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" 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.
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
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 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
Avni's POVBill and Lara came out. " Here she is... " I said. The doctor checked her and said she was fine. I just smiled. Both the kids ran to the swings. " Er... Do you mind me asking?? Yesterday, Mr Taylor said that you were Mrs Taylor, while you said you were not married to him. I am a bit confused. " He asked. " I was married to his brother. " I replied. " Was married?? " " My husband died in an accident. " I said calmly on the surface but I was very uncomfortable. " Oh, I am so sorry. How long ago?? " He asked me another question. " Almost a year now. " " Oh... So you are not married now? " he asked, I was getting more uncomfortable with the direction in which the conversation was going. He was trying to flirt with me. And I knew how to put him off. " Yeah !! If you will excuse me now, I have to go and tend to the kids. " I said to avoid him. " Oh, I thought it was time for breakfast. I had to leave very early in the morning. So I didn't get a chance to eat a
Robert's POVI reached home and saw Tom and Bahadur in the garden. I asked them if everything was fine and they both nodded with a smile.He reported everything regarding all the activities and visitors. I was annoyed at that doctor. Who called him again?? How dare he ask Avni to go on a date?? But was really pleased to hear about the way my ice princess gave him a cold shoulder. I smiled and then tried to hide it but Tom saw it. " She left him to have coffee with me. You should have seen his face. He left without even finishing it. " He was laughing." Good !! " " Yeah !! She is very good, Mr. Taylor."" I know... Did you see Mike anywhere near this area?" I was really happy to hear that but I had to change the topic. " No !! " " Ok !!! Where is Av... Mrs Taylor?" I tried to avoid her topic, but my stubborn mind was stuck on her. I looked around but didn't see her. I just wanted to see her now, so I asked." She went to the stables as she is always there at this time. " Tom
Robert's POV" Ok, let's not get into it. Let's talk about you. " I said. " What about me?? " she got a bit conscious. " So, since you never had a boyfriend, as you never went out with anyone on a date, why did you agree to go out with John?? " I asked as I was very curious to know what made her accept John's offer. " Oh, John was different. He was as crazy about horses as I was. We usually talked about horses, and gradually, we became friends. " She said casually. " And?? " I prompted as I wanted to know more about their relationship." And?? And what?? " She asked. " And how did he ask you to be his girlfriend and eventually about getting married to him? " I asked and I felt that she went down memory lane. I was looking at her expressions, which were changing frequently as if she was watching a movie or she was reliving those moments. She seemed excited, smiled at the sweet memories, and then became serious and even shocked and scared. Why did she look shocked and scared??
Robert's POVI came back downstairs after talking to her. She said that she was not well. I spoilt everything... I should not have talked to her like that, the day before. She was concerned about me and, most of all, about kids. She has been avoiding me since then. It was not her fault if she did not feel the same way for me. I can persuade her to marry me but not pressure her. She had every right to make decisions about her life. But I was drunk... I was stressed out because of Mike and this case. I hope Samantha is doing well. I decided to call Aman to ask about her. I also wanted to talk to someone.I called him and he picked up the call. " Hello, Rob!!! How are you? " " Fine, how are you? What was Sam like, when you met her?? " " I am good, Sam is doing good. Though she was getting panicked, I made her understand that we would not let Mike have the children. I told her how worried you were about her and that you were taking very good care of the children. I also tried to m
Avni's POV " I didn't think, I had to report you before leaving the swimming pool. And as it is you seemed to be busy. I would not have dared to disturb you." I retorted. " What? I was busy? In doing what?? " He was confused. How innocent !! " How do I know? " I shrugged. " But you just said that I seemed to be busy?? What do you think I was busy with?? " He asked again. " Let it be... " " If you want me to let it be, you need to tell me. " Ughhh! Why can't he leave me alone? Now he has the company of another woman. " Ok, I thought you were busy with... That woman." I said. " That woman has a name... Tina. " He said looking into my eyes. " Whatever. " " You should have told me; I was concerned about your well-being. "" Thanks for your concern, I am fine," I said. " Good !! Now come downstairs, have tea with us. " He insisted. " Actually, I have a headache. So I will come in an hour. I told Mrs Ghomes to give me medicine. " " Oh, but just now you said you were fine
Robert's POVWe came back home on horseback. The stubborn girl insisted that she would not ride the horse with me. But I did not give her any chance and made her sit on the horse with me. I had to hold her tight as she was struggling so much that she might have jumped. But I tightened my arm around her waist. And that was not a good step as our bodies were plastered to each other. I was losing my mind because of the proximity. Her divine fragrance was making me aroused and I buried my face in the curve of her long neck. Oh, God !! Only I knew, how I controlled myself. I could feel her shuddering under my touch. I was astonished at her reaction, it was making me want her even more. I heard her gasping when my hand touched her bosom. It literally made me go crazy. Her reaction to my touch was so raw, so nice, innocent, and pious; it was different. As if... As if, she was...No!! How was that possible?? She was married to John and they were madly in love. I was so jealous of my yo
