The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Rita, who joined Wilda and Elice, couldn’t help but be amazed as Garrett’s car pulled into the Morales residence. The grandeur she was seeing for the first time made her swallow several times. Next to her, Wilda gave her younger sister a little pat on the thigh. Rita immediately grinned and quickly tried to keep her composure, not wanting Wilda to slap her harder.

Wilda brought her focus back to the front, and deep inside she felt a pang of envy for her sister. Hoping to get even a little of the relaxation that Rita possessed. Perhaps it would be better for her if her thoughts were focused on the fact that Garrett did indeed come from a wealthy background rather than the current nervousness. Unfortunately, when she realized that, her nervousness immediately increased.

Would they accept Elice? Would Elice be okay?

These worries quickly consumed Wilda. Even more quickly, they brought back memories of the past and occupied her mind. Memories of what Elice had gone through. That there was a wealthy family that looked down on her. At her.

This made Wilda immediately look at her daughter sitting in front of her. When the car stopped, she found Elice exchanging glances with Garrett.

Wilda’s stomach churned. She couldn’t be blind to the way the two people looked at each other.

It was too late now.

This time, all Wilda could do was pray. Hopefully everything would go smoothly without any incidents that would prove her fears right.

Garrett unbuckled his seat belt. He turned and looked alternately at Wilda and Rita.

“We’ve arrived.”

Hands promptly opened the car door for them, welcoming them politely.

Entering the luxurious tiled house, Wilda had prepared herself for all possibilities. Including the slightest hint of rejection she might encounter. But there was a middle-aged woman, who appeared to be her age, holding out her arms to welcome them. Addressing Garrett, she said,

“Finally, you have arrived.”

Garrett nodded. “Yes, Mom,” he said, turning to Wilda and briefly introducing her. “This is Elice’s mother.”

Norah smiled and offered a warm introductory hug as she said her name.

“Norah.”

Maybe everything wasn’t as scary as Wilda had feared. At least with the warm hug and the soft voice, Wilda could breathe more freely than before. She returned the hug just as warmly and introduced herself.

“Wilda,” Wilda said as the hug ended. “And this is my sister, Rita.”

Norah turned to Rita and greeted the young woman warmly. Rita’s expression of joy that had been on her face seemed to intensify.

“And this…”

Finally, Norah got what she had wished for the past few days: to meet the woman whose name had often graced their conversations.

“Elice.”

“Of course, you must be Elice,” Norah said with sparkling eyes, looking at the young woman with admiring eyes. “Garrett has told me so much about you.”

Wilda deduced from Norah’s words that this was also Elice’s first meeting with Garrett’s family.

“Let’s go inside. Nana waiting inside.”

Norah invited them in and they went straight to the dining room where Daphne was waiting for them. Delicious food was already being served.

“We’ve been meaning to invite you here for a long time. But it seems that Elice has been busy with her work.”

When it came to creating a warm atmosphere, Norah was truly second to none. Something that made Garrett even more grateful to have a mother like her. Of course, he didn’t expect much from Daphne.

Wilda nodded slightly and looked at her daughter who was sitting next to her. Right in front of Garrett.

“Elice often has to work late, especially when there are impromptu field assignments.”

“Perhaps that could be considered,” Daphne unexpectedly joined the conversation. She got everyone’s attention, then focused on her. Daphne paused for a moment as she swallowed her bite. “If it’s too tiring for Elice,” Daphne continued. “I don’t think she’ll have to work after the wedding. I’m sure Garrett can meet all of Elice’s needs without exception.”

Reflexively, Elice looked at Garrett.

“What about it?”

“I believe that for a woman, work is not just about material fulfillment, Nana.”

It was Garrett who decided to take over the question, giving an answer that made Daphne nod.

“You’re right. Work is not just about material things. So instead of talking about that, how about we talk about something more important? Like when are you getting married?”

Hearing this question, Wilda was once again surprised. Although she managed to hide her disbelief quite well. It turned out that Norah’s attitude wasn’t the only thing that forced her to put aside her earlier fears. Instead, Daphne’s question managed to make her feel relieved.

It seems that this family really accepts Elice. Even without a second thought, they immediately discussed the topic of marriage. Even though it was their first meeting.

Wilda felt the relief flood her chest even more. It made her feel lighter to enjoy the evening meal.

“I think we should discuss it first, Nana. There are several things to consider, especially with my position being relatively new here.”

As far as Garrett could remember, it had been about two months. Entering the third month.

“If you’re worried about all the details of wedding planning,” Daphne said, taking a short break from their meal. “Don’t worry. I will take care of everything. You and Elice just have to tell me. What kind of wedding do you want? Modern? Traditional? Or what? Well… lately it seems that some people are also interested in a “fairy tale” theme.

