Never Too Far Novel

It was a man in a dark-colored suit. He was over six feet tall and carried himself with an authoritative air. Elijah held his hand out politely and said, “Please come in, Mr. Presgrave.”

Once Elijah brought the visitor in, he went back to his adjacent office. Less than ten minutes later, he saw one of the staff running toward Ren’s office with a stack of documents in his hands. Elijah immediately called out and stopped the man.

“Casey, you can’t go in right now. Mr. Husson has an important discussion going on right now.”

“What I have here is very important too. I need Mr. Husson’s signature as soon as possible.” The man, Casey Amherst, waved the documents in front of him.

“Delay it for as long as possible. I’m certain that Mr. Husson does not wish to be interrupted for any reason right now.” Elijah’s tone was sterner than usual.

Casey became a lot less insistent. Whenever Elijah used that tone, it meant that Ren was in a meeting with someone extremely important.

“When should I come back then?” Casey asked a little frantically.

“Try coming back in two hours,” Elijah replied.

Casey had no choice but to leave with his documents. Elijah glanced at the door of the office. Ren was currently in a discussion that involved the general elections, and even he did not dare to go in to prepare the tea and coffee for them. For the next two hours, Ren attended to his guest himself.

It was Elliot Presgrave.

He was the wealthiest man in the entire country and had built his fortune internationally as well. He commanded a lot of respect, and even though he was a businessman, no one dared to underestimate his influence. Now that he was backing Ren, Elijah believed that Ren would not have any issues in the upcoming elections.

Ruka arrived at the new house. It was a quiet neighborhood without the bustling liveliness of the city center, but it gave her a strong sense of security. Every villa had a butler, and all their needs would be taken care of without having to step foot out of the house.

Robert and Claire had received an extended break, so they could rest until July next year. Ren was the one who informed them of this. Thus, they were in no rush to get back to work abroad. Instead, they could enjoy some peace and quiet back in their home country.

“Mom, Dad, do you know what happened?” Ruka asked in shock when she heard the news.

“Nothing happened, you silly girl. Ren is just protecting us! He’s heading into the elections soon and those who wish to unseat him will try to affect him by attacking those around him. You’re the biggest target, so Ren had the foresight to make sure we’re protected,” Robert explained.

Ruka nodded in understanding, while Claire added, “Don’t be afraid, Ruka. Ren will keep you safe.”

“Mom, Dad, I’m not afraid.” Ruka had a steely look in her eyes. She was determined to accompany him throughout this challenging period.

…

There was a pile of documents stacked up on Elijah’s desk and he had received several calls with urgent reminders, but all he could do was hold the fort down for now. He glanced at his watch and saw that two hours had passed.

Just then, he heard the door to the main office opening. Ren came out first and he stepped aside to let Elliot pass. As leaders in their respective fields, they were equals in every way, and when they stood together, it only proved that birds of a feather did indeed flock together.

They were both men that belonged to the top 1% of society and were innate leaders among men. Their presence and aura could not be mimicked or faked. It was something that could only come naturally.

“Sir, I will see Mr. Presgrave out,” Elijah came over and said.

Ren held his hand out to Elliot who shook it without hesitation. “See you, Elliot. I won’t be sending you off then.”

“Yes, there’s no need for you to send me off. Let’s check our schedules and find a time to invite Richard out for a meal, just the three of us,” Elliot said with a smile. They exchanged a look of understanding and empathy for one another.

“Certainly. Let’s do it when we’re all free.” Ren nodded and smiled.

Elijah did feel a little pressured as he stood beside the two of them. He was a pretty good-looking man himself, but standing in front of these two, he had to admit that they were the finest men who exuded an aura of leadership.

Elijah walked Elliot out to the parking lot outside. One of the bodyguards opened the door for Elliot and he slid in before saying to Elijah courteously, “Thank you for seeing me out, Mr. Jackman.”

“You’re most welcome. Goodbye, Mr. Presgrave,” Elijah replied and watched as the procession of bulletproof cars drove off.

Then, Elijah returned to the office and brought the pile of documents to Ren, who was standing in front of the French window with a cup of coffee. He seemed to be in deep thought.

“Did everything go smoothly, Sir?” Elijah asked in concern.

“Yes. Very smoothly.” Ren nodded.

“Miss Singed has arrived safely at her parents’ new villa. The Singeds won’t be leaving their house for the next few days. They will be under our protection at all times,” Elijah reported.

Ren narrowed his eyes. He could not help but think that Ruka would be bored out of her mind if she stayed cooped up inside the house for too long. If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have had to go through all of this.

Just then, Ren’s phone rang, and he picked it up. “Yes, Scarlet?”

“Ren, did you send Ruka back to her parents? It’s Christmas Eve today. Do you think it’d be alright if we invited them to join us for a celebration?”

“I’m a little swamped today, Scarlet. I’ll let Elijah handle the arrangements.”

“Alright. Come home for dinner once you’re done with work. Mom and Dad are here too.”

Ren’s heart tightened. “Scarlet, make sure Dad doesn’t find out about my relationship with Ruka.”

