Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"I didn't pinch you," Emma glared at him. Why is her boyfriend so dump?

Ignoring her, George looked at Rachael. "Rach, she is lying again. We have been in a relationship with feelings for one whole month now."

Emma pursed her lips and frowned. "You are such a baby." She yelled at George.

"Is it true?" Rachael looked at Emma.

"Rach, I can explain—"

"I cannot believe you kept such a big thing away from me," she snapped. "I am so disappointed."

She then walked out of the room without saying anything.

"Rach wait—" Emma quickly followed her.

...

[Outside]

When she grabbed Rachael's hand, she jerked it away.

"Don't—" Rachael glared at her. "We have been best friends for more than twenty-five years Emma and you can't even trust me?"

"It's not like that Rach, I—"

"No, keep your explanation to yourself." Emma was about to say something but Rachael stopped her. "Don't say anything, I am very mad right now and I wanna be as far as I can from you."

Without waiting for her reply, she stepped into the elevator and left.

...

[Collins Mansion]

"She lied, Andrew, she lied to me," Rachael frowned. "How could she do this to me? To Tina?"

"Argh…" She slumped on the bed. "I am so mad."

"Come here—" He pulled her in his lap. "You being mad is justifiable but you have to try to understand her situation as well."

When she looked at him and frowned, he added, "I am sure she would have told you the very next second if it was some other guy. But she is dating no one else but your own brother. Don't you think it's a little weird for her to come and tell you directly that she is dating your brother?"

"It's not like I am going to oppose their relationship and all," she remarked. "As long as they both are happy, it's all that matters."

"I know that but maybe she thought it would be a little awkward so she decided to keep it away from you and Tina a little longer." He tucked a strand of her behind her ear. "I am sure it must have been very difficult for her to keep such a big thing away from her two best friends."

"Alright, I get your point but I am still mad." She crossed her arms in the front and pouted her lips in anger.

Andrew chuckled and pinched her lips. "Do you have any idea how cute you look right now?"

"Stop it—" She pushed away his hand which was already wandering all over her waist and back. "I am mad."

"You are mad with Emma, not me." He looked at her as his hand caressed her bare thigh. "We still have a good two hours till dinner."

Rachael slapped his hand away and got down from his lap. "I need to take a shower and then prepare dinner too."

"It's alright," he grabbed her hand. "We can just order take outs." When she raised her brows at him, he reluctantly let her hand go.

"Alright, go take a shower, prepare dinner but—" He got up and flicked her forehead. "You are not getting away later."

"Ouch—" Rachael frowned and rubbed the sore spot. "How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?" She pinched his waist.

"You—" Andrew grabbed her hand. "Come here."

When he trapped her in his embrace, she chuckled and slapped his chest. "Alright, let me go now."

He shook his head. "Nope, you missed your chance." He then hugged her tightly. "Let's stay like this for a while."

Rachael wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest.

"Did you get the things you wanted from your old office?"

"No," She looked at him. "With the whole Emma and George thing, I completely forgot about that."

"That's okay, let's go and grab it tomorrow before work."

"Alright." Pausing for a while, she added, "Before I forget, I received a call from your grandmother today."

"What did she say?" Andrew wasn't surprised. He knew Helen would try to get in touch with Rachael sooner or later. Though he preferred them not bothering his wife, he didn't mind a phone call once in a while. As long as they didn't go overboard and hurt her, he was okay with it.

"Nothing in particular," She answered. She purposely didn't give him the details of the conversation she had with her grandmother-in-law as it was a very normal exchange of words.

Though Rachael didn't like how Helen was indirectly trying to imply that she wasn't the best match for Andrew and that there were other women who would have been perfect for him, she didn't mention it to him.

With Andrew's temperament, she knew he would overreact and call his grandmother immediately. And she didn't want that.

"Hmm, next time if she calls you, don't receive it." He knew his grandmother wasn't someone one could have a normal conversation with. He was sure Helen must have told her something inappropriate which Rachael was trying to hide from him.

"Okay, I'll listen to you." She tiptoed and gave him a peck on his lips.

Before Andrew could react, she ran towards the washroom and locked the door from inside.

…..

[7:00 PM]

[Outside Tina's Office]

"So you are ready for the trip?"

"Yeah, I guess—" Tina smiled.

"Well, it's still quite early," James glanced at his wrist watch. "Do you wanna grab some coffee or something?".

"I would love to but I have a lot of packing to do so—"

"Yeah I understand, it's totally okay," he smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow morning then."

Tina was about to leave when he stopped her.

"Do you want me to drop you home?"

"That's alright, I'll just take a cab," she politely turned him down.

"Please, I—" James stopped midway when he saw a familiar face. "Isn't that your friend?"

Following his gaze, she turned around only to find Ben standing not too far away from them.

….