The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Garrett should have prepared himself better, so he wouldn’t have been surprised when he heard Wilda’s ‘yes’.

Garrett was taken aback, but Wilda’s answer obviously pleased him. Garrett couldn’t hide his happiness, and it showed in his smiling and beaming face.

Now Garrett found himself at Wilda’s house, prompted by a message from Elice that brought him back there. It was a bright Sunday afternoon, as bright as the reply he received.

Garrett knew that a simple thank you wouldn’t be enough to reciprocate Wilda’s reply. But at least he was trying his best.

“Thank you. I promise I will always make Elice happy.”

Wilda smiled sadly when she heard Garrett’s words. Whether she was used to that promise or not, an unconscious hope grew in her mind. She prayed that this time the promise would come true. Not overly ambitious, every parent just wants happiness for their child, especially Wilda, who clearly knew how love and men had once caused Elice pain and made her cry every night. Wilda only hoped that Garrett would be the last to make such promises and keep them.

“I’ll take care of everything. I hope we can get married soon.”

It seemed only a week ago that Wilda had been surprised by Garrett’s sudden proposal, and it had taken her some time to accept it. But now, what else? Wilda was surprised again by what followed.

“So soon?”

Garrett nodded, glancing briefly at Elice, who looked at him with an expression he couldn’t interpret.

“I’m going to officially propose to Elice soon. I think in two weeks. Then we can discuss the wedding.”

Elice and Wilda often heard people say that arranging a wedding wasn’t that difficult as long as there was intention. Even when pressed by time and circumstances, a wedding attended only by close family could happen. As long as there was a religious leader and all the requirements were met, marriage wouldn’t be difficult. But…

“Isn’t this too fast?” Wilda asked, taking a moment to inhale with a slightly furrowed brow. “Um… how soon do you want to marry Elice?”

Garrett answered without hesitation.

“As soon as I can make it happen.”

Not only Elice, but also Wilda felt a tightness in her chest when she heard Garrett’s answer. But when Garrett sensed the hesitation of the two women, he quickly continued his words.

“I don’t think it’s good to delay a good intention too long, especially when it comes to marriage.”

A valid truth, strong enough to elicit a nod from Wilda. Besides, she realized, since the tragic events involving Elice and Ariel, her daughter had practically never seemed truly happy. And if a man promised her that, why should she refuse? Maybe this was one of the ways God had given to change Elice’s life.

In the end, Wilda agreed. Her nod of agreement made Garrett breathe a sigh of relief. He turned to Elice and smiled at the woman.

“Looks like everything’s taken care of.”

A few minutes after the serious discussion between the three, another voice appeared. It was Rita, appearing from behind.

“Dinner is ready.”

Wilda asked Garrett, “Would you like to join us for dinner?”

“Of course.”

Throughout his life, there had not been many occasions when Garrett had gathered around a table with others, especially people he had recently met. However, for his first experience of having dinner with the prospective new family, it seemed to go well and smoothly.

The tension from the conversation about the proposal and marriage had been left behind. If not completely thawed, there were at least other topics of conversation at the dinner table-education, work, and, of course, comments about the food.

“Elice, don’t forget to take some dishes with you. You mentioned that you’ve been working late lately.”

As usual, after spending two nights at Rita’s house, Elice would return to her unit. So far, she hadn’t told Wilda that she had left her old apartment. Still, Elice wouldn’t forget that food was always prepared for her before she left the house.

“Thank you, Aunt.”

As the evening wore on, around eight o’clock, Elice and Garrett decided to say goodbye. Elice had to return to her unit and Garrett had to go home. Wilda and Rita waved goodbye to the two young people in their separate cars.

“Be careful on the road.”

Throughout the ride to the apartment, Elice found that her mind could not stop revolving around the same subject, revolving around one name-Garrett. Elice took a deep breath, trying to stay calm as she realized there was one important thing she hadn’t told Wilda: Garrett and Ariel, bound by family ties.

Wilda would surely be very surprised by this fact. Later. Elice would find the right time to reveal it. Hopefully, this particular reality wouldn’t make Wilda reconsider her decision.

Upon reaching the apartment, Elice quickly got out of the car as it came to a perfect stop in the parking lot. She moved to the passenger seat and took the package of food Rita had prepared. Quite a lot and quite heavy. It almost slipped out of her hands, but a strong and quick hand took over.

“Garrett.”

Elice blinked. She hadn’t expected Garrett to be there.

“Why are you here?” Elice asked confused. “Aren’t you going home?”

Garrett shut Elice’s car door. “I came to help you with these dishes. They seem pretty heavy for you to carry.”

