Chris watched bemused as he saw Rachel walk away from him. He smiled. His girl was feisty and he loved it.

Chris sauntered in the direction of Rachel and found her sitting next to his sister. He looked at them and winked.

“Vanessa! I'm so sorry for giving you those ugly looks, will you forgive me?"

Vanessa took Rachel’s hand in hers, “Forgive you? You should forgive me but I was having too much fun, I really apologize,” she looked at Rachel and touched her ears in a ‘sorry’ motion.

Rachel laughed and took hold of Vanessa’s hand in hers, “You don’t have to, this man here; he is the one who will be suffering,” she gave Chris a satisfied look as Vanessa managed to burst into a fit of hysteric giggles.

“You were right, Chris. She is beautiful and has lovely fire. I am sure, we will gel really well,” she looked at Rachel and gave her a hug.

Rachel nudged Chris and happily hugged Vanessa.

"Rachel! I'm appalled. I am being made the criminal here," cried Chris with his hand over his heart. His black hair was handsomely ruffled, and his blue eyes twinkling with mischief.

Rachel and Vanessa stuck out their tongues, laughed and went back to talking with each other, ignoring Chris completely.

“Where is your husband?” Rachel asked Vanessa.

Vanessa took a sip of water and looked at Rachel, “Well, he is presently in the US for business work and so couldn’t join us here but don’t you worry, he knows all about gorgeous, you; of course, courtesy me- the ultimate gossip queen.”

Chris knew his Rachel would win over Vanessa easily. Rachel might not be the most beautiful girl but for him she was perfect. Everything she did simply enamored him and brought him so much closer to her. He was sure, his sister and his love would get along like house on fire, and that thought really pleased him.

He had found a girl with whom he could spend his whole life. Rachel oozed of warmth, simplicity, a magnetic persona that just captivated you and pulled you towards her.

He smiled giddily as he looked at the two precious people of his life bond thoroughly.

"Alright," Anna called out, she came over; hi fived Chris as he stood up to offer his seat to her which she refused and wrapped her arm, around Rachel’s neck, "I knew everything would be okay. You Mr. should really thank me for getting your little bunny here.”

Rachel looked around at her best friend. She was beaming at Vanessa now, who was shaking her head in agreement.

"Anna!" Rachel yelled in dismay.

Anna just smiled at her, "Sorry, Rach. But, before I could kill this man, he called me today evening to tell me about his delightfully well- laid out plan. I must say I vigorously approved and in my defense I was sworn to secrecy.” Anna gave her best puppy look eyes to Rachel.

Rachel couldn't argue with that. She looked back at Chris, who was standing next her, grinning at her with that stupid beautiful smug look on his face.

“Awww. I know that look, Chris. You’re in big trouble,” Robert chimed as he joined the party.

Chris looked at Robert and gave him a manly one-arm hug, “I apologize for my grouchy behavior.”

Robert smiled,” I know you well, brother, don’t worry. I am always there for you. But, Rachel, I don’t think I ever want to be on the wrong side of his fist again.”

Rachel smiled, “I am sorry.” Robert winked at her and patted her hand affectionately.

"So um, where are my parents, I think we should leave?” She looked at Chris’s raised eyebrows and winked.

Rachel stood up as she spotted her parents and made to walk when she felt Chris’s hands wrap around hers as he pulled her towards him.  

She blushed furiously as she tried to get out of his sensual hold but he wasn't having any of that.

"You know," he whispered in her ear when she was firmly pinned against his perfectly toned chest. "You look breath-taking when you’re angry." Rachel gasped and looked around her to see Anna, Robert and Vanessa smirking at her before turning their backs and talking amongst themselves.

Rachel pressed her palms on Chris’s chest but he held her close to him, encasing her warmly in his arms. He turned her around to face him and looked at her tenderly, pure love reflecting from his eyes, “Forgive me?”

