Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Kitchen]

When Justin entered the kitchen, Andrew was busy cooking while Owen was sitting on the counter munching something.

"I know it's very weird and I told her it's still early to get married but she said it was the right time."

"Who is getting married again?" Justin inquired while approaching them.

"Elsa—" Andrew answered. He then looked at Owen and said, "I don't think it's early. She is already twenty-seven and it's the right time to start thinking about settling down. Rachael is twenty-seven too and she is happily married."

"It's just been a week, how do you know if she is happy with this marriage?" Owen inquired.

Ignoring his question, Andrew added, "If Elsa is really considering getting married then as her brother I will support her."

"Of course I will support her too but I still think it's a very rash decision." Owen looked at Justin who hadn't said anything yet. "What do you think?"

Before Justin could say anything, Andrew remarked, "What will he think? He shouldn't have any problem or objection with it."

Keeping quiet for some time, Justin inquired, "Who is the guy?"

"I don't know—" Owen shrugged. "We were drinking the other night and she told me she wants to get married and settle down soon. I didn't ask her, but since she is dating that Gazelo guy, it's not hard to guess."

Without waiting for anyone's reply, he added, "Since Elsa was leaving for a long time, he sent her a hundred roses. Well, I am not a romance sucker but I think that was quite thoughtful."

Justin frowned at the idea of Elsa getting married. He had always wanted her to find a suitable guy and settle down but now that there was a possibility of her marrying another guy, it made him feel very uncomfortable.

Seeing him in a daze, Andrew and Owen looked at each other and smirked.

"When will you go and fetch Edward?"

Justin snapped out of his daze when he heard Andrew's question. "I will go after lunch."

"Rachael and I will accompany you."

...

[Dining room]

Looking at the sumptuous meal prepared by Andrew, Elsa took a deep breath and then sighed in satisfaction. "This looks so good, I have been craving for your cooking since a really long time."

"You should taste Rachael's cooking once, this is nothing in comparison to this," Justin remarked.

"That is true," Andrew agreed. "My wife is the best cook."

"Well, since I will be staying here for a while, I am sure I'll get a chance."

"Of course," Rachael smiled. "Just let me know what you want to have and I'll prepare it for you."

"How many days are you staying?" Justin looked at her.

Without raising her head, Elsa answered, "I don't know, maybe a week or a month. Depends on my mood."

After getting a specific answer from her, Justin did not say anything. He continued eating his food without even looking at her or anyone.

Finding the situation quite awkward, Rachael glanced at Andrew who was busy peeling the shrimp for her. She then gently pinched his leg with her toes. When he looked at her, she gestured him to say something.

"Uncle Harrington was asking about you all," he remarked. "He said we all should visit him once together."

"By the way—how was your trip?" Without waiting for their reply, Owen added, "Well, the hickey on your neck is screaming that it was indeed a lovely trip, I still want you both to tell us."

"There is a HICKEY—" Elsa got up and rushed towards him. "Show me, I wanna see it." She then grabbed his neck and forcefully tilted it to the other side, giving everyone a clear look of Rachael's mark.

"Oh my—" She exclaimed. "This is a perfect one. The shape and colour—" She then looked at Rachael. "You are a PRO."

Rachael did not say anything, she just lowered her head and kept shoving the food inside her mouth. Her face was burning in embarrassment. She wanted to dig a hole and stay there forever.

"I need a picture—" But before Else could pick up her phone, Andrew slapped her hand away.

"Stop being so nosy and finish your food."

When Elsa settled down in her seat, he resumed placing the peeled shrimps in Rachael's plate like nothing had happened.

…..

[And hour later, Justin's car]

As Andrew had to suddenly attend an important video conference, Rachael ended up accompanying Justin to her parents' place to fetch Edward.

"So what is the deal between you and Elsa?" Rachael inquired.

When he did not say anything, she added, "It's okay if you don't wanna say."

"Didn't Andrew tell you?"

"I haven't asked him yet but if I do, he will not keep anything from me." If he didn't tell her anything, Andrew definitely would.

"Did she tell you anything?" When she shook her head, he said, "We used to date each other in the past."

"I see." With all the tension between them, it wasn't hard for her to guess that.

Pausing for a while, she asked, "You still like her?" When he did not say anything, she remarked, "I take your silence as a yes."

After a long awkward silence, he stated, "It's complicated."

"Well, I am telling you this from my personal experience, things get complicated when you make it complicated." Rachael looked at him and explained, "There are always two different ways to solve a situation. Number one, you don't talk about and keep your feelings inside which will in turn complicate the whole situation even more. Number two, you sit and talk it out with the concerned person and see if it can be solved."

"I don't think this method will work everytime," he frowned.

"Why not? Talking always helps," she stated. "I can see that whatever you had with Elsa is still bothering you. You should talk to her."

"I don't think she wants to talk to me," he chuckled.

"So it was your fault." Rachael shrugged, "Well, at least you are aware that you did something wrong, that is a huge first step."

…..