The Billionaire Who Saved Me

“Is something bothering you lately, Garrett?”

That night, as Garrett and Elice hid under the covers in the dim light of the remaining lamp in the room, the question sounded faint. It greeted Garrett’s sense of hearing and made him turn to Elice. She shuffled closer, approaching him, and Garrett greeted her with outstretched arms. He let Elice rest her head on his arm and reflexively planted a kiss on her forehead. It was a gesture that had become habit without command.

“I always have something on my mind.”

Elice’s eyes closed briefly, enjoying the gentle touch on her head. But when her eyes opened again, Elice’s voice was back.

“That’s not what I meant. I know you always have a lot to think about. But this feels different,” Elice said, lifting her head slightly. She looked at Garrett. “Do you have a problem?”

Could what Garrett was thinking about now be classified as a problem? To be honest, Garrett wasn’t sure if he should even be thinking about it. Sometimes Garrett wondered what good it did him to dwell on the past. Was it just to satisfy his curiosity?

Garrett hugged Elice and shook his head over his wife’s head. As he closed his eyes, he murmured softly.

“There are no problems at all. I… just need some rest.”

*

It was a bright Sunday morning at the Morales residence. Garrett, who had no schedule at all, decided to spend time with his family. It was a rare opportunity he got, as sometimes even holidays could turn into workdays if circumstances demanded. So, it was only right that Garrett didn’t waste it. Resting and refreshing his mind with light conversation.

Elice enjoyed the sight as well. Seeing Garrett with his mother and grandmother warmed her heart. She remembered Garrett the last few days, who seemed a little more tired than usual. As if he carried a heavier burden than usual. It worried her.

Actually, all Garrett needed was a little rest.

Elice got up, intending to prepare snacks for their family reunion.

“Oh my God. But Dad’s okay, right?”

Elice, who was about to go into the kitchen, suddenly stopped. Turning slightly to find the source of the voice, she found Regina in the kitchen. With a telephone to her ear.

Thinking for a moment, Elice thought it would be rude to enter now. She could see that Regina was in the middle of an unpleasant conversation.

“I can’t come home right now. But I will try to send money for Dad’s hospital expenses.”

Regina’s words further convinced Elice that she should wait a moment.

“What? That much? I don’t have that much money. But I will try.”

Elice thought about leaving for a moment and coming back a few minutes later. But just as she was about to turn around, Regina’s voice, which she heard again, stopped her.

“Okay. I’ll call back later.”

The call ended and Elice counted to five before entering. With a calm expression she greeted Regina. The girl tucked her cell phone into the pocket of her pink uniform.

“Ma’am.”

Elice smiled, briefly noticing Regina’s less-than-stellar condition. Her lips were slightly pale and trembling.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Elice asked. “You look pale.”

Elice guessed that Regina’s condition was related to their earlier conversation. She had been in Regina’s position before, and she was sure that everyone had been in a situation like Regina’s. When a parent is sick, the worry really makes every child anxious.

“N-no.”

Regina shook her head and wiped at her damp temples. But she seemed to notice her slightly altered breathing.

“I’m just a little tired.”

Elice nodded. “You can rest for a while,” she said. “Nana happens to be gathering with us. She won’t be calling you for the next few moments.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Excuse me.”

Elice watched as Regina left the kitchen. As the young woman disappeared from her sight, Elice took a long breath. She realized clearly that everyone surely had their own problems.

About fifteen minutes later, Elice rejoined Garrett, Norah, and Daphne with a tray of tea and snacks consisting of cake and fruit slices. Diligently she served them on the table.

Norah sat next to Daphne, helping her mother-in-law. When Daphne asked for a cup of tea, Norah handed it to her.

“This is a rare day.”

Daphne sighed with pleasure after tasting the clear brown drink and leaned back. She looked alternately at Elice, Garrett and Norah.

“That we can gather like this,” Daphne continued. “It’s really something to be thankful for.”

Norah looked at Garrett. “What Mom said is true. Especially seeing Garrett home. Even though it’s a holiday, it’s still rare.”

Elice smiled faintly at her mother-in-law’s words, while Garrett just shook his head. The man seemed to be picking up a small plate of fruit slices and enjoying them in large bites.

“It looks like I’m going to try to really clear my schedule on Sundays.”

