Lauren, Jonathan, and Agnes. Thank you for your precious comments. My apologies. Here is the update. xoxo. Lisa Salman-author
“Can’t you see? He has gone crazy!” River rolled her eyes when Gerald joined them for dinner, “he was calling me MISSSS River! Can you believe that? Fu*ck with the drama. Mr. CEO doesn’t know how to remember tiny details!”Gerald was trying not to respond but Marwick’s warning glares were making it all look so funny. River was fuming with anger and Marwick was sitting there as if he was a kindergarten student.“Sweetheart. Do you want to try this pie? My chef makes …” Poor Marwick was trying to divert her attention when her blazing eyes focused on him,“Don’t sweetheart me, Marwick. And do you even realize how you were trying to cover your blunder?” River asked him menacingly.“How was he trying to do it? I would want to know.” Gerald said enjoying the situation. He had never seen Marwick this helpless.“Just to cover his slip of the tongue he called Mr
“You should join me in my private car,” Marwick leaned his chin on her shoulder and curved down his lips like a toddler, “The bus is for other employees.”Today they all were leaving for the picnic. According to instructions they were asked to assemble in the office.River chewed her lower lip in order to suppress the smile that was itching at the corner of her lips, “According to the rules,” she raised her hand and touched her fingers to his rough cheek, feeling the stubble, “Mr. Theodore deserves to accompany you in the car. I will accompany Aniya and Jeff on the bus.”As a PA she was not supposed to travel with the CEO. Only his secretary or someone from the executive level was allowed to do that.“River,” he wrapped his arms around her waist, “I want to break all rules when I am close to you.” That made River go still.Was he serious?“I want to tell all of them that this sweet little boy should stay with me. Forever. I don’t know why you are taking so much time to decide.”This w
There were beautiful hotel huts available at the beach. Unfortunately, she didn’t get the executive one, unlike Marwick, Gerald, and Chad. She placed her bag in a room with Aniya and went out for fresh air. Everyone around her was changing into swimming costumes.She stayed in her t-shirt and denim pants and kept walking on the shore.“Don’t tell me, you are not planning to swim,” She heard Aniya behind her and turned to her with a smile,“No. I am not much fond of swimming,” she ran a casual gaze and found more guests coming out of their huts.With a nonchalant shrug, Aniya ran to the water and River could not help but miss her time with Marwick in Zanzibar.It was a private beach and waiters were serving food inside and outside the hotel huts.Everyone was having a good time and she was smiling when she felt a presence behind her.“G!” she looked at him who was in his blank trunks, “Ready for the swim?” she leaned back to have a good look at him.“Yeah, babe. Want to join me?” he a
“She wasn’t well fed that’s the reason she couldn’t struggle enough. The good thing is, it didn’t do any harm to her already injured finger. She will be able to get rid of the finger sling in a few days.” The doctor gave Marwick a clear report.River was lying on the bed and was silent ever since they were back.Nobody from the office staff knew what happened. Not even Gerald came to know about it. Jeff was still nowhere to be found.Once the doctor left, Marwick rushed to her side, “Honey,” he moved her disheveled hair off her face, “Everything will be fine.” He said kissing her forehead and taking her in his arms, “I am so sorry, I couldn’t keep you safe. I am so sorry, love.” He leaned his cheek on her head.She blinked and closed her eyes. She was still shaken by the events of this morning. Marwick had brought her, back home.Aniya was residing in the guest bedroom. She wanted to leave, the moment she got back her consciousness, but Marwick didn’t let her go. He insisted her to st
“Where is Aniya?” Marwick asked Greta the next morning. “Sir, when I woke up, she had already left.” Greta told him, “How is Ms. River? I think I should go to her room. She must be awake and might need my help.” Greta bowed her head a little and was about to turn away when Marwick’s voice stopped her. “Ms. River is not in her room. Last night, she slept in my room.” Greta kept her eyes focused on the floor, “She is still sleeping.” Greta nodded and attempted to speak, “I… I want to share something with you, sir. I don’t know if you would like me to as I am just your servant and …” “Come on, Greta. What is it?” “I …” Greta hesitated. “Speak up, Greta.” Marwick wanted to go back to River. He didn’t want her to wake up alone in bed. “Just a little before dawn, I woke up and came out of my room to fetch some water I saw…” “Yes?” “I saw Ms. Aniya … she was coming out of your room,” Greta started fumbling with her fingers in nervousness, “I just wanted to let you know so that… I m
“Hello,” Aniya didn’t bother to look up when she heard Derek. She was not supposed to come to the office today due to whatever incident happened yesterday. But she was here. Maybe to run away from the reality that Marwick could never be hers. Or to have a single peek at him. She wanted to see him, meet him. She wanted to believe that maybe River Brower or River Brown was a girl, but they got intimate because he just wanted to console her. But Aniya was also scared. She was the one who saved River. Why Marwick couldn’t spend the night with her. He just visited her room accompanying the doctor. Asked her to take her medicine. Made her gulp down the sleeping pill to help her relax her senses. Ruffled her hair and left the room. Without saying a single word. Why? Why did he choose River? Unfortunately, Marwick didn’t come to the office and Aniya had lots of time on her hands in his absence. That was the reason she decided to come to the office café for a cup of coffee. “Aniya!” Dere
Aniya was sitting beside him in a luxury car and was feeling underdressed according to the occasion. Though Derek had specifically told her that it was not a date but for some reason she was getting date vibes. “Relax.” Derek tilted his head to have a better look at her, “Don’t freak out. We are NOT on a date. Remember?” he didn’t want to miss this first chance to go out with her. He was happy that at least she agreed to dine out. “I should have worn something else, I guess. It’s been quite some time since I last went on a date,” And got a good fu*ck. She thought silently. “Why? No! You look beautiful, Aniya,” Poor Derek seemed to get nervous now due to her insecurities. “Sure?” she turned her face sideways and saw a smile gracing his lips. “Yup. Cent percent.” They both didn’t know what to talk about. “Do you like music?” he asked her, realizing how little he knew about her. She shifted in her seat and looked outside the window, “Who doesn’t like music, Derek? I love music,”
“Once we catch the man who is after you, I will go back to my daughter.”“Can you make a sketch of my daughter? If possible, also capture the expressions on her face.”“I am about to get married. My girlfriend is expecting again.”“She is my little Nina. She also walks backwards. Once my girlfriend will deliver twins, we are planning to get married.”There were so many things, so many happy moments with Jeff. She wasn’t able to forget any of it. She looked up when she felt Gerald squeezing her hand.“Jeff would never return, G. He has gone. Forever!” She closed her eyes and rolled her lips between her teeth. It felt like her heart would stop beating due to the pain that was gradually increasing.“H-he had become my friend. He told me that I reminded him of his daughter. I think every girl used to remind him of his daughter. That day when we were about to get on our bus, he told me that Aniya also reminded him of his daughter.” Her tears were streaming down her face.Gerald was there
(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