Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Rachael and Andrew's room]

While things were a little heated downstairs, the atmosphere in the bedroom was rather pleasant.

Gently caressing her back, Andrew said, "If you need anything, call Ben. He will be around."

"Hmm." Rachael buried her face in his neck. They had been cuddling in the same position since they woke up.

"Do you want to stay with your parents?" When she shook her head, he said, "If you stay there, you won't feel alone." If she moved back to her parents place, he would be a little less worried for her.

"Isn't Elsa staying back?" She looked at him. When he nodded,she said, "Then I'll stay here with her." How could she leave Elsa alone and stay at her parents place?

"Okay," he agreed. Though he wanted her to stay with her parents in his absence, he didn't want to force her.

"We should get up." She tried to pull away from his embrace but Andrew pulled her closer.

"Five more minutes." He kissed the top of her head and sighed. He felt very reluctant to let her go. Who knew when he would get a chance to hold her again? Andrew wanted to hold her as long as possible.

"You will be late for your flight." She forced herself to wiggle out of his embrace. "Go freshen up first."

Glancing at the watch, he sighed. They had to be at the airport in one and a half hours, if he didn't get up now, he would definitely be late.

Both of them got down from the bed together. Andrew stepped into the washroom while Rachael crossed checked everything that she had packed and prepared for him.

…..

[20 minutes later]

[Downstairs]

Owen looked at Justin and Elsa simultaneously and frowned. "Did you both fight again?"

When he arrived, both of them were sitting on opposite ends of the couch with a very grumpy and gloomy expression.

"We didn't fight, there is nothing to fight," Elsa snapped.

"You both are so weird," he sighed and helplessly shook his head.

Initially Owen tried his best to solve things between Justin and Elsa but when nothing worked, he gave up. He decided not to mingle in their business and let the two adults decide what is best for them.

Looking around, he inquired, "Where is Andrew?"

"They are still in their room," Justin answered.

Glancing at his watch, Owen frowned, "What is he doing in his room? We will be late for our flight."

Just then, Rachael and Andrew came down.

"There you are—" Owen got up. "Let's go."

"Won't you guys eat breakfast?" Rachael inquired.

"We will be late if we stay for breakfast," Justin remarked before getting up. He glanced at Elsa once before walking out of the mansion.

"We will eat something in the airport." Andrew caressed her hand with his thumb. "I'll go now, okay?"

Rachael tightened her grip on his hand and nodded.

"Don't skip your meals and call me immediately if something comes up."

"Okay."

Leaning forward, he pressed his lips on her forehead. "I'll call you as soon as the plane lands."

"Call me when you board the flight."

He nodded and kissed the back of her hand before reluctantly letting it go.

As soon as he let go off her hand, Rachael felt a pinch in her heart that almost welled up her eyes. The weird sensation of agony enveloped her heart, making her stomach churn.

He was still in her sight but she already missed him terribly. How did she end up feeling so attached to him in such a short period of time? It felt weird but also very satisfying.

Before leaving, Andrew approached Elsa. "Take care of her, okay?"

"Don't worry, I am here." She gave him a hug.

After the three of them left, Elsa and Rachael sat down for breakfast.

Seeing how awfully silent Rachael was, she tried to cheer her up.

"Okay, he is away only for a few days, he will come back soon," Elsa remarked. "You both can always talk over the phone or video call each other. There is nothing to be so sad about."

Rachael sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know, I'll be fine in sometime."

"Should we go shopping to cheer you up?" Elsa suggested to which Rachael agreed.

"Okay then—" she excitedly exclaimed. "Let's finish eating and go shopping."

…..

[Bedroom]

After eating, Rachael came back to the bedroom to get ready.

As she was about to enter the washroom to take a shower, her phone started ringing.

When she saw the caller ID, she quickly received it.

"Are you at the airport?"

"Hmm, we will board in fifteen minutes." Pausing for a while, Andrew sighed, "It's just been an hour and I already miss you. What have you done to me, Rach?"

He had never felt so reluctant and helpless in his entire life. When it came to work, Andrew never hesitated to even travel to the opposite end of the world but this time, it was different. The inner urge to abandon everything and run home to his wife kept getting stronger with each passing minute.

"Finish your work and come back to me quickly, okay?" Keeping quiet for a while, she said, "I don't think I can stay away from you for a long time."

"I'll come back as soon as I finish my work, I promise."

After getting his assurance, Rachael felt a little better.

"Did you eat something?"

"I did, what about you?"

"Elsa and I just finished eating," she answered. "Now we are planning to go shopping."

"Open the bedside drawer," he instructed her.

"Okay—" she walked towards the drawer and opened it. "What is it?"

"I left my card there, can you find it?"

"One second—" She fiddled through the things and finally found it. "I got it, what do you want me to do with it?"

"I want you to keep it with you and use it when you go shopping." Andrew knew she would definitely hesitate to keep his credit card if he gave it to her in person. This is why he left it behind and asked her to look for it.

….