Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Andrew?"

"Yeah, Andrew Collins." Looking at Rachael, Michael asked, "You remember him right?"

"Uncle Fredricks son?" When Michael nodded, George asked, "He is back in town?"

"Yes, he has plans of settling down here now."

"Wow, I haven't seen him since—"

"His parents passed away." The sudden gloominess on Michael's face was very evident.

"That poor boy has been through so much since a very young age," Reeta sighed. "Fredrick and Lisa were very good people."

"Wait, Andrew—" Looking at Rachael, Emma asked, "Isn't he the same boy you used to run behind all the time?"

"Yes you are right," Tina beamed. "I remember how terribly Rachael cried when he left."

"She was down with fever for days after he left," George added.

"I was ten at that time." Ignoring the further comments her friends and brother kept passing, she asked Michael. "Doesn't our company have a big upcoming project with them?"

Michael nodded. "Yes, we are still in the preparatory phase. Once Andrew takes over the company, we will pitch all our ideas."

"From what I know, he has never been in town. How is he managing the company?" George inquired.

"The Vice President, Mr.Steven used to care of all company matters in his absence. But he is retiring this month," he answered. "This is why Andrew is coming back."

Glancing at his watch, Michael took a sip of his black tea and quickly got up. "I have a meeting to attend." Gently caressing his daughter's head, he reminded her. "Don't forget about the dinner and dress well, okay?"

Rachael frowned. Why was she supposed to dress well? But before she could say anything, he was gone.

"I am running late too—" George also left for work after bidding everyone goodbye.

…..

[Rachael's bedroom]

After cancelling the original movie plan, the three of them decided to spend sometime in Rachael's room before going shopping later.

"I wonder how Rachael's childhood crush looks now."

"I know right? He was a handsome boy back then so I think he is definitely an eye candy now." Grabbing the laptop, Tina remarked, "Let's find out."

"Will we find him?" Emma quickly got up and joined Tina.

"Duh, Google has all the answers and isn't he a big shot?" Both of them looked at Rachael. When she nodded, Tina asked, "What is his company name?"

"Collins Corporation."

After hitting the search button, multiple articles about the company popped up.

[The infamous CEO of the multi-million company, Collins Corporation is back]

"Damn, it's a multi-million company—" Emma exclaimed.

Rachael nodded. "Yes it is."

"His return is already a hot topic—" Scrolling down, she opened an article to get a detailed description about the company and the CEO.

"Give me that—'' Taking the laptop from her, Emma started reading the article. " Okay so what do we have here—damn the guy is hot," she exclaimed before showing the picture to Tina and Rachael.

"Oh my—" Tina gasped. "He is hotter than I thought. He is wearing a suit but I can totally undress him with my eyes."

"I know right? I see the abs right through that black shirt." Looking at Rachael, Emma asked, "What do you think Rach? Are you simping all over again?"

"I don't know what to say." Rachael had limited memories with Andrew as she was too young when he left. But they were very close as kids. It had been 17 years since she last saw him or heard from him.

The sudden mention of his name made her feel a little nostalgic. A part of her even anticipated to know what he looked like in person.

"What do you mean by you don't know? Just say that he is hot."

"Yes he is—" Sitting up straight, Rachael took the laptop from Emma and started reading the article.

[Name: Andrew Collins

Age: 30

Father's name: Fredrick Collins

Mother's name: Lisa Ricardo Collins

Occupation: CEO and Chairman of Collins corporation

Net worth: Unknown…..]

"Okay, the guy is a billionaire," Tina exclaimed.

"And how did you get that?" Pointing towards the screen, Emma remarked, "His net worth is unknown."

"Unknown means the guy is f*ucking rich."

"Okay so he is hot, a billionaire and single." Looking at Rachael, Emma remarked, "If you don't want him, I will definitely give it a shot."

"What are you guys talking about? Why would I want him?" Closing the laptop, Rachael got down from the bed. "I am not interested in that way. I mean, of course I am excited to see him. It's been so many years but not really in that way—"

"But why not? He is hot and single."

"Exactly and so much better than that jerk cousin of mine," Emma scoffed.

"How long are you planning to stay like this Rach? Until and unless you don't take any initiative, you will never move on." Approaching her, Tina placed her hand on Rachael's shoulder. "Look, I know you have been through a lot in the past one year. But life doesn't end there, does it?"

Rachael sighed and nodded. "I know. It's not like I don't wanna move on or I am not over my past relationship. I just don't want to disappoint myself again."

"We are not telling you to force yourself to be with Andrew—" Emma tried to explain her point. "We are just asking you not to resist if things go north."

"Emma is right, don't resist at all."

Left with no other choice, Rachael agreed. She wasn't really interested in relationships anymore. Her past relationship had drained her so much that she had no energy left to invest in a new relationship.

The past year was very stressful for her family and friends too. She knew that Emma still blamed herself for everything that had happened. Though everyone told her repeatedly that it wasn't her fault, she still took the guilt trip.

Rachael never blamed Emma or anyone else for what had happened. Though she had met Oliver through Emma, it was her decision to let him in her life and love him. No one forced her to be with him.

After everything that had happened, how was she supposed to trust a man again?

…..