Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

Andrew was about to say something when Owen shamelessly added, "It will take some time to make noodles, can I get a slice of toast with butter and jam to fill my empty stomach? I didn't eat breakfast."

"Sure, Andrew will make it for you while I start working on the noodles," Rachael remarked as she looked at her husband. "Right, honey?"

"Yeah, right." Andrew nodded. "I will make a really great toast and milkshake for Mr. Freeloader."

Owen: " "

…..

[Living Room]

Daniel sighed and helplessly shook his head. "Why are you being such a baby Elsa?"

Elsa, on the other hand, refused to look at him. She was facing the side with her cheeks puffed with anger. She was mad as he hadn't visited her for a whole year.

"Alright, stop being angry," he tried to coax her. "I will take you shopping later, okay?"

After hearing the word 'Shopping', she gave him a look. "Really?" When he nodded, she asked, "Can I buy whatever I want?"

"Whatever you want and I will pay for it," he stated.

"Okay," she exclaimed. "You are forgiven."

"Alright," Daniel chuckled. "Now give uncle a hug."

"I missed you and Kate so much," she sighed. "How can you stay without seeing me for almost a year?"

"You know how hectic work is and your aunt—" He helplessly sighed. "Don't even get me started on that."

"Look at you both hugging without me." When both of them looked at him, Owen grinned and opened his arms. "Uncle—"

But instead of accepting his hug, Daniel flicked his forehead. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?"

"Ouch—" Owen frowned and rubbed the sore spot. "That hurt."

"Call me that again and I will shave off your brows," he warned him.

"I don't understand one thing—" Owen pointed towards Elsa. "It's fine when she calls you uncle but it's suddenly not acceptable when Andrew and I do the same."

"Elsa is a baby," Daniel remarked. "Whereas you and Andrew—you both are old."

"Hey, that's rude—" he complained. "I am only thirty-two and Andrew is thirty-one. We are still very young."

Without waiting for his reply, Owen added, "And she—" He pointed towards Elsa. "How is she still a baby? She is twenty-seven."

"I know." Daniel wrapped his arms around Elsa's shoulder. "No matter how old she grows, she will always be our family's little baby girl."

Elsa stuck her tongue out to her grumpy brother. "Perks of being the only daughter in the family."

"Lame—" Owen scoffed.

"Anyway, enough of all the greetings—" Daniel looked around and inquired, "Where is Andrew?"

"He is in the kitchen helping Rachael to cook," Owen answered.

Thinking for a while, Daniel looked at Elsa. "Why don't you go inside and check my luggage? Kate sent some gifts for you and Rachael, go get them."

"Oh great."

After Elsa left, Daniel sighed. "Her obsession with gifts and shopping is still the same."

"Some things never change," Owen chuckled.

Keeping quiet for a while, Daniel inquired, "Why didn't you people tell me about the attack?" When Owen did not say anything, he snapped, "Just because I am away, it doesn't mean I won't find anything out."

"It wasn't a big deal," Owen tried to explain. "And moreover, no one was injured."

Daniel and Owen were talking about the unexpected and unsuccessful assassination attempt that had happened when they had visited Russia last month.

"It's our hometown, Owen," Daniel remarked. "If things like this started happening in our hometown, where are we supposed to feel safe?"

When Owen did not say anything, he asked, "Was that Petrov guy behind it?"

"That is what we assumed too but it seems like it's not them this time," he answered.

"Hmm, I thought so too. Petrov's are busy dealing with their own internal conflicts right now, I don't think it's them this time." Daniel pinched the space between his brows. "Do you think it's dad?"

"Well, I won't be shocked if it's him," Owen scoffed. "That old man keeps smiling all day but I know he holds a huge grudge against us."

Daniel nodded in agreement. "I was talking to mom the other day and it seems like he is going out more than he used to these days. Do you think he is trying to use his leftover connections?"

"We are keeping a close eye on him but haven't found anything suspicious or out of the box."

Just then Andrew came out of the kitchen with a tray with a couple of pieces of toast and a big glass of freshly made avocado milkshake. He then handed them to Owen. "Just because Rachael told me to make it for you."

"This is why I love Rach." Owen grinned as he started devouring the piece of toast.

Daniel took the second toast. "So Andrew, how is married life treating you?"

Before Andrew could answer, Owen remarked, "It's great, he is very happy and Rachael is the best woman he could ever get. And she is also a great cook so that's the biggest plus point."

Andrew chuckled and helplessly shook his head. "Whatever he said."

"That's nice, I can tell that Rachael is a wonderful woman," Daniel smiled. "Welcome to the husband club buddy—" He gave him a hug. "It sucks at times but you are gonna love it."

"I will never join that club," Owen scoffed. "I am happy with how things are now, I don't like being nagged about every little thing."

"There is love and care in that nagging too." Daniel hooked his arms around Owen's shoulder. "And wife nagging just hits differently. I mean, whenever Kate nags me, I get turned on."

Owen: " "

Andrew: " "

"Does she nag you naked?" Owen raised his brows.

Daniel frowned and smacked his head. "What is wrong with you?"

"What?" Owen shrugged. "Why else would you get turned on when she nags you?"

"Don't listen to him," Andrew remarked. "He did not get a chance to get laid for eight days straight, he is not himself right now."

...