Unexpected Encounter: A Second Chance at Love

Katherine did not say anything, she gestured him to take a seat beside her. " You look tired." She gently caressed his cheeks. "Do you want to take a nap?"

Without saying anything, Joshua rested his head on her lap.

She gently ran her fingers through his hair. "How are things going with the Volkovs? Did anything new happen?"

Joshua contemplated for a while before saying, "Everything's the same, nothing new."

"I heard that you are related to Andrew Volkov now," she chuckled. "How funny is that?"

"Yeah it's funny," he smiled. Though he was trying to be as normal as he could, he could still feel a resistance in his behaviour.

They still had to find out if Katherine was involved in everything that was happening, nothing was confirmed yet.

Why was he feeling this resistance then? Why was he feeling that Katherine is indeed involved in everything that was happening?

He buried his face on her lap and wrapped his arms around her waist as his heart clenched with pain.

...

[Collins Enterprise, Andrew's office]

"Did you arrange a place for Joshua?"

Ben nodded. "Yes boss—" He handed him a file. "I just need your signature for the agreement."

"Make sure that the place is secure," Andrew instructed as he signed the papers. "Handpick a bunch of men who will work under Joshua."

"Okay boss."

"I also want you to arrange guards for Joshua," he added. He didn't want to leave room for any mistakes. If Joshua decided to work under him, he would make sure to give the best to him.

"Yes boss but—" Ben hesitated before continuing. "Owen—"

"I will talk to him," Andrew interrupted him. "Don't worry about him at the moment. Our main focus is to keep Joshua safe until everything is normal again."

Once people, especially Igor, finds out about Joshua joining his organisation, he will definitely create a ruckus. He will try to draw him out in every possible way and the result will be uglier than expected.

Seeing how hesitant Ben was, Andrew asked, "Is there something else you want to clarify?"

"N-No boss." Ben was about to leave when Andrew stopped him.

"Ben—"

"Yes boss?"

"I know you are concerned and have your own worries but I am your boss and you have to trust me," he remarked. "I know bringing Joshua in is a big decision but I have analysed it properly and I am sure things won't take a wrong turn."

Ben nodded. "I have never doubted your decisions boss, I was just worried. I'll do as you say."

...

[Collins mansion]

"So what do you wanna do today?" Rachael asked Kate after they were done with their breakfast.

Kate shrugged in response. "I don't know, I'll go wherever you take me."

Thinking for a while, Rachael suggested, "Let's start with the botanical garden then."

"Okay," Kate chuckled. "You really love flowers, don't you?"

"Who doesn't?" she sighed. "Flowers are one of the best things in this world."

"My mother loves gardening too," Kate exclaimed. "She used to spend hours in the garden without taking a break. She used to teach me everything she knew about gardening. It was like our special time together."

The recollection of the memories she had with her mother brought tears in her eyes. Though she never said it, she missed her parents a lot, especially now that she was expecting.

"I am sure they miss you too," Rachael gently caressed her arm to comfort her.

"I don't know." Kate took a deep breath and sighed. She didn't want to think about it. "Let's go to some good cafe after the garden, I want to drink a cup of coffee with brownies."

"Sure," Rachael smiled. "I'll take you to the best brownie place in the town."

"What about your friends? Are they coming?"

"Emma is on a business trip and Tina is out with her family," Rachael sighed. "I guess we have to wait a little longer to see them."

"So I guess it's just you and me then."

"I guess," Rachael shrugged. "We can ask Elsa to join us."

"I'll call her."

…..

[Collins Enterprise]

Andrew took a sip of his coffee while his eyes were fixed at Joshua who was sitting on the couch. It had been almost fifteen minutes since he arrived and he hadn't said a word which was quite unlikely.

"Is there something bothering you?" he asked.

"Huh?" Joshua looked at him confused. "What did you say?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering if you came here to sit like a dumb person or there is a purpose for your visit."

"Yeah—" He awkwardly cleared his throat. "I wanted to tell you that I accept your offer."

Andrew smiled. "Okay and—"

"I am very grateful for the offer as well," he added. "I know you are doing this because I am related to Rachael but whatever the reason, I will not let you down."

"You better not," Andrew warned him. "I will not stop Owen from dealing with you in his way if you do anything that isn't ethical."

"I won't, you have my word." Joshua wouldn't break Andrew's trust after he had entrusted him with such a big position. He wouldn't let him down no matter what.

"Okay, I'll ask Ben to draw a contract," he remarked. "Drop by tomorrow evening to sign it."

"Okay." Joshua got up. "I'll come tomorrow."

He took a few steps towards the door but stopped. Contemplating for a while, he approached Andrew again. "Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Suppose if you find out that there might be a chance that Rachael is doing something that will negatively impact you, what would you do?" Joshua asked.

"Why do you ask?" Andrew raised his brows.

"Just answer the damn question," Joshua frowned.

"Well, first of all Rachael will never do anything like that," Andrew answered. "And even if she did, I will first talk to her and clarify what it is because I know she will never do anything like that with the intention of hurting me."

…..