Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Are you going?"

When she did not say anything, Andrew remarked, "Since you have made up your mind, there is nothing left for me to say."

"Andrew—"

Cutting her off, he asked, "Where are you meeting him?"

"High point café." Worried that he would take it in a wrong sense, she quickly added, "George and Emma are going with me."

"Oh—is that supposed to make me feel better?" he smirked.

Not giving her a chance to reply, he said, "You can do whatever you want to, I will never stop you."

Without waiting for her reply, he hung up the call.

…..

[Hill Point Café]

When they arrived at the café, Rachael refused to get out of the car. She just sat there in a daze.

George looked at his sister who was sitting in the front seat with him and sighed.

"Emma, can you give us a minute?"

When Emma stepped out, he held Rachael's hand. "Don't overthink—"

"I don't think this is a good idea," she looked at him. "I should just go home—" Though she was already there, all she could think about was Andrew. She knew he wasn't okay with the decision she had made. How could anyone be okay with it?

"Tell me one thing, do you really wanna do this?" he inquired. "I know you never got closure. Do you need one?"

"I-I don't know—" Rachael sighed. "I just don't wanna hurt Andrew."

"You told him?" When she nodded, George added, "I don't know Rach, I just don't want you to get stuck in this situation for the rest of your life. I want you to put an end to it and never look back."

He sighed and helplessly shook his head. "I can't believe I am saying this but—just meet him this time and finish it off. This way you can make a proper fresh start with Andrew."

Thinking for a while, she took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.

…..

[Inside the café]

Oliver got up when Rachael entered the café. He stood in his place, staring at her as she approached him. She looked as beautiful as he remembered. The existing guilt and regret enveloped his heart as he tried very hard to conceal it.

Rachael on the other hand felt nothing but weird at the sight of the man she was once desperately in love with. She had anticipated this day since he abandoned her on their wedding day. But now when he was right in front of her, it just felt weird and wrong.

"Hi—" He greeted her.

Rachael gave him a weak smile and sat right across the table.

"What do you wanna eat? I was waiting for you to order," he said as he picked up the menu.

"That's okay, I have to eat dinner later."

"Okay—" He kept the menu down and looked at her. "How have you been Rach?"

"I am good," she smiled. "What about you?"

"I have been better," he sighed. "It has been a tough year."

Keeping quiet for a while, Rachael inquired, "Why did you wanna meet me?"

"After what I did—I thought you had many things to ask and clarify with me." When their eyes met, Oliver gulped in nervousness. Though she looked the same, she felt so different.

"To be honest Oliver, if we had met a few months ago, maybe I would have drowned you with questions but at this moment, I have nothing to ask or offer," she stated. "Whatever we had is now in the past and it doesn't matter anymore."

Oliver did not say anything, he just kept looking at her. Though he knew he deserved her coldness, it still pinched his heart.

"Y-You don't wanna know why I left?"

"Does it matter?" When he lowered his head, she smiled, "I have already moved on. I am not gonna lie to you, it wasn't easy. I had my struggles but now that I have, everything was worth it."

Though Rachael had been through a lot in the last 12 months, everything felt worth it after she met Andrew. If not for the unfortunate events of the past, maybe she would have never met him again.

"That's right." He forced himself to smile. "You are married now, congratulations."

"Thanks." Rachael smiled and caressed her wedding ring. "His name is Andrew."

"Andrew Collins," He nodded. "I know."

Keeping quiet for a while, he questioned her. "Rach, are you happy?"

"Yes, I am very happy." The thought of the man who now meant everything to her, brightened the smile on her face. "Andrew treats me very well."

"T-Thats nice," he smiled, trying very hard to conceal the bitter feeling in his heart.

When he did not say anything further, Rachael glanced at her watch and said, "I think I should leave." It was already past eight, she wanted to be at home when Andrew came back.

"'So fast?" he frowned. "Can't you stay a little longer?"

"Do you have anything else to say?"

"I—" Oliver hesitated for a while. "I don't know what to say, I am just glad that you are happy."

He looked straight into her eyes. "You have no idea how much I regret leaving you. I know I was wrong."

When she did not say anything, he added, "I won't lie to you, I came here to meet you, to see you and to tell you how much I miss you. I miss you a lot Rach."

His eyes teared up as he finished pouring out all the emotions he had been piling in his heart for the past twelve months. He thought he would feel better after seeing her, telling her how much he missed her but that didn't happen. Instead, the pain and burden in his heart intensified and the fact that she was already someone else's wife made it even worse.

"Then why did you leave?" Rachael inquired. "If our relationship meant so much to you, why did you walk out?"

"Your family status is very high in comparison to mine," he answered. "I always felt inferior in front of you. I wanted to become someone capable Rachael, I wanted to give you the best life. I wanted to be someone great for us."

…..

[AUTHOR'S NOTE]

Greetings readers :)

I am leaving this short note to say a few things.

Firstly, I would like to thank all my beautiful readers for showing so much love to this book. It really means a lot to me. Please continue supporting the characters and this cute author ^_^

Secondly, I would like to ask everyone to vote for the book using the GOLDEN TICKET if you can.

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Happy Reading :)

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