Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"What?" Rachael frowned. Did she hear wrong?

"Yes honey, you are fired," Michael stated.

"You can't fire me—"

Pinching her cheeks, he remarked, "I can and I did sweetie. In fact, you have been fired for almost a couple of months now."

"You gotta be kidding me." She got up. "So I have been jobless since the last two months? How could you do this me to dad?"

"I did fire you but you are not jobless." He got up and walked towards his desk.

"What does that even mean?"

"It means that your dad is a very smart man. Even if he fired you, he made sure that you have a job." He smiled and gave her a brown envelope.

"What is this?"

"See for yourself."

Rachael opened the envelope. She remembered her dad trying to give it to her a few days ago when she told him she wanted to rejoin the company again.

After reading the letter which was inside the envelope, Rachael was shocked. "This—"

"I know," he grinned. "Don't thank me honey. A father will always do what's best for his kids."

"How did you—? When did you—?" She couldn't believe it.

"Well, two months ago Andrew called me to take some suggestions. He wanted a new Vice president for his company so he wanted to know if I knew someone who was capable enough to handle the high post and the responsibilities. And I suggested him your name, sent him your resume."

Looking at the appointment letter from Collins Corporation she was holding, Rachael pursed her lips. She couldn't believe it. "This is wrong."

"Wrong? How is it wrong?"

"You don't understand, Andrew is my husband now, I don't want people to talk—"

"Honey—" He placed his hand on her shoulder. "People will always talk, if you start caring about everyone, how will you live?"

"Dad—"

"Andrew is your husband now but when I sent him your resume, you two hadn't even met yet. You got this job solely based on your merits," he stated. "Honey, this is a great opportunity for you to grow. You have no idea how lucky Collins Corporation is to have you."

"If you think I am that great then why are you letting me go?" Rachael had never seen herself working anywhere other than their own company.

"Because someone needs you more than we do honey. Andrew, he needs you. George and I have each other to handle the company but that boy has no one. All these years, he has handled things by himself. But now he has someone who will be with him through all the ups and downs, he has you." He grabbed her hand. "Husband and wife are supposed to walk together, hand in hand—shoulder to shoulder. I want you and Andrew to do that to."

"You aren't abandoning me, right?" She teared up.

"Of course not honey, I would never abandon you." Michael pulled her into his embrace. "You are my favorite kid."

"I know— but don't tell that in front of George."

…..