Actually, Elice could carry it. She was just a bit unprepared for the weight, which she hadn’t expected before. But now there was nothing to be done. Garrett was already ahead of her.

“Just put it on the dining table. I’ll unpack it later.”

Elice took off the jacket she was wearing and placed it carelessly on the sofa while she continued walking, following Garrett who had already entered the kitchen.

Garrett did as Elice asked and put the food on the table. He turned to find Elice opening the refrigerator and pouring herself a glass of cold water.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Thank you.”

Elice moistened her slightly dry throat, set the empty glass aside and moved to the dining table. She began to unpack the contents one by one. Just then, Garrett approached her.

Leaving his buttocks resting lightly on the dining table, Garrett leaned forward and watched Elice. He watched the woman’s delicate eyelashes move gently as she blinked repeatedly.

“Are you free for the next few nights?”

There was a box of Rendang that Elice took out of the plastic bag. Its delicious smell filled the air. But it wasn’t enough to attract Elice’s attention. In fact, as she placed the box on the dining table, Elice turned to look at Garrett.

“Not sure,” Elice replied hesitantly. “Why?”

Garrett looked at Elice intently. “I want to invite you to dinner. You can consider it an apology for the chaos at Brenda’s party. It was supposed to be a fun night.”

“It’s definitely not your fault, Garrett. If anything, the night didn’t end any worse because of you.”

Still, quickly weighing the options, Elice thought it wouldn’t hurt to accept. She nodded.

“But I think it’s a good idea. Um… when?”

Garrett cleared his throat slightly with a furrowed brow. He tried to remember, but he wasn’t sure about his schedule for the next few days. A small smile appeared on Elice’s face.

“Check your schedule and let me know as soon as possible. Sometimes I might have to work late.”

“All right,” Garrett nodded. “I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

Elice turned her attention back to the other food container. But Garrett’s hand, freed from its rest, reached out and grabbed Elice’s.

Turning back to the man, Elice could only blink once as she found Garrett instantly kissing her. Her body tensed for a moment. But a moment later she immediately relaxed.

Garrett pulled his lips away from Elice’s, opened his eyes and saw that Elice’s eyes were still closed. There was a small gap between her wet lips that he had made.

“I love you, Elice.”

Garrett knew this was not the time or place for such a declaration. But what could he do? When the euphoria of Wilda’s acceptance of his proposal couldn’t be contained, he found himself overflowing with happiness.

Garrett stroked Elice’s cheek, sending a gentle signal that caused her eyes to slowly open and lock with Garrett’s. There was a sense of peace and hope in her eyes, something that assured Garrett that he hadn’t made a wrong decision. Marrying Elice was without a doubt one of the best things he had ever done in his life.

“Garrett,” Elice whispered hesitantly. “I-”

Garrett’s kiss interrupted Elice’s words, causing her free hand to instantly rise and grasp Garrett’s hand that was still cupping her cheek. The grip tightened in rhythm. In the wave created by the kiss, it seemed to suck their breath and souls from their bodies.

“No need to rush, Elice. Let’s take it slow and I’ll wait.”

What would Garrett wait for?

Elice opened her eyes, which had closed spontaneously when Garrett kissed her again without warning. She found him resting his forehead against hers, letting the warmth of their breaths caress each other. He allowed time to pass without a sound between them.

There was only silence, occasionally interrupted by the sounds of their breathing.

Garrett cleared his throat and decided to pull Elice’s face back again. Only to find her lips greeting him. Inviting Garrett to taste the juicy sweetness.

Not only did she welcome him, but Elice reciprocated. Joining in the devouring, the tasting. Until in the end, without words, a sound was created between them.

A sound that was sensual. Those awakened impulses. That made them unconsciously embrace each other.

Garrett broke away at the right moment. When one of his hands had already reached the curve above Elice’s buttocks and was about to land his fingers in a more enticing spot. He stopped. He withdrew his kiss as well.

“I think I should go home.”

Garrett said with a breathless voice and a bead of sweat already forming on his forehead, cursing inwardly. Why did his memories come back at such an inconvenient time?

“I have a meeting tomorrow at eight.”

Elice swallowed, opened her eyes and immediately pulled away from Garrett. With difficulty she nodded.

“Go home. You need to rest.”

Of course. Garrett knew better than anyone else that he needed rest. So he didn’t waste any time. Quickly, he left the unit after saying goodbye to Elice with a kiss on the forehead.

Left alone in the kitchen, Elice took a deep breath. She no longer cared about the food boxes. Instead, she immediately sat down. A pair of knees threatened to melt soon. And she needed a drink. To calm her erratic heartbeat inside. Because with Garrett’s attention and attitude, how could there be nothing that Elice felt?

*