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.

Charlotte beckoned to Ruka when she was serving a

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

talk with me. We have a lot to

Charlotte, and they went into a quiet side chamber. After taking a seat, Charlotte said,

be a VP, but he’s still a son at home. His mother will

to me. Never said anything bad to me either,” she

knows how to love a lady.” Charlotte defended her son. It would

me.” She

Then, she opened it, revealing a jade bracelet in it. The bracelet

centuries. It’s invaluable, and now it’s

is much too

“Charlotte—”

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

It’s far too

ours is yours. 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

but also moved. “Thank you, Charlotte. Really.

the box over to her. “This is gonna come in handy when you attend important events

“Of course. I’ll treasure

noticed the light of a car’s headlamps shining through the window, and delight filled her. Is

heart thumped furiously and

through the side door

her as well. He smiled and stopped walking just

two days since she saw him, but

his arm around her shoulder and kissed her hair, then he looked at the living room for a moment before taking her into the bamboo forest. She followed

he was already kissing her. He

let him kiss her, though her

“It’s time for dinner.”

his fingers through her hair. His eyes glinted with desire under the lights, and he felt as if he was a beast trying to escape its cage. Ruka was

She answered shyly, “Three.”

pulled her

dinner went underway, and Ruka was seated beside Ren for obvious reasons. Fortunately, Harold was so engrossed in his wine that he didn’t realize Ren and Ruka’s sweet

kept filling Ruka’s plate with food and looking at her lovingly. They didn’t want to pressure

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

the same as they were twenty years ago. As Ren looked at the flowers, pond, and field, he was reminded of how

He chuckled.

him. “Why are

reminded of the time when you were a

back then. Still, she smugly asked,

were spoiled rotten. You’d take anything I have whenever you felt like

going to marry

her into his embrace and

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

fluttered her eyelashes and asked timidly, “Can I stay at

“Tonight?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

have to stay back in the office. But I promise I’ll pick you up once I’m done

if he took her with him just to ignore her. After work was done, he would take a break to spend time with

understanding person. “Sure,

phone rang. Ren picked it up and gave it a glance. “I

him. “Go. Work’s

wait for me to leave? He turned around

his neck and leaped up to peck his lips. She then took a

his eyes. He pulled her into his embrace and

he was implying. She closed her eyes and nodded. “I won’t run

patted her head.

lonely. She knew he would miss her every minute he wasn’t

air. Fireworks exploded in the sky, and

At Presgrave Hospital.

an hour after they arrived at the hospital, Anastasia’s water broke, and it was time for the operation. Since she went with a C-section the first

girl was born on a nice night. She came to this world on the night of Christmas. Fifteen minutes after Anastasia was taken into the operating room, the baby came out

she weighed 6.94 pounds. This was

nurse took the baby to Elliot after she was washed

in his eyes. This was his second child. He missed his son’s

and she woke up on the bed. Her wound still throbbed, but she was relieved to hear that her daughter was safely delivered. She would do anything for

her sweat off with a towel gently

someone kiss her forehead. Anastasia opened her eyes and was

she look like

He held her hand. She still looks sleepy.

he was staring at the little one with the pink shirt under the white

looks like you, doesn’t she?” Elliot

the baby filled

“You look after her. I’m getting

closed. She was so delicate, he wouldn’t

the young miss of the Presgraves, huh? I bet she’ll grow up into a gorgeous lady. Her parents are beautiful, and so is her brother. The kids are

sleeping baby in his arms.

A man in the backseat of one car was resting his eyes. His assistant, on the other hand, was going through the files despite how exhausted he

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

backseat. He opened his eyes. The bodyguard was telling him what happened. This sudden fog

assailed them. Something crashed into the car in front

Protect the

seconds after they were gone,

the full force of the shockwave himself. The shockwave rippled through

His ears

“Sir!”

and Ren held

The other men formed a semicircle in

too thick for them to see anything. The bodyguards had nothing but their hearing to help them discern where danger was coming from, and then silence fell. The fog was like a maze. The only thing visible was the burning car. The air was filled with the stench of

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

was a three-year-old girl. She was frantically running on the street. Ren’s heart went out

a girl! Save

could be a trap.” The bodyguards pointed their guns at

“Do not

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

and held the girl. He checked up

here,” Ren

of his bloodstained face made her bawl even louder. Ren spread his arms. “Here,

still looking around them. They knew this girl was nothing but a pawn of the

the girl over from his bodyguard. He then saw a red mark flashing on her back. It was

dot that was pointing at the girl was now aimed at his shoulder. Just a moment later, a bullet flew through the fog and pierced Ren’s shoulder. He staggered forward due to the impact, but still he didn’t let the

came to him. “The

bodyguards knew the girl was just an object for the enemy to pinpoint their location. They

off his face and took the child away forcibly. Ren wobbled a little, and he held

on their way, but

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

been a plan long

to the girl’s back. Her function was to tell the enemy where

of him. He would save her, of course, and that was the weakness

Ren’s wound was still bleeding, drenching his suit in blood. Elijah and

groggy on the way. The blood loss was robbing his consciousness. Right before he

watched as he was taken into the operating room. He was still worried, and

Scarlet and Walter rushed to the hospital right

operating room. They were all powerful officials

phone vibrate. He picked up his mother’s call, and once he heard what happened, he got out of bed quietly and swiftly made

later, the doctors emerged from the operating room looking exhausted, but they smiled at the people waiting outside. “The bullet was extracted. It didn’t hit his

a moment ago. Now, she buried her head in her husband’s arms and shed tears of relief. Her heart felt like it would burst

ambush happened out of the blue. It was harrowing, so

was told to work on the investigation. Everyone involved would be interrogated

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

didn’t even tell their parents about it. This was too

wanted 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

back, not his vitals. However, he lost too much blood on the way, so he’s

clenched his fists. Someone attacked Uncle 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