Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Well—" Andrew smirked. "When there are people like you around us, how can we be at peace even when we are on vacation with our family?"

"Fair enough," Igor chuckled. "Maybe someday we all can go on a vacation together and enjoy ourselves. What do you say?"

"Did you call me to plan a vacation?" Without waiting for his reply, Andrew added, "Seems like you have a lot of free time in hand but unfortunately I don't."

"Apologies again, I forgot that Mr.Collins is a very busy man but I guess he is free when it comes to helping my people escape the country."

Keeping quiet for a while, Igor inquired, "May I please know the reason behind your sudden generous action?"

"We didn't help anyone," Andrew stated. "And even if we had, I don't think it should concern you."

"How could I not be concerned if the people you help are my own brother and sister?"

"Shouldn't you be more concerned of why they are trying to run away from you instead of worrying about why someone helped them?" Before Igor could say something, Andrew sneered, "First your right hand man left your side and now your family—doesn't this make you wonder if something is wrong with your action?"

Keeping quiet for a while, Igor inquired, "Is Joshua working under you now?"

"Why? Are you worried that he will start working under me?" Andrew smirked. "He knows too much, doesn't he?"

"Since you aren't saying anything, I'll assume that Joshua knows more than he should," he added. Joshua had been closely working with Igor for years, it was obvious that he knew many things about the Petrov family, especially the things that involved Igor.

If someday, Joshua decided to spill the beans, things would be very difficult for Igor. He was sure Igor wouldn't let go of his right hand man so easily. He would definitely try to make things difficult for him. And Andrew didn't want that.

If anything was to happen to Joshua, it would directly affect Rachael, even though she has nothing to do with it.

Andrew had no intention of getting in between the war which involved the Petrov brothers, but Joshua's sudden appearance and his close connection with his wife changed everything.

In order to make sure everything stays in the right place, he had to get involved even though he didn't want to.

After so many years of rivalry between the Volkovs and the Petrovs, the two families had somehow learnt how to co-exists. Even though they had conflicts every now and then, it was something that could be solved easily.

Though they never made a verbal commitment, the two families had stopped interfering in each other's business and tried to stay away from it until necessary.

Andrew was aware of what he was getting himself into but this time, it was necessary to take sides.

The way Igor has been aggressively trying to expand his illegal business was slowly getting out of hand. Not only that, he had also been actively involved in various activities that had been carried out against the Volkov family in the last couple of years. Though his name was never leaked out, Andrew and Owen knew he was executing them behind the shadow.

Everything had to come to an end before something big happened.

"If you think taking away Joshua will be beneficial for you then you are wrong." Igor's voice was very dense in comparison to the way he was speaking earlier. Andrew had surely hit his weak spot.

"It's funny how to think that way—" Andrew chuckled. "Let me remind you one thing Igor, nobody took Joshua away from you, he voluntarily left your side."

Keeping quiet for a long time, Igor remarked, "What you are doing is not right, Andrew. I am telling you, back out now or the result will definitely not be fruitful."

"I can tell you the same thing, can't I?" When he did not say anything, Andrew said, "If there is nothing else, I'll hang up."

Without waiting for his reply, he hung up the call. After a few seconds, he called Ben.

"Is everything done?" He inquired.

"Yes boss, Samuel and his sister have already boarded the jet and are on the way to the city," Ben informed.

"Did you make sure everything remains low-key?"

"Don't worry boss, I was very careful," Ben assured him.

When Andrew had instructed Ben to help Samuel out, he had specifically asked him to keep it low to attract minimum attention. He didn't want to invite any new trouble.

"Keep a close eye on all three of them, especially Joshua," he instructed before hanging up the call.

"Hey is everything okay?" Rachael approached him. "You took a long time so—"

"Everything is fine," he answered. "Come here." He pulled her in his embrace.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" When he nodded, she smiled, "Okay then—"

"Ohh that 'Okay' really pinched my heart," Andrew sighed. "Which means, you are not okay."

He rested his chin on her shoulder. "What is it?"

When she shook her head, he said, "If you don't tell me, how will I find out? I love you babe, but I can't read your mind."

Keeping quiet for a while, Rachael answered, "I just feel you are keeping many things away from me, especially the things which are related to your maternal family and things that happen in Russia."

Contemplating for a while, she added, "The marks on your chest and the scar in your thigh—how did you get them?"

She had noticed several scars and round faded marks on his chest. There was also a noticeable scar on his thigh which she assumed would have been a big deep wound.

Though she didn't mention it to him before, she couldn't stop thinking about it.

"They are just childhood scars," he answered. "I was a very clumsy kid."

"Andrew, I know what childhood scars look like and what you have is definitely not that," she frowned. "It's okay if you don't wanna tell me but at least don't lie."

...