Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

 [Genovesse Mansion] 

"They left." Kazi stood by his side. "I heard a rumour." 

When Riftan looked at him, he said, "Kate and Rachael are pregnant." 

Riftan took a sip of his drink and chuckled, "No wonder they left in a haste." 

He then pulled out his phone. 

"Whom are you messaging?" 

"Don't you think I should congratulate my new peace partners?" He typed a quick short message before forwarding it to Andrew and Daniel's number separately. 

When Kazi did not say anything, Riftan said, "Come on, spill whatever is in your mind." 

"You shouldn't have done it." Kazi was still not happy with the fact that Riftan had offered a truce to the Volkovs. Not because he didn't like them but he was worried about the consequences and danger involving it. 

"Well, I have already done it so what is the point debating over it?" Calling it peace with the Volkovs wasn't something that he had done out of the blue. He had been thinking about it for quite some time but could never find the right time. 

"What about Ricardo? Do you think he will not debate over it?" 

Riftan did not say anything. Kazi was right, his uncle would not take the truce positively. He would definitely try his best to make things difficult for not just him but also the Volkovs. 

Ricardo's hatred for the Volkovs was ten times more than how the entire Genovesse family felt about them. But he didn't blame him for harbouring such deep hatred for them. 

Before the youngsters could take over, the Volkovs had done pretty nasty things and were involved in crimes that could blow everyone's minds.

Unlike how Daniel and the group ran the organisation, their ancestors did the exact opposite things. From kidnapping their competitors and enemies wives and daughters to killing their newborns, there was nothing they did not get themselves involved in. 

Like every other organisation, even the Volkovs did not have any ethics or principles. They were ruthless and wild, hungry for more power and wealth. 

Riftan also couldn't justify the actions of his family either. His ancestors were also at par with the Volkovs when it came to the long list of unethical things they had done. 

But things are different now. The organisation was no more under men who were only after wealth and power. It was now led by sensible people who knew the importance of peace as well. 

If calling a truce with their rivals to bring a little peace in his always stressed life would trigger people around him, especially his uncle, he would deal with them accordingly. 

"I will handle him." Though it would be tough for him to convince Ricardo to accept the new changes that would happen in the near future, Riftan already had things planned to deal with it accordingly. 

"If you say so." Kazi patted his shoulder. "No matter what happens, I am not leaving your side, okay?" 

"As if you have any other choice," Riftan chuckled. "I am everything you have." 

Kazi sighed and nodded his head. "Of course, that's why I always keep nagging you." 

"Don't worry," Riftan assured him. "If I die, you can take my place." 

…..

[Airport] 

After clearing the security, everyone was sitting at the lounge waiting for their time to board the plane. 

Kate was resting her head on Daniel's shoulder as she wasn't feeling so good. 

"Are you sure you can travel?" Daniel gently caressed the back of her hand. "We can always take the next flight." He was worried that she would feel worse later. 

"It will be okay." Kate sighed. "I am sure I will sleep all through the flight." 

While Daniel was busy coaxing his wife, Andrew was busy talking to someone over the phone. 

Rachael looked at her husband who seemed very tense and busy. She wasn't sure what was going on in his head. 

After she told him about the pregnancy, she did not get the reaction she was hoping for. She was expecting him to freak out but that didn't happen. In fact, he didn't react at all. 

His blunt reaction was really bothering her. Was he not happy that she was pregnant? Was he not happy to be a father? Was a child not in his current plan? 

All types of questions clouded her mind making her feel squeaky. 

"Hey, are you alright?" Owen, who happened to be noticing Rachael constantly staring at Andrew who was still busy with his phone, approached her.

"Ya, I am fine," she answered while caressing her wedding band. 

"Did anyone ever tell you that you are a very bad liar?" He then looked at Andrew. "You are upset because of him." 

"Not upset, I mean—" Rachael sighed. She didn't want to rant but she also wanted to do it. 

"You know I read somewhere that when a pregnant woman is sad, the baby becomes sad as well." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Please don't make my nephew sad." 

"Nephew?" she chuckled. "You think it's going to be a boy?" 

"Of course," he exclaimed. "You are going to have a girl and Kate is having a girl. That way, I get a niece and nephew." 

"Wait, Daniel and Kate's kid will be your cousin." 

"Well, with a 32 years age difference, she will definitely feel like my niece." 

Rachael chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, I guess." 

"Now tell me what's wrong," he inquired. "What did my brother do?" 

She shook her head. "Nothing, he did not do anything." 

"So that's the problem," Owen sighed. "He did not do anything." 

When Rachael did not say anything, he added, "Well, I don't have to tell you how important you are to Andrew because you know it more than anyone else." 

"I know." She knew how much Andrew loved her and she was not doubting him. 

"Give him some time, he will come around," he assured her. 

Rachael smiled and nodded. She would talk to him as soon as they reached home. She would feel a little better after knowing what was going on in his mind.

….