Rachel smiled and shook her head, “A deal is a deal, Mr. Christopher Evans and you should be well aware of that. You fulfill my conditions and earn my forgiveness,” she gazed into his eyes and felt herself tremble as waves of uncontrollable desire hit her. She wanted to kiss him, right then and there but she fisted her hands, calling her shameful body into submission and pushed out of his warm embrace, almost regretting it afterwards.

She took two steps, stopped and turned around to face Chris and saw devotion and lust blazing in his eyes. Rachel brought her hands close to her lips and delicately kissed her fingers as Chris looked at her, eagerness bursting through him. She winked and without giving him a flying kiss, smiled seductively and walked away.

Rachel could hear Chris’s chuckle behind her as she stopped in front of her parents and entangled her arm with her mother’s.

He looked at her, his eyes promising her retribution, as she trembled in pure pleasure.

…………………………………………

As Rachel and Anna entered Rachel's apartment, Rachel was surprised to see a beautiful red rose sitting prettily just outside her main door with a note attached to it. It read- "I love you, 1."

Anna gushed as Rachel smiled and brought the delicate petals close to her lips and kissed it.

She turned to Anna who smiled encouragingly in return.

As Rachel opened her door, Anna asked," Do you think you are forgiving him too easily, Rach?" She asked her giving her a knowing look.

Rachel entered and switched on the light," Anna, a relationship is not built on egos. He hurt me but here even I was at fault. I might have tried telling him the truth but the circumstances prevented me from doing so. I am happy with him, I love him and love teaches you to forgive."

Anna looked at her as she dropped down on the couch, “You’re right but is it important that love should hurt you that much?"

Rachel smiled as she twirled the rose in her fingers," You know, Anna. Love is weird. It makes the world around you wonderful. It gives you panache for understanding, I am not perfect but Chris makes me feel perfect. I can see what he went through. Maybe, that's why I am able to forgive him."

Anna sighed as she cuddled on the couch," Love makes you so mature. It's astonishing to hear your thoughts. Rachel?"

Rachel sat down adjacent to Anna and looked at her, “Yes?"

"Whatever happens I am with you. Why don't you go and change, I feel like indulging in some fantasy ice- cream."

Rachel stood up, with tears glistening in her eyes, “Thank you, bestie. You're the best."

Anna smiled at her and hugged her tightly," Now off you go," she patted her arm and pushed her in the direction of her room.

Rachel wiped her eyes, chuckled and walked in the direction of her room.

She was astounded by the sight that greeted her.

Every little corner of her room had been filled with single stemmed roses with small notes attached to them.

She squealed and walked to gather the first few roses.

The notes read-  

"I love you, 2."

"I love you, 3."

"I love you, 4."

Anna came rushing by hearing her best friend's excited scream. She stood at the door and smirked at Rachel.

Rachel turned and tackled Anna into a bear hug," You.....you....knew about this."

Anna laughed heartily," who else do you think gave him the house key?"

Rachel turned and reveled at the sight. Her room looked magical," Anna, please help me collect all these stunning roses and the notes." She pouted.

Anna patted Rachel's cheek," Save the pout for our wonderful, handsome Chris. I will help you." She winked at Rachel as she went to the far end of her room and started collecting the magnificently placed roses.

After half an hour, Rachel beamed at Anna," The notes have a number of how much he loves me, last I received is 1500."

"Well, I beat you Rach. I have 2500 here," she lifted the note and passed it on to Rachel.

"Gosh! This is so romantic," Rachel grinned.

Anna came and placed her hands on her shoulders and guided her towards the window, “You know what is truly romantic?”

“What?” Rachel asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Anna made Rachel stand near the window and pointed, “That,” she smiled as she hugged Rachel, wrapping her arms around her waist.

Rachel was bewildered; she did not know what to say. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

There in front of her apartment sat Chris near a tent and a huge placard in his hand-“I love you, my little bunny. Forgive me?”

“What is he d-doing?” Rachel stuttered as she continued to stare out of her window.

