When Ben did not say anything, Samuel chuckled, "I know you wanna kick me out but well—"
He shamelessly crossed his legs and grinned at him. "I guess you have to tolerate me a little longer."
Ben wanted to smack that smirk off his face but he controlled his impulsive thoughts. Since Andrew agreed to meet Samuel, he was sure it must be something important.
After working with Andrew for so many years, he was well acquainted with the Petrov brothers. He knew everything about the rivalry between the two families.
Though the main people behind all the dirty activities and tricks the Petrov family carried out were the two Petrov brothers, Ben knew that the main mastermind was Igor.
Even though Igor and Samuel were brothers and worked closely together, only a few people knew how strained the relationship between the two brothers were. They just pretended to be close in public.
If one was to compare both the brothers in terms of having a conscience and being rational then Samuel definitely had an upper hand over his elder brother, Igor.
This is why Ben had a slightly higher tolerance towards him.
"You know it's interesting how you left your home and followed Andrew here," Samuel remarked. "But I don't blame you, this city is wonderful. I am even planning to settle down here." Though it had just been one and a half months since he arrived in the city, he was already loving it.
Seeing how reluctant Ben was to talk to him, he sighed, "You are so difficult to deal with."
"The person who is the most difficult and weird is you." Andrew walked into the room.
"Boss—"
"Clear my afternoon schedule, I have to take Rachael out for shopping," he instructed.
"Okay boss," Ben answered. "Anything else?"
"You can go." After sending him off, Andrew approached Samuel.
"So taking your wife shopping huh?" he grinned. "I didn't know you have such a romantic side as well."
Ignoring the huge grin on his face, Andrew jumped straight to the point. "Why are you here?"
"What do you think?" Samuel raised his brows.
"I don't wanna waste my time thinking why you are disturbing me during office hours."
"Fair enough," he sighed. "I know you don't like beating around the bush so I'll come straight to the point—Snoopy told me everything you told him."
"First of all—" Samuel chuckled. "I love how you are now related to Snoopy, it's fu*cking amazing." He laughed his a*ss out when Joshua told him about his unexpected encounter with Andrew and how they were now related.
"Second of all, I wanted to talk to you and Owen together but well," He shrugged his shoulders. "You know how hot headed your cousin is, so I thought it would be better if I just talk to you."
Glancing at his watch, Andrew remarked, "You have only fifteen minutes to finish whatever you have to say." He had plans of taking Rachael out for shopping in the morning itself but since he had to rush to the office to attend an important meeting, they pushed the shopping plan to afternoon.
Keeping quiet for a while, Samuel said, "I want your help to deal with Igor."
"And what makes you think I will help you?" Andrew raised his brows.
"Didn't you tell Snoopy that I have to start catching the big fishes?" Pausing for a while, Samuel smiled, "You are my big fish."
"I have no intention of getting involved in your domestic fight." Though the fallout of the two brothers would benefit them immensely, Andrew or Owen had no plans of getting involved as there were two many risks involved. There were already too many dangers lurking in the dark, they didn't wanna invite more.
"I knew you wouldn't agree, this is why I have an enticing offer for you." Without waiting for his reply, Samuel added, "Help me deal with Igor and I'll give you complete control over the east port."
"We already have enough control over the east port," Andrew stated.
"Fine, what about the North port." When he did not show any interest, Samuel frowned, "Come on man, I am trying to make a deal here."
Keeping quiet for a while, Andrew remarked, "Give us complete control over the North and South port. And as soon as your brother is out of the picture, I want you to close and dismantle all the groups under the Petrov's that deal with drugs."
"Fine," Samuel agreed without any hesitation. "I had plans of stopping the drug dealings even if you hadn't mentioned it."
There were multiple reasons why he was going against his brother but one the main reasons was all the dirty businesses Igor was running for the past years. From drug dealing, prostitution to selling human organs in the black market, he had involved their business in everything.
Samuel had tried talking him out of it but he refused to listen to him. He claimed that these underhanded businesses would bring more funds which would help them to have an upper hand over the Volkovs.
"Why now?" Andrew curiously inquired. Samuel had been closely working under his brother for years but now he had suddenly decided to go against him. He not only found it strange but also curious.
"I have my reasons." Though he needed his help, Samuel did not wish to disclose his main motive. Maybe he would tell him in the future but now was not the right time.
"Alright, I will discuss this with Owen and Justin first and then let you know."
"But I thought the deal was already on," he frowned.
"You just agreed to my conditions, I am sure Owen and Justin will have different conditions," Andrew stated.
Samuel: " "
...
[Watson Mansion, Garden]
"Hey, what are you doing here by yourself?" Joshua approached Rachael who was watering the plants.
"Your hubby is not at home?" he inquired.
Rachel shook her head. "He had to go to the office for sometime, important meeting."
"Rach—" He placed his hand on her shoulder. "You are happy with him, right?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am very happy."
"Does he treat you well?"
"He treats me very well." The smile on her face widened. "I am very happy Josh, very happy."
Joshua gently pinched her cheeks. "And I am happy for you." He forced himself to smile as he tried to conceal the anxiety in his heart.
Though Rachael was unaware of what she had married into, Joshua knew everything. Being married to Andrew wasn't as simple as she thought. Given the name and influence the Volkov's had, he knew it would directly affect her as well.
He wasn't a fan of his sister being involved in the mess he had been a part of for several years but he couldn't do anything about it as she was already married to Andrew.
Given Andrew's status and capabilities, Joshua was sure he would protect Rachael well but he still couldn't help but worry.
"Have you met any of his family members yet?"
"I met his paternal grandma, his cousin Owen and Elsa, his friend Justin," she answered.
"That's nice." Contemplating for a while, he hesitantly inquired, "What about his other relatives from Russia? His grandfather, grandmother or uncle—"
Rachael shook her head. "I haven't met anyone else."
"I see." Joshua was quite relieved to hear that she hadn't met the potentially harmful people yet. This meant that Andrew was purposely keeping her away from them.
Finding his questions and behavior very strange, she inquired, "Joshua, do you happen to know Andrew beforehand?"
"W-What? No," he nervously chuckled. "Where did you get that from?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes of course, why would I lie to you if I knew your husband beforehand?" Not giving her a chance to throw more questions at him, he quickly hooked his arms around hers and started dragging her inside. "Come on now, make me some food. I am very hungry."
…..
[Vagabound Hotel, Room no: 109]
"This one?" Edward pointed towards the red crayon.
"Yes." Elsa clapped her hand and kissed his cheeks. "My baby is so smart."
Happy with the compliment he had just received, Edward hooked his arms around her neck and returned the kiss.
"Now why don't you tell me which one is the blue colour?"
While the two of them were busy in their own world, Justin was standing in a corner observing them. When they embraced each other, the corner of his lips curled upwards.
Since the day Elsa came back to his life, everything changed again but this time it was a good change, a change he didn't know he needed. She was like his happy pill, the moment she came back, his life was filled with love again.
Even Edward was more cheerful than usual. In fact, he had turned more clingy than ever, he rarely left Elsa's side.
…..
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