Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Dad, are you going somewhere?" Rachael inquired.

"Oh yes, I have a meeting." Michael glanced at his wrist watch. "And I am late."

"Then you should go fast," She nudged him inside the elevator. "Don't worry about us, we will as soon as I grab my things."

"Okay, I'll see you both later," Michael remarked. "Don't forget to drop home whenever you both can."

After Michael left, Rachael and Andrew walked towards her old office.

…..

[Rachael's office]

"When did you start working here?" Andrew inquired.

"As soon as I completed graduation," she answered as she started gathering her things.

Just then George entered the room. "Hey, I heard you and Andrew are here so—"

"Oh hello, my dear liar brother," Rachael smiled. "How are you?"

George sighed and helplessly shook his head. He knew she wouldn't let go of the matter so easily.

He didn't blame Rachael for reacting that way. If he was in her place, he would have been mad too.

He knew keeping their relationship away from their close friends and family was not a wise choice but they had taken a step which felt right at that time.

"Rach, I know you are mad and you should be but at least talk to Emma," George sighed. "You have no idea how upset she is."

Before she would say anything, he added, "And to be honest, it wasn't her fault. It was my idea to keep things away from everyone for a few months because I didn't wanna jinx it."

Crossing her arms in the front, Rachael raised her brows at him. "You are lying aren't you?"

"Yes, but—" George stopped midway when Andrew chuckled. He glared at him and frowned. "Yeah, laugh at my misery and enjoy as much as you want."

"I am not laughing at your misery." Andrew threw his head back and chuckled, "It's funny how you are lying and then admitting that you are lying. I mean, who does that?"

"Yeah—" George scoffed. "As if you are a great liar."

"Yes I am," he proudly stated. "When I lie, the other person will never be able to make out whether I am speaking the truth or bluffing."

When Rachael looked at him, he quickly added, "Except did my wife. I never lie to her and even if I do, she is smart enough to figure it out within seconds."

"Whatever—" George looked at Rachael. "You seriously need to talk to Emma."

"I will but not yet, I am still very bumped with her," she stated.

Left with no other choice, he grabbed her hand. "Rach please—" he requested. "She has not talked to me since yesterday. I called her so many times but she did answer my call."

"You know how much you mean to her," he added. "Just call her once and listen to her explanation."

Keeping quiet for a while, Rachael inquired, "You aren't just playing around, right?"

"No I am not, she is really not talking to me."

"Not this," she frowned. "I meant, with Emma—you aren't just playing around, right?"

"Of course not," he stated. "I am very serious with her. I love her Rach, I really really do."

"If that's the case then it's okay but—" she glared at him. "If you do anything to hurt her, I swear George, I'll ask Andrew to kick your ass."

George: " "

"I can do it now if you want to," Andrew remarked. He would kick anyone's ass if she asked him to. And even if he physically couldn't, he would hire someone to do it.

"Trust me sis—" George stated. "I have never been this serious in a relationship. Emma is like my perfect partner, the perfect one."

"Fine," Rachael sighed. "I trust you."

"Thanks." He smiled and gave her a hug. "It's so nice that you care for her so much."

"Of course I care for her, she is my best friend," she exclaimed.

"So you will talk to her, right?" When she nodded, he added, "When you meet her, will you ask her the same question?"

"What question?" Rachael pulled away and gave him a confused look.

"You know the same one you asked me just now," he smiled.

"I don't understand—" she frowned.

"Whether I am serious with her or not," he explained. "You will ask her the same question, right?"

"Why?"

George: " "

Just then Ryan entered the room.

"Hey Rach, I brought your—" He stopped midway when he saw George.

"Good morning, boss—" He greeted him.

"Morning Ryan." George pointed towards the small plant he was holding. "What is that?"

"Oh, this is Rachael's plant," Ryan smiled and awkwardly waved it a little. "I had kept it in my office after she stopped coming so—"

"Oh my God, that is so sweet of you." George looked at Andrew. "Right Andrew?"

Without saying anything, Andrew nodded.

"If I am not wrong, you have the same plant, don't you?" George curiously inquired.

"He has one too," Rachael answered. "We bought it together during our first business trip."

"That's nice," George exclaimed as he sat next to Andrew.

Ryan kept the plant on the table. "I watered it everyday to keep it alive and healthy when you take it with you."

"I was actually looking for it when I entered the room," she remarked. "But when I couldn't find it, I thought it was dead and gone."

She smiled and carefully examined the plant. "Thanks for taking care of it."

"Yeah, thank you Ryan." George looked at Andrew. "Won't you thank him? He took care of your wife's plant for such a long time after all."

"That won't be necessary," Ryan smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, I am so sorry—" Rachael grabbed Andrew's hand and pulled him up. "He is my husband, Andrew and—" She looked at Andrew. "He is Ryan, my friend and colleague."

"Mr. Collins, it's a pleasure to meet you," Ryan smiled as extended his hand towards him.

Andrew nodded as he took his hand. "It's nice meeting you too."

Ryan then looked at Rachael again. "I have your dream catcher too. You left it in my office and never took it back."

"Oh is it? I'll come and take it later."

…..