Charles nodded quickly, attempting desperately not to let his features show too much eagerness, or happiness at the thought of spending time with the other man. Why, in fact, had he even begun to regard Daniel in such a way? Probably because he was right there, in his reach, compared to those others on the streets. There was a certain exhilarating feeling, being able to invite the teacher out to town without bringing forth any suspicion. Even Daniel had no idea how his employer's thoughts twisted and turned in ways most would never imagine.

It was better that way, that it remained as such. Anything more then silent admiration and small gestures of kindness would lead to troubles he simply couldn't afford. "Get some rest tonight, Daniel." Those were his parting words, the last things he spoke before turning to step from the room. Charles went to find his children, wandering through his home absentmindedly, thoughts of Daniel filling his mind.

He glanced up as his employer took leave, eyes glued to the way Charles' body moved as he left, and then tearing himself away and shaking his head hard. How stupid... Closing his book, Daniel stood and waited until Charles' footsteps faded entirely and stepped into the hall, sliding down and then out of the house. He had to get out... Through the courtyard, then the breezeway, and out into the land that his employers owned. Beautiful land. The trees were in the distance, and formed a huge circle around the bare land. The water of the lake. It shone. He went toward a tree nearby and settled himself down, turned just so that he was able to see the house with one turn of his head and the land with another.

Daniel crossed his legs and breathed in, the scent of distant honeysuckle filling his lungs. Why didn't he come out here more often? They were so secluded... When night fell, one could see the very fabric of the Milky Way above. And one could be alone enough that their absurd, forbidden thoughts wouldn't become known to anyone else. But why did it have to be Charles? Why not literally anyone else under his employment? Surely there was someone... No, none of them hit quite the right mark. Daniel sighed, closing his eyes and resting his head against the tree behind him. Maybe a few moments. It was so peaceful.

Charles sat behind his desk that night, working away at revised proposals for the man he was helping win his office. Politically speaking, there were many things they could do. For one, they could encourage economic growth within the city by making sure their venues could bring in bigger attractions, more famous stars, more well known acts. That was what he wrote about that night. The next day he brought the finished paper into the office and worked with the others in his department to make sure they could do exactly what was promised.

And then it was time for a brief break at home, spent with his wife and children. With a few murmured words he explained his plans to buy presents to her, and then left with a few fond words. Then he was waiting outside, leaning against his car casually and his eyes upon the sturdy door of his home.

He dozed a few times before a breaking branch on the tree above him startled Daniel enough to actually stand and go back to the house. It was early yet, perhaps, not even ten in the evening yet, but when Daniel changed into nightclothes and crawled underneath the covers of his bed, he fell asleep quickly, fell deeply, as if into a coma. He didn't wake up the next morning until nine in the morning, the time shocking himself into jumping up as the door opened with a knock and the cook came inside with a sandwich wrapped in plastic. "Thought you'd want a late breakfast." She said, smiling lightly as she handed it over to Daniel. He thanked her, getting ready for the day while finishing the sandwich and catching up on his planner work. This morning, albeit a late morning, he was wide awake and feeling quite energetic, more than he'd been this past week. He let the boys go outside while making up the excuse that it was for researching insects, and dismissed them early when they heard their father return for a time.

The day was so bright. So warm. It felt as if moments had passed, and it was time to meet Charles. He was feeling a little more nervous than usual. Far more nervous. It felt like the interview all over again, but he didn't have his papers, resume, bag full of credentials. He practiced breathing before leaving through the front door, to meet Charles. It still felt as if he were on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but controlled his outward trembling as he stepped down the stairs.

He smiled when he saw his children's tutor walk out the doors. Casually, Charles righted himself and motioned to the passenger side door. "Well come on then. We haven't all that much time." He had work to do after their outing. Outing? If he wasn't careful, the marketer would begin thinking his time spent with Daniel was a date. That could only lead to disaster.

In part to prevent this, Charles slipped into the driver's seat and start the car. He tried to steer his mind away from the fact that he would be alone with Daniel. Besides, the other man probably wasn't interested in such things, and even if he was ... It was completely unethical, and morally wrong.

He nodded quickly, shaking off the awkward feeling and going to the passenger door, opening it and sliding in carefully, looking back for the seat belt to his right. "Well, I can say I caught up on sleep last night..." He commented, hoping to garner some type of conversation and not let things fall into awkward silence. It was his worst fear, silence of such a kind between two people in a confined space. And even moreso now, because this was his employer, someone who could snap his fingers and tell Daniel to hit the road if he didn't like a single thing the teacher did. But Charles wasn't like that... Surely. No, he wasn't. He did care, in a way. But if Daniel dared think of it as any stronger caring than that of a friend to another friend---an employer to his employee---then he was in for trouble.

Charles was married, after all. He had three kids. Three adorable, sweet young children that Daniel absolutely adored. He did like his employers. Maybe he should make more of a habit of spending time with them. Talking more in-depth about what they wanted for their kids.

Charles glanced at the other man as he pulled the car away from his home. "That's good. Are you feeling better today? Less tired?" This was a safe enough topic. An employer asking after an employee's health was nothing out of the ordinary. What was were the thoughts running through his mind, images of happy people he'd seen and the feelings he'd always imagined would run through his heart when he finally fell in love. He did love his wife, but it was more of a friendship then romantic.

They were far from the house now, more homes appearing along the road side as they approached the city. It was sad, to leave the idyllic setting of his home, but it was necessary in order to keep that safe place. Charles smiled lightly at the thought.

He nodded slightly to himself. "Sure... A lot better, actually. Maybe I've just been worried these past few days... Weeks... that I haven't been able to sleep well." It didn't really help that he never really got out to run about when he really needed to. Expending energy he ignored, which usually turned into lethargic behavior coupled with insomnia. Being both tired and unable to sleep at once was especially uncomfortable, but he couldn't do anything about that. Unless he turned to sleeping medication, which he didn't want to have to bother with.

"I haven't really seen any major changes recently... I mean, regarding the city. Usually news channels mention propositions for new buildings or plans... Is there any help you need?" Anything to change the city. An outside opinion, perhaps. A secondary idealist.

Charles smiled a bit, shaking his head. "Those proposals will happen once the elections are over. For now the race to be mayor is still going on. " The car he eased into the city, veering this way and that through the streets. Absentmindedly he noted the things that needed working on. That place needed to be repaved, that building needed paint job, such and such business had to be reminded about city laws. His mind was always on work, or so it seemed.

Once they arrived at the book store, his thoughts veered a different way. To his children, to Daniel. The two thoughts were intertwined. There was no changing that, so long as Daniel was his employee. That would be alright, it had to be.