“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
River was no more crying when she reached her hotel room. While coming here she kept looking behind her if Marwick was following her. But thankfully he was not.It was dangerous to stay here. She just could not.With a supersonic speed, she started collecting her stuff. She could not leave without a suitcase. Hotel management would ask her if she was checking out. She only wanted her essentials.Taking her phone, and her important cards, she took out her black tote bag and started putting as many basic essentials as possible. Ashton Garner would not sit quietly after the attack. She needed to run away from there.This time she didn’t bother to do her make-up. Just tying the same scarf around her face, she left the hotel.Keanu had already told her where she could stay if she would be stuck in a problem. She remembered his instructions.Passing through the lobby, casually, she looked around and then remembered Marwick Garner. The way he was looking at her and assuring her that she woul
"River Brower was a girl? Not a boy?" “No!” he said in a hushed tone, “How is that possible? How can I…” Marwick's mind raced with a sense of urgency as he considered his next move. He turned to Justin, a strange emotion was dancing in his eyes. "Justin, we can't waste any time. We need to go to the Emerald Hotel immediately. River Brower is staying there, and … and … Oh God! ...” Marwick leaned back his head on the leather seat and closed his eyes, “I was so near to her, Justin. I laid right beside her! On the same bed! I. Am. A. Fool!” He picked up the glass that was placed nearby and threw it on the wall, “Fu*ck! All this time she … Justin!” “Justin!” he heard Ashley’s worried voice, “What’s happening to my brother? Go to him, darling.” Justin rushed to his friend and held him by his shoulders, “Easy, Marw. Easy! You are upsetting your pregnant sister. Control it, brother.” That was when Marwick realized he was clutching his hair tightly in his fists, “She was this close to
River looked around the small apartment on the first floor that Keanu had arranged for her beforehand. She was supposed to stay low here. The refrigerator was stuffed with canned foods and packets of frozen veggies and fruits. There were juice and beer cans. Readymade pizza and pasta were there. The bathroom had all the essentials that were enough for a few months. The LED was mounted in the bedroom and a collection of DVDs was also there with it. Here she was not allowed to go out. Not even for a minute. She could not take the risk of switching on the lights. Keanu had specifically asked her to keep the apartment dark. He wanted her to wait for her documents there. Once the delivery boy would slip it under the door, she would collect it and would leave the place the very next morning. She was aware that Ashton Garner must have created havoc by now. Though she was told several times that she was supposed to approach Marwick Garner if Keanu was not available. But River could not
River was crawling on the floor. After typing the message to Marwick Garner, she quickly reached the bedroom. She did all this with her phone’s flashlight. Only one thing was on her mind.Her life was in danger, and she had to help herself. It was better to take the risk of calling Marwick Garner instead of getting shot here.She could literally feel death dancing before her eyes.Before she could text more, she heard a clattering sound in the distance. Someone was trying to unlock the door.As the sound of the door unlocking grew louder, River's mind raced with possibilities. Should she try to confront them head-on or make a daring escape?No. Keanu was strictly against it. She remembered Keanu's instructions and realized that deception might be her best chance.She knew the drill. Keanu had taught her well. With lightning speed, she opened the room window to give them the impression that she had escaped from the room.With a quick glance around the room, she spotted a coat hanging
“Dr. Jonas! You need to come to my house.” Marwick said in a controlled voice over the phone, “No. The patient can’t come to you. You need to attend her at my place…”“No, doctor. This patient needs your immediate attention. I will be home within forty to forty-five minutes.” Marwick disconnected the call.On their way back, Gerald drove the car. Marwick was sitting at the back holding the girl in his arms. Gerald had never witnessed this side of Marwick Garner.The only thing Marwick asked him when they were leaving the place was, “Gerald. You need to keep it to yourself. Whatever you saw, nobody should know about it in the office or outside.”He had carried the girl to the car.Now he could see Marwick in the rearview mirror and there was softness on his face. He wished Aniya and Ashley were there so that they all could tease Marwick about the girl.He wanted to laugh loudly. The little she-devil was almost unconscious in Marwick’s arms. She fooled the whole office into believing th