Anna chortled, “Well, Chris says he is not going to move from here unless you forgive him; be it a day or a year.”

Rachel sighed, her entire being choked in dazzling emotions. She wanted to run into his arms. She felt breathless and her senses seemed to quiver in trepidation.

Just then the doorbell rung.

“I will go and see,” Anna said as she ran to open the door.

Rachel could see Chris, his eyes directly gazing at her. Her heart started pounding far too heavily, the sound drumming inside her own head feeling her with dire need.

“Who is it?” Rachel asked, her voice sounding husky to her own ears. She cleared her throat and gulped anxiously, her eyes still locked on Chris who continues to gaze at her, smiling and asking for forgiveness.

“It’s me, Robert. I am delivering 100 roses and notes,” Robert’s voice boomed from the living lounge.

Rachel looked at Chris and then rushed towards the living lounge; she sat and read the notes.

“I love you, 2600.”

Rachel rolled her eyes, smiling she asked,” Has he lost his mind? What will I do of these many flowers?”

Robert shrugged as he accepted the glass of water from Anna, “Thank you Anna. He is willing to stay the night and the next ten thousand nights in the tent till you forgive him. He is very serious, Rachel. Put him out of this torture?” he pleaded on his friend’s behalf.

As she thought of her sweet gesture, her heartbeat raced, her pulse flickered in a wild primal dance robbing her of rationality and reason.

She wanted him, his lips on hers. Her heart throbbed for him, only him.

Her resolve dissolved.

She ran towards her Chris urging her legs to hurry to reach him.

As she stopped to face Chris, he prepared for the brief and delightful prospect of holding her in his arms, and was not disappointed.

Her body, so much smaller and more delicate than his, fit snugly against his own as she squeezed him in joyful celebration and he couldn't help but lift her off her feet a little, in the enthusiasm of their embrace.

He gave her a rose and yet another note attached with it.

Rachel looked at it, her heart thumped in excitement and love.

It said, “I love you, infinite.”

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you more, my Rachel,” he whispered back as he leaned his head on hers,” You’re everything for me. If I had to save someone, I'd save you. And if I had to pray for someone, I'd pray for you. Because you know, we are made for each other. And I'm made for you."

She smiled as she snuggled into him.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked her putting her back on her feet. "You do forgive me, right. I really, really apologize, please forgive me. You're unusually quiet and that is scaring me."

"I don’t know, I feel a little unwell," she told him as she pretended to be serious and moved out of his arms.

"Hmmm… How do you feel?" he asked, his brows furrowing a bit.

Did he go over-board?

Did his hurt make her fell ill? He would never forgive himself for it.

"Like I've just ran a marathon," she answered truthfully. 

"And there's a weird sensation in my stomach." 

"And I feel cold and warm at the same time," she finished teasingly and the corners of his mouth shot upwards for a fraction of a second but she caught the movement.

He was trying to hide his grin.

"That sounds concerning," he said and took a step closer to her, putting his hand on her forehead. "Do you have a fever?...No, it doesn't seem like it," he declared.

Then, his hand cupped the back of her neck. "Maybe you have stiff muscles in your neck," he said, his thumb lightly stroking at jaw line. She shuddered wonderfully as his warm touch sent pleasant vibrations throughout her body. "No… That's not it. Let me just check one more thing," he murmured, as his warm blue-violet eyes bored into hers.

His eyes fluttered closed and she felt the slightest brush of his lips against hers and Rachel sighed at his touch. She closed the distance between them and they were kissing, lost in each other’s embrace.

“So what is it? Were you able to figure it out?” Chris asked her as he laughed merrily finding her antics endearing.

"That's it," she said breaking the kiss. "I have Obsessive Chris Disorder," she smirked.

Chris threw his head back and laughed, “You know, there is only one cure, my kiss.”

He was right though. There was only one cure.

"Really, my arrogant man," Rachel said smiling back at him and he leaned in to kiss her again.