The Billionaire Who Saved Me

The wedding day was approaching. Since Daphne had no objection, the sacred event would take place on a cruise ship. And of course, it attracted the attention of the guests and the media crew.

Garrett paid no attention. Even now, wedding matters seemed unimportant to him. No, it wasn’t any sudden doubts that made Garrett feel this way; rather, his mind was now occupied with other things. He thought about his late father and all the conversations with Nelson the other day. And if that wasn’t enough, the news about his father’s accident and Daphne’s strange behavior last night added to his mental fatigue.

Garrett’s anticipation of Farrah certainly added to it. After all, Daphne had warned him. With all this weighing on his mind, it was only logical that the wedding would become something that didn’t really occupy his thoughts.

“Garrett?”

Norah’s voice snapped Garrett out of his reverie that morning. He realized that he hadn’t even touched his breakfast. A little confused, he turned to his mother. Norah’s eyes looked at him with concern.

“Are you okay?” Norah asked. Her expression was worried. She could clearly see how disheveled Garrett looked, unlike his usual self. “Are you sick?”

Daphne, who had been enjoying her breakfast, looked down at Garrett as Norah spoke. Her chewing stopped and her eyes stared at her grandson from behind the lenses of her glasses. She seemed to agree with Norah’s suspicion. But Garrett shook his head.

“I’m fine, Mom.”

Norah didn’t believe him. “But you look so tired. Is there a problem at work?”

“No,” Garrett said as he picked up his spoon. “I guess I just didn’t get enough sleep.”

“When is your day off, Garrett?”

Daphne added her question to the conversation between mother and son. With a raised hand. Calling to the servant standing not far from her seat.

“The day after tomorrow, Nana.”

Daphne nodded. “Good. You should get plenty of rest. Don’t get sick right before your wedding day.”

“Okay.”

Turning to the servant who approached her, Daphne pointed to her breakfast. A delicious bowl of oatmeal.

“It’s a little less sweet. Bring me some honey.”

“Yes, madam.”

The servant moved. In a short time, he brought the honey Daphne had requested. Of course, she didn’t want to keep her elderly employer waiting long. Less than five minutes later, a bowl of honey was on the table.

“Here’s the honey, madam.”

Pulling the bowl closer to her oatmeal bowl, Daphne was about to say thank you when she turned to the servant.

“Thank you.”

But her words stopped halfway. Daphne’s forehead wrinkled. Her eyes scrutinized the servant with a sharp, probing gaze. The servant, realizing there was something different about the way Daphne was looking at her, asked politely.

“What is it, madam? Is there anything else you need?”

Daphne didn’t answer the question. Instead, she threw it back with a visibly changed expression, which didn’t escape Garrett’s attention.

“Who are you? I’ve never seen you before,” Daphne demanded.

The servant smiled nervously. “I’m Ida, madam. I’m a new servant here. I just-”

The servant flinched. Reflexively, she took a few steps back as Daphne’s hand moved across the dining table. It swept the bowl of honey, sending it flying and crashing to the floor. It shattered, startling everyone in the room.

Garrett and Norah exchanged glances and remained silent as Daphne then shouted.

“Yocelyn!”

Once. Twice. Three times. Daphne called that name a total of times until a thirty-five-year-old woman hurried up to Daphne. She glanced briefly at Ida, who was looking down, her body shaking.

“What is it, madam?” As the head maid in the house, Yocelyn knew something was wrong. Especially with the broken pieces of the bowl scattered on the floor.

Daphne’s face flushed. Her hand pointed at Ida.

“You hired a new servant?” Daphne asked in a high tone. “Yes?”

Yocelyn swallowed hard. A bead of sweat was visible on the side of her face. Now it wasn’t just Ida who seemed shaky, but Yocelyn as well.

“M-Madam,” Yocelyn whispered haltingly. “Myra, who usually works here, quit due to illness. So, I had to look for a new servant to-”

Norah closed her eyes in shock as Daphne slammed down the bowl of oatmeal she had eaten earlier.

“I told you, I don’t want any new people in this house!”

Yocelyn bowed her head. “I’m sorry, madam. I-”

“Fire her!” Daphne ordered. “I don’t care. You can double the salary of whoever wants to replace Myra’s job. But I don’t want any new people in this house!”

“Understood, madam,” Yocelyn nodded without lifting her face. “I will do it.”

When Yocelyn then left with Ida, Daphne seemed to snort. Her face looked extremely flushed. Her breath was hot, and the emotion made her chest feel warm.

Daphne grabbed her glass of water. But when the new glass touched her lips, she froze. Eventually, she slammed the glass down as well.

“Regina!”

Daphne’s personal nurse came quickly and attentively. “Yes, Madam?”

“Take me to my room,” Daphne held out her hand. “And prepare my breakfast.”

