[Downstairs]
"Oh my God, look at you," Reeta exclaimed. "You have become such a big boy."
"Not a big boy, he is a big man now." George hooked his arms around Joshua's neck. "He is a grown man now."
"What grown man?" Joshua chuckled. "I am still a kid at heart."
"Yes, he is a twenty-eight year old kid," Roma remarked.
"And I have a thirty year old child in my house." Reeta looked at George. "He is the biggest baby in my house right now who keeps throwing tantrums."
"She keeps nagging me to find a woman and get married," George whispered to Joshua.
"Same," Joshua whispered back.
Roma sighed and helplessly shook her head. "It's very tough to handle boys when they reach a marriageable age. At least George is here with you so you can nag him in person—" She looked at Joshua and added, "This boy doesn't even stay at home, I have to take all the trouble to call and nag him."
"Oh my dear mom—" Joshua gave his mother a hug. "I am back now, you can nag me as much as you want."
"You are not going back to Russia anymore?" George inquired.
He shook his head. "No, I have plans of settling down in the city for sometime."
"That's great, we should totally hang out all the time."
Joshua smiled and nodded. "Totally man." He gave George a high five.
Looking around, he inquired, "I don't see Rachael, where is she?"
"She is in her room," Reeta answered. "Rachael's husband is here too."
"Oh yes, she got married," he exclaimed. "I have to see the man who finally managed to take our girl away."
Reeta smiled and remarked, "Andrew is a great man, you are gonna love him."
"Andrew is from Russia too," George added. "He stayed in Russia with his maternal family for almost seventeen years."
Before Joshua could question further, Rachael called him out.
"Josh—" she exclaimed as she rushed towards him.
"Hey—" He beamed and hugged her tightly. "How is my girl?" he exclaimed as he swirled her around.
"I am good."
Placing her down, Joshua pretended to frown as he held his back. "Oh my—you have gained so much weight."
Rachael pouted her lips and slapped his chest. "How mean—"
"I am joking," he chuckled as he hugged her again. "You have become thinner than the last time I saw you. Is your husband not feeding you well?"
"Well, why don't you ask him yourself?" Rachael looked at Andrew who was still standing near the stairs. "Andrew, come here—"
When Joshua followed Rachael's gaze, the smile on his face faded and his face turned white as if he had encountered a ghost.
Andrew on the other hand seemed to be unbothered. He had a smile on his face as he approached the group.
Joshua gulped in nervousness when their eyes met. He felt goosebumps all over his body when he smiled at him.
When Andrew was close enough, Rachael grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her. "He is Andrew, my husband." She then looked at Andrew. "I told you about Joshua earlier—"
"Of course—" He looked at him and smiled, "It's nice meeting you."
Joshua on the other hand was having a hard time maintaining a straight unbothered face even though his ass was sweating.
"I-It's…nice meeting..you too," he shuttered.
Roma frowned and knocked his forehead. "Why are you shuttering? Greet your brother-in-law properly."
"I was just telling Josh that you are from Russia too," George remarked.
"Oh right, Rach was telling me you work in Russia." Andrew looked at Joshua and inquired, "What kind of work do you do there?"
Contemplating for a while, Joshua answered, "I-I am a relief worker."
"What kind of relief work do you do?" Andrew's lips curled up as he questioned him.
"I-I work with a NGO where we—" He nervously cleared his throat. "Where we—we…."
Andrew raised his brows as he waited for him to answer. When he kept hesitating, he patted his shoulder. "It's okay, you can think and answer later."
Joshua nervously smiled. He was on the verge of crying.
"Alright, let's go and eat first." Reeta looked at Andrew. "I invited your assistant for dinner too but I think he is shy."
Looking around, Rachael inquired, "Where is Ben?"
"I think I saw him outside, he was talking over the phone," George answered.
Just then Ben entered the mansion.
"Good evening boss, madam." He greeted them simultaneously.
"Good evening," Rachael smiled.
"Stay for dinner," Andrew remarked.
"Boss, I—"
"You don't have to feel awkward, it's just family," Rachael stated. "And you are family too Ben."
Ben had been with Andrew for years now. Though they didn't openly portray it, Rachael knew both of them were very close and their relationship was more than just a boss and assistant relationship.
"Okay madam," he agreed. How could he reject her after she referred to him as 'Family'?
"Ben, did you meet Rachael's cousin?" Andrew's lips curled upwards as he looked at Joshua whose expression had turned more pale the moment Ben entered the room.
Following his gaze when Ben's eyes finally landed on Joshua, he frowned as his expression darkened. Unlike Andrew, he did not mask his expression and feelings he harboured for him.
Joshua on the other hand was sweating profusely. He could no longer maintain a straight face. The nervousness in his heart was evident on his face.
The silent interaction between the three men did not go unnoticed by Rachael. She wanted to ask if they knew each other but she decided to ask Andrew later when no one was around.
"Alright, since everyone is here, let's eat."
"Yeah—" Rubbing his stomach, George exclaimed, "I am famished."
When Joshua did not say anything, Roma inquired, "What happened to you? Are you not hungry?"
"Y-Yes, I am—" Joshua answered. How could he tell his mother that all his hunger had disappeared in thin air after the sudden encounter with Andrew and Ben?
…..
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