Today's first update (8/7/2023)
“Hello, there,” she had just stepped outside the cottage when she heard a familiar voice behind her. “Jeff?” she waved and fixed her dark glasses on her nose, “I guess you followed me?” “Yes. It's my duty not to let you go all alone.” When she just nodded and didn’t budge from her place, he just threw a sheepish smile at her, “Look. I know you must be exasperated. But please understand I am not on vacation here. I am still on duty. I swear I won't let you know or feel that you have got company.” River kept looking at him and then nodded in understanding, “Fine!” She turned on her heels and started walking. Right now, she didn’t have any plans to enjoy the sea. She was just here to walk on the sand. Water could be enjoyed later with Marwick once he would be free. Their cottage was in a great location as compared to others. It was all power of money. She thought with a sigh. As River strolled along the sun-kissed beach, she spotted a perfect spot under a colorful beach umbrella.
River was in high spirits when she returned to the cottage. When she left home Jeff was on her tail but since they had returned River was holding Jeff as if they were old friends. Greta raised her brows when she saw them coming while laughing crazily. “You are funny,” Jeff said and picked up an apple from the kitchen island. “I need to go to Marwick and bring him down. He must be working in his room,” River said before stepping on the stairs but had to stop when she heard Greta. “Mr. Garner is out for some office work. He said to tell you specifically to have dinner without him,” As expected River felt disappointed. On the plane, he was so friendly and then after she requested him to take his hand up, he just chuckled in reaction and kissed her temple. Was he avoiding her? “Sure, Greta. Of course, he is here for work. We can’t expect him to waste his time here.” She didn’t let his absence get to her heart. They ordered a large meal, and she enjoyed Greta’s and Jeff’s company. T
As expected, Marwick wasn’t beside her when she woke up. But her plan didn’t include him being closer. She quickly pressed the bell for Greta. Once she was done with her morning tasks and dressed up, she went out where other waiters could be seen in the living room standing in a long line. A uniformed man who must be the hotel manager was giving orders to the waiters’ army. “What’s going on, Greta?” she asked the woman in a low whisper. “Mr. Garner has arranged an official dinner for the business fraternity near the beach,” Greta whispered back and took River to the kitchen. River must be halfway through her breakfast when a familiar scent hit her nose. She turned and found Marwick coming inside the kitchen and took the chair near the small coffee table. The hotel chef placed a breakfast plate in front of him. “I am sorry. I thought you are done with the breakfast.” She said sheepishly but Marwick waved his hand carelessly and started taking big bites of his sandwich. River look
“So, Marwick, what do you think about this proposal?”An executive from the African company asked Marwick whose mind was drifting off, thinking of the girl who just left the study after informing him that she was going out.He blinked, realizing he was momentarily lost in his thoughts, and tried to regain his focus on the meeting.He looked at the man absent-mindedly, “Uh...yes, I believe it has potential. We should consider the financial projections more carefully.”Another executive who seemed to be in his middle age looked at Marwick, “Is everything alright, Mr. Garner? You seem a bit worried.”Marwick tried to regain his composure, “Oh, my apologies. I was just... reviewing some additional data. Please continue.” He said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.The executives exchanged curious glances, but they continued with their discussion.Mr. Marwick Garner was taking enough interest before that pretty girl arrived and disturbed the meeting.Marwick tried his best to stay eng
River's heart skipped a beat as she realized the voice belonged to Marwick. She wasn’t expecting him to come after her. She right away got up and hugged him, “Oh, God!” she squeezed her eyes excitedly and tightened her arms around his body. Not realizing that he went rigid at first and then took her trim figure in his arms. This was after a few minutes when she felt the skin to skin connection. Damn! He wasn’t wearing a shirt. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she instinctively stepped back. She crossed her arms over her swimsuit-clad body, suddenly feeling self-conscious under his gaze. “I'm sorry if I startled you. I didn't mean to intrude.” He wiped a droplet off her cheek. She smiled nervously, “No, it's okay. I was just... surprised to see you here.” She paused and then said again, “And happy too.” She tried to hide her discomfort, but it was clear to Marwick that she was feeling uneasy. He quickly noticed her subtle attempt to cover up her chest. Looking around he
When she entered the party, she could feel everyone's eyes on her. She was wearing a sea-green dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her figure. The gown had a daring slit that revealed her perfect, long leg with each step she took. Her raven hair was tied up in a bun, exposing her sleek neck. River was not one to usually flaunt her beauty, but tonight was different. She wanted to feel confident and alluring. She needed to attract a man who was her husband yet wanted a commitment from her. The decision to wear this dress was not only to lure that cold-hearted CEO but also to ensure herself that she was no longer afraid to embrace her beauty and sensuality. She wanted to remind Marwick that she was not a boy anymore but a girl through and through. As she made her way through the crowd, conversations hushed, and whispers followed her every move. She noticed some envious glances from women and intrigued looks from men, but she didn’t give a damn. Tonight
She closed her eyes and tried to swallow her tears. His nearness was again making it all hard to…He pulled back and eyed her carefully.“Have you been crying?” he held her chin between his thumb and forefinger, “What is it?” She was in no position to speak so she just shook her head.“Bella?” he called her, but she just smiled.Somehow it was embarrassing for her that he was always there to witness her weak moment.“You can keep your guard down. Remember? It's me. Marwick!” he tried to assure her. And then pulled her back to him.“Let’s get you out of here,” River instantly shook her head and spoke for the first time.“My make-up. I must be looking…”“You look beautiful. If you want to go to your room for a touch-up, then that’s fine. But trust me. You are the most beautiful woman in that goddamn room, little lamb!”For some reason that made her chuckle. She sniffed her nose and tilted her head up to look at him, “thank you… for making me feel better.”“Pleasure!” he offered her his
He kept walking around attending to his guests and didn’t leave her hand for even a single second. Though she couldn’t understand a single word of the business language they were using, but still she felt happy. She didn’t care if the language was alien. She could only feel his hand holding her. Every now and then his thumb used to make circles on her palm unconsciously and she found it intimate. All she wanted to do was lean into his touch. As Marwick smoothly guided her through the crowd, she kept studying people around her. But the man beside her was the main subject. She couldn't help but steal glances at the man who seemed to effortlessly command the room. “Mr. Garner.” A woman approached them with a plate of hors d'oeuvres, “I’m planning to visit sycamore city soon. Would love to meet you there. Can I…” The young woman seemed energetic and ambitious. River had seen her somewhere. She looked at River with a smile, “How are you? I saw you when you made your way to the confere