Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Bedroom]

Keeping the tray with the soup and some sauteed veggies on the bed, Andrew gently patted Rachael's shoulder to wake her up.

When she groaned, he said, "Rach, wake up and eat something."

"Not hungry."

"You still have to eat." He then grabbed her arms and lifted her up. "Come on, the soup will turn cold."

Left with no other choice, she reluctantly opened her eyes.

Placing the tray in front of her, he said, "Finish the soup and veggies."

Looking at the hot steaming bowl of soup, she asked, "You made it?" When he nodded, she glanced at the watch. It was almost midnight.

"Come on, drink it while it's still hot." He picked up the bowl and gave it to her before picking up the other one for himself. "I haven't made this soup for a long time so I don't know how it tastes."

Taking a sip, Rachael exclaimed, "It's very nice."

"Eat the vegetables too."

She nodded and quietly finished her food.

After they were done, Andrew took the empty utensils to the kitchen..

When he came back, Rachael had just stepped out of the washroom.

She glanced at him and smiled before walking towards the bed.

Andrew grabbed her hand. "What happened?" Something wasn't right and Andrew could feel it. Since she woke up, she had been exceptionally quiet.

"N-Nothing." When he kept staring at her, she tried to assure him again. "It's seriously nothing."

"Why did you sleep in the living room?"

"I was talking to Emma and Tina, I must have fallen asleep by mistake."

Crossing his arms in the front, he remarked, "Did someone ever tell you that you are a bad liar?"

When she did not say anything, he took a step towards her. He then placed his hand on either side of her arms. "If you don't tell me, how will I know? I am very talented but I can't read minds."

"It's really nothing, I just thought you wanted to be alone for sometime so—" she sighed. "I just didn't wanna intrude your personal space."

When he did not say anything, she started feeling nervous. "You were very upset so I thought maybe you needed some time alone." She did not mention anything about the conversation she had with Justin.

"So you forced yourself to sleep on the couch in the living room without wearing anything warm because you didn't want to intrude my personal space?"

When Rachael shook and nodded her head at the time, Andrew sighed. He had no idea what he was supposed to say.

Yes, he was upset and his mood was a little down after coming back from the hospital. But all he needed was a nap to wear it off. He had no plans of wanting to stay alone for a long time or ignore Rachael. He had no idea from where she had got the idea but he definitely did not like it.

"Don't ever do that, understood?"

Understanding what he meant, she obediently nodded. She then placed her hand on his arm. "Are you okay?"

Andrew nodded. "I am fine. I just needed to take a nap."

"Rachael—" he slid his hand from her arm to her hands. "I don't know from where you got this idea but you don't have to be so cautious around me. Yes, I agree I have a few habits which are very weird and inappropriate. But I'll try to change them, it will take some time but I will."

"And about my personal space, you don't have to worry about that. Everything I have is now yours, including my personal space. In fact, you are my personal space." Gently caressing her hand with his thumb, he reminded her. "Don't overthink so much, okay?"

….

[Next day]

As he had said, Andrew left for work early in the morning before she even woke up.

When Rachael came down after freshening, the helpers served her with breakfast Andrew had made for her before going to the office.

Just then he received a message from him.

[Andrew: Are you up?]

[Rachael: Yes, I just woke up]

[A: Don't forget to eat your breakfast. I won't be able to come home for lunch so make sure you don't skip it.]

She was about to reply when another message popped up.

[A: Don't even think about lying because I'll ask Aunt Maria]

[R: Okay sir, anything else?]

She playfully replied.

[A: That will be all madam, I'll see you in the evening.]

After reading his last text, Rachael smiled. She could totally imagine the playful way Andrew would call her 'Madam' in person.

…..

[Collins Cooperation]

[Andrew's office]

After seeing the text, Andrew thought for a while before sending another one..

[A: Very excited for our first road trip together, can't wait :) ]

Justin scoffed when he saw the sly smile on his face. "You are so smitten—"

Keeping his phone on the table, Andrew asked, "What are you doing here so early?"

Pointing at Edward who was running around in the office, Justin said, "I came to drop him off."

"Why don't you drop him off at home? Rachael is there."

"Isn't she alone? Will it not be too much work?"

"She can easily handle a toddler. My wife is very talented," Andrew stated.

He then looked at Edward who was now playing with a bunch of papers on his desk. "Did you select any good kindergarten?"

"Not yet—" Justin pinched his brows and sighed. "Let me take care of the remaining things back there first. After that's done, I can focus on him more."

Keeping quiet for a while, Andrew remarked, "Do you know what Edward and you need?" When Justin looked at him, he added, "A wife and a mother."

When Justin frowned, he said, "Edward is in a stage where he needs someone's constant attention and care. And you are thirty-one, you need a wife."

"I have no intention of getting married."

"You have no intention of getting married or you don't wanna marry anyone else apart from her?"

...