Daphne nodded, seeming to fully agree with Garrett’s words.

“Work is never done. After you finish one task, another one will come. So… there’s no need to push yourself too hard. Especially since you and Elice just got married.”

Unintentionally, but in unison, Elice and Garrett blinked. They looked at each other and felt a slight change in the atmosphere. Daphne glanced briefly at Norah, who smiled faintly.

“I don’t want to beat around the bush. But I do want to ask you one thing.”

Garrett put down his fruit plate immediately, while Elice kept the teacup on her lap.

“What do you want to ask, Nana?”

Actually, Garrett didn’t need to beat around the bush. Were there really many things a grandmother would ask her newly married grandchildren? The answer, of course, was no.

Daphne looked alternately at Garrett and Elice through the lenses of her glasses. She noticed that the couple’s faces were tense, albeit subtly. In spite of herself, a slight amusement tugged at the corner of Daphne’s lips, making it almost difficult for her to ask her question.

“When do you want to have kids?”

That was her question, of course. Neither Elice nor Garrett were surprised. But even though they had expected it, it didn’t mean that giving an answer was an easy task. This was evident from their embarrassed expressions. Norah, watching them, couldn’t help but smile.

“Do you want to postpone it?” Daphne asked again. “Or…”

Garrett glanced at Elice, signaling that he wasn’t very good at answering sensitive questions like that. Give him a pile of homework and Garrett would do it. But not when it came to discussing this matter.

“To be honest, we haven’t discussed it, Nana,” Elice replied quietly. “We haven’t thought about it.”

Norah, understanding the situation, took over immediately. She turned to her mother-in-law and chimed in.

“Maybe Garrett and Elice still want to enjoy their honeymoon, Mom. Especially since they haven’t been together that long.”

In fact, you could say that Garrett and Elice hadn’t known each other very long. Something Daphne was well aware of.

“Besides, Garrett is still very busy with his work,” Norah continued. “And from what I hear, Elice is also planning to be promoted at the office.” She shifted her eyes to Elice. “Is that true?”

“Yes, Mom. To be more precise, next month I will be entrusted with the position of editor-in-chief.”

Norah nodded and turned back to Daphne. “They’re both busy with their jobs. But I’m sure the good news will come when the time is right.”

With a deep breath and a reluctant nod, Daphne accepted Norah’s words. After all, Elice and Garrett had only been married a month. It was too soon to talk about pregnancy.

But beyond their young marriage and his grandmother’s wishes, Garrett was curious. What was Elice’s reaction? Considering they had never talked about it before they got married.

“Do you want to postpone?”

One day, when Garrett was alone with Elice, he asked this question. He wanted to know what Elice wanted. Because despite their marriage, it was Elice who would get pregnant, not him.

“About the pregnancy?” Elice asked her husband. And when she found a nod as an answer to her question, Elice took a deep breath. “I don’t mind.”

“So, you won’t postpone?”

In truth, Elice realized how risky it would be for her to get pregnant soon. Not in terms of her age, which wasn’t her concern. But in terms of her job.

Elice had been working for less than a year. Within a few months she had been promoted. And what would happen if Elice had to take maternity leave before she had been in her new position for a year?

However, after careful consideration, Elice decided not to dwell on it. Besides, it seemed that pregnancy was the most sensible destiny for a married couple.

“Why postpone it? There seems to be no reason to delay the pregnancy,” she concluded.

Garrett took a long breath, feeling relieved by Elice’s answer.

“That’s good. At least we agree on that,” Garrett said as he reached out to pull Elice into a hug. “After all, it is you who will be pregnant. The decision is yours. If you’re not ready, we can talk about it.”

Not only this time, but on several occasions, Elice had noticed Garrett’s mature way of thinking. Even at their first meeting she had noticed his maturity. Elice smiled.

The tranquility that quickly enveloped Elice in her husband’s embrace was abruptly interrupted by a ringing telephone. Garrett pulled away and Elice watched as he reached into his pocket. Garrett spoke briefly before pulling away from her.

“Just a moment.”

Elice simply nodded and allowed Garrett to leave. She understood that Garrett had responsibilities and obligations that couldn’t be postponed. Because Elice wouldn’t be wrong if she recognized the name that had appeared on her husband’s phone screen earlier.

Amber.

*Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.