(2 years later) “I went to the school today. The management is quite happy with Mimi’s progress,” Arabella told Jeff’s partner, Fione who moved to their house for her girls’ better education and job opportunities. Two years back, Marwick had offered Fiona to join his company. Even if she wouldn’t have moved here, Marwick had promised her long ago that he would take responsibility for Jeff’s family in his absence. Whether his girlfriend wanted to do a job or some business or even if she wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. He had promised himself that he would support the family as much as he could. There was an annex at a little distance from their giant house that was built especially for the family. “You should start dating, Fiona. You are still young,” the girl smiled and shook her head. There was a sketch of Jeff’s older daughter that was made by Arabella as promised to Mimi’s father. “Where are the twins?” Arabella asked her, looking around. “Oh, they just went to sleep. You wer
(Aniya: One month later)“Finally, we are here,” Aniya told Derek who held her hand and leaned to kiss her cheek.“Yeah. Finally!” He looked happy too. It was almost a dream come true. His dream girl was at last by his side.They had just landed at the Sydney Airport and they both knew that their fate had brought them here. The same fate that brought them together.Aniya took out her phone when it vibrated. She had received millions in her bank account. Her mouth was hung open.There was a message from Gerald.“Take it as your gift from Garner Empire. I know you will never accept it. But this is a joint gift from me, Ashley, and Marwick so that you can start your life without worry.”Aniya felt strange. As a director, Derek did receive a good chunk of his due funds after he resigned. But why Gerald, Ashley, and Marwick were giving her so much money? For God's sake, this meant only one thing. Now she was a billionaire.“What’s the matter, darling?” Derek asked her while walking to the
“What? Resign?” Gerald was looking at Aniya open-mouthed, “Are you nuts? Who makes such impulsive decisions, Aniya?” “I do!” Aniya lifted her chin up and there was this stubbornness evident on her face, “I have decided to follow him.” She flipped back her shoulder-length hair with style. That same Aniya style. Her smile did waver a bit when she felt Gerald’s pointed gaze on her face. “What?” She sounded defensive, “People do leave jobs and shift to other countries. I need to accompany him if we want a future together. I am quite sure my happiness lies with him.” “You were quite sure when you followed Marwick here and packed up your cleaning business. Just to be a receptionist in his office.” Gerald pointed out and that brought rage on her face. “Mr. Gerald Oliver. Are you questioning my decisions?” she cocked up a challenging brow at him. “No, Aniya,” Gerald leaned back in Marwick’s seat. After he left for Turkey, Gerald was taking care of everything behind him, “I am your frie
“Yes?” Ashton just got done fuc*king a dame and now he was smoking while scrolling his phone when he got this call.“Sir. I have bomb news.” The man on the other side told him with excitement. “Shoot!” he pressed the cigarette between his finger and thumb and flipped it towards the ashtray on the nightstand. The girl beside him was sleeping without bothering to cover herself and Ashton's hand was stroking her a*ss after getting rid of the cigarette. “It’s about your son, Mr. Ashton. Marwick Garner,”Ashton threw a quick glance towards the girl and decided to leave the room. He came out while knotting the robe around his gown.“I told you not to bother me about my son. I just wanted to know about Arabella Den. She is fuc*king eighteen and I was thinking that Marwick must have gotten rid of her by now.But no. She is still residing there.” Frustration was evident in his tone. “Or maybe my son is also taking advantage of her beauty,” Ashton said with a low chuckle. Arabella Den. E
