Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Wow, that's a long name," Owen smiled. "What should I call you? Juli, Bella or Juliana?"

"You can call me whatever you want, I will respond." Juliana took a sip of the drink. "Thanks for this."

"I walked into this bar today with no intention of buying anyone a drink," he remarked.

"Is it?" She looked at him. "So what changed?"

"Well—" He shrugged his shoulders. "Didn't expect to bump into a beautiful lady who would order the same drink."

Juliana chuckled. "That was smooth. You definitely got a brownie point for that line."

Owen placed his hand in his chest. "I am honoured."

"Even I entered the bar with no intention of talking to anyone."

"Is it?" He smiled. "So what changed?"

"I didn't expect to bump into a handsome man."

Owen threw his head back and chuckled. "That was smooth."

"I know." She took another sip of her drink and sighed, "Why is it that one feels at complete peace only when they have their favourite drink in their hand? Or is it just me?"

"Well, alcohol makes you forget about your worries and helps you to live in the moment and for the moment."

"That makes sense," Juliana sighed.

"So how many brownie points do I have to earn until I ask you for a dance?" Owen inched closer and smiled, "Or do I already have enough?"

"Oh you have a long way to go," she answered as she gulped down the remaining alcohol.

Without saying anything, Owen gestured the bartender to refill their glasses.

…..

[Two hours later]

[Silicon hotel, Room no: 75]

"If I tell you something, will you judge me?"

"Will you judge me if I tell you something?" When Juliana shook her head, Owen chuckled, "I don't judge anyone, especially women."

After sharing a few more drinks and talking to each other non-stop, both of them immediately hit it off at the bar. There was a sync, a weird yet comfortable connection they felt with each other.

After coming out of the bar, they checked into the nearest hotel and had been cuddling with each other since then.

This was the first time Owen was willingly holding someone in his arms for hours without making a move. It felt nice and comforting. Something he had never felt before.

Juliana on the other hand was feeling the same thing as him. Though she was with a man she had just met, it felt like she had known him forever.

The connection and attraction was too strong to be ignored.

When he intertwined her hands together and pulled her closer, Juliana rested her head on his chest.

Owen caressed the back of her hand with his thumb before pressing his lips against it.

"Your hands are so tiny and soft," he chuckled.

"You have been kissing it continuously, so I'll assume you like it."

"Well—" He stopped when his eyes landed on an old scar on her right upper arm.

"How did this happen?" He frowned as he gently caressed it.

"My father used to come home drunk and lash out on my mother. One day, when he pulled out a knife and tried to attack mom, I tried to stop it by coming in the middle," she chuckled. "But unfortunately, I ended up getting hurt."

Keeping quiet for a while, he inquired, "Does he still do it?"

"He has been dead for six years now." When he kept caressing the old scar, she grabbed his hand. "You don't have to be so gentle, it doesn't hurt anymore."

She rested her head on his chest and ran her finger through the big scar on his chest. "How did this happen?"

"You wanna know?" He gently caressed her bare back. "The story might scare you away."

"Did I not tell you that I like scary things?" She rested her chin on his chest and looked at him. "It makes me feel excited."

"Is it?" He ran his fingers through her hair. "So you're telling me that you won't run away if I tell you who I am and how I got this scar?"

"Well, there is only one way to find out."

Keeping quiet for a while, Owen said, "I come from a family who is involved in illegal businesses."

"You sell drugs to kids?" She chuckled.

"No—" He ran his fingers through her hair. "We don't sell drugs or deal with drugs but everything apart from that."

"Okay, you sound like some big shot mafia." When Owen laughed, she widened her eyes in shock and looked at him. "You are a mafia."

"Does that scare you?" He raised his brows.

"Are you kidding me?" She exclaimed. "I am about to have a one night stand with a mafia, it's so exciting."

Finding her unfond excitement amusing, Owen pulled her in his embrace. "You are a weird one."

"Do you have a gun?" She excitedly inquired.

When he nodded, she threw another question at him. "Have you ever used it?"

"I have, many times," he answered.

"That's so cool."

"I have not just used it, I have also killed people with it." When she looked at him, he added, "And the last person I killed with my gun was my own father."

…..

[Eighteen years ago]

[Manhattan, New York]

When thirteen year old Owen came home after school, he bumped into his little sister who was sitting all by herself outside the apartment.

"Elsa, what are you doing outside?" he frowned.

"Dad threw me out," she complained. "I don't like him."

"Alright don't cry—" He wiped his tears away. "Where is mom?"

"She is also inside."

Without saying anything, he took out the key from his pocket and opened the door.

….

[Inside]

"My kids are not going anywhere," Elizabeth snapped at her husband, Javier Volkov.

"You managed to hide them from me for such a long time but you can't keep them away forever," Javier remarked. "Dad wants me to bring my son home and I am gonna do that."

"Don't you dare try to go near my kids," she glared at him. "They are mine, only mine. Do you understand?"

...