There was a small chuckle, coming from Rita, who couldn’t help but find Daphne’s words amusing.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude,” Rita said, smiling mischievously. “But, in fact, fairy tale themes are all the rage lately. Some people really like them.”

Daphne was silent for a moment. Then she smiled again, and for some reason it made Elice take a long breath.

“Isn’t that right? Although some people say it’s childish, the truth is that many also use this theme. Cinderella, Snow White or others.”

Garrett cleared his throat. He was sure that Elice wasn’t the type of woman who wanted her wedding to be marked by a lost shoe or fainting from eating an apple.

“Elice and I will talk about it later. You don’t need to worry.”

“Of course, and try to do it soon, Garrett. I’m sure there is nothing Wilda would like better than to see her beautiful daughter married soon.”

Daphne turned to Wilda, looked at her and offered a faint smile. But for some reason, the smile in Wilda’s eyes felt different, though she nodded anyway.

“That’s absolutely true.”

So it wasn’t surprising that after dinner they gathered in the family room for a while. They rested and continued the conversation that had centered around the formal proposal and Elice’s wishes.

As it turned out, the discussion about the wedding went better than Garrett had hoped. Especially considering Daphne’s sometimes unpredictable nature, he realized that the evening couldn’t have gone better. Everything went smoothly.

Finally, the meeting ended and Garrett drove his car to accompany Elice and her family. He continued to express gratitude in his heart. For all the smoothness they had experienced, Garrett knew that words of thanks would never be enough. He felt truly relieved.

It was after ten o’clock when Garrett’s car finally pulled up to Rita’s house. Rita’s eyes seemed red, as did Wilda’s.

“Good night.”

Wilda smiled. “Please give our thanks to your mother and nana, Garrett. And be careful on the road.”

“Sure.”

Wilda understood. There might be one or two things Garrett and Elice needed to discuss. So she invited Rita to leave first, entering the house and giving the two of them some privacy.

“Thanks for tonight, Garrett.”

Elice, who seemed quieter than usual that night, spoke. With the seatbelt released from her body, she had the freedom to assume a comfortable position facing Garrett, who was doing the same.

“For a long time…” Elice took a deep breath. “… I haven’t seen Mom this happy.”

Not to exaggerate. But for more than a year, Elice realized that she only saw Wilda in sadness. For all the events she was going through, her mother was also in mourning.

But tonight, Elice saw it. How Wilda’s face seemed to light up, and the happiness truly radiated. It made her greed grow rapidly, in the form of fantasy, as she imagined how happy her mother would be if she and Garrett were really married.

Garrett reached for Elice’s hand and squeezed it gently.

“I’m glad your mother is happy.”

For a few seconds, Garrett’s words brought a smile to both of their faces. A form of expression that didn’t need words to represent the feelings they shared at that moment.

Garrett cleared his throat, realizing that he couldn’t stay in the car with Elice as the night grew late.

“It’s getting late,” Garrett said. “I guess I should go home.”

Elice blinked, reflexively looking around at the dark sky and the quiet atmosphere.

“You’re right. Be careful on the road, then.”

But Garrett didn’t let go of Elice’s hand, because he had to say something.

“Can I pick you up tomorrow night? Are you free? For the dinner I promised a few days ago?”

Elice remembered. Garrett had said that the other day when they had just returned from Rita’s house. In the kitchen. Words that ended in a couple of kisses.

Heat rose to Elice’s face as she remembered those kisses. It caused her to quickly shift her thoughts and answer.

“Of course,” Elice nodded. “What time?”

“I’ll pick you up at half past six.”

And so the night ended. As a meeting that had just ended was greeted by another appointment, Elice and Garrett parted ways. But of course it wouldn’t be long before they met again. Practically less than twenty-four hours.

For the next day, Garrett came back right on time. He asked Wilda’s permission to take Elice out to dinner, to make sure her daughter would return safely to her apartment.

Wilda agreed, of course. Not forgetting to give them both a cautious message, along with the hope that they would enjoy their dinner. A prayer Elice was sure her mother’s prayer had been answered by God in a most abundant way.

This was no ordinary dinner. Elice should have known. When she entered the luxurious restaurant, there were no other guests in sight. Everything was quiet and calm, which succeeded in making a thrilling impression on her heart.

Garrett helped Elice to her seat. At a table designed to create a luxurious, elegant and romantic atmosphere. In the form of floral touches, soft glowing lights, and the accompaniment of music playing.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Oh, God. Elice was sure she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the dinner as usual. Instead of thinking about the meal, Elice found her mind empty. Just as Garrett took out a velvet box and dropped to one knee in front of her.

The box opened and a sparkle caught Elice’s eye. In the form of a stone, enthroned on the surface of the circular jewelry.

“I know it’s late, but…” Garrett took a deep breath, raised his face and looked at Elice intensely. “… will you marry me?”

*