Chapter 41: I like you, Rachel

"Hello, Mr Adler. Rachel here."

"Yes Miss Carter." Daniel received her call after speaking to Aria.

"Are you free today? Can we meet to discuss the plan for your firm?"

"Sure, Miss Carter. Where shall we meet?"

"How about my office, at 3 p.m.?"

"That would be perfect," Daniel replied and ended the call. He then looked at the reports he had received from his men on Jack. It was a detailed report on all the crimes he had committed. There were also reports on the crimes he had tried to cover up. It varied from kidnapping to drug selling and whatnot.

Daniel smirked. This was enough evidence to get Jack behind the bars forever. 'How dare he blackmail my Dad using me. There is no way I am going to allow that. It is good that all the properties and assets are in Mom's name.'

He got up and walked out of his office. He had important work to do. He arrived at the parking area, got into his car and drove off.

After driving for around fifteen minutes, he arrived at the police station where Jack was being held in custody. After all the formalities, Jack was brought to meet him.

"Oh it's you. I thought it was your Dad." Jack sassed with a wicked smile.

"Hmm. So you wanted the Adler properties. Is that why you attacked me?"

"I see. Arnold has told you about my intentions." Jack said wriggling his hands in his handcuffs.

"I know a lot more about you. Trust me."

"Oh I doubt that."

"Anyway, I have come to warn you to stay away from me and my family. Otherwise, I will not spare you."

"Look at that. The cat has become a lion. I am scared." Jack faked a horrified face, while Daniel looked bored.

"You have to be. Now you are going to stay in jail forever."

"What do you mean?" Jack's voice quivered.

"What do you think will be your punishment for attempt to murder?"

"I didn't do anything like that."

"Is it? Then what were you trying to do when you attacked me?" Daniel said stretching his legs.

"I was just trying to send a warning to your Dad."

"And I am just going to send you to prison. This time, I will not try, I will do it."

Jack was scared now. He had thought that Arnold would somehow get him out jail if he was threatened with his son. But his plan had gone utterly wrong. The next moment he realized that, though his plans did not go as expected, he still had a trump card at hand. His brother would definitely not have told Daniel about his birth secret. Arnold loved his son dearly to disclose a secret of that kind. He could use it to his advantage.

"Looks like your Dad hasn't told you everything."

"What do you mean?"

Jack smiled. He had the upper hand now. Daniel perceived what his uncle was doing. So, he just acted along.

"Your Dad did not tell you anything about yourself?"

"Cut the crap. Come to the point." Daniel spoke irritated.

"It's the truth behind your birth." Daniel raised his eyebrows.

"You are not your parents son."

"You are talking nonsense." Daniel dismissed his words with a snort.

"Ask your Dad for the truth, he knows it better than I do."

"Ohh I asked him the truth alright. I am still his son, though I am adopted. So how can you say I am not my parents' son. Looks like the air in the police station is making you a lunatic."

Daniel's words shook Jack completely. He never expected him to know the truth.

"What, cat got your tongue? I know your intentions, Mr Jack. There is no way you can get to us. I have closed all the paths for you. Even if you take another path, I'll make sure to close it."

"What? How? Why?" Jack muttered. He was doomed now. He had nothing which he could use it to his advantage.

"Ohh I forgot. Congratulations Jack on getting a new home. I hope you stay here forever. Have fun. Goodbye."

Daniel walked away without even looking back, leaving the dumbfounded man in his chair. He looked at his watch. There was still time for his appointment with Rachel. He went to the nearby restaurant and ordered a hamburger.

At exactly 3 p.m., Daniel was standing at the reception, in Rachel's office. The front desk attendant recognized him at once.

"Hello Mr Adler. Miss Carter is expecting you. Her cabin is on the fifth floor."

"Thank you." Daniel smiled at her courtesy. The attendant blushed looking at the handsome man smiling.

Rachel's assistant was waiting for Daniel in front of the elevator on the fifth floor. As soon as he stepped out, the assistant greeted him.

"Hello, Mr Adler. This way please." The assistant led him to Rachel's office.

"Mr. Adler, Miss Carter will be here in a minute. Please take a seat."

Daniel gave him a smile and sat on one of the chairs. This was the first time he had come to her office. Every time they had met previously, it was in his office. The decor was sleek, efficient and charming. There was a desk and a leather low back chair behind it. Behind the desk was a floor to ceiling window, with purple curtains tied at both sides. There were two tables with four Eames chairs on the right. On the left, there was a lounge chair and a sofa.

"I am sorry to keep you waiting Mr. Adler." Rachel entered and walked to her desk. Daniel turned to look at her. He had always admired her for her independence and confidence. She was quite outstanding in her field of work.

"Have you had your lunch, Mr. Adler?" Rachel asked shuffling the papers on her desk.

"Yes, Miss Carter. What about you?"

"Yes. So, shall we get to work? This is the new sketch I have made. Have a look at it." Rachel handed him her new sketch and leaned forward to explain him each section in detail. Daniel listened to her, occasionally giving her some more add-ons.

"So, how do you feel about it Mr. Adler?"

"This sketch is perfect," Daniel said taking a look at it again.

"Thank God. If you had rejected my idea once again, maybe I would have kicked you in the shin."

Daniel looked at her to see her twinkling eyes.

"I am sorry. I gave you a lot of trouble."

"I was just joking. It's not a problem." Rachel laughed. Daniel's heart skipped a beat listening to her laugh. It was like the sweetest melody he had ever heard.

"So Mr. Adler, shall we start the work from next week?"

"Definitely," Daniel replied.

"I'll send you the quote within two days. I need the first deposit after that. Only after receive the payment, will I start the work." Rachel said filling out all the details on her laptop.

"Okay. Send me the details as soon as you are done. I'll wire you the money."

Rachel smiled at him and gave him a copy of the agreement. "Take a look at this. Let me know if you find something you don't understand, although I doubt you not understanding it. Otherwise you wouldn't be a lawyer."

Daniel chuckled. He looked at the time, it was 4 p.m. "Do you want to have some coffee?"

"Coffee? I could have some coffee."

"Great."

Daniel opened the door for her. "After you."

Daniel and Rachel went to the food court in front of Rachel's office building. They ordered their coffee and waited for it.

"So, anything new with you?" Daniel started.

"Umm, nothing interesting as of now. After my brother got shot, my life has become boring. My parents have put restrictions on me. I know it is for my safety. Still it's a little suffocating. What about you?"

"Let me see. Everything is as usual. You can say my life is boring too."

"So, it's two bored people having coffee together," Rachel commented taking her cup of coffee.

"Anyway, do you have a boyfriend?" Daniel asked, trying to as casual as possible.

"Why? Are you gonna try if you find out if I don't have one?"

Daniel chocked on the coffee, listening to her being straight-forward. Rachel immediately handed him a tissue.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes." Daniel wiped his lips and coughed again.

"What about you? Do you have someone you like?"

"Yes, I do. But I haven't told her yet."

Disappointment flashed in Rachel's eyes. But she hid it immediately. How could she say to Daniel that she liked him when he clearly liked someone else?

"Why? You should definitely go for it. I don't think any girl would possibly reject you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Look you are sweet, caring and quite handsome and you are rich. You are a full package. Who wouldn't want you?"

Daniel smiled when he heard her call him handsome.

"Anyway, who's the lucky girl? Is it someone I know?"

"Yes, you know her. In fact nobody knows her better than you do."

"Really? Who is that?" Rachel immediately thought of all the women she knew, who would be compatible with Daniel.

"It's you, Rachel. I like you."