The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Because when Garrett finally found Elice, faced her and sat down with her, all the considerations and thoughts that accompanied Garrett seemed to disappear. More than that, he was curious about Elice’s current situation. About her life now.

“Have you been well for the last six months?”

With just one glance, Garrett could feel the shock in Elice’s eyes. But then she quickly regained control of herself. She seemed calm, although there was still a subtle tremor.

Garrett smiled faintly. “I’ve come to the club several times since that night. I thought you would come back and we could talk like that. But you never came back. It made me wonder.”

“I’m fine,” Elice replied with a returning smile. Despite her surprise at seeing Garrett again, she had to admit it. “Thank you.”

“For asking about your well-being?”

Elice shook her head slightly. “No,” she replied. “But thank you for tonight.”

Elice’s shoulders seemed to rise with rhythm for a moment. Just as the owner took a deep breath. She blinked once before finally looking back at Garrett.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Something I should have told you right away the next day. If I hadn’t decided to run away.”

A slight change appeared in the smile on Garrett’s face. There was a hint of amusement. His hands clasped for a moment before he looked back at Elice.

“I’m sure you’ve been fine all this time. Uh… so you’re working at Metro Magazine? For how long?”

“Yeah. Maybe about four months. And that was my first interview. I hope that didn’t bother you.”

“Not at all,” Garrett shook his head. “I was actually honored. To be your first interviewee.”

Unconsciously, Elice chuckled. Then she remembered it was a coincidence.

“I wasn’t supposed to be the one coming tonight. But my colleague who was supposed to be on duty had an accident. I’m the only one left on the team.”

Hearing this explanation, Garrett imagined in his mind. If Elice’s colleague hadn’t had an accident, he and Elice wouldn’t be in this situation right now. Sitting and talking again after six months.

“A few days after that night, my mother and I decided to move. Start a new life here.”

That explained to Garrett that what he had been doing lately was pointless. No wonder he hadn’t seen Elice, even if he had to wait at the club every day. It was ridiculous. Garrett was clearly doing something useless.

“I hope your life is okay now.”

“Of course,” Elice nodded. “Just like you said the other night. Everyone only sees appearances. And so far, everything has turned out as I had hoped.”

Perhaps that was another answer for Garrett, who praised the change in Elice. She didn’t look like the Elice he had met that night-fragile and wounded. Now she had transformed into a woman who focused her life on her work.

“All this proves to me that starting a new chapter isn’t as bad as I once feared.”

When Elice decided to really leave her past life, fear and worry clearly haunted her. What if she couldn’t handle it? What if she failed? But it turned out differently.

Leaving and moving on from her past life was truly the choice Elice was most grateful for up until that moment. She freed herself from the shackles of sadness and unhappiness. She left them behind. And it wasn’t easy. But as she went through it day by day, she knew that her struggle was worth what she had gained now.

“And what about you?”

Garrett did not expect to hear a question from Elice.

“Me?”

Elice nodded. “Yes. How about you?”

“Uh… as it seems,” Garrett replied uncertainly. “I’m fine.”

Garrett was sure that Elice felt a little uncomfortable with his current identity. But that wasn’t his fault. Besides, when they first met, Garrett wasn’t the Garrett who carried the Pacific Energy name everywhere. Back then, he was just an ordinary man trying to move his company forward. Only fate changed everything in a short time.

And if Elice felt uncomfortable, she wasn’t alone. For he also felt something similar. Something that gave Garrett some signals.

“I think I should go home now.”

Garrett pretended to look at his watch. To realize that it was almost midnight. It felt like he had been there for almost an hour.

“It’s already too late.”

Garrett finished his tea. Only then did he get up from his seat. He went to the door and Elice accompanied him.

“Be careful on the road.”

At the door Garrett heard this message. It made him, who had intended to leave immediately, pause for a moment. He turned around. He looked at Elice.

The woman was still wearing the same outfit she had during the conference. More than enough to be a sign that she hadn’t had a chance to rest. Not even to change.

“And you…” Garrett whispered with a slight hesitation. “Enjoy your new life.”

Elice could feel the sincerity in Garrett’s words. Not only that, but she suddenly remembered the night six months ago. Garrett also said some things that warmed her feelings. She realized it. That Garrett was a good man.

“Thank you. For everything you’ve done. Whether that night or now…” Elice took a deep breath. Suddenly, her eyes warmed. “… I’m truly grateful.”

Never before had Elice expected this. That when she was hurt by someone she knew so well, she would receive healing from someone she didn’t know at all. A stranger.

Garrett’s hand rose. He wiped away a tear that appeared at the corner of Elice’s eye. The woman blinked suddenly. Raised her face.

“Don’t cry anymore. You live in a new world now.”

Elice herself didn’t really understand. Why did she feel the urge to shed tears again? Was it because she had done something similar to Garrett before?

Garrett grabbed Elice. Without thinking twice, he let her drown in his embrace. And Elice didn’t resist. She let her face disappear into the firm grip of Garrett’s hands, landing on his broad chest.

Garrett’s hands ran down Elice’s back. His head protected hers. And he let Elice go through her time in silence for a moment.

“Promise me you will live your life like this. With your head up and your back straight. You know that you deserve to be happy.”

Garrett felt Elice’s hand move down his back. Squeezing for a few seconds and then releasing a few moments later. He pulled away.

Elice gave him a sweet smile.

“And when we meet again, I’ll make sure I’m a happier woman than I am today.”

*