Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Resting Lounge]

When Andrew entered the room, Rachael was still fast asleep. Making sure not to disturb her sleep, he slowly placed the bag on the floor before crawling in the bed.

As soon as he lied down, she snuggled closer and placed her head on his chest. "Where did you go?"

"To take our clothes from Ben." He kissed the top of her head. "Sleep for a little longer, we still have a couple of hours before work starts."

"I'll get up now," she looked at him. "I am hungry."

"Freshen up first, I'll arrange breakfast."

"While you are at it, can you grab my bag from my office too? I might need some concealer."

"Yes ma'am." He pinched her cheeks. "Anything else?"

"That will be all for now sir."

After he left, Rachael lazed around in the bed for a while before getting up and heading towards the washroom.

...

[Rachael's Office]

When Andrew entered the room, Rachael's phone which was on the table started ringing.

When he saw the caller ID, he frowned. He knew exactly who it was.

Without thinking twice, he answered the call.

"Why are you constantly calling her?"

"No hello, hi or any form of greetings," Helen sighed. "You were always a well-mannered kid."

"Is this some kind of joke to you?" Andrew frowned. "How many times do I have to tell you not to bother her?"

"Well, I certainly won't if you be a good kid and answer my calls," Helen remarked. "But you won't, so what other choice do I have other than bugging your beloved wife to get your attention?"

Pinching the space between his brows, he sighed. "What do you want this time Grandma?" He was tired of the weird game everyone was trying to play around them, especially his grandparents. All he wanted was to live a peaceful and happy life with his wife. Was that too much to ask?

"Bring her home."

"I—"

"Listen to me first," she interrupted him. "Bring her phone before people start flying over to the city to see her and that 'people' also includes me."

"Just bring her home for a couple of days, we will complete some rituals, have an intimate family party and then you can take her back with you."

Seeing that Andrew did not oppose, she added, "If you do that, no one has to use any sly methods to get you people here. To be honest, it will save me a lot of energy."

Keeping quiet for a while, he answered, "I'll think about it."

"It's your mothers birthday next month, do you remember?"

"Hmm, I do." How could he forget?

"Bring her home a day before that or maybe a week, i don't care. But I want all of you here including Daniel."

Without waiting for his reply, she hung up.

Andrew slumped on the chair and sighed. He then called Owen using Rachael's phone.

"Hey Rach—"

"It's me." Andrew cut him off. "I didn't expect you to answer so quickly." He frowned and glanced at the watch. "Why are you up so early?"

"Couldn't sleep," Owen answered.

"Still thinking about the beautiful thief?" Andrew chuckled.

When Owen did not say anything, he added, "I know what happened was bad and something you are not used to but just forget about it, okay? Don't get too bumped or hyped up about it."

"Easy for you to say," Owen scoffed. "It's not like you got robbed."

When Andrew did not say anything, he snapped, "Why are you silent now? Say something."

"It's not the robbery that's killing you, isn't it?" Andrew inquired. "Something else happened."

"Owen, what did you do?"

When he did not get an answer, Andrew sighed, "Alright don't tell me. But I wanna suggest you not to go around looking for this lady like a mad man. You met her at the bar, you both hooked up, she robbed you and left. Now let it be, okay?"

"What if I tell you that I have already found the woman?" Owen smirked.

"Wow, you found her in less than twenty four hours, I am so surprised, " Andrew chuckled.

"Well, I don't wanna boast but that is one of my many hidden talents."

When Andrew laughed, Owen curiously inquired, "What are you laughing about?"

"Isn't it funny?"

"What is?"

"The great Owen Volkov spent an entire night without sleeping just to find a woman who slipped out a couple of bills from his wallet." Helplessly shaking his head, Andrew chuckled, "It's weird as well as Interesting."

Pausing for a while, he added, "You like this woman."

When Owen scoffed, he remarked, "You like her a lot. This is why you're not gonna hurt her."

"Of course I won't hurt her," Owen stated. "I don't hit women. I am just gonna find her, take my things, give her a warning and then come back home."

"Well, if that's the plan then it sounds great," Andrew remarked. "Let me know how it works."

"That's it? This is why you called me?" Owen frowned. "To confirm if I am in love with the woman who robbed me?"

"Just for the record, I never used the word love," Andrew stated. "And no, that is not what I called you for."

"Grandma wants all of us to come home next week for mom's birthday," he added.

"Rachael too?"

"Hmm."

"Alright, as long as you and Elsa are in, I have no problem."

...

[Resting Lounge]

"What about yesterday's meeting?" Rachael inquired as she dabbed the concealer over the marks that were a result of yesterday's action.

"I asked Ben to postpone it to today," he answered.

"Morning or evening?"

"Morning."

"Great, I have plans of dropping by Emma's place before lunch." When he stood in front of her with his tie hug over his neck, she stopped what she was doing and started helping him with the tie.

​ "Day by day, you are becoming more and more dependent on me Mr. Collins, don't you think?"

"And how is that bad in any way?" He wrapped his arms around her waist.

...