Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

Riftan smirked and looked at him. "Too much confidence isn't good, Volkov." 

"When it comes to my wife, nothing is too much," Andrew shrugged his shoulders. He was very confident when it came to his marital relationship with Rachael. I

Riftan smiled and took a sip of his drink. "And what if she decides to leave one day? What will you do?" 

"I will not let her leave," he answered with determination and confidence. "For starters, Rachael will never leave me and even if she decides to one day, I will never let that happen." 

"Relax, it's not like I am going to steal her from you," Riftan patted Andrew's shoulder. "I just feel like such an innocent woman shouldn't be a part of our world." 

He leaned towards him and added, "And I also think she is very pretty. You chose well." 

Andrew did not say anything, he silently kept sipping his drink. 

Riftan finished his glass and asked the bartender for a refill. "You didn't ask why I called you here." 

"What is there to ask?" Andrew swirled the ice in his glass. "You are either trying to make me release some of your shipments or you have finally realised that you are never going to win if you go against us so you want a truce." 

"You are wrong," Riftan chuckled. "But not entirely." 

"I do want a truce but not because I think I am inferior to you guys," he scoffed. "Let's face it, Volkov, If you and I go into a war, we both will end up dead." 

Andrew couldn't help but agree. "Fair enough." Both their family's held the same power in terms of both wealth and influence. 

"I won't lie to you, I do want my shipments released," Riftan sighed. "Do you have any idea how much money I am losing over those?" 

"Well, you have to talk to Owen regarding that. He handles the shipments." 

"Are you telling me that Owen is the one stopping my shipments?" Riftan sighed and helplessly shook his head. "Then I clearly called the wrong Volkov for the peace offering." 

Andrew glanced at his watch. "I have a date with my wife so we need to wrap this up fast." 

Riftan clutched his chest and groaned. "Oh my single heart, why are you torturing me?" 

Andrew scoffed and kept sipping his drink. When Riftan called him alone for a meeting, he had a feeling it was related to them getting off each other's back and working together. 

Did he think it was a good idea? Yes. 

But did he trust Riftan? No. At least not until Riftan proves himself worthy of their trust. 

"I know what you are thinking," Riftan snapped him back from his thoughts. "Honestly, if I was in your place, I would feel the same way." 

"I am doing this for Janet," When Andrew gave him a look, he added, "Okay maybe not entirely for her. I am also doing this because I am sick of you people blocking my shipments. Just because you have more influence there doesn't mean you will do whatever you want to." 

Andrew shrugged in response. "Again, it's not me. You have to talk to Owen about it." 

"Geez, that brother was yours is a tough shell to crack." Unlike Andrew, Owen was very difficult to talk or reason with. He was very impatient and difficult to deal with. 

This was also one of the reasons why he asked Andrew to come for the meeting by himself. 

"My sister seems to be very fond of your wife," Riftan chuckled. "She wants to be her friend." 

Keeping quiet for a while, he added, "After the incident—you know what I am talking about, right?" Andrew nodded. "After that night, she completely shut herself up. It took six months of therapy for her to leave her room and talk to me properly." 

What had happened in the past still haunted him. His heart clenched at the thought of what had happened to his sister in his absence. Even though he had punished whoever was responsible for it, he still felt very guilty. 

"And now after almost four years, she wants to make a friend who happens to be your wife," Riftan sighed. "So I don't think it will be nice if we continue to be mortal enemies while my sister and your wife become best friends." 

"Best friends?" Andrew scoffed. "They don't even know their surnames properly." 

"Well, I see that happening." Riftan was sure both of them would end up being good friends if the conditions were favourable. 

Andrew neither agreed or disagreed. "Our family's have been at each other's throats before you and I were even born. Things like this don't get solved overnight." 

"I completely agree with you." Things like this needed a lot of time. 

"Let me talk to others and then we will plan accordingly." Andrew couldn't take such decisions by himself, he had to talk to Daniel, Owen and Justin. 

"Fair enough," Riftan sighed. "Let me know as soon as you can. There are things I need to take care of from my side as well." 

... 

[Volkov Mansion] 

"So where is he taking you?" Elsa helped Rachael zip her dress. 

"I have no idea," Rachael answered. "He said it's a surprise." 

"That's romantic," Kate remarked. "I always thought Andrew was the most romantic one and he did not disappoint me." 

"I shouldn't be asking this but—" Elsa hugged Rachael's neck. "How romantic is my brother?" 

"More romantic than your boyfriend." Andrew entered the room. "Justin takes lessons from me." 

Elsa rolled her eyes."Look at you praising yourself." She scoffed. "What are you? A Donkey." 

"Stop arguing like kids." Kate interrupted their little chittering. "So Andrew, why don't you tell us where you are taking Rachael?" 

"Now that's a secret." He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You look beautiful." He pressed his lips on hers. "Like always." 

Elsa wrapped her fingers around throat and gagged. "Please, your sister is right in front of you." 

"Then close your damn eyes." Andrew flicked her forehead. 

….