She was no more angry but highly nervous. She would never tell Marwick about her secret disguise. That would be a world-class insult to her.Instead of staying in her room, she opted to leave her room and have her breakfast in the restaurant. The CEO could have it in his room.Ok. Not his room but River’s room. He was the one who barged into her room. And now he wasn’t liking it because she was eating broccoli and cabbage for dinner.Oh my God! Was her gas stinky?As River made her way downstairs, she couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and anticipation.She never had this idea that staying together could be this torture. Mister Garner should know. It was her room so her choice and her gas.Entering the breakfast area, she scanned the room for a vacant table. She noticed a few curious glances from other people.They must be wondering what an ordinary looking woman… no, an ordinary looking man was doing in this five star hotel.However, River decided to brush off the attention
River froze, her sandwich halfway to her mouth. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. How could he have possibly guessed her secret? Panic swirled inside her, but she quickly composed herself, not letting her fear show. With a forced nonchalant expression, she set down her sandwich and looked Marwick directly in the eyes. "You have a wild imagination, Mr. Garner. But I assure you, I am all man, through and through. Now don’t ask me for proofs." She said confidently. Marwick's gaze intensified, a mixture of curiosity and something else she couldn't quite decipher, "You seem awfully defensive about it." River clenched her fists under the table, "I don't owe you any explanations about my identity or how I choose to present myself. So, I suggest you focus on your own affairs." He leaned back, a faint smile playing on his lips, "Fair enough, Brower. Your secret is safe with me... for now." Her heart raced at his remark. Did he suspect the truth or was he just trying to get a r
Chad looked up at his wife who was placing…No, who was tossing the plates and dishes on the dining table? Chad was looking at her silently.Ever since he was asked by Marwick Garner to go back home with one year’s salary. His life had flipped upside down. It seemed like his fate had taken the worst turn forever.His wife who used to be a lovey dovey woman before the scandal was now a robotic alien who didn’t have any feelings for him.Most of her time was spent verbally abusing their teenage kids. One daughter and one son.She placed a bowl and a plate along with a tablespoon when Chad suddenly held her hand.“Darling. Where are you going? You know very well I can’t eat alone.” The hard contours of her face didn’t soften.“My love. Before these rumors, we were one small happy family. And now when I am no longer earning, you have changed. Please don’t discard me like garbage. I still love you and you know that.”She shoved his hand away and went to the kitchen. Upon returning she forc
“You look sad,” Aniya remarked when she saw River staring into space. It had been days since Marwick Garner was staying in her room.The man might be decent, but the time was proving to be torture for her. With all her fake essentials pasted on her face, she was getting tired. The stay was supposed to be for two to three days and now it had turned into more than a week. There was still no sign of a vacant room.“Picnic is around the corner,” River straightened and looked up at Aniya who seemed thrilled, “Few invites are still left.”“Oh. After lunch, I can send the invites.” Aniya offered her, “I just can’t wait for this picnic. How awesome it’s going to be. I just bought a cute, orange-colored two-piece. This time I would do anything to look pretty.”Aniya revolved her chair with a smirk, “By the way that doesn’t explain your sadness.” she remarked and closed her laptop.“Our CEO. Who else can make me sad?” River leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.“You are lucky. Right now,
It had been two weeks and River had started enjoying her work. The kiss from Gerald was forgotten because thankfully he never made another move.He remained sweet but River could feel his eyes on her when he thought no one was looking. Marwick was still not in office.Thankfully he had, at last, got a room for himself, but he was still sharing the floor with River. River still needed to be cautious, but she was happily using this alone time in her room without her artificial brows and a fake nose.She even celebrated it by buying raw silk lingerie and drinking wine while watching TV.“Oh, no!” she had forgotten to give her men’s underwear to the hotel management for washing and now she didn’t have any to wear.How could I be so forgetful? She pinched her nose in desperation.She was getting late for the office and didn’t have much choice except put on whatever was available. Dressed in a white shirt and black dress pants, she placed her office tablet on her desk.She got a new one, a
“Hello,” River greeted her with a forced smile and Ashley noticed her red nose and misty eyes.“Hello, River,” but it seemed River didn’t hear her at all. She walked to Ashley and then moved passed her. Ashley kept standing there, her head turned to see River exiting the office.“Ashley?” Marwick called her but she didn’t listen, “Little one?”“Hmm?”“Go to the bathroom.” Marwick also walked past her. Ashley with all the confusion closed the bathroom door.Once she was out, she marched straight to her brother, “What is going on between you and him?” Ashley asked her brother who was trying to show himself hell busy with his work.“Stop it, Ashley. It was nothing significant.” He said stubbornly and leaned into his laptop screen. However, he had to jerk back when Ashley closed the laptop that missed his nose by a few centimeters.“Talk to me, Marwick Garner.” She tried to sit on the desk near him but could not succeed with her big belly.“Ok.” Marwick stood up and held her by her should
Marwick and Ashley were at once out of the office. “What happened? Why is he screaming?” Marwick looked at his father who was yelling while hiding his face behind his palms. “It’s burning. My face is burning! That hot coffee!” “Oh, my eyes. They are hurt. I can’t see anything.” “My eyes are burning. That bas*tard. He did it intentionally!” “He threw it intentionally. How can he throw the coffee like this?” He was continuously screaming. “Any problem?” Aniya came running to the reception area with a panicked face and asked no one in particular. She quickly dashed to her desk and called the staff to ready the car. Ashton Garner seemed to be in need to go to a hospital for immediate medical attention. A few guards arrived urgently and held Garner to help him out. He was still screaming with his eyes squeezed. “Someone threw coffee on his face? Why would anyone do that?” Ashley asked them, looking at the door from where Ashton exited. “Where is River?” Aniya asked suddenly. “A f
Marwick was rooted to the spot.Just like her.Justin might have seen her but didn’t move forward. After staring for a few minutes, she realized her surroundings and stood up from her place with lightning speed.“Ri…River Brown?” Marwick felt his throat going parched. The girl raised her finger in warning to not take a single step towards her.He felt like she didn’t want him to hear her voice.“I … I am not moving. See?” he opened his arms and took a step back, “I am not here to take you forcefully with me. All I want is your time. Just listen to me. Please.”Marwick Garner like before did not intend to follow her. It was evident that she didn’t want him to hear her voice otherwise her cover would be blown.Several things were racing through River’s mind. By the way, what was he doing here?Wasn’t he supposed to be in his office? Keanu would be mad if he came to know about her blunder. Thinking of Keanu again brought tears to her eyes.“Listen. River!” she heard him begging and turne