Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

[Garden]

After getting dressed, Andrew stepped out in the garden to make a phone call while Rachael was getting ready.

"Go to the best nursery in the town and buy whatever they have. But make sure everything is of good quality," he instructed. "I am going out with Rachael, you have to bring everything here while we are out."

"O-Okay boss." Ben was very surprised. He had no idea why Andrew wanted him to buy plants from the nursery all of a sudden? Did he change his mind and finally decided to redecorate the garden?

When Andrew had bought the mansion and started renovating it, Ben had hired a few people to take care of the garden. But Andrew had stopped him from doing so. He had strictly told him to keep the garden as it was. He didn't want any plants or flowers in the garden, not even shrubs. He wished to keep it empty.

Though Ben found it very weird, he didn't ask any questions and quietly followed his boss' instructions.

…..

[Central Phoenix Mall]

"What do you wanna buy first?" When Rachael said she wanted to buy something from the mall, he assumed she wanted to shop. He knew how much she loved shopping and he was happy to walk around with her, holding her bag.

"Bedsheets, pillow covers and curtains…"

Andrew was startled by her answer. He thought they were here to buy new clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery for her.  He was all excited to be a good husband and pay for his wife's shopping. But who would have thought…..

She then grabbed his hand and dragged her towards the escalator. "Come on, let's go. There is a very nice store on the third floor. They sell good quality bed sheets at a very good discounted price."

"We have bed sheets at home." He had personally bought several sets of beddings after they got married.

"No harm in having more sets right?" Without waiting for his reply, she added, "We also need to redecorate the guest rooms." Now that they were married, they had to be ready to entertain guests anytime. Everything in that house was so dull and grey… she couldn't stand it. Even the couch was dark grey in color.

A few bright colored bedspreads and curtains could definitely make the rooms look one hundred percent more comfortable and bright. It would change the whole vibe.

Andrew wanted to say something but he chose not to. He just allowed her to drag him all the way to the store.

...

[Inside the store]

As soon as they entered the store, one of the employees assisted them.

​ "May I know the size of your bed?"

"King size," Rachael answered and looked at Andrew for his approval.

"It's king size," he nodded.

"Please, this way." The employee guided them towards the section where they displayed bedsheets of different sizes. She pulled out different kinds of designs and kept them in front of them.

"Which one do you like?"

Pointing towards a relatively darker shade of grey, he answered, "This one."

Rachael: " "

She was rendered speechless. She had seen several grey and black bedsheets and curtains inside the cupboard and he wanted to buy more?

Crossing her arms in the front, she glared at him. "Andrew, how many colors are there in a rainbow?"

"Seven."

"What are they?"

"Violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red."

"So you do know that colors other than grey and black exist in this world," she bluntly remarked, making him speechless.

Without paying attention to him, she selected almost fifteen pieces of bedspreads.

"Would you like to see the curtains too?" The employee asked.

"Yes."

As she was about to walk away, Andrew who had been silent for ten minutes finally opened his mouth. "I like this one too." He pointed towards the blue and white floral printed bedsheet.

Without saying anything, Rachael picked up the set and placed it on the selected pile.

She then followed the employee to the curtain section while Andrew followed her.

Unlike the first time, Andrew actively participated while selecting the drapes which matched with the sheets Rachael had selected.

In fact, he did all the talking and told the employee about the designs he preferred while Rachael quietly stood there observing him.

She liked how he was completely silent at the beginning and hyperactive later. It was like he was taking his time to process through what she had told him. She found his behaviour very cute and adorable.

…..

They left the shop after buying everything they needed.

"What do you wanna buy next?"

"Nothing else." The sole motive to visit the mall was to buy new bedspreads and curtains.

"Since we are already here, buy a few more things," he remarked.

"It's alright, I don't need anything at the moment."

Andrew sighed and nodded. This was the first time they were at the mall shopping. He was kinda excited to pay for everything she wanted to buy.

He had read somewhere that one of the best ways to spoil and dote on a woman was by taking her shopping. He wanted to spoil and dote her in every possible way.

Sensing his disappointment, she assured him. "We already have so many bags, it will be difficult if we add more. Bring me here later someday, okay?"

Given how he did not allow her to carry her purse, she knew what his intentions were. It wasn't like she was hesitant to use his money or had a problem with him paying for everything.

She loved shopping irrespective of whoever paid. But she really didn't have anything she needed at the moment.

"Alright, I'll take you to the other mall next time. Make a list by then and buy everything you need."

Rachael nodded. "I'll make a long list."

"Let's find a good place and eat something."

As they were about to leave, a tiny figure rushed towards them.

"Dada… dada—" The little one hugged Andrew's legs and stretched his arms towards him. "HUG—"

…..