Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

Joshua sneered and was about to say something when Andrew looked at him. He did not say a word but the look was enough for him to understand that it was time to shut up and quietly walk away.

"Alright, hug as much as you want to," he remarked as he walked towards the kitchen.

After he left, Andrew pinched Rachael's waist. "What is wrong with you today?"

"Why?" She rested her chin on his chest and looked at him. "I can't hug my husband unless something is wrong?"

"No, that's not what I mean," He shook his head. "You can hug me whenever and wherever you want."

"Hmm then why are you complaining?" She pouted her lips.

Andrew pursed his lips as he tried to contain his wide smile which would definitely creep her out. He had no idea what had happened which had forced out this new side of his cute wife but he was loving it. In fact, he wouldn't be able to get over it ever.

"Rach—" He tightened his grip around her waist. "If you keep acting this cute, I swear I'll take you home right now and—" He smiled and inched closer. "You know what I will do to you, right?"

He expected her to get all shy and flustered by his teasing like she usually did. But this time she didn't.

Instead, she slid her hands from his chest to the back of his neck. "Hmm, that doesn't sound like a really bad idea, hubby."

"What did you call me?" Rachael gasped when he pulled her closer. "Say it again—"

"Hello—" Joshua awkwardly cleared his throat. "Can you please halt this romance session for a while? I am starving."

"Sit down, I'll heat the food." Rachael then looked at Andrew and smiled before placing her hand on his chest and gently pushing him.

Though he didn't want to let her go, he had no other choice.

When she tried to walk away, he grabbed her hand. "Don't think this is over—"

"I never said it was," she smiled before shrugging his hand away.

…..

[Dining table]

Joshua and Andrew were setting the table while Rachael reheated the food for them inside the kitchen.

"I heard you met Samuel today." Joshua looked at him. "Is everything settled?"

"Why are you asking me?" Andrew raised his brows. "Didn't Samuel tell you?"

When Joshua did not say anything, he sneered, "So you are trying to confirm if he told you the truth. I thought since you left Igor's side and joined him, you both share a very close bond."

Keeping quiet for a while, Joshua explained himself. "I am not doubting Samuel. If I didn't trust him, I would have never agreed to join hands with him."

"Then why are you trying to interrogate me?"

"I just want to know why you are helping him." Joshua frowned and pursed his lips. He didn't understand why Andrew was willing to join hands with Samuel when the two of them had always shared a very bumpy relationship since the very beginning.

Why would he disregard the decades-long rivalry and help a Petrov?

Joshua knew Andrew wasn't someone who would take an impulsive decision without weighing the pros and cons. This made him feel even more curious.

"Well, I can ask you the same question—"  he shrugged. "Why did you leave Igor's side and join hands with Samuel?"

Though he wasn't showing it, he was very curious to know why Joshua had abruptly left Igor's side after diligently working under him for years. Not only him, anyone who would hear this would definitely feel very curious.

Joshua did not answer immediately. He couldn't find the right words to express his feelings.

"I—It's complicated," he answered reluctantly. He didn't want to reveal anything so soon. Though he had a feeling that Andrew was someone he could trust, he didn't wanna take any risk.

"Whatever your reason is, you have left Igor's side now. You know him better than I do, he will not let you off so easily," Andrew remarked. "And once he finds out you are related to me, he will make things more difficult for you."

Joshua sighed and nodded. He knew this beforehand, he knew the consequences of leaving Igor's side. But he was willing to take the risk.

Just then Rachael came out of the kitchen. "Okay, dinner is ready." She placed the bowl on the table and was about to go back to bring the other dishes when Andrew stopped her.

"You sit down, I'll bring them."

...

After dinner, Andrew started washing the dishes while Joshua and Rachael sat on the couch.

"Josh, are you okay?" Rachael inquired. He had been exceptionally quiet during the entire meal. This is quite unusual of him.

"I am okay, just a little tired." He massaged his forehead and sighed.

"You were out the entire day, why wouldn't you get a headache," she frowned. "I have headache medicine in my bag, take it from me before you sleep."

When he nodded, she asked, "Did you find a place to stay?"

"Not yet," he answered. "I haven't even started looking."

"You should start looking for one then, house hunting takes a lot of time."

"Yeah—" he sighed. His things were yet to arrive from Russia and there were so many other important things he had to do. Right now, house hunting was at the bottom of his list.

…..

[Moscow, Italy]

[Volkov Mansion]

"Madam, young master is not receiving the call."

Adjusting her reading glasses, the woman looked at her subordinate. "Try Owen."

Lokus nodded and quickly followed the instruction.

"Put it on speaker," she ordered.

"Yes madam." When the call went through, Lokus quickly switched to speaker mode. But after a couple of rings, the call got disconnected.

"Call Elsa." She placed her book down and looked at him as he called her.

When the call went through and Elsa did not pick up, Lokus gulped in nervousness and looked at his madam.

…..