The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Garrett could hardly believe what he heard. He even thought for a moment that there were two possibilities at that moment. The first was that he had misheard. The second was that Nelson had misspoken.

However, judging from Nelson’s facial expression, it could be concluded that he didn’t mispeak. His face looked serious, with traces of sadness accompanying it. And did that mean Garrett hadn’t misheard?

Garrett needed reassurance.

“W-what did you say?” Garrett asked. “About Aunt Farrah?”

Nelson took a deep breath. His face, showing signs of aging, looked tired. It was as if he had been forced to return to a past that brought back painful memories.

“That’s what Madam Daphne thinks. Because it’s clear that Farrah has her own interests.”

Garrett’s body froze. A cold sensation seemed to embrace him, almost making him tremble.

“Because of the inheritance.”

It wasn’t hard for Garrett to guess the origin. Even though years had passed since his father’s death and Garrett had long been entitled to the inheritance, Farrah often disturbed him. She did everything she could to put Garrett and Norah down, to make them feel unworthy. To make them feel unworthy of this priceless wealth.

But Farrah’s actions had unintended consequences. Who would have thought that the sparks she lit would turn into a fire? Instead of dying out as she hoped? Because clearly, when Farrah publicly humiliated Norah and Garrett in hopes of further humiliating them, what actually happened was the opposite.

“Whether Madam. Daphne’s belief is true or not,” Nelson continued with a heavy breath. “The reality is that Farrah didn’t get any of Mr. Allan’s inheritance. It clearly states that it’s all for his only son.”

Garrett noticed that Nelson’s eyes stared at him sharply without blinking.

“For you, Garrett.”

A feeling of tightness somehow appeared in Garrett’s chest. It almost made it difficult for him to breathe. So, he quickly loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. Creating a wider path for air to enter his lungs.

“And do you know what made Madam Daphne so sure that Farrah was responsible for those deaths?”

Garrett felt like he couldn’t continue the conversation. His body seemed to suffer from a pain whose cause he didn’t know. But when Nelson asked the question, he shook his head reflexively.

And Nelson let out a long breath when he saw that shake of the head. Because his memory was working then. Showing those flashes in his mind. Something he actually wanted to bury and never talk about again.

“The day before Mr. Allan’s accident, Farrah met him. They had an argument. And I don’t know if it was luck or fate,” Nelson explained. “Because that night we were discussing the will, Garrett.”

This time, Garrett may have stopped breathing. Maybe even his bodily organs had suddenly shut down. Especially with a confession Nelson made.

“At that moment, you were the only one Mr. Allan was thinking of.”

*

Garrett had never felt so tired as he did now. This fatigue did not just drain his body of energy. It was more than that. It felt like there was a void in his soul. A void that made his mind scream in pain.

“Garrett?”

Elice opened the door to her apartment and found Garrett looking anything but well. His face was horribly disheveled. A sight Elice had never seen before. Even when the man was overworked and tired, it was never this bad.

Garrett often looked tired with bags under his eyes. But that didn’t mean he looked disheveled.

“Elice.”

There was sadness in Garrett’s eyes. Something that made Elice approach Garrett and hug him immediately. Garrett dropped his head. It landed on the curve of Elice’s shoulder and his eyes closed.

Elice didn’t know what happened. But she chose to remain silent instead of asking. She had been there before. When sadness came, the first thing to do was to let the feeling flow. Whether in the form of tears or sobs. No need to ask.

Later. When there was actually a time and a need, the explanation would come of its own accord. And until that moment came, be the most comforting embrace. That’s all.

“Have a drink first.”

About fifteen minutes later, Garrett and Elice were sitting together. On the soft sofa, with a cup of jasmine tea that Elice had made for him. Without saying anything, Garrett reached for the drink. He sipped it slowly.

Silence. For the next few minutes there was no sound between them. Only Elice, who seemed to be reaching for one of Garrett’s free hands. Holding his fingers.

“Have you had dinner?”

It was only seven o’clock. Elice happened not to have eaten either. And just in time, Garrett arrived.

Taking a moment to breathe, Garrett shook his head slowly. He hadn’t eaten yet. His workday ended around six o’clock. He had planned to go straight home from the office. But somehow he ended up steering the wheel somewhere else and changed his destination. He ended up here.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Okay,” Elice smiled. “I’ll prepare dinner for us. And you better take a shower.”

Elice left Garrett and went straight to the kitchen. It took Garrett about five minutes to get up from his seat. He went to Elice’s room and did what the woman suggested. And of course, thanks to the incident the other day, it wasn’t surprising to find some of Garrett’s clothes in Elice’s closet.

