It had been two weeks and River had started enjoying her work. The kiss from Gerald was forgotten because thankfully he never made another move.He remained sweet but River could feel his eyes on her when he thought no one was looking. Marwick was still not in office.Thankfully he had, at last, got a room for himself, but he was still sharing the floor with River. River still needed to be cautious, but she was happily using this alone time in her room without her artificial brows and a fake nose.She even celebrated it by buying raw silk lingerie and drinking wine while watching TV.“Oh, no!” she had forgotten to give her men’s underwear to the hotel management for washing and now she didn’t have any to wear.How could I be so forgetful? She pinched her nose in desperation.She was getting late for the office and didn’t have much choice except put on whatever was available. Dressed in a white shirt and black dress pants, she placed her office tablet on her desk.She got a new one, a
“Hello,” River greeted her with a forced smile and Ashley noticed her red nose and misty eyes.“Hello, River,” but it seemed River didn’t hear her at all. She walked to Ashley and then moved passed her. Ashley kept standing there, her head turned to see River exiting the office.“Ashley?” Marwick called her but she didn’t listen, “Little one?”“Hmm?”“Go to the bathroom.” Marwick also walked past her. Ashley with all the confusion closed the bathroom door.Once she was out, she marched straight to her brother, “What is going on between you and him?” Ashley asked her brother who was trying to show himself hell busy with his work.“Stop it, Ashley. It was nothing significant.” He said stubbornly and leaned into his laptop screen. However, he had to jerk back when Ashley closed the laptop that missed his nose by a few centimeters.“Talk to me, Marwick Garner.” She tried to sit on the desk near him but could not succeed with her big belly.“Ok.” Marwick stood up and held her by her should
Marwick and Ashley were at once out of the office. “What happened? Why is he screaming?” Marwick looked at his father who was yelling while hiding his face behind his palms. “It’s burning. My face is burning! That hot coffee!” “Oh, my eyes. They are hurt. I can’t see anything.” “My eyes are burning. That bas*tard. He did it intentionally!” “He threw it intentionally. How can he throw the coffee like this?” He was continuously screaming. “Any problem?” Aniya came running to the reception area with a panicked face and asked no one in particular. She quickly dashed to her desk and called the staff to ready the car. Ashton Garner seemed to be in need to go to a hospital for immediate medical attention. A few guards arrived urgently and held Garner to help him out. He was still screaming with his eyes squeezed. “Someone threw coffee on his face? Why would anyone do that?” Ashley asked them, looking at the door from where Ashton exited. “Where is River?” Aniya asked suddenly. “A f
Marwick was rooted to the spot.Just like her.Justin might have seen her but didn’t move forward. After staring for a few minutes, she realized her surroundings and stood up from her place with lightning speed.“Ri…River Brown?” Marwick felt his throat going parched. The girl raised her finger in warning to not take a single step towards her.He felt like she didn’t want him to hear her voice.“I … I am not moving. See?” he opened his arms and took a step back, “I am not here to take you forcefully with me. All I want is your time. Just listen to me. Please.”Marwick Garner like before did not intend to follow her. It was evident that she didn’t want him to hear her voice otherwise her cover would be blown.Several things were racing through River’s mind. By the way, what was he doing here?Wasn’t he supposed to be in his office? Keanu would be mad if he came to know about her blunder. Thinking of Keanu again brought tears to her eyes.“Listen. River!” she heard him begging and turne
River was no more crying when she reached her hotel room. While coming here she kept looking behind her if Marwick was following her. But thankfully he was not.It was dangerous to stay here. She just could not.With a supersonic speed, she started collecting her stuff. She could not leave without a suitcase. Hotel management would ask her if she was checking out. She only wanted her essentials.Taking her phone, and her important cards, she took out her black tote bag and started putting as many basic essentials as possible. Ashton Garner would not sit quietly after the attack. She needed to run away from there.This time she didn’t bother to do her make-up. Just tying the same scarf around her face, she left the hotel.Keanu had already told her where she could stay if she would be stuck in a problem. She remembered his instructions.Passing through the lobby, casually, she looked around and then remembered Marwick Garner. The way he was looking at her and assuring her that she woul
"River Brower was a girl? Not a boy?" “No!” he said in a hushed tone, “How is that possible? How can I…” Marwick's mind raced with a sense of urgency as he considered his next move. He turned to Justin, a strange emotion was dancing in his eyes. "Justin, we can't waste any time. We need to go to the Emerald Hotel immediately. River Brower is staying there, and … and … Oh God! ...” Marwick leaned back his head on the leather seat and closed his eyes, “I was so near to her, Justin. I laid right beside her! On the same bed! I. Am. A. Fool!” He picked up the glass that was placed nearby and threw it on the wall, “Fu*ck! All this time she … Justin!” “Justin!” he heard Ashley’s worried voice, “What’s happening to my brother? Go to him, darling.” Justin rushed to his friend and held him by his shoulders, “Easy, Marw. Easy! You are upsetting your pregnant sister. Control it, brother.” That was when Marwick realized he was clutching his hair tightly in his fists, “She was this close to
River looked around the small apartment on the first floor that Keanu had arranged for her beforehand. She was supposed to stay low here. The refrigerator was stuffed with canned foods and packets of frozen veggies and fruits. There were juice and beer cans. Readymade pizza and pasta were there. The bathroom had all the essentials that were enough for a few months. The LED was mounted in the bedroom and a collection of DVDs was also there with it. Here she was not allowed to go out. Not even for a minute. She could not take the risk of switching on the lights. Keanu had specifically asked her to keep the apartment dark. He wanted her to wait for her documents there. Once the delivery boy would slip it under the door, she would collect it and would leave the place the very next morning. She was aware that Ashton Garner must have created havoc by now. Though she was told several times that she was supposed to approach Marwick Garner if Keanu was not available. But River could not
River was crawling on the floor. After typing the message to Marwick Garner, she quickly reached the bedroom. She did all this with her phone’s flashlight. Only one thing was on her mind.Her life was in danger, and she had to help herself. It was better to take the risk of calling Marwick Garner instead of getting shot here.She could literally feel death dancing before her eyes.Before she could text more, she heard a clattering sound in the distance. Someone was trying to unlock the door.As the sound of the door unlocking grew louder, River's mind raced with possibilities. Should she try to confront them head-on or make a daring escape?No. Keanu was strictly against it. She remembered Keanu's instructions and realized that deception might be her best chance.She knew the drill. Keanu had taught her well. With lightning speed, she opened the room window to give them the impression that she had escaped from the room.With a quick glance around the room, she spotted a coat hanging