“Relax. Everyone’s on high alert right now. No one will inform Dad about it before the elections. We know what his temper’s like,” Scarlet assured him before adding a reminder. “Don’t work too late. You need to take care of your health too.”

“Yes, I got it.” Ren smiled warmly. His family’s love for him was his source of strength.

Meanwhile, at a hillside villa near the city center, a grand feast was laid out on the dining table, and the woman who stood at the French window waiting for her husband to come home was dressed in a beige dress designed for pregnant women. From behind, she still looked like a young lady, but if one walked around her, they would see her beautiful belly. She caressed it while waiting patiently.

Just then, she saw the flashing car lights drawing near. Her lips curved into a smile. He was home at last.

Near the dining table, an old man sat down for a game of chess with his grandson. The young heir of the Presgraves was already showing all the makings of a highly intelligent soul. He carefully considered his every move, so much so that Francis was beginning to feel the pressure! After all, the six-year-old had won several times now.

“Jared, haven’t you figured out your next move yet?” Francis asked with a smile.

“Hang on, Grandpa. I’ve almost figured it out.” Jared looked up. His handsome face looked more and more like his father’s every day.

Jared made his move and Francis couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise at how much of an expert he was at chess already. His move had been the best one possible.

“Your turn, Grandpa!” Jared grinned. “My, my. You’re nearly as good as me now. Let me think.” Francis studied the chessboard as if he had finally met his match.

Jared rested his head on his hands to wait. He looked like a proper little gentleman in his black sweater. When he heard the sounds outside, he smiled and said, “My father’s home.”

Francis nodded. “Yeah! Just in time for Christmas Eve dinner.”

“Mommy needs to go to the hospital once we’re done with dinner. I’ll get to see my sister in a few days,” Jared enthused.

“That’s right! We’ll have a new member of the family soon.” Francis was just as excited about it. In his old age, nothing felt more meaningful than spending time with his family.

Against the backdrop of the evening sky, Elliot stepped out of the car and speed-walked to the house. When he saw the woman who was waiting at the door, he reached out to hold her and asked, “Why are you standing at the door when it’s so cold?”

“I’m waiting for you, of course!” Anastasia tilted her head up to look at him. The light highlighted her refined features and the warmth of her beauty shone. Even though she was a pregnant woman, she was still as attractive as ever.

Elliot put his hand on her belly gently. “Did the baby kick you today? Is she playing nice?”

“Not bad. I’d be worried if she’s too nice.” Anastasia held his hand. “Let’s go. We’re going to the hospital after we have dinner with Dad and Jared.”

“Sure.” Elliot kissed her forehead and led her into the living room.

Francis heaved a sigh. “Yep, I’m getting old. Even a six-year-old kid is beating me.”

Anastasia heard everything, and she came in, smiling. “Did you lose again, Dad?”

“Yeah. Jared’s really smart. I can’t win no matter what I do,” Francis admitted defeat.

The boy encouraged his grandfather, “Do your best, Grandpa.”

“I’ll get back to you after dinner.” Francis smiled. The child started picking up the chess pieces and tucking them away. The child was young, but he was smart, and Francis felt grateful. Unlike other kids, he would clean up after himself instead of making a mess.

It was nine when they finished dinner. Four black cars escorted Anastasia as she went to the Presgraves’ personal hospital. Everyone was prepared for Anastasia’s labor.

It was a merry day at Scarlet’s house as well. Three families were celebrating Christmas there. It was rowdy to say the least.

Charlotte was looking at Ruka happily. She couldn’t take her eyes off the girl ever since she showed up. Ruka was helping her mother and Scarlet make Christmas dinner.

Harold, Walter, and Robert were enjoying their tea as they talked about current issues.

Ruka when she was serving a

was just delighted to see the girl. Ruka was a likable lady to begin with,

lot to talk about.”

a seat, Charlotte said, “If Ren tries to do

but he’s still a son

He’s nice to me. Never said anything bad to me either,” she

I guess he knows how to love a lady.”

loves me.” She

for the living room and came back holding a wooden box. Then, she opened it, revealing a jade bracelet in it.

that’s been passed down for two centuries. It’s invaluable, and now it’s yours.” She gently

is much too

“Charlotte—”

no. I got it appraised, and it’s worth about this much.”

Not ten thousand or a hundred thousand. Her heart skipped a beat. It’s far too valuable for me to accept. “I… I can’t take

If you won’t take it, nobody will.” She patted the girl’s head happily. “I’ll make sure Ren marries you. I’m not going to accept any other woman

“Thank you, Charlotte.

gonna come in

nodded. “Of course. I’ll treasure

light of a car’s headlamps shining through the

the garden. Her heart thumped furiously

through the side door to

so Ren saw her as well. He smiled and stopped walking just for her. She leapt into his embrace and hugged him

days since she saw him, but she was already

then he looked at the living room for a moment before

was already kissing her. He had missed her as

tense. She let him kiss her, though her face was

“It’s time for dinner.”

he felt as if he was a beast trying to escape its cage. Ruka was

She answered shyly, “Three.”

the back of her head happily and pulled

Ruka was seated beside Ren for obvious reasons. Fortunately, Harold

with food and looking at her

food earlier than everyone and went out for a walk. The garden was chilly, but their

the same as they were twenty years ago. As Ren looked at the

He chuckled.

looked at him. “Why are you

the time when you were a kid. You were really cheeky,” he

back then. Still,

spoiled rotten. You’d take anything I have whenever you felt like it.” Ren had to give everything nice to her back

I’m going to

pulled her into his embrace

who wanted to ravage her; she wanted to do the same to him as well. He was hot, and she was very

asked timidly, “Can I

“Tonight?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

bit busy the next couple of days, so I’ll have to stay back in the office. But I promise I’ll pick you up once I’m

if he took her with him just to ignore her. After work was done,

an understanding person.

when his phone rang. Ren picked it up and

him. “Go.

