Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"I—" Tina started panicking. The way Andrew was looking at her, she was sure he knew what was going on.

"Okay then, it's decided." Rachael looked at Ben. "Tina will show you around today."

Left with no other choice, Ben agreed. "Okay madam."

Glancing at the watch, Andrew said, "We should leave now."

"Hmm, let's go."

After Rachael and Andrew left, Tina approached him. "Where do you wanna go?"

"I don't know, anywhere is fine," Ben answered.

Thinking for a while, she inquired, "Is there something you are interested in?" When he shook his head, Tina sighed. "Alright then, I'll take you somewhere."

"Okay, when should I pick you up? "

"Pick me up from here in an hour," Tina answered.

...

[Andrew's car]

"I didn't know you were a matchmaker as well." Andrew smiled and looked at her.

"Well—" Rachael chuckled. "It's like a social service."

"Does Tina like Ben?" he inquired.

"I guess." She looked at Andrew. "Ben is not gay right?"

"What?" he chuckled. "Why are you suddenly questioning my assistant's sexuality?"

"I am not questioning it, I am just covering all the areas," she remarked. "If he is really gay, I have to give Tina a heads-up to not waste her time."

"Hmm…I have never asked Ben this, I am sure he is not gay." Keeping quiet for a while, Andrew added, "He used to date someone in the past but she married someone else."

"Oh my God, that sucks," Rachael widened her eyes in shock. "Was it a very serious relationship?"

"Yes," he nodded. "They were supposed to get married but I don't know what happened."

Before she could say anything, he added, "It was almost six or seven years ago. But after that, I haven't seen or heard of him dating anyone else."

"That's so sad." She could totally relate to how Ben must have felt after losing someone he valued a lot.

Just then, Andrew's phone started ringing.

"Take out my phone, it's inside my coat," he instructed.

Rachael grabbed his coat from the back seat and took out his phone.

"It's grandma." She showed him the caller ID.

When he did not say anything, she asked, "You are not gonna answer it?"

"No need, I'll call her later."

"Okay." She wanted to ask him if it was his maternal grandma but she didn't.

When the phone kept ringing continuously. Rachael looked at him and said, "I think you should answer it. She is calling so many times, what if it's something important?"

"It's nothing important," he remarked. "Just put it in silent mode."

Rachael quietly did what he asked her to and kept the phone aside.

…..

[Vagabound Hotel, Room no: 109]

Looking at the toys Edwards was holding, Elsa chuckled, "You can't take so many toys with you."

In response, the little one hugged his precious possessions tightly and pouted his lips.

"Edward, we are going for a vacation, not to play with toys," Justin remarked. He then took the toys from his hand and shoved it inside the toy box. "You have to pack your clothes and other important things."

"But toys…important too."

"It's not that important," Justin stated.

"Hey, don't say that." Elsa smacked Justin's arm before pulling Edward in her embrace. "Toys are important too. What will he play with when he gets bored?"

"Elsa—"

"Don't you have your suitcase to pack as well?" Elsa interrupted him. "Go and do it."

Ignoring him, she lifted Edward in her arms and walked towards the toy box.

"I will let you take three toys of your choice, okay?" When the little one enthusiastically nodded, Elsa reminded him. "Remember, only three…" She then placed him down and waited for him to choose what he wanted.

"You are really spoiling him." Justin sighed and helplessly shook his head.

"And you are too hard on him."

He then hugged her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. "What can I do? I have to be a little strict because you are very lenient. A child can't have two super fun parents."

Keeping quiet for a while, Elsa inquired, "When are you planning to visit your grandfather?"

When he did not say anything, she turned towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You can't avoid him all the time."

Elsa knew grandpa Hans, Justin's maternal grandfather and the CEO of Hans Corporation had been calling him continuously since he had arrived in the city. But Justin kept avoiding him.

"I don't know babe," he sighed. "Should I really take over the company?" Though he was the major shareholder of the company, he had never once interfered in the company matters.

When he decided to move to Elisberg city permanently with Edward, he did think about taking over the company to fulfil his grandpa's wish but as time passed, he started feeling very skeptical.

"But I thought you wanted to do it."

Justin nodded. "Yes but—" Keeping quiet for a while, he added, "What if I can't manage it? What if it's not my thing?"

"Hey—" She frowned and smacked his chest. "Stop doubting yourself. You are more than capable of managing a company. I have one hundred faith in you."

"You think so?"

"Of course, my boyfriend is very capable," Elsa exclaimed. "And even if you face any problem, Andrew is always there to guide you."

"I know." He knew Andrew would always be there to help him. This was one the reasons why he had agreed to take over the company in the first place.

"So—" She hooked her arms around his neck. "As soon as we come back from our vacation, you have to go and meet your grandpa. Take Edward with you as well."

"Hmm, I will take you as well."

"Me?" She widened her eyes in shock. "W-Why?"

"What do you mean by why?" he frowned. "I want to introduce you to him."

Thinking for a while, Elsa suggested, "You are meeting him after so many years, I think you should go and see him first. You can take Edward and me to see him later."

"Let's talk about it after we come back."

Just then, Edward poked Elsa's leg. "Mama—" He showed her the three toys he had selected.

"Good boy—" She smiled and squatted down to match his height. "My Edward is such a smart boy."

"Let's pack your luggage now, okay?" When he nodded, Elsa grabbed his hand and guided him towards the bedroom.

...

[Collins Mansion]

When Rachael and Andrew arrived home, Aunt Maria was waiting for them near the entrance.

"Aunt Maria, what are you still doing here?" Andrew frowned as he glanced at his watch. "Shouldn't you be at the airport?'

"I heard you both are coming back today so I stayed for a little longer."

"Are you going somewhere?" Rachael inquired.

"Yes, I am going home."

Andrew wrapped his arms around Rachael's shoulder. "Remember, I told you she wants to go back to her hometown and spend time with her family."

"Yes but I didn't know aunt Maria was leaving today," she frowned and looked at husband. "Why didn't you tell me?" She would have prepared a farewell gift for her if he had informed her beforehand.

"It was a very sudden plan," aunt Maria explained. "I was supposed to leave next month but my son met with an accident and fractured his leg so I have to rush over to take care of him."

Rachael sighed and gave her a hug. "I am gonna really miss you." Though she didn't get to spend much time with her, aunt Maria had taken very good care of her. She had always been very caring and loving.

Aunt Maria smiled and patted her back. "I will miss you too. You must take care of yourself and eat your meals on time."

"Yes and you should visit us often."

"I will," Aunt Maria assured her.

"I will ask Yuri to drop you to the airport," Andrew remarked.

After seeing aunt Maria off, Rachael and Andrew went to their bedroom.

…..

[Bedroom]

As soon as they stepped inside the room, Andrew hugged Rachael from behind. "It's not that I didn't answer the call because you were there."

When she did not say anything, he rested his chin on her shoulder and sighed, "I don't answer it when you are not there either. I just don't feel like talking to her."

Keeping quiet for a while, Rachael said, "I wanna ask you one thing and I want you to answer honestly."

Without waiting for his reply, she curiously inquired, "You don't want me to meet your family because you think they will not approve of me for you?"

"Rach, what are you saying?" he frowned. "Why would they not approve of you?" Before she could answer, he added, "Forget that, why do they even have to approve or disapprove you? I am the one who has to spend the rest of my life with you, not them. As long as I am willing to do it, no one has a say on it."

…..