From a very young age, he had been taking care of his business. His father being a womanizer could never pay attention to the family.As a result, Marwick had an indecisive mother who could never take a stand for her husband’s cheating.Marwick Garner started acting like a man of his family from his teens. His grandfather started trusting him and did something that he could never do to his son.He gave the business reins to Marwick without any interference. Ashton Garner got furious. He could never enjoy his father’s money this freely. And just when he thought he would soon have everything. All the wealth was handed over to Marwick Garner on a silver platter.Marwick worked hard and took the business to an international level. He had this knack for business from a very young age. Nobody could manipulate him that easily.But this girl River Brown?She took advantage of her sickness. She used him as a pawn and convinced him to go to Turkey. He thought, the couple really needed help.How
“So, are you seriously going to Turkey? Just to settle the couple?” Gerald asked him when Marwick was putting his passport in a leather pouch, “I can’t believe it. Don’t you think it’s an absurd demand?”“Sir. I have packed your bags.” Marwick’s butler informed him, “Please let me know if you need any more assistance,”Marwick dismissed him with a slight shake of his head and looked towards Gerald.“I have a very trustworthy staff, but I would really appreciate it if you stop mentioning the country repeatedly. The newly married couple might be dead due to your carelessness,” Marwick hissed but Gerald knew why he was frustrated.“Are you scared that you might bump into her?” Marwick zipped the pouch as if he wanted to zip Gerald’s mouth.“Nobody knows which city she flew to. She didn’t even inform River or Keanu about her whereabouts. I am not going for her. I am going for River and Keanu. Will help them initially and return. I have a business to run. Remember?”He went into the bathro
Aniya frowned and looked at Derek when someone whispered from behind, “The bride seems to be a cancer survivor. Such a brave girl she is.” That was the moment Aniya noticed her newly grown short hair under the veil.“Derek,” she breathed after leaning towards Derek.“I know, love. I know. We will talk about it later,” Derek kissed her hand lightly and looked ahead to witness the vows. ***“You may now kiss the bride,” The priest announced, and River kneeled in front of the wheelchair, where Keanu lifted her veil with a teary chuckle and bent down to kiss the bride.The small audience started cheering for them.“I love you so much,” Keanu almost choked on his tears. River wiped his cheeks and chuckled.“I love you too, Mr. Keanu. I am lucky to have you in my life. As my lover and as my husband.”“Not lucky as me, Mrs. Keanu,” He bent again to kiss his bride. They both were not embarrassed to cry and kissing each other again and again in front of a bunch of people.“Thank you so much.”
(1 month later)Aniya was standing before a full-length mirror pouting at her image. She lifted her black hair off her neck to examine herself, “I think a bun at the top will look more suitable,”The bathroom door opened, and Derek stepped out with a towel around him. He ran a slow gaze at Aniya who was wearing a blush pink gown that flowed just below her knees. The off-shoulder neckline that was lined with lace was giving her an ethereal look.He tried his best to take his eyes off her and started dressing up. After buttoning up his tailored charcoal gray suit jacket, he smirked.She was still confused about her hairstyle.“Whatever style you will decide, believe me. You will ace it.” He said and started brushing his fingers through his partially wet hair.When she didn’t respond and the pout stayed there on her lips, he walked up behind her and placed his hands on her bare shoulders. “What’s the fuss about?” he muttered close to her ear, causing goosebumps on her skin.“I can’t deci
Marwick and Keanu got busy with River. They used to feed her bone broth, fruits, and veggies. The daily multivitamin intake was a must. River had to be strong enough to get the chemo. Her next head shave was also due. The first one was done by Keanu. Garner Empire was still bustling with people and business. Gerald was taking care of all the meetings and Aniya was managing all the online commitments along with Mr. Penks. They wanted to give maximum time to Marwick so that he could spend most of his time with River. “River. Now don’t act like a bratty kid,” he heard Keanu’s stern voice who was trying to feed chicken corn soup to River. “I can’t. It’s been so many days since I last ate a burger or a pizza,” she had been puking everything and the doctor had asked them to feed her soft food. At last, Marwick who was working on his laptop got on his feet and placed the laptop aside, “Give it to me,” Marwick reached out to hold the bowl, “If you have any errands to run then you can g