"If you've chosen to consider me an enemy, Mr. Steele, do know your startup company will sooner lick the gravel before it will ever reach the sky. Tread lightly. I will send Amelia to discuss the settlement with you. Be smart with your choice. We can destroy your new company if we dared wish to. Accept whatever offer we give you, or face the consequences."
"Good bye."
Darren had watched him leave with a cold face, uncertain if he was intimidated or not. Amelia had looked at him one more time before walking out the door..
Darren sighed. 'Rivals were expected weren't they? I think it's more interesting that Ryan has seen me as an enemy. He'll soon find that stopping me is impossible.'
The elevator doors slid open, and Darren stepped inside, reading the words on the purple-hued interface of his system.
┏PHASE 1-7: 62% COMPLETE
PHASE 1: 99%
PHASE 2: 100%
PHASE 3: 22%
PHASE 4: 15%
PHASE 5: 0%
PHASE 6: 100%
PHASE 7: 97%┛
'62% complete. That's a promising growth. Since Phase 2, 6 and 7 are basically complete, that means Kara is done with the digital set up of everything. That's good to know.'
He pulled out his phone and sent her a text: Well done.
Her reply was instant: Well done? How did you know I'm finished?
Darren didn't respond, he shook his head and sunk the phone into his pocket. But it began to ring immediately. She was calling. He smirked and answered.
"How did you know?" she asked.
Darren stepped out of the elevator, heading toward Rachel's room. "Just a feeling."
Kara huffed. "So when are you coming to see me? It's getting really lonely in this place."
"I'm coming today, actually." He walked through the corridor, reaching Rachel's room. "I'll be with my secretary, so don't be overly underdressed."
"Hey—!"
"Bye, Kara."
Darren ended the call, stopping outside Rachel's door.
The two guards he had stationed beside it gave him a greeting nod, acknowledging his presence.
He didn't return the gesture, his mind was elsewhere, locked on the weight of what he was about to do. Last night's conversation with Anders had only reinforced what he already knew: hesitation wasn't an option anymore.
If he wanted to move forward, he had to bring Rachel in. She and Kara had to work together. There was no more room for waiting.
Steeling himself, he took a deep breath, lifted his hand and knocked.
A faint shuffle came from inside.
Then, after a pause, the door cracked open. Rachel stood there, stepping out from the bathroom, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Steam curled behind her from the lingering heat of her shower, the dampness of her skin catching the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. Her uncovered eye locked onto him, and for a moment, she simply studied him.
"Hey," she said.
Darren's gaze flickered over her wet skin before meeting her eyes again. "Hey."
She stepped aside, allowing him in without hesitation. He crossed the threshold, glancing around the room.
How people's rooms were was a telltale sign of how their days went. Darren knew this. If Rachel had stayed all day worrying about him, he could tell.
The room was neat, orderly, but still carried subtle signs of her presence; clothes folded on the armchair, a half-finished cup of tea by the bedside table.
He turned back to her as she pulled her towel tighter around herself.
"I'm surprised you're this calm," Darren said, leaning slightly against the desk. "No missed calls, no frantic messages. I expected you to be losing your mind, considering I left you out of the business yesterday."
Rachel met his gaze steadily. "You told me staying still would please you."
Darren stilled, observing her. He hadn't expected that response, nor the quiet resolve behind it. After a beat, he gave a small nod. "Yes," he admitted. "I did say that."
She exhaled, running her fingers through her damp hair. "So, how did it go?"
Darren leaned back slightly, trying to ignore how stunning she looked right now, how the smell of her soap continuously messed with his thoughts.
He crossed his arms over his chest. "It went fine. I got everything I wanted. And I'm sure Gareth won't be coming for you anytime soon."
Rachel blinked, then slowly, a small smile pulled at her lips. A mix of emotions flickered across her face; relief, gratitude, and affection.
Darren was about to say something else, but she had suddenly closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him.
He stiffened for a fraction of a second.
"Thank you," she murmured against his chest.
Darren exhaled, allowing himself to relax slightly. His hand hovered for a moment before he rested it lightly against her back. "Hey, it's fine. I'm just keeping my promise to you."
Rachel pulled away slightly, tilting her head up to look at him. "You could've just said 'you're welcome,' you know."
He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "You're right. You're welcome."
She shook her head, stepping back as she adjusted her towel. "So, what's the plan for today?" she asked, her tone shifting to a lighter, more enthusiastic vibe.
Darren was silent, watching her for a moment before taking a breath. It's time, he thought.
"Are we not doing anyth—?"
"I need to tell you something, Rachel."
She stilled. "Oh. Okay." Her posture straightened, all traces of former conversations fading as she focused on him. Her attention on his face and presence. "Tell me."
Darren held her gaze, measuring her reaction before he spoke. He had considered the best way to reveal this, the most logical approach, the smoothest delivery.
But in the end, all he did was take a deep breath. 'Here goes. I wonder how she'll react.'
"I'm FuglyDuckling," he said as plainly as he could.
There was a beat of silence.
Rachel's brow arched slightly, her uncovered eye narrowing with complete confusion and cluelessness.
"You're who now?"
Darren's face deflated.