Avni's POV " I told you. " I said and started to move when he stopped me again. " Didn't you know he was rich?? Richer than your father. He could buy the stable he worked in. " He asked me at once with a frowned face. " I didn't marry him for his money. " I said, giving an explanation. Somehow it hurt me a lot. I didn't want him to assume that I was with John for his money. " You don't have to say that... I already know that. In fact, we all know that." He said immediately. " I came to know only when he brought me to meet your parents. Trust us, I really didn't know... " I gave the explanation again but he did not let me finish it. " My father wanted to give you John's share but you refused it and all other offers of financial help. So I know that you are not like that. "" I don't want it... I have my own money. It is nothing big as per your standard but it is more than enough to be independent. I inherited it from my mother. " I said and he kept looking at me for a long
Avni's POV" Uncle, see Avni can skip so well. But she is too big and the rope is small for me. " She said and I smiled. She was so cute. " She is your Aunt, Lara. Please call her that. " Robert told her and she looked at me. " Oh, ok... But she said she was our friend. " She seemed to be confused because we both introduced me in different ways. " It's ok, I am your friend too. Where is Bill?? " I asked her." He is coming... " She said and just then we saw him coming with his football. He came and greeted us with a smile. " Let's have breakfast, I am famished," Robert said. We all went to have our breakfast. Mrs Gomez had prepared an elaborate English breakfast. We all enjoyed everything, and I complimented her for her cooking and asked why she made so many things. " It is my passion... I love cooking. I like Indian food too but have not tried cooking it. I wish I had tried it, I could have made a few things for you. " She said and smiled at me. It was so sweet of her. I r
Robert's POV I was going to my work and was still thinking about Avni. I was supposed to leave in the morning itself but thought to spend some more time with her. But I think she was getting uncomfortable around me, so I thought that it would be much better if I left her alone. I still remember the day, I saw her for the first time. My mom had told me that John was bringing someone to meet them. She was very excited that maybe she was going to meet her future daughter-in-law. She wanted me to come too but as I was in Mumbai at that time, I said that I would try to come as soon as possible. But after a few hours, she gave me the terrible news of the accident. I just dropped everything and rushed there. I came to know that he was already married to an Indian girl. I looked for her and saw a very simple but pretty girl. She was extremely shocked and shattered, staring at some imaginary point on the horizon. Her eyes were lifeless. It seemed that she was totally oblivious to the w
14Avni's POVRob was gone and I don't know how I felt. It was something between relief and guilt. I felt bad that I was rude to him, but I felt that somehow, he had a knack for causing ripples, and he made me furious because he was creating waves in the still waters of my life. I spent the whole week getting to know kids even better. We made a schedule together after I understood their curriculum, books, hobbies, and other activities. According to the schedule, they were to study at least 3 subjects daily. Do some activity which helped them in learning their subjects better. Then spending some time on their hobbies. Bill was very good at sketching and was fond of plants and Lara was good at dancing and wanted to learn drawing and painting. So we decided to do at least one of them every day. I also started teaching them some new rhymes and stories. They wanted me to tell them bedtime stories and I was more than happy to do it. We got different things from the market to do differen
Avni's POV The whole next week was spent in more or less the same manner. The bond between the kids and me was getting stronger day by day. It was Friday night again. I was having dinner when I realized that Robert might come on the next day. I again felt embarrassed when I recalled that he had called last week and asked if I wanted him to come back and I had bluntly said, No. I looked at the phone, thinking, what would I say if he again asked if I wanted him to come home?? I had no idea... I don't know if I wanted to see him or not. He did not call and I don't know why I felt bad. But why should he call to take permission from her? It was his home, he could come and go anytime he wanted. He just wanted to know if she was settled or not or if the kids were fine or not. I was not coming home as he didn't have to. Because now I was here to take care of his wards. I went to my room to sleep but sleep was too far off from my eyes. I just kept thinking about how he made me feel d
Robert's POVI was quite aware of the fact that Tina was trying to impress me and wanted me to make the first move in her direction. Tina even suggested that the kids did not want a governess but a loving and complete family, and since Samantha was not in the right frame of mind and was getting divorced, I must get married to a good girl who could take care of them as a mother. Not a bad suggestion actually... but I was in no mood to discuss it with her. I told her to work on the Buransh flower juice project. I was still working in my office when Aman called me.Aman Mehra was my best friend in India and was the CEO of a Multinational logistics company. We have known each other for the last 6 years when we both met at a few meetings related to work. He was 4 years older than me, but we instantly liked each other, and since then, this friendship has been strengthened.We went out to dinner and he asked me what was going on. I told him about Sam's divorce case and that I was the guar
