Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Evening, Watson Mansion]

When Rachael entered the mansion, Michael and Reeta were enjoying their evening tea in the living room.

"Hey mom, dad—" she smiled and approached them.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" Michael looked at the entrance and inquired, "You came alone?"

Before Rachael could answer, he frowned, "Did you fight with Andrew again?"

Rachael: " "

Reeta smacked her husband's arm. "Michael, what is wrong with you? Your daughter comes home and the first thing you ask is whether she fought with her husband or not?"

Rachael sighed and helplessly shook her head. "You complain that I don't come home often and when I do, you ask me weird questions." She sat beside Reeta. "Dad, should I just stop coming?"

"I didn't mean that—" Michael gently pinched her cheeks. "Come whenever you want to but—"

"Don't fight with your son-in-law." She completed his sentence. "I get it dad. And just for the record. I didn't fight with Andrew. I finished work early so I came here to visit you both."

"He will pick me up later," she added.

"Will you two stay for dinner?" Reeta inquired.

Rachael shook her head. "Andrew is taking me out for dinner."

Just then Tina entered the mansion.

"Oh look who's here today—" Reeta raised her brows. "Since Rachael got married, you and Emma have stopped coming too."

Tina stuck her tongue out and gave her a hug. "Sorry, I am busy with work these days."

Reeta sighed and patted her arm. "That's alright, you kids have your own thing to do these days, I can understand."

"Mom, we will be in my room." Rachael grabbed Tina's arms and dragged her upstairs.

...

[Rachael's Room]

"What happened to you?" Rachael glared at her. "Why aren't you replying to my messages?"

"I was busy with work." Tina sighed and slumped on the bed. "I feel exhausted, Rach."

"What happened with Ben?" She came straight to the point.

"Nothing—" When Rachael scoffed, Tina helplessly shook her head. "Really nothing happened, but—"

"But what?" She sat next to her. "Are you mad at him?"

"I don't know—" Tina shrugged her shoulders. "I just don't feel like talking to him."

"Why?" When she did not say anything, Rachael sighed, "You and Emma have become so weird. There was a time when we used to share everything but now—" She frowned. "It's like I don't know you both anymore, especially Emma. She has become so secretive these days."

"I know right?" Tina sat up straight. "It's like she is hiding something all the time."

Rachael nodded in agreement. "Forget about her, I'll talk to her later."

She grabbed her hand. "You tell me, what is going on?"

Keeping quiet for a while, Tina answered, "Ben called me somewhere a week ago and I went there. I don't know why but I expected he would accompany me for a while and then we would have dinner together. But that asshole offered to drop me home straightway."

"I know I am being unreasonable but—" she slumped on the bed again. "I don't know."

Rachael chuckled and lied down next to her. "So this is what happened. That poor guy has no idea what he has done."

When Tina looked at her, she added, "He asked me to find out what made you so mad. And FYI, he looked very nervous and worried."

Tina rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Serves him right."

"You like him, don't you?" Rachael excitedly questioned her.

"I guess—" Tina shrugged in response. She was also a little confused about her feelings.

"Hmm…from what I know, Ben is a good guy. He is very sweet too," Rachael smiled. "But he seems a little slow when it comes to things like this, so maybe you need to be more specific with him and take the first step."

"I don't know Rach—" Tina pursed her lips. "He is a nice guy but I don't know if he is the right one."

"Why?" Rachael looked at her. "Are you feeling reluctant because of his past?"

When Tina did not say anything, she added, "I have a past too, don't I? If Andrew had felt like you are feeling now, we would never end up getting married."

Keeping quiet for a while, Tina curiously inquired, "What if he is still into that girl? What if this ends up being a one sided thing?"

"Well, you have to find that out on your own," Rachael remarked. "And ignoring him will never answer your questions."

...

[Collins Mansion]

Rachael had to come home by herself since Andrew had to attend an important meeting.

When she arrived, Owen and Elsa were enjoying a big bowl of ice cream in the living room.

"When did you both come?" Rachael took the spoon from Owen's hand and started devouring the ice cream with them.

"A while ago," Elsa answered. "I am here to discuss something with you."

"What is it?" Rachael inquired.

"We are planning to go for a short camping trip the day after tomorrow and you have to come with us," Elsa grinned.

"Camping?" Rachael pouted her lips. "For how many days?"

"Three days and two nights," Owen answered.

"Sounds fun—" Rachael smiled. "Let me ask Andrew first—"

"Oh—" Contemplating for a while, Elsa said, "I don't think he will come."

"Why?" When Elsa and Owen looked at each other, Rachael frowned, "What is going on?"

"It's Andrew's parents' death anniversary in three days." Pausing for a while, Owen continued, "It's a very hard time for Andrew."

"And he has a very weird way of dealing with it," Elsa sighed.

"What weird way?" Rachael had no idea Andrew's parents' death anniversary was around the corner. He had never mentioned it in front of her.

"How do I explain?" Elsa looked at Owen for help.

"Until last year, he used to lock himself up for three whole days," Owen answered. "He doesn't talk to anyone or step out of the room."

"He used to come out only after the anniversary day," Elsa added.

…..