Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Geez, what is wrong with him?" Elsa looked at Rachael. "Did you two fight or something?"

"No—" Rachael shook her head. "Maybe he is just tired."

"Okay forget about him, he is always grumpy." Elsa grabbed Rachael's hand and dragged her towards the couch. "I brought you so many gifts, you are gonna love it."

Twenty-seven year old Elsa Volkov was Owen's younger sister and Andrew's first cousin. She was close with all the three men: Owen, Andrew and Justin

The Volkov family had a dominating line of male birth for generations but that was broken when Elsa was born.

Being the only female of her generation, Elsa grew up surrounded with boys. All the girls of her age from her society were weird and annoying. She didn't have any girlfriends she could connect and vibe with. This is why she always craved a female company.

Since her own brother was a certified w*hore, she had always relied on Andrew to find a woman for himself and for her to vibe with.

When she heard about his marriage, Elsa was delighted. She was kinda mad because he didn't tell her anything about it but she shoved the anger in her pocket and decided to look at the brighter part.

She wanted to rush over immediately to meet Rachael but was stopped by Owen. He asked her not to disturb the newlyweds and promised to bring her with him the next time he visited them.

Fishing out a big box from her bag, Elsa gave it to Rachael. "This box has everything you need. And by everything, I mean—" she inched closer and winked at her. "Everything."

Rachael didn't think much of it and happily accepted the gift. "Thank you so much, I am sorry I didn't prepare any gift for you."

"Oh don't worry about it." She then dug into her suitcase again. "Hold on, grandma sent something for you as well—" She took out multiple jewellery boxes and kept them on the table.

"But she sent us a gift already—" Andrew's maternal grandma had already sent her their family heirloom, the blue diamond necklace. Rachael didn't expect her to send over so many pieces of jewellery.

"Oh this is nothing, she wanted to send more but I stopped her," Elsa remarked. "But I am sure she will have them shipped soon."

Without waiting for her reply, she added, "With a heavy heart, let me tell you one thing, Andrew is grandma's favourite grandchild and since you are his wife, now you are her favourite too."

"You guys must be hungry, let me quickly prepare something for you—" Since her husband had suddenly turned grumpy, she had to step up and play the host.

"There is no need for that," Elsa stopped her. "We were just waiting for you and Andrew. I'll just go to the hotel first and finish my nap."

"Why hotel? You can stay here." There were three empty rooms in the mansion excluding the master room.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not? We have three big empty rooms," Rachael remarked.

"Well—" Elsa shrugged. "Your husband will not like that. Watch—" She then turned towards Andrew who was coming down the stairs.

"Andrew, can I stay in the guest room for a few days?"

Without any hesitation or reaction, Andrew answered bluntly, "No."

"See," Elsa chuckled and looked at Rachael. She wasn't bothered by his immediate rejection at all.

"We have many empty rooms."

He immediately stopped in his tracks when he heard Rachael.

Rachael got up and approached him. "We have such a big house, it won't look nice if Elsa stays in a hotel. She will be more comfortable and safe here, don't you think?"

"You want her to stay here?" When she nodded, he immediately agreed. "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Elsa: " "

Owen: " "

Satisfied after his immediate approval, Rachael smiled. "What do you want to eat? I'll cook for you."

"No need, you sit and chat with them. I'll prepare lunch." He gently caressed her hair before walking towards the kitchen.

"Told you he has changed a lot," Owen remarked.

"Damn Rach, what did you do to my cold and always grumpy brother?" Elsa exclaimed. "He has never changed his decision so fast, he must really like you."

"Alright, let's get you settled in one of the rooms." Rachael helped Elsa gather her things.

…..

[Kitchen]

Rachael came to the kitchen after helping Elsa settle down in the guestroom near the living room.

Not wanting to disturb the couple's privacy while she stayed with them, Elsa did not choose the room near the master bedroom.

"Did she settle down?"

Rachael nodded and approached him. "Hmm, she is taking a shower." Pointing towards the vegetables he was busy chopping, she asked, "Do you want me to do it?"

"No need—" he then placed a small piece of carrot in her mouth. "You relax."

"What about Owen? Should we ask him to stay here too?"

"He won't stay even if you ask him to," Placing another piece in her mouth, he said, "He won't get the freedom he is used to if he stays here."

When he tried to feed her one more carrot, she dodged it. "Are you trying to feed me everything?"

"It's good for your health."

When he brought it close to her mouth, Rachael had no choice but to eat it.

"Your grandma sent more gifts in Elsa's hand. They are all different kinds of jewelleries." She was aware of his strained relationship with his maternal family, she wasn't sure if it was appropriate for her to accept gifts from them without getting his approval. This is why she decided to tell him.

"Since she sent them for you, keep it," he remarked.

"Don't women love jewellery?" He wasn't sure about all women but his cousin sister Elsa loved them and was obsessed with buying every piece she found a tiny bit attractive.

"Yeah but I already have too many." Ninety percent of the gifts they had received from Andrew's acquaintances were expensive pieces of jewellery and watches.

At this point, she had no idea where to keep them.

…..