Avni's POVI couldn't sleep well last night. It was morning, and I was glad to leave bed. The night seemed to have gone on forever. I went to take a shower, and after getting ready, I went to the breakfast room.I just drank a cup of coffee and had a few cookies which Mrs Gomes had made yesterday. It was quite early for the kids to start their day, so I went to the stables. I was too restless since last night. So I saddled one of the horses and went riding. I was riding very fast as if I wanted to leave my thoughts behind me. All of a sudden, the horse stumbled into a pit, and I fell down. Before I could get up, the horse took off, leaving her alone.It was my fault I didn't see it as I was still trying to get rid of my thoughts. I was not hurt badly but still was not in a condition or mood to walk back to the stables.I was sure that when the horse would reach the stables, one of the stablemen or maybe Tom would come looking for me.I wanted to be alone as it was, so I lay down ther
Avni's POV I was not afraid of him, I was just not interested in any kind of physical contact with any man. I got up the horse and rode it towards the stables leaving him alone to walk all the way back on his feet. But by the time I reached the stable, my anger was gone, and I felt bad for my behavior. I sat down on a bench there.I don't know what was happening to me. I had never behaved like this around others and rarely got angry with anyone. He came to look for me. He took care of me, and he said he thought that I was dead. He must have been scared that I was also dead like his brother. He must have panicked when he saw me lying there. I didn't wake up when he called my name and shook me and he was just checking my pulse only. I should not have shouted at him. I should not have behaved like that. I was never this rude or angry with anyone. I just didn't want him to touch me as I had never felt anything like this in my entire life the way I felt around him. My whole being was
Robert's POV I felt very good when he called her my wife. I smiled." Er... I am not his wife. " She said. Why did she have to correct him?? " Oh, I am so sorry... As it is you looked very young to be the mother of these kids. " He smiled at her. I wanted to wipe that smile off his face. " I am not... I am their governess. " " Oh !! Great !! You are Indian, Right?? May I know your name, please?? " He was smiling at her. " Dr Tushar, thanks a lot for visiting. Now, I think, you must leave as your other patients must be waiting for you. Come, I will show you to the main door. " I said in a high tone. He nodded and smiled. " I will be back to check her on my way back. " He said with a smile. " Please don't bother; I will inform you if and when we need to consult you. Please give me your phone number. " " Sure !! " He gave me a curt nod and then turned to smile at her. But she was tending to Lara. " This way, please. " I gave him his visitation fee and came back. Lara was
Robert's POVI was still thinking about Sam and Aman when I saw Avni leaving the home and going towards the stables. I followed her out." Going to stables?? Why don't you bring your bed down there?? " I said all of a sudden and she was startled to see me. " Oh, Good morning !! Did I wake you up while leaving?? I am sorry; I tried to be as silent as possible, but..."" No, you didn't. I seem to require as little sleep as you I was in my study talking to one of our clients abroad. " I said and went to greet her in my usual way. I pulled her into an embrace and kissed both her cheeks, though the duration of the kiss was a few seconds longer than usual. A beautiful colour started creeping on her cheeks making her look even more beautiful. I had to think of something else or I would have kissed her senseless. " How is Lara now?? Did she sleep better?? And you?? " " She is fine, her temperature is also normal now. Sleeping peacefully. But it would be nice if a doctor could examine
Robert's POV "So shall we all go out for dinner?? " I asked and Sam looked surprised. " All?? Me as well?? " She asked, her voice was full of anticipation. " Yes !! " I nodded and smiled. Her face lit up. " Oh, I love you, Rob. " She hugged me again. " I love you too. Now go and freshen up. I don't want to scare other guests of the restaurant. I want them to see my pretty... No very pretty sister. Go get ready. " I said and she went away. " So, what happened?? " Aman asked me as soon as she went to get ready. " I made arrangements now he can't come here. " " Great!! She had become so upset that she was crying bitterly. I had to soothe her. " He gave me the unnecessary explanation. Maybe he thought that I would be angry to see him embracing my sister. " Thanks, Aman!! Er... Aman, I need your help. " I said as I had to bring them together. " Yeah !! Anything... Why are you hesitating in asking me?? What happened? " He said. " I went to meet her doctor and she said that all t
Avni's POV" Not Yet, Please... Oh, God!! Help me... Not yet, Avni !! " He said bending his head towards me. " Oh, No !! Please don't !! It's not right !! " I panicked and placed my hand on his lips to stop him from kissing me. He was shocked as much as I was but then he smiled and kissed my palm. " You are so cute... Of course, it is right. There is nothing wrong with it. But it can wait. " He turned my hand and kissed the back of it. I tried to pull my hand back. He just smirked and held it tightly. " I need to go and see Lara... " I said not daring to look at him. " Let's go dear... " He said walking towards the kids' room. He was still holding my small hand in his large one. He left my hand only when we reached there and I saw Bill looked tensed. He was looking for us. " What happened, Bill?? " He asked. " She fell asleep all of a sudden and she was shivering. Her face is red and hot!! " Bill explained. " Is it??" I said and ran towards her and touched her forehead.
