'If that someone can offer a ride to hostel, then later can be discussed in a nice café."

Charlotte turned to face ever smiling Daniel whose polite face had fairly amused expressions.


'You know how to bargain, Good!"

He crossed his arms and gestured towards his car in the parking lot.

'My services outside the hostel are not free. I will charge extra for ride."


To call off this nonsense argument, Charlotte accepted his requirements.

'Deal!"


Then she picked up Angie and laid her on the back seat with her head in her lap.

'For your general knowledge, I am not your personal driver. Move!"

Charlotte reluctantly came to the front seat and finally they left from that barbaric space. Daniel was silent but Charlotte still wanted to get another favor,

'I have a request, doctor. Please don't report this to the administration office otherwise her carrier will end."

'Why would I do that?"

Daniel was clearly amazed!

'I found a student drunk and abused in city's disrupted area. It's my duty to inform HOD. In fact, I am thinking to file a complaint against those boys. One of them is your classmate too."

As he was offended with her idea and was planning to overdo this, Charlotte proposed a solution,

'Angie is an orphan, law suit against Rick will be fruit-less. Moreover, she needs counselling not slanders and questioning from her fellows. She is addicted to gambling, you are more educated than me to calculate the aftermath of your rash actions."

She was praying for a miracle as the hostel was drawing closer with every passing second. Daniel's silence was bothersome like he was weighing all pros and corns of the situation.

'Fine! You win."

He sighed,

'It's shameful to admit that a mere teenager is more knowledgeable than me in handling social issues. You are really as bright as rumored."

Charlotte felt light as the heavy weight of the consequences was lifted away from her shoulders.

'100 dollars for a ride, 500 dollars for help and you will come to my office for proper therapy sessions. Do we have a deal here?"

She chuckled his pure mechinal tone and stretched her hand,

'Deal!"

He grasped her delicate hand for a handshake,

'Calm down, little one. Your hand is cold as ice. You are way too nervous."

'Little one!"

These two words broke the bound of reservoir emotions which flooded with the memories of the past.

Rest of the ride she remained silent, mostly staring out of window. She was puzzled when car stopped in front of a small clinic. She looked at Daniel who was removing his seat belt.

'Angie needs instant medical attention, probably a clean dress too."

Clinic was small but fully equipped. Friendship of Daniel with the owner saved them from unnecessary trouble. Charlotte almost gasped when she saw a lady's dress in his hands.

'From where did you find it? There's no shop in this area."

'One of my dates left it, so I kept it as a token of affection."

Daniel's cheeky smile infuriated her more. She cursed him in her heart for being so bold as brass.

On their way back from the clinic, Angie was fast asleep, so Charlotte used this chance to check him.

It was a pleasant surprise that Daniel was reasonably good looking. His brown hair and blue eyes were quite a match specially his eyes, behind those thick glasses. They were so attractive and keen, curious to know all your deep secrets.

Before leaving, Charlotte tried to hand him hundred dollars bills.

'I would prefer a nice dinner at some fancy restaurant. I gave you my card but I am sure that you have discarded it, so take it again. Text me the details later."

Charlotte took his card with sheer embarrassment, waving him a good bye.

…

Angie took two days sick leave and recovered physically but her mental illness was out of control. It turned out later that she tried drugs for experiment which became an addiction and this addiction led to gambling addiction. Casino had a dirty game there. First, they let you win small bids to encourage you for more. Then rest of the story is obvious, everything that happened with Angie.

It was due to Rick, who was her so called boyfriend. Dr. Daniel really helped them in burying this matter,

and also dealt with her addiction problem. Three months course of medicines and therapy sessions brought Angie back to life, saving her educational year too.

Charlotte was more than grateful to him, so she invited him for dinner at Five Michelin Star restaurant. As it was a high end restaurant, she asked him that her driver will pick him (his old car will definitely get them weird stares). They both arrived almost together at 7:00pm, prime time for high ups to dine-in.

Weather was colder than normal, Charlotte was wearing a black coat over her royal blue one shoulder evening gown. Her feather cut shoulder length hair were swaying freely. Daniel was also dressed in formal black three piece suit which was surprisingly quite expensive one.

Server guided them to their reserved table. He came with the welcome drinks and then menu shortly after.

'If I had any idea that you are so rich, I would have recommended Angie's private consult. Alas! I lost a golden chance of making thousands."

Daniel was looking genuinely remorseful, Charlotte chuckled at his complain,

'University must have paid you for this. Why are you regretting it?"

She called the waiter and ordered five course dinner for them as Daniel suggested it on chat previously.

'How much do you think university is paying to a fresher like me. I also have a family of mother and two sisters to support."

Charlotte, who was already thinking to repay him, came up with a brilliant plan.

'My uncle was mentioning that factory workers are very stressed due to increase in work lately. It would be a favor if you could join my uncle's office as a consultant psychiatrist."

Daniel's eyes lit up with a hope, he immediately agreed for this.

'You will receive a call from HR department, rest you can discuss with them."

Charlotte's heart was at ease during appetizer, lobster was much more creamier than usual.

'How are your sessions going?"

Charlotte who was enjoying her food, asked him with a fork in her mouth,

'Which sessions?"

'Charlotte, You lied a about private consultation, how irresponsible!"

Daniel almost shouted as an instinct but succeeded in lowering his voice,

'Well, we are here now, tell me about your puppy love…."