Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Volkov Mansion]

As soon as they stepped out of the car, Elsa glanced at her watch. "Oh, we really finished shopping in two hours. How impressive is that?"

"Well, we would have arrived earlier if someone hadn't forced us to step inside the jewellery store," Kate commented.

"What?" Elsa shrugged. "We needed matching earrings."

"Oh please, you have plenty of jewellery," Kate scoffed. "We checked out your jewellery box yesterday and it was full. Right, Rach?"

"Yeah," Rachael smiled.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Kate asked. "You have been quiet the entire time."

Before she could answer, Andrew rushed out of the mansion.

When he looked at Rachael, she said, "I had to help her. I don't even know how she is but—"

"I didn't say anything," Andrew sighed. "Come here." He pulled her in his embrace. "You did the right thing, okay? But next time, don't stop the guard when he is trying to protect you."

She wrapped her arms around him. "I thought you would be mad."

"You know I can't be mad at you." He kissed the top of her head. "I just want you to always stay safe."

"Woah, what's going on?" Elsa frowned. "Did we miss something?"

"Nothing interesting. You guys should go inside and get ready before the guests start coming in." Without waiting for their reply, Andrew took Rachael inside, leaving Elsa and Kate confused and curious.

...

[One hour later]

"Are you sure you want to go inside?" Contemplating for a while, Ashley added, "His wife is going to be there too, it will be a little weird if you—"

"Relax, I am not going to do anything," Alina scoffed. "And besides, didn't they invite my family? I am just being courteous and showing the Volkov family my respect."

"Alina, I hope you don't have plans of creating any trouble here," Ashley frowned. "My dad is already mad over what happened last time."

She was with Alina when she slit her wrist right in front of Andrew's office. That incident had attracted a lot of attention for months and since Ashley was with her, her name was dragged in it too. Her family was not okay with it. They even asked her to break her ties with Alina.

"Will you relax? I'll not create any trouble." Alina looked at the mansion. "I just want to see the lucky woman he married."

…..

[Andrew's room]

"Rach, are you done?" Andrew asked, standing in front of the mirror with a necktie in his collar.

When Rachael stepped out of the washroom, she frowned, "Seriously Andrew, you know how to do it better than me."

He sighed and shook his head. "You do it the best."

Left with no other choice, she stepped forward and helped with his tie. "I will really never understand why you always do this."

"Because I love you." He wrapped his arms around her. "Did I tell you how beautiful you look right now?"

"No you didn't," she chuckled.

"You look beautiful Mrs. Collins," He kissed her on the cheek. "Mr. Collins is very close to ripping you off that dress and having his way with you."

"Too bad Mr. Collins has to wait for two more days before he can do any of that." She tightened the tie. "Done, now let's go before Helen starts getting cranky."

When she tried to walk away, he tightened his grip around her. "Now where are you trying to run away? Let me look at your properly first."

"You look at me everyday."

"And that is clearly not enough." He shook his head. "The way you ignored me all night yesterday, I feel a little insecure."

Rachael hooked her arms around his neck. "Is it? Maybe after the party, I will do something to make you feel secure again."

Andrew smiled and pulled her closer. "I love that idea."

When he tried to kiss her, she placed her hand on his lips. "You will ruin my lipstick."

Just then someone knocked at the door. "Can I come in?"

"No," Andrew yelled.

Rachael slapped his chest and quickly stepped away from him. "Come in."

Elsa entered the room and rolled her eyes at her cousin. "You are very rude and you—" She looked at Rachael. "Look gorgeous."

"Thanks," she smiled.

"Andrew, I think grandma has gone crazy." Elsa frowned. "She invited so many people, the house is already packed."

Andrew sighed and helplessly shook his head. "Babe—" He wrapped his arms around Rachael's waist. "You stay close to me, okay?"

"That will be best," Elsa remarked. "These people are crazy, don't try to be super polite with them."

…..

[Downstairs]

"Thank you so much for coming in such a short notice," Helen greeted the guests. "It's really very nice to have everyone here."

"How could we not come?" one of the women remarked. "I have been curiously waiting to see Andrew's life since I heard he secretly got married."

"That's true," another woman added. "I thought the Volkov's would throw a big wedding—It's the first marriage of the family after a really long time."

"Well, what can I say?" Helen smiled. "The kids these days don't listen to the elders at all. He found a wife all by himself and got married to her the way they preferred. I really didn't have any say in that."

"Oh Helen, you are too naive," the woman sighed. "You didn't say anything when Daniel got married and now Andrew too."

"You should really speak up and do something about it," another one added. "You should make them listen to you."

"Just like you managed to force your son to marry the woman of your choice?" Owen approached them and stood beside Helen. "Oh, I am sorry. I completely forgot your son married someone else and also left the family. It must have been very hard on you."

"Owen—" Helen glared at him. To which he just shrugged his shoulders before walking away.

"Where is your granddaughter-in-law and Andrew? I don't see them anywhere," another guest asked.

​ Just then Andrew and Rachael walked down the stairs hand in hand.

...