The Billionaire Who Saved Me

The apartment Garrett visited late at night was not in the category of elite apartments. Even for the middle class, it felt rather modest. Although, of course, it wasn’t considered low-end either. At least the facilities were good and more than sufficient for residents or visitors.

Standing in front of the door marked 1109, Garrett took a deep breath. He looked hesitantly at the bell. Frankly, he was conflicted.

Garrett wasn’t the kind of man who pursued women. He wasn’t the kind of man who was obsessed with a woman who happened to have a one-night stand with him. No, he wasn’t that kind of guy. But honestly, he couldn’t get the image of Elice out of his mind.

Besides, Garrett had an upcoming wedding to organize. He didn’t want to act immature. But sometimes Garrett wondered. Maybe this was fate.

Finally, Garrett decided to test the waters. Instead of ringing right away, he sent a message first. To a new number he had saved some time ago. Of course, the message was addressed to the occupant of the unit in front of him.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

Garrett saw the two gray check marks turn blue. A valid sign that his message had been read. He waited. But what happened next was that Elice’s online status went offline. She didn’t answer his message.

Garrett took a deep breath. He put the phone back in his jeans pocket. His hand lifted. Without further thought, he pressed the button.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

Garrett’s hope vanished. Elice wouldn’t open the door. He knew that. And now a little disappointment crept into his heart. His body turned. He decided that there was nothing more to expect from Elice. The woman obviously didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore. Just like that morning.

But as Garrett took a step, his ears suddenly caught a faint sound. He immediately turned around. At the door was the sound of the lock turning. And then the door opened.

Elice opened it.

*

Honestly, Elice was shaking. She almost thought of hiding. Pretending to be asleep might be the best option. But somehow, she walked towards the door and opened it half-consciously.

It was as if a strange thought had crossed her mind. If Garrett could find her in such a short time, what would prevent him from appearing again in the future? Especially considering that Garrett clearly knew her current job.

Elice took a long breath. She realized something in her mind.

Maybe this is the only thing I can’t avoid. Be it that night or tonight.

Elice opened the door. Just as she saw Garrett showing signs of leaving. Which actually made her a little sorry. It turned out that Garrett wasn’t as determined as she had thought.

Garrett stared at the silent Elice as she held the door open. Her face seemed tense, perhaps as tense as Garrett had been back then. And to top it off, Garrett asked, “You remember me, don’t you?”

Elice was silent for a moment, but then she nodded. “I remember.”

Garrett felt a slight sense of relief, especially when he heard Elice say.

“Would you like to come in?”

It was obviously not the usual visiting hours. Almost eleven at night. But it seemed that this time it could be overlooked.

Garrett entered. Elice closed the door and found him taking a quick look at her unit.

“Please, sit down,” Elice invited. “Would you like something to drink? Some tea? Coffee?”

Getting up and sitting down on the not too big sofa, Garrett replied, “Tea, I guess. But not too sweet.”

Elice nodded. “Just a moment.”

While Elice was gone, Garrett had the opportunity to really observe the state of the unit. Neat and organized. A perfect reflection of Elice. Even though the place seemed minimalist, everything felt comfortable.

“Sorry. I happen to have no snacks.”

Elice returned. She placed a cup of warm tea in front of Garrett and then sat down.

“That’s okay,” Garrett said and reached for the cup. “That’s all I want.”

Of course, it wasn’t.

Garrett inwardly blamed himself. Even as his tongue savored the first taste of the golden-red beverage. Its unique flavor made Garrett unintentionally sigh.

“Delicious tea,” Garrett praised.

Elice smiled faintly at the compliment. Instead of responding, she took a deep breath. Her heart pounded with the possibilities that surfaced in her mind. Regarding Garrett’s intentions and purposes for coming to her unit that night.

“I know you must be wondering why I came tonight.”

Garrett decided to waste no time. He took action, initiating a conversation he believed would never start if he didn’t.

“Am I right?”

On the other hand, Elice didn’t want to add to her mental burden. So, she nodded.

“Why did you come?”

Garrett put his teacup down first, back on its coaster. He didn’t answer the question. Instead, he turned it around and asked, “Why did you leave that morning?”

Elice never thought that Garrett would ask that question so directly, leaving her in a state of shock that she couldn’t hide with her clear, sparkling eyes. And for a few moments, she left Garrett stunned.

Six months without seeing each other and Garrett could see the difference in the woman. In the color of her hair, which was no longer black. In the way she dressed. And in her appearance. Although, of course, it couldn’t hide one fact. That the Elice from before still existed.

“I thought I had to do this.”

Elice’s voice broke Garrett’s concentration on her appearance. His eyes returned to Elice and found a brief pause before she continued speaking.

“W-we were just strangers who happened to meet that night. So I thought there was no better action than to leave as if nothing had happened.

Sure. That was a logical answer. After all, it wasn’t like Garrett was suddenly trapped in some dime-store romance novel, was it? Where, after a one-night stand, he would feel trapped in euphoria.

No, it wasn’t like that. It wasn’t about that one night of love. It was something more. There was an attraction that kept Garrett from letting go of Elice. Not that night. Not the next day. And not until today.

Perhaps for the first time, Garrett had found a woman who was trying to rise again in her vulnerability. Under difficult circumstances, Elice was trying to rebuild her life. That was something he rarely encountered.

“You’re right,” Garrett nodded in agreement with Elice’s words. “We were just strangers. But is it the same now?”

“What do you mean?”

Garrett took a deep breath for a moment. He leaned back on the sofa, which barely fit half of him.

“The first time we met, it could have been a coincidence. What about the second time?” Garrett asked. “The first time we met, we were strangers. What about the second meeting?” He looked at the teacup on the table. “Especially with this tea.”

Elice couldn’t answer this question. Because it was clear that in their current situation the term ‘strangers’ was no longer appropriate. Very inappropriate.

“Alright,” Elice sighed and took a deep breath. “So, is there a reason why you came tonight? You’re not here to demand accountability for this night or anything, are you?”

Garrett blinked once. Before finally his dark eyes stared back at Elice with intensity.

“No. Of course not. I did not come here tonight to demand accountability.”

Not to exaggerate, but Elice breathed a sigh of relief. She even wiped the sweat from her brow, which she didn’t know when it started. To be honest, Elice had never had any experience with etiquette or norms regarding one-night stands. She was blind to it.

“So, what is your purpose?”

This time there was a real pause when Elice asked Garrett that. Because then he seemed to straighten his back. Shift slightly. Changing his sitting position to lean towards the woman.

With both hands landing on each of his thighs, and then his fingers intertwined, Garrett looked at Elice. Making her hold her breath for a moment. Guessing. But what came out of Garrett’s lips was something she had never expected.

“I want to know about your condition,” Garrett said quietly. “Have you been well for the last six months?”

Elice was stunned. Instead of answering the question, she found herself asking herself.

Who was the last person to ask you that, Elice?

*