Avni's POV He snapped his fingers in front of my face and I realized that I had gone down memory lane. " Where do you go when you look like this?? " Robert probed softly. " Nothing... I can't have feelings for... " I was saying but he didn't even let me finish. " I know you feel as if you would betray John if you have feelings for anyone else. But even he would not want you to live your life like this. You are only 23 years old. You can't spend your life like this. " He said rather sweetly. " We don't love each other. " I said. " Talk about yourself, not me. " He said curtly." Robert... Please try to understand." I pleaded. " Make me... Convince me, and I will convince you that my feelings are genuine. " Oh, God!! This man was too good and persistent. How would I stop him from making a place in my heart like that??But I had to... Because he will hate me when he comes to know everything. " There is no use when there will be no future in a relationship. " I said. " But I
Avni's POV I just wanted the movie to get over soon. I excused myself but he caught my hand. " Sit with us. " He insisted. " I am having a slight headache so I need to go. " I said. " Aunt Avni, are you still mad at my uncle?? Are you both going to fight?" Lara asked. She looked sad all of a sudden." No baby!! I am not angry with him or anyone. We are not going to fight. We are family. " I caressed her face and said with a sweet smile. " But mom and dad were also family.", Bill said. " No, baby I have just a little headache. So I want to rest. Don't worry. " I said with an assuring smile at the children and left the room but Robert came after me. " Are you ok?? Shall I call a doctor?" He asked me. " No, it's just a headache. " I said and he came very close to me and touched my forehead and cheeks with his big hand. Why does he keep touching me? Can't he keep his hands to himself? I took a step back immediately. He looked at me with a calm expression and then took a deep br
Avni's POV I went to the kid's room. Mrs Ghomes was trying to get their attention but both Bill and Lara were sad. " Mrs Ghomes, what have you prepared for breakfast?? " I asked her. " Their favorite sandwich and French toast," she told me. " Wow!!! Do you mind making some caramel popcorn and some French fries? " " No, not at all. What will you do?? Do you want me to serve your breakfast along with them? " She asked. " No, I am not hungry. I am planning to do a movie marathon. " I replied." What is that?? " she asked me. " Watching movies back to back. My sister and I used to watch movies like that. Harry Potter movies were our favorite, so we used to binge-watch them with lots of popcorn... and French fries... and chips, " I told her about one of my childhood memories." Can we also see?? " Bill asked. " Of course, Let's see the Home Alone series..." " Yeyyy !!! Yes! " They jumped with joy and then hugged me. I smiled at them. They were so sweet and innocent. We went int
Avni's POVThough his back was towards me, I was sure that he was a stranger. I had never seen him before. It was kind of strange. I ran towards them to cover the distance. " Hello !! I am sorry sir, but I am in charge of the kids. So may I know your name?? " " What do you mean that you are in charge of them?? " He said, lowering Lara to the ground. Bill and Lara got busy opening gifts that were in the bag. " I am their governess. " " Oh, Governess?? So that is how Robert is taking care of them. Just by hiring a woman as a governess does he think that his responsibilities are over?? Where were you till now?? How dare you leave them alone like this?? " " Sir, Please mind your language. They are absolutely safe in this house. The kids are playing in the garden and I am keeping an eye on them from a distance. You don't have the right to teach me my job, sir. " I have every right to do that. I am their father. " He said glaring at me. " What??" I was shocked at what he said. " Ar
Avni's POV I did my daily routine and went for a walk but my heart was still stuck on what he said. He missed me... Nobody had ever said that to me. Did he really mean it?? I kind of missed him too. But I could not tell him that. But why?? My soul asked. He sounded disappointed when he asked you if you missed him too... and you didn't say anything. Do you know why?? I can't tell him. He asked me about my relationship with John. What do I do ?? Tell him. Are you crazy?? He would hate me. It's because of me that his brother lost his life. He would never forgive me. But he likes you. He would understand.No, he would throw me out of his home. I don't want to go away from here.Why?? What do you mean why?? Why do you not want to go away from here?? Because I like the place... It is so calm and serene. And?? And of course... The kids. They are so loving and caring. I love them and they love me back. And? Why else? Mrs Ghomes, Tom, and horses. They are like family to me. I lo