Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"Hey wait—" Justin stopped him. He then quickly got up and started fixing his clothes which had creases all over.

"What are you doing?"

"Can't you tell? Fixing myself," he snapped. "I had a long flight with a toddler, I look like a homeless pimp. What will sister-in-law think of me?"

"She will come here to say 'Hi' not to ask your hand for marriage," Andrew remarked.

Just then Rachael came out of the kitchen. Her apron was slightly wet in the front and she was wearing a pair of white latex gloves. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun.

She looked at Justin and smiled. "Hi, I am Rachael."

She was expecting a greeting from the other side as well but he just kept staring at her. This made her wonder if something was wrong with her clothes or hair. Rachael quickly looked down and checked herself out.

Justin on the other hand was in shock. He looked at Andrew and then at Rachael again. He couldn't believe it. When he had heard Rachael's name from Owen, he didn't bother to look at the picture he had sent him. But now when he was seeing her in person, he was taken aback.

"I-I should continue with the cooking." Rachael quickly excused herself. She couldn't stand the sudden awkwardness. It was weird.

"See you scared her," Andrew snapped at Justin who was still standing in a daze.

"She—you—" Throwing his hand in his mouth, Justin gasped, "Oh my God."

Andrew sighed and helplessly shook his head. Why were both his friends so dramatic?

"Dude, she is so much more beautiful and hot than the picture you showed me," he exclaimed. "How did you even manage to get a woman like her?"

Crossing his arms in the front, Justin grumpily sat on the couch. "You know what, forget it. You have always been the lucky b*astard. Why am I even surprised?"

Putting Edward down to play with the blocks, Andrew sat beside Justin. "Don't tell Owen about the picture thing, okay? You know how he is, he will create a drama."

Amongst the three of them, Andrew and Justin were the sensible ones while Owen was the dramatic one.

"I haven't told him for the past five years, what makes you think I'll tell him now?" Justin soffed before getting up. "Let me go and greet her properly, I don't want her to think I am some kind of a weirdo."

…..

[Kitchen]

When Justin entered the kitchen, Rachael had just finished defrosting the chicken.

"Madam, let us help you." The helpers were standing in a corner helplessly. They wanted to help but were shoved away by Rachael.

"It's alright, I'll take care of things here. You people should go and take some rest, you guys work hard all the time."

"But—"

"Please, I insist. Treat this as a short break, okay?" Rachael insisted.

Left with no other choice, the helpers reluctantly left the kitchen.

"The madam is so kind, no one has ever given us a break in the middle of the day."

"Yes, this is my first time."

After the helpers left, Rachael noticed Justin standing near the door.

"Do you want something?" She asked.

Justin shook his head before walking inside. "Do you need some help?"

"It's okay, you should go and rest. Food will be ready soon."

"It's alright, let me help you." Without waiting for her reply, he grabbed the nearby apron and wore it. "What do you want me to do?"

Seeing that he had already worn the apron, she didn't refuse his help. "Can you chop?"

"My chopping skills are phenomenal." He picked up a knife and started chopping the vegetables which were already washed and ready to be sliced.

"I am sorry about earlier, I was thinking about something else," he apologized. "I shouldn't have made things so awkward for you."

"It's alright, I didn't mind."

"Owen told me a lot about you as soon as he came back. He couldn't stop chanting about how beautiful Andrew's wife is," Justin remarked. "He wasn't wrong though, Andrew really found himself a good one."

"I mean, I am not surprised. He has always been the most sensible and lucky one," he added.

"Andrew is a good one too."

"I can't deny that, can I?" Justin shrugged. "To be honest, though he doesn't show it, he has a really kind heart. He always tries to act tough but deep down, he gets hurt very easily." Pausing for a while, he added, "Rachael, by now I am sure many people have already told you this but I wanna say it again. Andrew has been through a lot for the past seventeen years. Things I don't wanna mention and something you can't even imagine."

Pausing for a while, he said, "This is the first time Owen and I have seen him so happy. This is also the first time he has disregarded everything and done something to make himself happy. I hope you will always treat him well and never hurt my brother."

Rachael smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I'll always treat him well." It was nice to know that Andrew had people in his life who genuinely cared for him.

"Don't think that I am only lecturing you, I'll make sure to lecture Andrew to always treat you well," he remarked. "Afterall you are also family now."

…..

[Dinner time]

Rachael and Justin called Andrew and Edward over for dinner after setting the table.

"I had no idea you could also cook so well," Rachael remarked.

"Well, when you have a three year old toddler at home who is also a very picky eater, you don't have a choice but to learn how to cook." Justin helped Edward sit on the chair. "This little guy really makes my life very tough when it comes to food."

Looking at the sumptuous food on the table, Andrew raised his brows. "You made all of this?"

"Justin helped."

"I just did the chopping and helped with the dessert," Justin exclaimed. "She is the one who did the major work."

…..