Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Grandma wanted me to get married so—"

"Oh come on—" Owen scoffed. "After all the shit we have been through all these years, you expect me to buy that shit?"

Before Andrew could say anything, he snapped at him again. "Your grandma has been after you to get married for three years now and you have been swiftly dodging it. We both know you had no intention of getting married when you came here. So now you are telling me that in three days you decided to listen to your grandma, found this gorgeous woman and got married."

"I did."

Owen scoffed. "Alright, don't tell me. As long as you are happy, I am happy." He patted his shoulder. "I can see that you are quite fond of her. In fact, if you hadn't told me I would have assumed you were in love with her or something," he chuckled.

After a few seconds, Owen widened his eyes in shock. "Oh my God, don't tell me—you love her." Before Andrew could say anything, he exclaimed, "All of this makes so much sense now. You are not someone who will just marry a stranger and not to forget about the way you look at her."

"Owen—"

"You don't like being touched but you did not hesitate when I asked you to carry her—" Throwing his hand over his mouth, he gasped, "I cannot believe this, my brother is in love. This is huge—" Grabbing his phone from the table, Owen exclaimed, "I have to tell Justin—"

"Stop it." Andrew snatched his phone away. "You are not calling anyone. Rachael will be down any minute so keep your voice low."

"Okay so you secretly love her. Don't tell me you tricked her into marrying you." When he did not say anything, Owen frowned, "Andrew, that is not right. This is not the way you are supposed to treat a woman."

"Really? Now you are gonna tell me how I am supposed to treat a woman?" Andrew frowned.

"Okay, I may not be the best person to give you that advice but—"

"Owen, you sleep with different women almost every night and never call them—You shouldn't even be the last person giving someone this advice," Andrew remarked. "Now coming to Rachael, the reason behind our marriage doesn't matter and even if there is a reason, it's between us and doesn't concern anyone."

"Woah—" Owen placed his hand on Andrew's shoulder. "No need to get so worked up, I am just curious. Like I said before, as long as you are happy, nothing else matters."

"Thank you."

"But you never denied you don't love her." When Andrew glared at him, Owen shrugged, "Just saying."

"Now before you throw me out of your house, there are a few things we have to talk about." Pausing for a while, Owen added, "I think you should take Rachael—"

"No." Before he could complete his sentence, Andrew interrupted him. "She is not setting foot there."

"I understand why you are saying this but one day or the other you have to take her there. And I think, the sooner the better." When he did not say anything, Owen frowned, "You are not planning to keep it away from her, are you?"

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"Yes, she doesn't need to know."

Pinching the bridge of the nose, Owen sighed, "I really don't understand why you and Justin are like this? Anyway, since it's a big day, I am sparing you from the lecture." Glancing at his watch, he added, "I should leave, I have a flight in an hour."

"I thought you were staying for lunch."

"I just came here to kick your ass." Owen got up. "I have some important work but I will be back in a day or two. Justin will be here by then and then, we will party."

He grabbed his coat from the couch. "Tell Rachael I'll get her a gift when I am back." He gave Andrew a hug. "And you, my brother, take care."

Andrew patted his back. "You too."

Soon after Owen left, Rachael came down.

"Where is Owen?" she asked before sitting beside him.

"He had some work so he had to leave."

"What does he do?" she inquired.

"He takes care of the family business back in Russia," he answered.

"Oh that's nice," she smiled. "So you both used to work together before you came here?"

Hesitating for a while, he slowly nodded.

Rachael was about to ask him more questions when Ben entered the mansion.

"Boss, madam," Ben greeted them. He then looked at Andrew. "Boss, we have a little problem."

"What is it?"

"There are a few things which need your confirmation—" Ben was breaking a cold sweat. Andrew had specifically told him not to disturb him for at least a week but he had no other choice.

"Bring the documents over."

"But—" Ben swallowed the rest of his words. "Yes boss."

"If it's important, you should go," Rachael suggested. When he hesitated, she assured him. "I'll be fine."

Left with no other choice, Andrew agreed. "I'll be back in a couple of hours, okay? And then we can visit grandma."

"Sure," she smiled.

After Andrew left with Ben, aunt Maria approached her.

"Madam, lunch is ready."

"Oh no—please don't call me that." Rachael got up. "It will make me feel more comfortable if you call me by my name." From what she had observed, aunt Maria seemed to have a very close bond with Andrew. She didn't want to keep things formal with her either.

Aunt Maria smiled and nodded. "Would you like to have lunch?"

"I think I will wait for Andrew, he just left for work but he said he will be back in a couple of hours."

"Oh that never happens," aunt Maria sighed. "Once he goes to work, he forgets to eat, drink and sometimes, he doesn't even come home before midnight."

"You know my dad is like that. In fact, if not for my mom nagging him all the time, he would sleep, eat and stay in his office," Rachael remarked.

…..