Regina helped Daphne to her feet. She patiently guided Daphne, who seemed a little troubled by her anger that morning. Her legs were shaking.

“Okay.”

The incident was witnessed by Garrett and Norah without missing a beat. They chose to remain silent. Not to interfere at all because they knew well how Daphne acted when she was angry. Unable to be calmed. Speaking out would only make the situation worse.

“An elder’s emotions are unpredictable,” Norah said with a sigh. She looked at Garrett. “I hope you understand. Just because Nana’s like this doesn’t mean she’s evil. It’s just that sometimes older people are more sensitive.”

Garrett continued to eat his breakfast. He chewed slowly and mumbled softly.

“More sensitive? Um… is that possible?”

*

“After meeting with Mr. Nelson a few days ago, you seem a little different,” Amber commented as she pulled out a document signed by Garrett. She tilted her head slightly to get a better look at Garrett’s face. Really! Amber was sure of what she said.

“Different?” Garrett repeated Amber’s words. “I don’t think so. I’ve just been tired lately. My schedule has been too full.”

“Uh-huh.”

Coughing slightly, Amber seemed hesitant. What Garrett had said made sense. He had had a busy schedule lately, and it was Garrett’s own wish. He seemed driven to get as much work done as possible before his wedding day.

“Especially with my wedding coming up. How can I not look different?” Garrett added.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Amber chuckled. “Hopefully you can use your leave to rest for a while,” she said. “Excuse me.”

Garrett just nodded weakly and let Amber leave his office. He was alone again. He sighed deeply and leaned back against the chair.

Looking up slightly, Garrett’s eyes glanced at the ceiling. He was lost in thought. His memory suddenly flashed back to the events of that morning. When Daphne had become angry only because Yocelyn had hired a new servant. This incident reminded him of something else. When he first moved into the Morales house and found that a sister had to pack up her belongings and leave shortly after he arrived. For one reason. Daphne had kicked her out.

Nana is like-

“Ring!”

The ringing of the phone interrupted Garrett’s reverie. He grabbed the phone and saw that it was Elice. Without wasting any time, he answered the call.

“Hello, Elice.”

Garrett greeted her a moment after answering the call, then heard Elice’s voice the next second.

“Hello, Garrett.”

“Why are you calling me?” Garrett asked, glancing at the watch on his wrist. It had been an hour since he left the office. “Are you home yet?”

Asking this question, Garrett surely remembered that today was Elice’s last day at work before their wedding day. And that was why Elice went straight home instead of to her apartment.

“Yes. I just got home about ten minutes ago, and what I found at home made me call you right away,” Elice replied.

Garrett closed his eyes. “Have Nana’s people arrived at the house yet?”

“You know, Garrett?” Elice asked. “I was really surprised to see them filling the house.”

“Sorry. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.”

Of course, Elice could understand that better than anyone. That was evident from the understanding she gave the next moment.

“It’s okay. I was just surprised and wondered who they were. You know, I’m not used to all this yet.”

Reflexively, Garrett chuckled softly. A faint smile appeared on his face.

“It was her idea,” Garrett explained, trying to clarify. “Nana thought that as the wedding got closer, things would get busier for you. So, she sent some people over.”

“Um… it’s not just some people, Garrett.”

“Oh really?”

“You know? There are even people here who claim to be from a salon and spa. And they want to set up some kind of impromptu salon here.”

Garrett laughed. He understood what Elice meant. Of course, they wouldn’t set up an impromptu salon in Elice’s house. But they would certainly do one or two things that would give the impression of setting up such a salon.

“You know, Elice? Nana is someone who lives in two eras. Maybe Grandma thought that you would observe the confinement for three days. I’m sure she sent these people with the intention that you wouldn’t have to leave the house for a few days.”

There was a moment of silence, but Garrett clearly heard Elice’s sigh.

“You’re right. Parents always say to avoid traveling the closer you get to the wedding.”

It was advice that still prevailed in society to this day. Whether it was a myth or not, many people believed it.

“And now…”

Elice’s voice could be heard again, conveying confidence with her words.

“… I will obey the words of my parents. Whatever they may be.”

There was a tickling sensation that made the corners of Garrett’s lips twitch. Finally, his lips curved into a faint smile. It was then that Garrett realized something. Being with Elice, there were many things that could make him laugh. At least smile. Even if it was unconscious.

“Elice.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

There was a short silence. Maybe Elice was thinking about Garrett’s words on the other end. It was clearly a sudden expression.

“For what?”

For many things, of course. But at that moment Garrett answered with an effective sentence.

“For understanding me.”

Elice could have asked more questions. But in reality she didn’t. And for Garrett that was the biggest help Elice could give him. For often, questions asked when the mind is confused or feelings are sad only make the situation worse. So, in the end, Garrett expressed what he was feeling with one statement.

“I love you.”

*