Avni's POVDespite that tension between us, we all were enjoying our time in the pool. Just then, we saw a tall, beautiful, and sophisticated woman walk towards us. " Tina ?? What areyou doing here? " Robert asked her. " Hi, Robert!!! There are a few things that need your attention, and since you were not planning to come to Delhi, I thought of coming here. We need to finish working on that project. " She replied calmly. " That's very thoughtful of you, Tina. I am glad you came. Enjoy the good weather in Ranikhet while you help me in sorting things out. " He said politely. " Thanks, Robert... it is nice to see you enjoying yourself here with the lovely kids. I am really tempted to join all of you." She said with a wistful smile. " Well, you may, if you want. " Robert said with a casual smile. Her face lit up and she said, " Oh, great !! I will be back very soon. " She went in and came back in less than five minutes. I was shocked to see her swimsuit. It was a two-piece bikini
Avni's POV Somewhere deep inside me, the pain grew and spread, crying out a silent denial. My whole body shuddered with reaction and shock. " Hey, are you all right?? " Mrs Ghomes asked me with concern. " Yeah, it's just the heat that made me feel dizzy that's all. " " Are you sure?? " she asked out of concern. " Yes, of course. Rest assured Mrs Ghomes, I am absolutely fine. " I nodded and smiled to assure her. " Aunt Avni, are you not going to join us?? " Bill called for me. " Yeah, I am coming in a moment. " I said feeling nervous. Mrs Ghomes excused herself and went in. I walked towards the pool, and I could feel a pair of eyes raking over my body, making me even more conscious. But I had to overcome that, so I took a quick dive, hoping the water would cover me from his heated gaze. But all in vain... The moment I straightened to stand in the pool and wiped my face, I saw that he was standing way too close to me. I panicked and took a hasty step back. I lost my balance, bu
Avni's POV " Uncle! Aunt! Good morning. "" Good morning my little pumpkins. "" Uncle !! Please I don't like to be called a pumpkin. " Bill said pouting. " Me too... " Lara imitated her brother. " " Aww... Ok, a young man and my little doll?? " Robert asked." This is good. What do you call Aunt Avni?? " Lara asked." Hmmm ?? " He was confused. "Like you call me as my little doll... " Lara asked. " Avni only. "" No !! Give her a name, too. " She said. " Ok! How about Beautiful?? Angel??" He asked them but was looking at me. " Avni is fine. " I said. " No, Aunt Avni, it is so cool when Uncle calls us with different names. "" So Angel is fine?? " Robert asked Lara and she nodded. " Can we all go swimming today? Please!! " Lara asked. " Why not? It is a bright day. We can use it. So we will swim at about half past eleven. " He looked at me and I don't know why, but just that look sent shivers to my body. Mrs Ghomes served the breakfast. Though it was a bit too late to ha
Avni's POVHe pulled me in his arms roughly grinding me against the hardness of his chest. I should have felt repulsion, I should have been cold in his arms, but to my surprise, I felt an uncoiling physical response in the pit of my stomach. To my shock, I felt some kind of current flowing in my body. I had never felt like that. He was looking angry and was holding me so roughly, and still,, I was not scared. This was strange... If anyone else would have held me like that, I would have panicked. I didn't understand... could not comprehend my reaction to his brutality. I should have hated it. But I was feeling something different. His face bent towards me and I turned my face as it seemed that he was going to kiss my lips as he was looking at them. His lips landed on my ear. I took in a deep breath. " Robert, please leave me... " She said pushing me on my chest. But her soft hands on my chest seemed to excite me more. " I don't want to... I want you... " I said to her looki
Avni's POVI went to the kids' room and after telling them bedtime stories and tucking them in bed, came back to my room.I could not contain my tears anymore and threw myself on my bed and cried to my heart's content. How could I tell him that it was not because of John? Even before John, men swarmed around me, but I never felt anything. It hadn't been all that difficult to avoid becoming involved with any of them. John was a friend... We never had that kind of relationship. When he proposed to me, I was shocked. I couldn't say no to him as he was a good friend of mine. In fact, he was my only friend. But that changed... Oh, God!! I didn't know, what happened... But he changed. I kept thinking about John and what happened and cried even more, till I slept. *** It was morning, and as usual, I went to the stables and gave an apple to each horse and rubbed their necks. I wanted to be away from Robert, and as It was Sunday and the kids had a leisurely morning, I didn't have to go
Avni's POVHe had kept himself busy with something or the other since I went to talk to him in his room yesterday. He didn't even come out for lunch. Mrs Ghomes said that she served him to lunch in his room. But why was he behaving like that? I felt very bad for him but I could not marry him. It would create another problem. I was not even over the guilt that I married John. I should not have married him. I could not marry Robert and let him suffer forever. I didn't want to spoil his life too. He would never be happy with me. He does not deserve such a punishment for his life. I tried to keep myself busy with kids. I was concentrating on making them learning to speak Hindi. I have been introducing new words to them every day. I told them the meaning and how to use them. Bill was interested in learning languages so he learnt with enthusiasm. He was asking for more and more words of Hindi. He even maintained a pocket diary with basic words and how to pronounce them in Hindi.He ha