Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

When everyone started ganging up on Helen, Kathleen felt a little bad.

Despite the fact that Helen wasn't an ideal mother or grandmother, she still cared for her grandkids and her son.

"Why is everyone trying so hard to make this reunion a negative one?" Kathleen frowned. "I agree that what mom did isn't ideal. But can we please get past it?"

"Let's keep the cons aside and focus on the good things, shall we?" She looked at Daniel. "Do you wanna say something?"

"Me?" When she raised her brows, Daniel quickly added, "What Kate wants to say is, instead of being grumpy we all should embrace this joyful occasion and have fun."

"This is the first time Rachael is here, right?" When Rachael nodded, he exclaimed, "Great, we all should show her around. It's gonna be so much fun if we all do it together."

"That's a great idea," Rachael smiled. "I would love it if you all show me around."

She then looked at Andrew. "It will be fun, right?" She tightened her grip around his hand.

Andrew nodded. He was still enraged over what Helen had done but he tried his best to shove his anger aside. He would deal with Helen later.

"I have already asked the helpers to arrange your rooms," Helen remarked. "Go and freshen up first, dinner will be ready soon."

"Justin—" Helen looked at him. "You are staying here, right?"

"Yes grandma, I am." Justin smiled.

After Helen entered the kitchen, Kathleen pinched Justin's arm. "How are you so lucky?"

"Ouch—" He winced in pain. "What did I do?"

"I have been married into this family for almost seven years now but Helen still doesn't like me that much," she scoffed. "And you—you are not even officially a part of this family yet but you are already her favourite."

"I know right?" Elsa chuckled. "Grandma likes him more than me."

"Well, what can I say?" Justin shrugged his shoulders. "When the face is so pretty, how can someone not love it?"

Elsa scoffed and pinched his thigh. "Don't gloat so much, your looks are just average."

"Are you telling me that you settled for average?"

"Of course, you are lucky that I fell in love with you."

Justin: " "

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Rachael smiled when Justin and Elsa started bickering.

"Let's stay in the hotel." Andrew kissed the back of hand. "We can leave after dinner."

"Isn't everyone else staying here?" When he nodded, she said, "Then we should also stay here."

"We don't have to." He didn't wanna keep her in the mansion. Even though he had spent half of his life in that place, he wasn't a big fan of it. For him, it would always be a place he was forced to call 'HOME'.

Andrew didn't wish to keep Rachael in a place where he himself wasn't comfortable residing. But more than that, he wanted to keep her away from his maternal family's radar.

"It won't look nice if we leave." She wrapped her arms around his and rested her head on his shoulder. "Let's stay."

Left with no other choice, he reluctantly agreed.

"I really need to start learning how to say 'NO' to you." He sighed and kissed the top of her head.

Rachael grinned and gave him a peck on his cheek. "You can never do that."

"Look at these two," Owen scoffed. "Here we are discussing where we should take Rachael tomorrow and you both have already started your PDA."

"Don't go anywhere tomorrow," Helen stated. "Our relatives are coming tomorrow to see Rachael. I have organised a small intimate party."

"Oh God." Elsa sighed and slumped on the couch.

"That not necessary grandma—"

"Maybe it's not for your youngsters." Helen interrupted Andrew. "But it's important that you and Rachael get the blessings of all the family elders."

"Rach, don't worry about it," Kathleen smiled. "When Daniel and I first got married, mom threw a similar party. All the elders came over and I got a lot of gifts and money."

"That's the only positive part," Elsa remarked. "You are gonna get so bored."

"Well, that's true."

...

After talking for a while, Elsa took Rachael to her room. She wanted to show her a few things. Kathleen joined them too.

Owen and Justin stepped out for a while to grab their things from the hotel and Ben accompanied them.

Andrew and Daniel poured themselves a drink before stepping into the garden.

…..

[Garden]

"Is Rachael alright?"

"She is okay." Andrew took a sip of the drink. "I know she is a little scared and worried but she will not tell me."

"Rachael is stronger than I had thought." Daniel smiled. "When you told me you had married her, I thought it would be very difficult for her to adjust in the atmosphere we grew up in. I mean, Kathleen had a really tough time even though her family was partially involved in the business. But I was wrong."

He patted Andrew's shoulder. "You found a perfect woman for yourself. I couldn't be more happy for you."

"Thanks, she is perfect," Andrew smiled.

"We all have to be a little careful Andrew," Daniel remarked. "This kidnapping was just the beginning of the things that could happen in the future. It's like a warning for us to be more cautious."

"I know, I let my guard down a little and this happened." He pinched the space between his brows. "I will be more careful next time."

"Not just you, everyone has to be careful now. You, me, Owen, Ben, Justin—everyone," Daniel added. "Especially you and Owen."

"Kathleen and Elsa are now somewhat used to everything but Rachael and—" He stopped midway and frowned. "What was Owen's girlfriend's name again?"

"Juliana," Andrew answered. "She is not his girlfriend yet."

"Uh huh then what is she?"

"His housekeeper."

Daniel: " "

"If you had told me they were friends with benefits, it would have made more sense," he frowned. "What the fuck is housekeeper?"

"I don't know." Andrew shrugged. "You have to ask him."

Daniel sighed and helplessly shook his head. "Anyway, you two have to be more careful."

Keeping quiet for a while, he explained, "Maybe things look very peaceful now but you know that is just a show. Things are getting complicated with each second."

"We are working closely with Samuel Petrov." Andrew looked at him. "We will take care of Igor Petrov soon."

"The Petrov's aren't that hard to deal with. We can easily outcast them without much trouble. But the main problem is the Genovesse.

Andrew frowned when Daniel mentioned the name.

The Genovesse were the common enemy of the Volkov's and the Petrov's. They had even tried to attack them both at the same time.

"What about them?"

"They are planning something big." Daniel sighed and took a sip of the drink. "One of my men is working under their clan in disguise. He couldn't find out the entire truth but he has confirmed that whatever is going on in Riftan Genovesse head, it involves both the families."

Riftan Genovesse was the current head and leader of all the legal and illegal businesses that were carried out by the family.

After a tragic and brutal death of his family

members; Father, mother and his youngest brother, Riftan took over his father's position.

Though the death was declared as an accident, rumours whispered a different story.

There were stories which claimed that Riftan was responsible for his entire families death five years ago.

Riftan was known to be brutal and heartless who showed no ounce of mercy to anyone.

He only showed his soft side to his elder sister, the sole survivor of the tragic incident.

"Don't worry about the Genovesse, Owen and I will take care of them." Andrew was familiar with Riftan and his cheap tricks. But also wasn't someone who could be taken lightly. The man had many cheap tricks hidden under his sheelves.

"I will keep giving you updates regarding them if I find out anything."

"Okay, lets deal with them accordingly." Andrew gulped down his drink and handed the empty glass to Daniel.

"Lets go on a trip when you and Kate come to the city."

Keeping quiet for a while, Daniel said, "Kate wants to give IVF a shot again."

Andrew did not say anything. Everyone in their group knew that Daniel and Kathleen were dealing with fertility issues for a long time.

Though they shared a close relationship, Daniel had never discussed anything with him regarding this matter. This was the first time.

Daniel scrunched his brows and sighed, "I don't know what to do. I couldn't turn her down but I also don't want to go forward with it."

"Did you talk to her?"

"Yes, I tried to talk her out of it but—"

"Then do it," Andrew remarked. "If she wants to give it another shot, you should support her."

"But—"

"I know for you Kate's health is more important than a baby," he added. "To be honest, if I was in your place, I am sure I would have done the same thing too. But women are different."

...