Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

When Rachael came down, Tina was in the kitchen, making coffee for herself.

"Hey—"

"Morning—" Tina smiled. "Do you want some coffee?"

When Rachael nodded, she poured a cup of her.

"There you go—" she gave her the cup.

"Thanks," Rachael took a sip. She then placed her hand on Tina's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am okay."

"You don't have to pretend in front of me Tina," Rachael sighed.

Keeping quiet for a while, Tina answered, "I will be okay. Don't worry about me." She assured Rachael and herself. Though it would take some time, she was sure she would get over it. She would get over Ben.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" When she shook her head, Rachael did not force her. "Alright, let me make breakfast for you. What do you wanna eat?"

"Anything will do."

…..

[Two days later]

After spending the weekend in the beach house, it was finally time to go home.

Andrew brought their luggage down and placed it inside the car trunk.

Just then Ben stepped out along with his bag and placed it inside his car.

"Are you and Tina taking the same car?" he inquired.

"I don't think so," Ben answered. She hadn't talked or even looked at him after their last conversation. He did try talking to her a few times but she kept ignoring him. This made him feel very frustrated but at the same time, he knew he deserved it.

"Alright then, she can come with us." Andrew knew something had happened between them. He wanted to talk to Ben about it but he chose not to. Ben had a lot going on in his life but he had to figure things out on his own.

Ben nodded in agreement. It was better for Tina to travel with Andrew and Rachael than him.

After closing the trunk, Andrew was about to leave when he stopped him.

"Boss, I received some news from Russia," Ben walked towards him. "It seems like Igor managed to get a sniff of what Samuel is up to. He is flying back to the city this week."

"How did he find out?" Andrew frowned. Samuel's plan of taking over the Petrov family business by double crossing his own brother was going quite smoothly. Andrew and Owen had been low-key helping him to execute his plans as well. But now that Igor had managed to get a hint of what Samuel was doing behind his back, things could get a little complicated.

"Seems like one the business partners Samuel contacted told Igor about it."

Andrew wasn't surprised. He knew this would happen some day but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. "Does Samuel know about it?"

"Yes, boss," Ben nodded. "He is working on it with Joshua. I will meet them in the evening and try to come up with a solution to deal with the situation."

"Alright but be careful. The word shouldn't go out." If the news about them helping Samuel got out, things would get very complicated for both ends.

Just then Tina stepped out along with Rachael.

Ben looked at her. When their eyes met, Tina quickly looked away.

"Andrew, can you help Tina with her luggage? She will come with us," Rachael remarked.

"Sure." Andrew quickly took the suitcase and placed it inside the trunk.

Though Ben knew she wouldn't travel with him, he still felt a little sore and disappointed.

After Andrew and Rachael boarded the car, Tina approached Ben.

She then took out a watch from her bag and gave it to him. "You left this in the room, I found it today while packing."

"Thanks—" He took the watch from her hand. He was about to say something but she walked away.

"Wait—" He grabbed her hand. When she looked at him, he froze. He forgot what he was about to say.

When he did not say anything nor did he let go of her hand, she said, "Andrew and Rachael are waiting for me."

"Come with me," he stated. "Let's go together."

...

[Inside]

"Ouch—" Justin winced in pain when someone stepped on his foot. "Can you people be a little careful," he glared at the three overly excited people.

"Talk slowly," Elsa pinched his waist.

"What do you think is happening?" Jiliana curiously asked as she peeked outside.

"Maybe he is telling her that he likes her," Owen assumed.

All four of them were about to step out when they saw Ben and Tina together. In order to give the couple some privacy, they decided to stay back until they were done. But that didn't stop them from peeking through the door, trying their best to overhear their conversation.

"What are you people doing?" George frowned when he saw them huddled near the door.

"Ssshh—" All four of them shushed him together.

Without saying anything, George quickly joined the huddled.

"They are finally talking—" he excitedly exclaimed.

"Yeah, but we have no idea what he is telling her," Owen remarked.

"I hope he is not saying anything stupid again," Elsa scoffed.

"They look so cute together," Juliana sighed. "I hope they work things out."

….

[Outside]

When Tina did not say anything, Ben tightened his grip around her hand. He was worried that she would turn him down.

"Why do you want me to come? Let me guess—" Tina chuckled, "You don't wanna be alone for the long ride."

"It's not that," he remarked. "I want you to come with me."

When she scoffed and looked away, he added, "I know you are mad at me. You have all the right to be mad. But for now, can we please put everything aside and take a ride together?"

"Please," he requested.

Though she was still mad at him, she didn't have the heart to turn him down. "My luggage in Andrew's car."

"I'll get it, you go sit in the car, okay?" When she nodded, he let go of her hand and quickly rushed towards Andrew's car to fetch her bag.

…..