Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"First you stop being stupid." He threw the napkin back at her.

"You—"

"Enough," Rachael snapped at them. "Go and fight outside if you want to, don't disturb me." She then resumed washing the dishes.

She knew something had happened between George and Emma. It wasn't hard to guess with the way they were ignoring each other. But she couldn't care less.

Getting involved in a couple's fight was not even the last thing she wanted.

Without saying anything, George walked out of the kitchen.

Emma sighed and helplessly shook her head. "You brother is weird."

"And so are you," Rachael remarked.

"Rach—"

"Emma, you can talk to whoever you want to. No one has the right to stop you," she added. "But you also have to consider the feelings of your partner."

"Look, I made the same mistake with Oliver," Rachael explained. "I didn't consider Andrew's feelings at all and went on with what I wanted to know."

"If the position was reversed, I know he would never do anything like that which would make me feel uncomfortable."

Pausing for a while, she added, "Now ask yourself, do you think you would be okay if George had done something similar?"

When Emma shook her head, Rachael sighed, "Relationship is not only about having feelings, it's about making each other feel respected and comfortable. You shouldn't feel restricted to do anything but you should also not do something knowing your partner will feel uncomfortable, provided it's a valid reason."

Emma pursed her lips and frowned. What Rachael said made a lot of sense.

If she would see George messaging his ex, she would definitely not like it and burst out.

"I'll take care of things here, you go and talk to him." Rachael gestured her to leave while she continued to wash the remaining dishes.

Just then Andrew entered the kitchen with the remaining dishes. He kept the dishes on the sink and rolled his sleeves. "Step aside, let me do it."

"It's alright, I can—" Before she could finish her sentence, he placed his hands on her shoulder and slowly pushed her aside.

Rachael sighed and helplessly shook her head. "Why are you like this?"

"Are you asking why am I a good husband?" He pretended to think. "Well, that's a very tough question."

She pouted her lips and pinched his waist. "If you keep taking over all the work I start, I will become lazy and you will be stuck with a lazy wife."

"I don't mind a lazy wife as long as you keep loving me."

Rachael took over the job Emma was doing, putting the dishes back in its original place after drying them.

"Is it really okay for us not to go to work today?" She sighed. "I feel bad for Ben, he will have too much work again."

"Ben is on leave today," Andrew answered. "He called me in the morning."

"Oh—is he sick or something?" When he shook his head, Rachael asked, "Then—"

"I think…but I am not one hundred percent sure, I think he is with Tina."

...

[Ben's Place]

"This place is really very nice," Tina remarked as she explored the three bedroom apartment Ben lived in all by himself.

"You like it?" Ben smiled as he arranged the brunch he had prepared for them.

"Yes, it's very nice and cosy."

After their intense talk and action, they both mutually decided to date officially.

When Ben asked her if they should start dating, she did not believe him at first. She told him to think before he says anything that would get her hopes high. Because if he backs out later or changes his mind, she would be left heartbroken.

But unlike the other times, he seemed quite serious and determined. And this also scared her.

When she asked her what changed, he suddenly decided to drop the whole idea of not dating anyone. He told her that he realised that being scared and losing her would be the dumbest thing he could ever do.

He also told her that his feelings for her were so strong now that he could no longer ignore it. All he wanted was to be with her and enjoy each second they spent together.

"If I give you my heart, will you keep it safe?"

When he asked her this question, Tina did not say anything. Instead she placed her hand on his chest and kissed him.

It was not only him who had developed deep feelings for her, she had unexplained deep feelings for him too. It was a mutual feeling.

Tina knew he was hesitant and scared after what he had been through in his last relationship. This was the only reason that was holding him back.

But now when he had finally decided to open up to her, she would never let him down. And she knew he would never let her down too.

"Come, let's eat—" Ben patted her head.

Tina pouted her lips and slapped his hand away. "Stop doing that, I am not a small kid."

"You are not?" He raised his brows. "But you surely cry like one."

"When did I cry?"

"When did you not?" He chuckled.

"You—" She puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "Isn't it your fault? You made me cry."

Ben sighed and wrapped his arms around her. "Alright, alright it's my fault. I will never make you cry again, I promise."

"What if you do?" She playfully questioned him. "What punishment should I give you?"

"Hmmm—" He thought for a while and said, "You can spank me."

Tina: " "

"Or you can—"

"Stop talking." She interrupted him before he could say something lewd again.

"Let's go eat." Before she could walk away, he grabbed her hand.

"Before we eat, I wanna tell you something." He kissed the back of her hand. "Last night was amazing."

"It was." She blushed and bit her lower lip.

After their car make out session, they had dinner before coming back to his place where they spent the night.

"That night was amazing too," he added.

Understanding that he was talking about their first night together at the beach house, she remarked, "I thought it was a mistake."

Ben sighed and helplessly shook his head. "It wasn't, I lied because I was scared."

"You really hurt my feelings."

"I am sorry."

"I cried for hours."

"I am sorry."

He really regretted the way he had behaved with her.

"I won't repeat it again, I promise." He kissed her forehead. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do." She placed her hand on his cheek. "I know you were just trying to figure out what you wanted and it's completely okay."

Not all people manage to figure out what they want. They need some time to sort everything out before making a move.

In their case, Tina figured out what she wanted and validated her feelings for him before he could figure things out. This is the reason why she ended up being in a tighter position.

But with time and other events, they had finally managed to overcome all the barriers.

"So now about that date you almost showed up for—" He ran his finger through his hair. "Will your father ask you to go again?"

"I am sure he will." Tina was sure he would arrange another date for her.

Ben frowned. "Should I talk to him?" How could he let her go on a date with another man? He would never do that.

"Ben—" Tina sighed and placed her hand on his chest. "My father is a weird man and to top that weirdness, he is a politician. I really don't think you will be able to handle him."

"I work for the Collins and Volkovs," Ben stated. "There is nothing I can't handle."

….

[Watson Mansion]

When Emma and George came down with her arms wrapped around each other, Rachael smiled. "Look at you too, you both made up."

"Of course we did—" George pinched Emma's cheeks and smiled, "I can't stay angry with my baby for a long time."

"Oh please, get a room." Rachael scoffed as she resumed reading her magazine.

"Where is Andrew?" He inquired.

"Something popped up so he went to the office for a couple of hours," she answered. "He will pick me up after he is done."

"Okay, I am going to work now," George remarked.

"Me too," Emma added.

"Alright, both of you get out of here and let me stay in peace."

"Do you wanna come with me? Won't you get bored?" There was no one in the house except for the helpers, George was worried Rachael would feel lonely.

"That's alright, Andrew will pick me up soon."

After George and Emma left, Rachael was about to go to her bedroom to take a short nap when her phone started ringing.

Looking at the caller ID, she frowned. It was an international number and it looked very familiar.

Contemplating for a while, she received the call.

…..