Under the cold water pouring down, Garrett remained silent. His eyes were closed, memories swirling in his mind. He really didn’t understand, but if what Nelson had said was true, it made Garrett wonder.

If he really cared so much for me, why did he ignore me all this time?

Not wanting to appear weak might be a natural ego for a man. Including not shedding tears. But right now, under the constantly flowing water soaking his naked body, warm tears welled up from his eyes.

Garrett was crying. In the midst of the turmoil he was facing and the new reality he had just learned, he felt truly empty. He felt like an unsuspecting child. Blind to everything. Regret even crossed his mind.

Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted this legacy. Maybe I shouldn’t have entered a world that wasn’t mine.

But it was really too late. Garrett really couldn’t go back. Especially when he saw Elice’s face. Beaming as she served dinner. The woman clearly proved that Garrett had come a long way.

They would be married soon. In a few weeks, which would pass quickly, they would become husband and wife.

“Let’s eat.”

Smiling after spooning rice for Garrett, Elice sat in her chair. Ready to enjoy her dinner as well.

There was no meaningful conversation at the dinner table. Perhaps it was the first time that Elice and Garrett’s togetherness was marked by a tendency toward coldness and silence. But again. Elice reminded herself not to push Garrett. Instead, she tried to make him feel comfortable.

This was clearly appreciated by Garrett. Elice didn’t bombard him with questions. Because Garrett, feeling overwhelmed, clearly had a tendency not to talk about anything that night. Luckily, Elice understood that.

Garrett just needed to let these feelings out and let them pass on their own. Even if it meant that he couldn’t sleep. Meanwhile, Elice had long since fallen asleep beside him.

So, what Garrett did was to enjoy Elice’s sleeping face. Stroking it now and then. Caressing her hair. And when he decided to let her fall asleep in his embrace, his lips smiled faintly.

At least there was something good about the legacy, wasn’t there?

*

Daphne didn’t have to ask where Garrett was last night when he didn’t come home. After all, she knew almost everything that happened to her grandson. She also knew almost everything Garrett did. And even if she didn’t, she didn’t hesitate to ask.

“What have you been reading, Garrett? You look so serious.”

In fact, it wasn’t uncommon for Daphne to visit Garrett in his office. It wasn’t the first or second time Daphne had done so. Just like that night. Feeling a little bored and unable to sleep, she decided to do the same. Sitting in Garrett’s office and getting ready to watch whatever the man was doing.

Tonight, however, seemed different. Since Daphne had arrived, she had seen Garrett concentrating only on the tablet in his hands. He seemed to be reading something.

Daphne’s question startled Garrett. His eyes shifted from the tablet to his grandmother.

“What is it, Nana?”

Daphne sighed once. “Aren’t you working?” she asked. “What have you been reading on that tablet all this time?”

“My work is all done, and this…” Garrett looked down at the tablet in his hands. He wasn’t sure if he should answer the question. “… is just old news.”

“Old news?”

Garrett nodded.

“What old news?”

Garrett took a deep breath. Unsure whether to be honest or lie, he decided to answer the question truthfully.

“News about the accident four years ago.”

This answer made Daphne’s face change instantly. Garrett knew that Daphne could guess exactly what news he was reading.

“W-why are you reading this news?”

There was a quiver in Daphne’s voice. Followed by her squeezing the arm of the sofa. Garrett put the tablet down on the table and decided to approach Daphne. He sat down next to her.

“I just want to know,” Garrett replied casually. “I have no idea what happened to Dad.”

Garrett could see it. How Daphne’s body was shaking. Her breathing became suddenly rapid. Her eyes seemed unfocused.

Wait. Garrett looked closely at Daphne, who didn’t look back. He found something there. There was sadness, anger, and also… fear.

Daphne swallowed several times. Sweat suddenly appeared on her face.

“Nana? Are you okay, Nana?”

Daphne turned away. She looked at Garrett, but her old eyes seemed truly unfocused. And instead of answering Garrett’s question, Daphne decided to stand up.

“It’s late, Garrett. Don’t stay up too late.”

Garrett simply nodded at Daphne’s words. The older woman then left Garrett’s office. She was greeted by Regina who was waiting outside. Together they went to Daphne’s room.

Alone again in his own office, Garrett pondered Daphne’s unusual behavior. The grandmother, who usually looked superior and exuded an aura of dominance, seemed different for a moment. It certainly made Garrett question something.

Was Nana hiding something?

*