Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"That guy said something inappropriate about Emma. George got mad and thrashed him."

"Who is that guy?" Rachael frowned.

"I don't know, but I think he is someone Emma knows." Without waiting for her reply, Andrew said, "I think whatever George did was right. If someone would say anything inappropriate about my wife in front of me, I would have done the same thing, maybe worse."

Just then six seven men entered the mansion. All of them were carrying a pile of neatly packed boxes.

"Keep them on the table," Yuri instructed them.

When Rachael saw them, she inquired, "What are these?"

"Our wedding gifts." Andrew got up and picked up the utensils they had used. "Why don't you go and check them out first, I'll join after washing the dishes."

She nodded and made her way towards the living room.

"Madam," Yuri greeted Rachael when she approached him.

She smiled at him before sitting on the couch. "Who sent these?" She picked up the nearest box. When she read the label on the box, she realized that it had been shipped from Russia.

The incident when Andrew had got super mad at Yuri and Samuel for bringing in the parcel they had received from Russia struck her mind.

"Did Andrew ask you to bring them in?"

Yuri nodded. "Yes madam. We received them this morning."

"What about the one that arrived a few days ago? Is that in this too?" She looked around in an attempt to find it.

"We already sent that back."

After washing the utensils, Andrew stepped out of the kitchen. Looking at the huge pile of boxes on the table and floor, he frowned. It was too much and according to Owen, more boxes were on the way.

"Is there more?" he inquired before sitting beside Rachael.

"Yes boss, Samuel is bringing them."

"Alright, you can go." After sending Yuri and the other guards away, he looked at Rachael. "All of these were sent to our office back in Russia. Owen had them shipped here."

Picking up a random box, he gave it to her. "Here, start opening it."

She took the box from his hand and started unwrapping it. When she opened it, there was a small note attached on a velvet box.

"Is this Russian?" The language used to write the note was different. She couldn't read it.

Andrew nodded and took the box from her hand.

"What does it say?"

He read the note and translated it for her. "Marriage doesn't only bring a man and a woman together, it also brings two families together. I hope I'll get to see my granddaughter-in-law soon."

Giving the box back to her, he added, "It's from my grandmother."

"Your maternal grandmother." When he nodded, she opened the box.

The box contained a pair of diamond studs and a diamond tiara necklace with five blue diamonds in the centre.

"This is the family heirloom." Pausing for a while, he added, "Grandma always said she would give it to my wife."

Gently caressing it, Rachael smiled, "It's beautiful."

"It will look more beautiful when you wear it." He gently caressed her hair. "Even a rug will look more beautiful than a gown if you wear it."

Closing the box, she kept it on the table. She then turned towards him. "Are you trying to flirt with me?"

"Why? Will you mind if I am?" He raised his brows.

Rachael did not answer him, instead she leaned her back against his chest.

"Is your family back in Russia big?" She was quite familiar with the Collins family but she did not have any idea about his maternal family.

"Hmm, it's big." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gently caressed her arm. "It's big and chaotic."

"All big families are chaotic, aren't they?"

"It's a different kind of chaos." Pausing for a while, he added, "It's better to never get involved with them. Owen and I have always maintained our distance."

Rachael did not say anything, she just snuggled closer. She was waiting for him to continue..

"I will never take you there." He gently pulled her closer. "I want to keep you away from them." There was no way he would let them come anywhere close to Rachael or let her go anywhere near them. The more distance she maintained from them, the better.

Andrew knew it wasn't possible to keep her away from their radar but he would make sure and try his best to keep her as far as possible from the chaotic scenario and family he was once a part of.

"When you were there, did you have a hard time?" She looked at him. When he nodded, she pursed her lips. She already had an idea that his life in his maternal family wasn't easy. But now that he had confirmed it, her heart ached for him even more.

Noticing the change in her expression, he smiled, "That doesn't matter anymore because now I have you." He taped the top of her nose. "I have a beautiful wife who is also an awesome cook."

She smiled and continued leaning against his chest. Looking at the pile of gifts which were yet to be unwrapped, she sighed, "When will we finish unwrapping them?"

"Why don't you call Tina and Emma over? You three can open the gifts and spend some time together," he suggested.

"Will that be okay?"

"Why not? It's all yours anyway, do whatever you want."

"Emma and Tina go crazy with gifts," she chuckled. "They are gonna love it."

"I have to swing by the office in the afternoon tomorrow. There is an important meeting. But I'll be back by evening."

,m "Is there too much work in the office?" Now that Stephen had already retired and both Andrew and Rachael, the new Vice President, were on vacation, she could imagine the large amount of pending workload that was waiting for them.

"It's okay, Ben will handle everything."

"Should we start going to office?" She asked.

...