Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

A year ago, they had tried to ambush both the Petrov's and the Volkov's at the same time in the middle of the night. Though they were unable to succeed in what they had wished for, many were left injured. Even Owen and Andrew had suffered from minor injuries.

"Two days after the ambush, I came home because I was worried if I didn't, mom and dad would come there," Joshua sighed. "That very evening, the wound reopened and started bleeding. I wanted to rush to the hospital but mom saw it before I could—"

He helplessly shook his head and added, "I knew she saw the scars when she was treating my wounds but I never thought she would suspect anything."

"Didn't she ask how you got injured?" When he nodded, Andrew inquired, "What did you tell her?"

"I told her I had an accident before coming home." Joshua sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "I told her the first thing that popped in my head. I kinda had a feeling that she wouldn't buy it but—"

"Well, it turns out that she didn't." Andrew took a sip of his coffee. "What will you do now?"

"What will you do now?" Joshua nervously questioned him back. "What will you tell Rachael?"

"What do you think?" he raised his brows.

Keeping quiet for a while, Joshua hesitantly asked, "You will not tell her the truth, right?" If Andrew told Rachael the truth, he was sure she wouldn't keep it away from his mom. And if his mother learned what he really did in Russia all these years, she wouldn't be able to handle it.

Joshua's parents were very simple people. Though his mother belonged to the socialite circle, she had given up the fancy life she once led after marrying his father because she wanted to live a normal, peaceful and happy life.

Just like his parents, even he wanted to live a normal, peaceful and happy life but fate had different plans for him.

"Joshua, tell me one thing—" Andrew curiously looked at him. "How did you end up with the Petrovs?"

When he had seen Joshua with Igor in the past, he had always assumed he didn't have a very clean background. But after learning that he was related to the Watson's and his parents were very simple people, Andrew was quite surprised and kept wondering how he got himself involved in the business and world that was always frowned upon.

Members of the families like the Volkov and Petrov, didn't really have a choice as they had been a part of it for decades. They couldn't run away and were forced to get involved from a very young age. Even if someone didn't really wish to be part of it and kept themselves away from the mess, they always ended up getting involved in one way or the other.

But it was different for people like Joshua who weren't born into it.

When Joshua did not say anything, Andrew changed the topic thinking he didn't want to talk about it. "Anyway, I'll tell her I found nothing suspicious but you have to be careful from now on. Since you will be staying in the same city, you and Rachael will be meeting quite often. Make sure you do nothing weird which will make her suspect you again."

Joshua sighed and nodded, "I don't want to stay in constant touch with Rachael, I don't want to cause any trouble for her."

"I am sure by now your ex-boss has already found out that you and I are related so there is no point in holding yourself back," Andrew stated. "It's better if you try to stay close. It's safer for Rachael that way."

"Are you trusting me with your wife?" Joshua widened his eyes in shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew Andrew was trying to maintain a neutral relationship with him for Rachael's sake but he never thought he would trust him.

"She is your sister before she is my wife," Andrew remarked. "I am sure you'll always have the best interest in your heart for her."

Though he wasn't very fond of Joshua because of their past encounters, the man's skills couldn't be underestimated.

In the future, there would be times when Andrew would have to fly to Russia with Owen and Justin like last time. Though he would never leave her unprotected, he would be more at peace if Joshua was around her.

"Of course, I love Rachael with all my heart. I would rather die than let anyone else hurt her," Joshua stated.

...

[Afternoon, Rachael's Room]

"Ooo….London huh?" Tina grinned. "That sounds so romantic."

"Andrew's cousin Owen planned this trip." When Tina kept grinning at her, Rachael chuckled, "What's with the creepy smile?"

"It's a honeymoon."

"Well—" Rachael shrugged her shoulders. "You can say that but we will be around other people too so technically—"

"It's a mini-honeymoon," Tina exclaimed enthusiastically. "This is so great, you and Andrew will finally do it."

Rachael widened her eyes in shock and quickly looked at the door which was fortunately locked. "Seriously Tina, speak louder," she snapped at her.

"Aren't you excited?" Tina inquired in a relatively lower voice.

Before Rachael could answer, she adde, "Quickly, which base are you guys right now? First, second, third or fourth?"

"Third." Rachael stuck her three fingers out which made Tina squeal.

"Then London is definitely the fourth base place," she clapped in excitement. "Damn, this conversation would be more fun if Emma was here."

"Where is she? I haven't seen her since yesterday."

"I don't know," Tina shrugged her shoulders. "I called her earlier but she didn't answer my call."

"I heard she was out on a date yesterday, did she tell you anything about it?" Rachael inquired.

"Yeah, I think she mentioned it when we were talking. It's some guy uncle was forcing her to go on a date with."

Keeping quiet for a while, Tina contemplated for a while before asking, "Speaking of dating, is Ben dating anyone?"

….