After knowing what happened, Rachel sighed in relief.

"Oh, I am so glad you two were there." Rachel was genuinely relieved as the guys reached on time to save Jessica.

​​

"Yeah me too" Daniel still feels chills pass through him when he thinks of that day, the thought of humiliation Jessica might have gone through and how it would have affected her future if they didn't reach on time still makes his blood boil.

"Then, were those people punished?"

"Yes, after some strict questioning by the school authorities, one of the weakest guys in the group got really scared and confessed everything to the school administration, he told the names of all the people involved and who planned what, so all those involved were detained from school for a week to a month depending on how deeply were they involved. Few people who tried to run away from there were also named by this weak guy."

"Didn't those bullies bother you three ever again?"

"Nope never, they were very scared as our families too got involved in it, Mr Carlson was agitated after knowing what those people plotted against his daughter, he wanted to take matter into his own hands but after lot of begging by the parents of those culprits, he decided to let them go, so they were all already very terrified and never dared to bother us, after all Carlson's and Morris' were not someone their families could mess with."

"Hmm and then you guys became close?" This time Rachel was not as insecure as she was earlier.

"Yeah we saved her when she felt helpless so she developed an immense trust over us, she used to hangout with me during our free time as we were in the same class and if Jimmy was free he used to join us occasionally, she then slowly opened up to me and I realized she was not the cold and indifferent person everybody saw her as but she was just a sweet girl who was a bit scared of the outside world and believed being cold is the only way to protect herself. We had some common hobbies and we bonded very well over them and that's the reason why we are indeed very close."

"Are you guys still in contact with each other?" Rachel couldn't help feeling jealous, Daniel never talked about anyone the way he was talking about Jessica and grandpa's suggestion of arranging a marriage alliance between the too was triggering her.

"Yes, we occasionally chat and update each other with what's going on in our lives."

"Wow, nice" She was not happy but she knows she has no right to stop him from being close with his friend.

"But you know what was the best moment of my and Jessica's friendship?" Daniel smiled when he asked Rachel this.

"How would I know?" Jealousy was taking over her.

Daniel chuckled, "It was a rhetorical question." he then continued, "After that incident, I, Jess and Jimmy were once hanging out in her house, that day I and Jimmy were bantering about something and she was laughing at us, then she proposed to me and Jimmy."

Listening to this Rachel's eyes widened and she looked at Daniel in shock.

"She proposed to you and Jimmy both?" she loudly shouted at him, she couldn't believe what she just heard.

"Oh god no, listen to my story first before reacting so outrageously."

"Okay sorry, please continue."

He then continued, "She proposed to me and Jimmy and asked us if she can be my younger sister and Jim's elder sister. She was an only child and she missed having a sibling in her life, me and Jim too were happily surprised as we always wanted a sister but of course our parents said no to having a third child and we always craved for one so when she asked us we gladly accepted her proposal, from that day onward we treat each other like siblings.

We don't live in the same city but we made it a tradition that every year on our birthdays we will definitely meet each other. Jim and I ensure to go to Italy every year on her birthday and we pamper her with gifts just like we would have had if we had a sister and she does the same with us."

This was the reason why Daniel explained his relationship with Jessica to Rachel in so much detail, he wanted to clear any doubt she would have in her mind, he understood these two meeting each other is inevitable be it through business as they are in the same line of business or be it through him because he was intending to introduce them soon as Jessica was planning to visit him in two weeks so he wanted them to bond well without having any hard feelings for each other.

"Oh so that is how it was." Rachel felt relieved and was really touched by their gesture and more than that she was happy that Daniel genuinely treats Jessica as a sister.

"Yes, believe me Rachel she is an amazing person and if you will interact with her you will realize she is one of the most amazing people you would have ever met."

"You think very highly of her it seems."

"Yes after all she is my sister." Daniel winked at her.

Rachel laughed at his action, "You guys never felt any kind of attraction for each other?" She was still curious.

"Oh god no, never. She genuinely sees me like I am her older brother, we always go to each other for advice and before making any important decisions we also discuss it to know each other's opinions. We are like those typical siblings who share every information with each other."

"Now, I am feeling bad that I am also a single child."

Daniel got scared of what she might suggest and quickly said, "I only have one sister, I don't want another."

Rachel laughed at his reaction, "Don't worry I have other close friends too, one of them is really very close to me, your and Jessica's bond reminded me of us."

"Oh who?"

"His name is Patrick, if possible I'll introduce him to you someday."

When she mentioned Patrick, Daniel remembered the meeting he had with the old men and him, for a brief moment there was a cold aura around him but it went away very quickly and Rachel didn't notice it.

"Sure, I too would like to meet him." Daniel responded normally.

"Yeah, Pat is damn good, I am damn sure you will like him."

Daniel chuckled, "Okay"

"You tell me how is your new job going on?"

"Well, it is great"

"Any difference from your workplace in Peebles?"

"There is indeed a lot of difference between the working style there and here, in Peebles there was a shortage of staff and I used to treat all kinds of patients but here I only need to focus on my specialty and that's why I am getting more free time because of my job here."

"Hmm, which one do you like more?"

"Of course the one in Peebles, they need more staff and I really met various kinds of people there."

"Then why would you not go back?"

"That's how the system is, the main hospital needs me more because if there are any serious patients in other small towns like Peebles, they are all sent here to the main hospital as they have all the necessary equipment, important surgeries too are conducted here, that's why I am needed here."

"Well if there is any huge accident or something serious that happens in small towns then what would happen?"

"In that case, an emergency treatment is conducted on them and once they become stable, they are sent here."

"Hmm"

"You are still not sleepy?"

"Oh sorry, are you sleepy should I leave?" Rachel was about to remove the comforter.

Daniel held her hand to stop her, "First answer my question."

"Nope, I don't know why but I am not feeling sleepy at all." Rachel lied, she knew it was because of Daniel, she loves spending time with him and his presence has pushed away her sleepiness.

"Wanna go for a long drive?"

Daniel's question surprised her.

"At this time?"

"Umm do you go on long drives early in the morning or in the afternoon?"

Rachel laughed at his sarcasm comment.

"Will it be fine?" she asked worried.

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Actually grandpa asked me to always be careful and I have bodyguards following me everywhere."

"Don't worry, I am there with you, you'll be safe, wanna go?"

"Okay sure"

Daniel dropped a message to the head bodyguard that he is taking Rachel on a long drive and they don't need to follow them. After the last meeting James forwarded the head bodyguards' details to all four men and the bodyguard too had been informed of these four as the most trustworthy ones and was instructed to follow their orders. So, after the head bodyguard read his message he instructed his team to not follow Rachel today.