Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Evening, Watson mansion]

"Thank you for supper and coffee," She smiled. "I had a great time."

"I had a great time too."

Because of the unexpected weather change, they couldn't go to the place Andrew wanted to take her. But they ended up having coffee with some snacks and a very nice conversation. Later they stopped somewhere for a quick supper before he dropped her home.

Glancing at this watch, he said, "I wanted to come inside but I have an important meeting scheduled. Tell uncle and aunt that I'll visit them again some other day, okay?

"Don't worry about them, I'll let them know."

Both of them smiled at each other. They had already said their goodbyes but neither of them walked away. They just stood there without saying anything.

Awkwardly tucking her hair behind her ear, Rachael cleared her throat. "I should go inside."

"Yeah okay—I will also leave."

She smiled and waved at him before walking towards the mansion.

…..

[Inside]

"Oh look who's back after her date."

"You two are still here?" Walking towards the couch, Rachael remarked, "I thought you guys already left."

"Okay so now that you have found yourself a handsome man, you don't need your best friends anymore?" Helplessly shaking her head, Emma sighed, "Girls really start thinking with their vaginas when they start dating."

"I know right? It's her first date and she already doesn't want us anymore," Tina added.

Without saying anything, Rachael took off her heels.

"So how was the date?" Tina enthusiastically asked.

"It was nice—"

"Oh my God—" Emma dramatically gasped. "So finally Rachael Watson is agreeing that it was a date. And since you are wearing his coat, I am sure the date was awesome."

Widening her eyes in shock, Rachael looked down only to realize she was still wearing Andrews coat. She never took it off after he gave it to her. "Ahh—I forgot to return his coat."

"Let me check something." Emma touched Andrew's coat. "Yep, my guess was correct—It is made up of boyfriend material."

"Girl, that was good—" Tina exclaimed before bursting into laughter.

"You both are crazy," Rachael chuckled. She then took the coat off. "I will return it when I meet him next."

"Well, God just gave you a reason to go on a second date."

"And maybe this time he will take her clothes off instead of adding more layers," Tina grinned.

Helplessly shaking her head, Rachael sighed, "You both are insane—" She then got up. "Why don't we continue with this insane conversation after I check on mom and dad, okay?"

"Alright, we will be waiting in your room," Both of them exclaimed excitedly.

….

[Michael and Reeta's room]

When Rachael arrived outside their room, the door was open. She was about to knock when she heard Michael mention her name.

"Rachael is my daughter and I care about her."

"I know Michael but this is not right. We can't force her to marry Andrew or anyone else."

"I know. I am not forcing her, I would never do that to her. I am just trying to show her the right direction," Michael sighed. "Andrew is the one Reeta. Whenever I see that boy, I get a feeling that he will keep our Rachael happy and never hurt her."

"I feel that too," Reeta agreed. "But it's up to Rachael, isn't it?"

He nodded. "All I want is for her to be happy. I know she will never voluntarily marry someone else. After what happened, I know she has lost all her faith in men and love. I can just feel it, you know."

Though Rachael never said it out loud, Michael could see right through her. Over the last twelve months though he never interfered with her affairs, he had always observed her from afar. He knew all her struggles and how difficult it was for her to get over it.

Placing her hand on his shoulder, Reeta assured him and herself. "She will eventually find someone."

"And what if he turns out to be like that scumbag?" He frowned. "I can't see my daughter go through that heart wrenching phase again."

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she sighed, "I don't know what to say anymore. I want her to be happy but I don't want to force her to do something she doesn't want to."

"But as her parents, isn't it our job to tell her what is right for her?" When she nodded, Michael remarked. "Then that is what I am doing, I am telling her to do the right thing."

"Michael—"

"I just want her to be happy—" he sighed in dejection. "Whenever I see her, my heart aches for her. She says she is okay now but I know deep down she isn't. I can feel the emptiness she feels in her heart."

Resting her head on his shoulder, Reeta exhaled, "She has been through a lot."

"I just want her to be happy. I want her to have a good husband and start her own family. I want to play with her kids." The thought of being a grandpa brought a smile to his face. "I want her kids to run around this mansion calling me grandpa. I am sure I will be the coolest grandpa of all time. But most importantly, I want her to be happy."

…..