Avni's POVI helped them to get changed into nightwear and told them a sweet fable.It was almost 15 minutes when I joined him. He was having a drink and smiled at me and asked me my preference. " Thanks, but I do not drink. " " What?? Seriously?? Never?? " He was surprised and I nodded with a smile. " I just had once or twice with John but didn't like it. "He finished the drink and asked me to come with him. We walked side by in the open area. I don't know why but it felt really good. I wanted to keep walking with him. We reached the place where I had left my car. But it was nowhere to be seen now. " My car was parked here, right?? " I asked out of curiosity." I had it garaged for you. I will show you around in the morning. " He said and I nodded." You must be a very good driver since you came here driving all by yourself. Have you been driving for long? "" Ever since I was 18 years old. " " Thanks for this, I got my answer. " He said and laughed. " Oh, I am sorry that
Avni's POV " How can I let you go alone on the very first morning? After all, you are family. " He said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. Was he offended?? Or was he making fun of me?? " I am sorry for the way I behaved yesterday. " I said to him. " Not at all... in fact, I was thinking of calling your dad. " He said all of a sudden, and it seemed as if someone had robbed me of my breath. " What?? No !! Why?? " I almost said too quickly and in a very harsh tone. He was a bit surprised at my sudden reaction. " Just the basic courtesy call, thanking him for letting you come and assuring him that you would not have any problem here as you are a part of my family only." He replied to me very calmly. I was shocked at what he was planning to do. " No !!!! " I said quite forcefully. N" What happened?? " He asked me. My reaction made him suspicious. " Please don't do that... " I almost pleaded with him. " Your reaction was a little too much. Are you scared of something or som
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 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
Robert's POV I was surprised to hear that. Who could come to visit her? I asked who had come to meet her and found out that it was her husband. I was shocked beyond the limit and ran inside, where we met visitors. I saw him there with my sister. My blood started to boil and I almost ran there. How dare he come here to meet after everything he did or said to her? He was responsible for her condition. I wanted to kill him. I reached there and stood by her. She looked distressed, I placed my arm around her shoulder. Mike was a bit shocked to see me. He was shocked. " Oh, hello Robert. How are you?? " He asked with fake confidence. " Why are you here?? " I asked him while I was trying not to punch him. " I am under no obligation to answer anything to you. I am still married to her and I don't need your permission to meet my wife. " " Of course, you need my permission to meet my sister. You ruined her life. I would not allow you anywhere near her now. " I yelled at him. " I am n
Robert's POV " Oh thank God!!! I had left every hope that I would ever hear you say that. Who is the girl?? Did you propose to her? " I could hear her excitement over the phone. " Mom, it is not that easy, I told you, it is complicated... " " What are the complications? " " I like her and want her in my life but she doesn't want that," I told her. " Why?? You are tall, fair, handsome, rich, successful, highly educated, and above all, you are such a good human being. Which girl in her right frame of mind would not want you? " " She is a young widow, and I think she is still in love with him. " " Widow?? She is in love with her late husband?? Whom are you talking about? " She asked. What is wrong with her?? " Avni !! "" Avni?? Oh, God!! I mean she is a good girl... But she loves John. Poor girl... Got married and widowed on the same day. Are you sure about your feelings for her?? " " I am sure, Mom, I like her a lot. In fact, I liked her the moment I saw her. But she was al
Robert's POV All of a sudden Tina leaned more into me and placed her lips on my neck just below my ear. What the hell?? I got up with lightning speed and moved away from her. " What are you doing?? " I asked glaring at her. " I was trying to make you feel more comfortable. I can ease all kinds of pain. Give me a chance. " She said looking at me with a seductive smile. I was disgusted with the way she was looking at me with that cheap smile and lustful eyes." What nonsense?? How dare you?? " I shouted at her. " Oh, I am sorry... I could not control my emotions. " She said changing her way of talking all of a sudden. " What do you mean?? " " Actually, I have always had a huge crush on you since we met for my interview. " She said shyly. How can someone change so much in less than a minute? " What?? Are you out of your mind? " " I am telling you the truth. I had a crush at first sight. You were exactly like the man of my dreams... And over the period, I fell for you. I r
Avni's POV I was going to make a tea for myself so I asked if he would like to have and he nodded. He was looking in the refrigerator for something to eat. " What are you looking for?? " " Mrs Ghomes made dinner but we didn't eat it. I am very hungry. So looking for something to eat, it must be here. " " Wait I would take it out and heat it again. " I said and he nodded. I saw stew and dumplings and apple pie. We all were too full yesterday so we told her to make something simple. I served them hot with hot ginger. We both were hungry, so we had to do it. " Avni, we have to be very careful around kids. They are very sensitive and vulnerable right now. We must always keep in mind. " " Yeah, she must have felt bad to have a bad dream. " I said. " They have seen their parents fighting like anything, so maybe she associated our discussion with that. " He said and I nodded. " The discussion is not over yet. I have some important work, hence I need to go... Will you be able to