He turned around and was about to leave, but then

She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaped up to peck his lips. She then

into his embrace and whispered, “I won’t hold back the next time

blushed as knew what he was implying. She closed

her head.

lonely. She knew he

celebration permeated the air. Fireworks exploded in the sky, and booms rippled throughout

At Presgrave Hospital.

went with a C-section the first time, Anastasia went with the

world on the night of Christmas. Fifteen minutes after Anastasia was

weighed 6.94

operating room. A nurse took the

his eyes. This was his second child. He missed his son’s birth, making

anesthetic wore off, and she woke up on the bed. Her wound still throbbed, but she

wiping her sweat off with a towel gently while congratulating

her forehead. Anastasia opened her

she look like more?” Anastasia asked

held her hand. She still looks sleepy. He cooed, “Get some sleep. I’m

To be precise, he was staring at the little one with the pink shirt under the white blanket. The

you, doesn’t

was still throbbing, but just looking at the baby filled Anastasia with joy. She actually wanted to get pregnant

was exhausted. My job’s done. “You look after her. I’m getting

were closed. She was so delicate, he wouldn’t even breathe loudly in case she

into a gorgeous lady. Her parents

sleeping baby in his arms.

black cars were traveling through the street. A man in the backseat of one car was resting his eyes. His assistant, on the other hand, was going through

whole street. The bodyguards slowed down in response. This fog was too thick to be a natural occurrence. Someone or

in the backseat. He opened his eyes. The bodyguard was telling him what happened. This sudden fog was no ordinary phenomenon. The whole street was clear just now, and there shouldn’t be any

them. Something crashed into the car in front of them, and a great explosion

Protect

and Ren followed a moment later. They were escorted away with the bodyguard shielding them. Less than ten seconds after they were gone, a rocket launcher sent the

of explosion, one bodyguard came to Ren’s rescue. He kept Ren underneath him and took the full force of the shockwave himself.

forehead on something, and it drew blood. His ears were buzzing, but still he

“Sir!”

He turned around, and Ren held the wobbling man.

hear a thing, but still he went and held the bodyguard up. The other men formed

anything. The bodyguards had nothing but their hearing to help them discern where danger was coming from, and then silence fell. The fog

of nowhere. She was running toward them, calling out to her father. “Daddy? Daddy, where

three-year-old girl. She was frantically running on the street.

girl! Save her!”

bodyguards pointed their guns

“Do not

the trigger. It was then the girl saw them, and she came right up to them. “Help

held the girl. He checked up

here,” Ren

tried to hold her, but the sight of his bloodstained face

They knew this girl was nothing but a pawn of the enemy. This

then saw a red mark flashing on her back. It was the mark that

got a sniper!” Ren roared. He swiveled around with the kid in his arms the next second. The red dot that was pointing at the girl was now aimed at his shoulder. Just a moment later, a bullet flew through

to him. “The

the bodyguards knew the girl was just an object for the enemy to pinpoint their location. They held up their shields right away and stood around Elijah and Ren. They

the child away forcibly. Ren wobbled a little, and he held Elijah’s

are on their way, but it’ll take them

a helicopter above them. The assassination ended in failure, but the killers were long gone. The street was filled with shards of car parts. The car was still burning even after almost fifteen minutes, but if someone was still in there,

have been a plan

A high-tech sensor had been stuck to the girl’s back. Her function was to tell the enemy

him. He

going on, and Ren’s wound was still bleeding, drenching his suit in

was starting to get groggy on the way. The blood loss was robbing his consciousness. Right before he blacked out, he told Elijah, “Do not

as he was taken into the operating room. He was still

Walter rushed to the

operating room. They were

and once he heard what happened, he got out of bed quietly and swiftly made his way to the

exhausted, but they smiled at the people waiting outside. “The bullet was extracted. It didn’t hit his

Now, she buried her head in her husband’s arms and shed tears of relief. Her heart

out of the blue.

the investigation.

the operating room on a bed a while later. He just had dinner with us last night, and now he looks so pale. I hope he wakes up

was too

was for Ren to wake up so she could

the ward and saw his mother on the couch. She was wiping her tears away. He approached the bed and looked at his uncle, then he turned around. “What did

hit his back, not his vitals. However, he lost too much blood on the way, so he’s out for the count at

Ren? I’ll make them pay for this. He sat down beside his mother and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He assured, “Uncle Ren’s gonna be