I opened the box took out the thing I brought. "I bought a crown for my queen." I grinned. "I always wanted to give her a crown but I was waiting for the special day and today is the day." I placed the crown on Amara's head. "Happy Birthday, darling. Uncle Daniel loves you a lot." She squealed and started jumping in Ariana's arms. Ariana and Xavier smiled in satisfaction, looking at their daughter.

"Aweee, my sweetie pie, Happy Birthday." Lauren Hart, Sean's P.A, and Ariana's best friend came running to us and took Amara in her arms. "You're finally one year old. You're now a big girl, you know that?" She squeezed her in her arms. Amara babbled something and giggled. We all laughed at her.

"Miss Hart, leave her, you're not letting her breath," Sean said as he came and stood beside me. Lauren grumbled something under her breath and gave Amara back to Ariana.

"Hey, baby. Happy Birthday. Uncle Sean loves you more than uncle Daniel." Sean first kissed Amara and then kissed Ariana's forehead. I hit him on his head.

"I love her more," I argued. He ignored me extended his hand to give the gift to the birthday girl.

"This is —"

"Don't tell me it's a new toy, Sean." Ariana frowned and we all laughed.

"I swear it's not a toy. I bought a color set that is safe for babies. I thought she might find an interest in coloring and what if she becomes an artist someday?" Sean explained.

"You all are looking ahead of time." Ariana rolled her eyes. That made all of us laugh.

"Hey, we have a new guest here." Ariana smiled, looking over my shoulder.

I turned around to find Eloise standing there; shocked, bewildered, and dumbfounded.

"Oh, she's your biggest admirer," I commented and made my way towards Eloise.

Time to tease her.

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