Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Andrew's Car]

"What do you think they are talking about?" Rachael stretched her neck to get a proper glimpse of Ben and Tina.

"I don't know," Andrew shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe he is asking her to come with him."

"I feel so bad for them now," she sighed. "It really sucks when two people like each other but they can't work things out."

"Hmm." He kissed the back of her hand. "Good that we worked things out."

"We almost didn't." When Andrew frowned, she reminded him. "Remember how you got all jealous and cranky when I—"

"That was different," He cut her off. "And I wasn't jealous, I was just scared of losing you."

"Yes you were scared but you were also jealous," Rachael chuckled.

"A little."

She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "You were a lot more jealous than that."

Andrew sighed and finally gave up. "Fine, I was very jealous. I was jealous, scared and mad." When he thought about the phase where they had fought for several days, he frowned a little.

He kissed the top of her head. "I kinda feel bad for behaving so rudely with you. I will never do it again, okay?" He really regretted being so mean and cranky with her.

"You don't have to apologize, it was my fault too." She looked at him. "I shouldn't have met him. I didn't consider your feelings at all."

She then gave him a peck on his cheek. "I will never do it again."

"You can meet whoever you want to," he remarked. "But if it's an ex of yours, make sure to take me with you."

"What are you going to do there?" she chuckled.

"I will just sit beside you while you talk to him," he answered. "And if he tries to hit on you, I will punch him on the face."

His reply made her laugh. "Why are you so cute?" She pulled his cheeks.

Just then someone knocked at the window.

When Andrew rolled the window down, Ben asked him to open the trunk so that he could take Tina's suitcase out.

"Let me help you—" He stepped out of the car.

"Boss it's—" Ben stopped midway when Andrew wrapped his arms around his shoulder as they walked towards the back of the car.

"If you like her, tell her and stop the awkwardness." Before Ben could say anything, he added, "Do it before someone swoops in and takes her away."

Looking around, Andrew said in a relatively lower voice. "You know how I missed my chance with Rachael at first, right?"

When Ben nodded, he sighed, "I took things easy and for granted. Then someone just swooped in and took her away."

"I had to wait for five years to make her mine again," he stated. "Five years Ben."

He placed his hands on Ben's shoulder. "I was lucky enough that I got a second chance and I am very grateful for it. But what if you don't get that second chance? What if this is your one and only opportunity to be with the right woman?"

Ben pursed his lips and frowned as he listened to Andrew's words which made a lot of sense.

"Are you seriously willing to let this opportunity slip by just because you are scared of getting hurt again?" Andrew remarked. "Love is a very beautiful thing but it is also the thing that hurts you the most. But just because we know it hurts, that doesn't mean we will stop loving."

"Falling in love and getting hurt is part of life," he added. "I don't know if you and Tina will work out. I hope you do but no one knows what the future holds for the two of you, right? But just because we don't know what it might lead to doesn't mean you will completely ignore her and your feelings for her."

"I told you this before and I am telling you again, don't test a woman's patience," Andrew stated. "Now she is willingly expressing her love for you but once she runs out of all her patience, she will not look back. And that time, you will regret everything."

He sighed. "But of course, it will be too late and you won't be able to do anything about it."

Keeping quiet for a while, Ben asked, "What should I do then, boss? She is very mad right now."

He frowned. "I don't think she wants to be with me anymore."

"Well—" Andrew shrugged. "You are the reason why she is mad."

Ben sighed and nodded.

"Just buy her some flowers and apologise," he suggested. "Women love cute and caring gestures. She will surely melt. But for now, let her be. Just drive her home and try to make some small talk with her. This will help in easing the awkwardness."

…..

[Elisberg City]

[Samuel's place]

"That bastard—" Samuel scoffed.

"I told you it was a bad idea approaching him," Joshua sighed. "Though he talks shit about Igor, he gets a lot of favour from him. I knew he would rat us out."

They were currently discussing the situation that had suddenly disrupted all their plans.

In a short span, Samuel had managed to turn all their influential business partners into his side. They were ready to eliminate Igor out of the picture. But things took a different turn when one of them approached Igor and told him everything.

"I am sure he will come here, what are you gonna do?" Joshua asked. He was also very worried. Last time when Igor was in the city, he had managed to escape and not see him. But this time, he had no other choice.

"I don't know," Samuel sighed. "I think it's still manageable."

Though the situation wasn't completely out of hand, they were still at a loss. Now that Igor had got a hint, he would definitely be even more cautious.

"Did you tell Andrew and Owen about it?"

"They probably know already."

Just then someone rang the doorbell.

Samuel and Joshua looked at each other and frowned.

"Do you think it's him?"

"I don't know—" Samuel frowned and walked towards the door.

...