Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

"So you are doing this for Rahael."

"Of course," Andrew exclaimed. "I am willing to forgive you for trying to kill me several times for the sake of my loving wife."

"You are smitten," Joshua chuckled.

"I don't mind," he remarked. "I am willing to be smitten by her forever."

Joshua scoffed and rolled his eyes at him but he was also very happy. He was happy to see that Rachael was in good hands. She had a husband who loved her, cherished her and most importantly respected not only her but also her family.

Meanwhile, one of the men who had gone to check Joshua's apartment came back.

"Boss, the apartment is clear but—"

"But what?" Joshua asked.

"You should come up."

…..

[Joshua's Apartment]

"I think they were looking for something," One of the men said.

Andrew glanced at the mess before looking at Joshua. "Is there anything missing? Can you say?"

"I-I don't know."

His whole living room had been turned upside down and his bedroom was even worse. His clothes were all over the floor from his cupboard. The mattress had been torn from the middle and features from the pillows were everywhere. Whoever broke in hadn't left a single corner of the apartment unturned.

"It's not safe to stay here." With how easily someone had managed to break into the apartment, it wasn't safe. There was no way he would leave Joshua in such an insecure place.

"Where will I go?" Joshua asked. "I can't go to your place. Rachael will definitely ask questions." He going to their place all of a sudden to spend a night will definitely raise suspicion and he didn't want that.

Andrew agreed with Joshua. Rachael already had too many questions about what happened in their apartment earlier. In fact, he was waiting for her to shoot all her curious questions at him once they were by themselves.

Taking Joshua home uncalled would definitely raise unnecessary suspicion.

"Come with me, I know a perfect place you can spend the night."

…..

[Ben's Apartment]

"Soda?" He threw the can at Joshua without waiting for an answer.

"Woah—" Joshua somehow managed to catch it without dropping the can on the floor. "Easy bro.."

Paying no heed to his comment, Ben threw a packet of chips his way.

"Look at you being a good host," Joshua grinned as he opened the soda followed by the chips packet.

"Any idea who broke into your house?" Ben inquired as he walked towards him.

"No idea," Joshua sighed. "But there is only one name I can think of at the moment." He then looked at Ben who also had the same name in his mind.

"Do you have anything that belongs to him?" he asked as he took a seat.

"I don't think so." Joshua had made sure to leave everything that belonged to his former boss, Igor when he left his side. He hadn't taken anything from him which could be threatening.

"Maybe you have something," Ben remarked. "Why else would they raid your house like that?"

What Ben said did make sense. The break-in did not make sense if he did not have anything important.

What were they trying to look for?

Seeing how hard Joshua was trying to think, Ben tried to calm him down. "Don't stress about it. We will figure it out later."

Joshua took a sip of the soda. "Why are you being so gentle with me?"

"I am not being gentle," Ben answered. "I am doing what my boss asked me to do."

"And that is—?"

"Keeping you safe for the night and resisting the urge to kill you," Ben stated.

He then got up. "I'll go to bed now, I have to arrange an apartment for you tomorrow before leaving for work."

"Where will I sleep?" Joshua asked.

"You can sleep where you are sitting or in the kitchen," he shrugged. "It's your choice."

"You are going to make your guest sleep on the couch?" Joshua frowned. "You won't even offer your guest a bed?"

"You are lucky that I let you in my house," Ben remarked as he walked towards his room.

"At least give me a cover and a pillow," he yelled.

After a few minutes, Ben threw a pillow and cover towards him. "Here, sleep tight."

Joshua scoffed before grabbing the pillow. "Meanie."

"I heard that," Ben yelled.

"As if I care."

…..

[Collins Mansion]

By the time Andrew arrived home, it was already late.

Thinking Rachael had already fallen asleep, he slowly entered the room making sure not to make any noise.

"I am not asleep." Rachael turned on the lights.

"Why are you still awake?" He sat beside her and gently caressed her arm. "It's already late."

"I was waiting for you." she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Is Joshua's problem solved?"

"Hmm." He ran his fingers through her hair. "Were you worried?"

She did not say anything but sighed in response. She was worried about many things and Joshua was definitely one of them. There were so many things she wanted to ask Andrew about Joshua but she wasn't sure where to start from.

But amidst everything there was one thing she was sure of, Joshua definitely had links in Russia which made her feel ever more anxious.

"If there is something bothering you, it's better to spill it out." He understood why she was feeling anxious and curious. He couldn't tell her everything about Joshua as it wasn't his story to tell but he could at least give her an idea to reduce her anxiety.

"Is Josh—I mean, he—" She looked at him. "Is he like you, Daniel and Owen?"

"Will it be bad if he is like us?" he inquired.

She shook her head. "I didn't mean it that way. I want to know if he is involved?"

Contemplating for a while, Andrew answered, "He is."

Rachael's heart sank. The thing she was worried about had turned out to be true.

"But not like the way you think," he added.

….