However, the bigger challenge was to face the people who were throwing curious glances at them, “I … I can walk, Marwick.” She said in a whisper. Marwick looked at her head with a smile who was busy avoiding eye contact with the passers-by. “Why?” he had to control his smile as soon as she raised her face and all Marwick wanted to do was kiss her senselessly then and there. “Why? You are asking me why? Look at these people,” she seemed all flared up and Marwick was enjoying it. “Why should I look at them? I have you.” He said nonchalantly and River could not decipher what he was saying. “You won't put me down?” Marwick looked down meeting her gaze and shook his head. “Not even if I bite you?” For some reason, Marwick Garner found it utterly se*xy. “Go ahead. Try it.” He said with a hint of challenge in his voice. She kept looking at him, but his eyes were staring ahead. With a stubborn glint in her eyes, she reached up and began to unbutton his collar, trying to look bold, "Fin
Her fingers got splinted in no time. Dr. Jonas seemed to be in a hurry. As if he wanted to get rid of the clumsy couple in no time.When they came out of his room, River was surprised to see uniformed guards standing outside.A man almost of the same height as Marwick walked to them with a subtle smile on his face.“Garner. How are you?” he extended his hand for a handshake.“Ah, Jeff. You are here in time.” Marwick remarked shaking his hand and then turning to River, “he is my prior bodyguard. The best in the security industry.” River nodded her head to greet the man.“Why has Marwick called the guard to the hospital?” she thought to herself and got the answer in no time.“She is River Brown. The reason I called you here. I want tight security around her.” River was speechless when she heard it.Marwick Garner hired a bodyguard for me?“Please ask your men not to give away any information about her. Not even her name. They are supposed to stay quiet.”“Don’t worry, Mr. Garner. I will
Marwick wanted to take her to the bedroom, but she stopped him from doing that, “Can I spend some time in the living room?” she asked him.When he didn’t respond, she inhaled a deep breath, “I am not scared but... But I need voices around me. I guess, I can use some company too.”She wanted to say his company. Not Gerald’s. But he just put his life in danger because of her. And she felt guilty to expect him to give her company.Without any word, he placed her on the couch in the living room.“Oh. Your finger is hurt.” She heard Gerald, “They have put this thing too. What happened to your feet by the way? You forgot to walk due to this trauma?”“Gerald!” Gerald was still talking when he heard a hidden warning in Marwick’s voice. After putting her down, he went to the kitchen and opened the fridge.Gerald followed him leaving River alone in the living room.“Man. What happened? You seem …” Gerald was about to speak more when Marwick interrupted him again.“I seem what?” he snapped and t
(2 days after the attack) “Where is he, Greta? I am not seeing him around lately.” River complained to the woman who used to help her with all her personal tasks. “Mr. Marwick is worried about your health, ma’am. He daily asks me about you. Keeps a record if you are taking your medicines regularly. Even checks up on you when you are sound asleep at night.” Greta told River with a constant smile that was part of her personality. “He is keeping tabs on me?” she frowned, “But I never heard him entering my room, Greta?” she complained, “And let me assure you. I am a very light sleeper.” Greta smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes, "He's very gentle and cautious not to disturb you," she said admiring her employer. But River didn’t like that. She missed him. It had been two days since that Gerald episode. He didn’t talk to her much. He used to leave before she woke up and used to enter the house after she went to bed. This was the same routine he used to follow when he was staying in
She started trailing her tongue on the rough skin of his face and even giggled when felt ticklish against her tongue. “River!” Marwick wanted to protest but it came out as a moan and River closed her eyes. “You never told me you tasted so good, Marwick Garner.” Her face was still wet with tears and her azure eyes were looking at him with so much innocence. She kept holding him but leaned back her head to have a good look at him. “Your tears are… still there. Are you still crying?” Marwick asked her softly making her chuckle. She couldn’t speak so she just nodded. “Can I wipe your face,” he asked her, slowly leaning his head towards her face, “If you allow. I need to wipe your tears.” River blushed and nodded, her heart fluttering at his gentle voice, "Yes, please," she whispered, feeling vulnerable in his presence. Marwick started wiping away her tears with his thumb, his touch sending shivers down her spine, "Please stop crying" he said softly. And then he did something unexpe
It was early morning and his investigator had asked Chad to reach Ashton Garner early morning. He couldn’t arrange an appointment around lunch as Ashton Garner was a busy man. Chad was sitting in a big drawing room of this elite residence. He had heard that Ashton Garner was thrown away by his father, passing all the property to his grandson, Marwick Garner. But now looking at the luxury house and army of servants, he could not believe that it might hold any truth. The elite drawing room of the residence exuded luxury. Especially those ornate chandeliers. Chad ran a quick gaze at the luxurious leather sofas and plush velvet chairs. He shifted uneasily in his seat, feeling strange. As he sat there, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversations between the butlers and maids, who didn’t seem formal as opposed to what he had found among the elites around him. They were continuously laughing not at all afraid of their employer. The room's décor spoke volumes about Ashton’s r
The next day when River woke up, she stretched in bed with a smile. Last night whatever happened felt like a dream. She wanted to stay in bed and wanted to remember whatever Marwick did to her with his hands, lips, and tongue. She could still feel his taste on her lips. She got up and pressed the bell to call Greta. “Good morning, ma’am,” the middle-aged woman greeted her with the same sweet smile. “Hello, Greta.” She tried to get up from the bed and felt a little shaky. “Careful, Ms.” Greta at once got to her in time, “your meds are making you dizzy.” “Oh, it’s nothing, Greta. Please tell the chef I want to have a large breakfast.” She told her excitedly and Greta knew that for some reason the girl seemed too happy and too chirpy today. She at once went to the intercom and asked the chef to cook a bigger portion of her favorite food. River took some extra time in the shower today. She wanted to smell good. Though Marwick was expected to arrive at night, but she didn’t want to
She didn’t wait and hurriedly scurried to a side of the living room. She turned around and found him coming after her with a predator look. It was the same look she witnessed when he was following her in the Emerald Hotel the first day. She didn’t know much about the house, and her survival instincts took her to a hallway. There were several doors there and one of them was the most huge one. She emptied one hand by pushing the potatoes in her mouth and opened the door. It seemed like a garden. Without a backward glance, she had stepped into it. Marwick's laughter filled the hallway as he saw where she was heading and followed her into the garden, enjoying the chase. River had taken off the slippers and was running bare feet on the soft grass, feeling the coolness under her feet. She glanced back to see Marwick gaining on her and giggled, picking up her pace. "This time you can't escape me, Bella!" he called after her, his voice filled with amusement. River turned to face him, a
(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