Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Gourmet Restaurant]

"I heard this place is nice. Since you don't have any preference, let's try this out."

"I have heard of this place too," she exclaimed. "I had plans of coming here with Emma and Tina last month but we couldn't."

"The food here is quite nice, I am sure you will like it." Andrew gave the keys to valet before guiding her inside.

...

[Inside]

When they entered the restaurant, it was fully packed. In fact, there was a pretty long queue. People were impatiently waiting for a table.

"There are so many people here," she remarked.

"Stay close," he said in a low voice.

Rachael nodded but the next second she felt his hand on her waist. He lightly pulled her closer and she froze. She wasn't ready for his sudden intimate actions.

When he felt her body stiffen, he asked, "What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing," she managed to mutter trying very hard to calm her widely beating heart.

Why was she feeling flustered when all Andrew did was wrap his arms around her waist? What was wrong with her? She could feel heat slowly creep through her cheeks.

She involuntarily touched her cheeks. Why was she blushing like a teenager?

"If you are not comfortable with the crowd, let's leave." He could clearly see how flustered she was. He thought it was the crowd and the rush in the restaurant that bothered her. But little did he know....

"No, it's okay." She didn't mind the crowd or the rush….she didn't mind where his hands were either, but she still felt flustered.

"You sure?" When she nodded, he felt a little assured. "Alright then, lets go."

"Wait, from what I know, we have to book a table beforehand. Did you book one?" She clearly remembered Emma nagging her and Tina when the plan got cancelled. In fact, she couldn't stop yelling about how difficult it was for her to book a table.

Andrew was about to say something when his phone started ringing. "I need to take this. Wait for me here, okay? I'll be back in a second." When she nodded, he excused himself.

Rachael stood in a corner and quietly observed the place. The ambiance of the place was very pleasant and soothing. It was definitely a very nice place to have a lovely dinner with loved ones.

"Oh my God, Rachael Watson."

Looking at the ground, Rachael sighed. "Oh dear," she muttered.

She didn't even have to look to find out who it was. The shrill annoying voice was enough for her to make a guess.

"I did not expect to see you here." The woman had already approached her. "The world is really small, isn't it?" She proceeded to give her a hug.

Left with no other choice, Rachael forced herself to smile. "I also didn't expect to see you here."

Pulling away, Jessica grabbed Rachae's hand. "But I am so glad I met you. I was planning to call you after having dinner with my fiance."

"Oh you are engaged, that's so nice," Rachael smiled. "I am happy for you."

"Well, I really don't like to brag, you know me. But—" Jessica lifted her left hand to flash her engagement ring.

"It's very pretty."

"I know," she exclaimed. "I told him not to get such an expensive engagement ring but he didn't listen to me."

Rachael did not say anything. She just smiled.

"Anyway, I bumped into Emma yesterday at the mall and she told me you are married. Is that true?"

Before she could answer, Andrew arrived.

"The phone call took some time, I am sorry." He said he would be back in a minute but who would have thought the phone call would actually take several minutes. He didn't want to receive it while he was with Rachael but it was urgent.

"It's okay, you weren't gone for long."

"Alright, let's go. It's already so late, you haven't eaten anything." He was about to walk away expecting she would follow him. But to his surprise, Rachael grabbed his hand to stop him.

"What's wrong?" Following her gaze, his eyes landed in the woman who was standing near Rachael.

Before he could ask anything, Rachael wrapped her arms around his.

"He is my husband, Andrew Collins." She then looked at Andrew. "She is my friend from high school, Jessica."

"Andrew Collins?" Jessica's eyes widened in shock. How could she not recognise the man who had been a heart throb since the day he stepped foot in the city.

Her eyes subconsciously landed on Rachael's ring finger. The dazzling diamond ring was like an eyesore. She couldn't help but squint her eyes.

She then looked at Andrews left hand. When she saw his ring, she pursed her lips. After seeing both the rings, she could easily say that they were wedding bands.

How did Rachael end up getting married with such an amazing man which many women desired?

The soreness Jessica felt in her heart was evident on her face no matter how much she tried to conceal it.

Even though Andrew could see right through the cunning woman, he still gave her a polite smile. Though he already didn't like Jessica, he still kept a very calm and polite composer. Since she was someone Rachael knew, he didn't want to give her a cold shoulder.

"This is great, I am glad you finally found someone you can spend your life with. I mean, after what happened with Oliver, I thought you would never be able to trust another man again." Jessica placed her hand on her chest. "I am so happy for you."

Andrew slightly frowned when Rachael suddenly tightened her grip around his arm. When he looked at her, she still had a smile on her.

Looking at her expression, one would say what Jessica had said didn't bother her but her actions said otherwise.

Hiding the sneer of her face, Jessica added, "Which reminds me, I bumped into Oliver last month when I was in San Francisco. He was asking about you—"

….