Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"I-It's—" Elsa hesitated for a while. "It's mostly import and export."

Before Rachael could say anything, she added, "It's nothing so extravagant. It's a very simple business. Our family has been into it for decades."

Just then Andrew entered the kitchen. When he saw Elsa holding a knife, he frowned, "What on earth are you doing? Keep that thing away from my wife."

"I am helping Rach cook di—" Before she could even complete her sentence, the knife was snatched from her hand.

"No need—" He then looked at Rachael. "A dog can handle a knife better than her."

Elsa: " "

"How can you insult me so openly?" Elsa frowned. "That is so humiliating."

"You once almost stabbed Owen when you were trying to cut a watermelon."

"How?" Rachael curiously inquired wondering how was it possible to stab someone while cutting a watermelon.

Rolling her eyes, Elsa scoffed, "He kept blabbering while I was trying to cut that damn fruit. So things got a little heated and—" She awkwardly cleared her throat. "I stabbed him."

When Rachael widened her eyes in shock, Elsa defended herself. "But I stopped before the knife could even touch him."

"The knife did not touch him because Owen dodged it. If not for his quick actions, you would have stabbed your own brother." Andrew then looked at Rachael. "I told you she is very hot headed."

"Stop bad mouthing me, you are very annoying—" Elsa glared at him before dashing out of the kitchen.

After she was gone, Andrew took over her job. "Let me help you."

Rachael did not say anything and briefly nodded. She then resumed what she was doing.

"How should I cut the onion?"

"Dice it."

"The garlic?"

"Mince.."

"The carrot?"

Rachael frowned at him. "This isn't the first time you are doing it, why are you asking so many questions?"

"Because apparently you won't tell me anything until and unless I ask you," he remarked. "You would rather keep it inside and let it torture you than share it with your husband."

He then hugged her from behind. "I'll be back before you know it. I don't wanna leave you and go but this is important—" If it was something avoidable, he would definitely skip it but it wasn't something that could be ignored.

"Will you call me everyday?"

"Everyday?" He chuckled. "I'll call you every hour."

He rested his chin on her shoulder. "I'll bring you many gifts when I come back."

"I don't need gifts—" She turned towards him. "Just come back to me safe and sound. That is the gift I want."

"Hey—" He gently caressed her cheek with his thumb. "No matter what happens, I'll always come back to you. I am not someone you can get rid of, okay? You are stuck with me for life and maybe even after."

Wrapping her arms around his waist, she rested her head on his chest. "You are still here and I already miss you. How is that even possible?"

Kissing the top of her head, he sighed, "I'll miss you too. Though I am not showing it, I am actually very bumped about leaving."

"Don't worry, I'll be here when you come back." She smiled.

"I know you'll be here and even if you are not, I'll bring you back. I'll always bring you back."

…..

[Next day, 8:00 Am]

Since they had to be at the airport in an hour, Justin went over to Rachael's parents place first to see Edward before coming to Andrew's place.

Owen would be there soon and the three them would leave for the airport together.

He wanted to take Edward with him as he would be gone for quite some time, but Owen told him it wouldn't be a wise choice to take a child with them.

After considering everything he decided to leave Edward with Rachael and her parents. It was much safer convenient that way.

When Justin entered the mansion, the first person he bumped into was Elsa. She was sitting on the couch, reading something.

"Where is Andrew?" He inquired.

"They haven't come down yet," she casually answered without taking her eyes off the magazine she was reading.

Keeping quiet for a while, he said, "I heard you have plans of getting married."

"You heard right."

"Do you have anyone in mind?" He sat next to her. It would be lie if he said it didn't bother him when he heard about her marriage plans from Owen and Andrew.

"Well, I had you in mind but—" She closed the magazine and smiled at him. "That didn't work out, did it?"

Pausing for a while, she added, "Maybe Robby or anyone else, it doesn't matter. As long as he is a decent man and will not cast me away like I am nothing, I will marry him."

When she got up and tried to walk, Justin grabbed her hand. "You are considering marrying a guy who doesn't even know you?"

He got up and frowned at her. "How long have you two been dating? Six months? And yet he doesn't even know that you hate roses."

"So? Who cares?" She shrugged. "He doesn't have to know me. As long as he treats me well and satisfies my bedroom needs, I am willing to marry him."

Justin's expressions darkened and he tightened his grip around her wrist.

"Oh don't tell me that me being with some other guy bothers you—" she mockingly scoffed.

"It doesn't bother me—" He stated. "I just don't want you to do something stupid."

His words pinched her heart. It had been three long years but his distant behaviour still bothered her.

"You don't have to worry about me." She removed his hand from her arm. "I know what I am doing."

"Three years ago, you told me to move on and now I finally am," she added. "It was very hard to get over it…to get over you but now it doesn't bother me anymore. Since you are completely out of the picture now, it's time I should settle down."

…