The Billionaire Who Saved Me

For a moment, darkness was all Elice could feel. Until voices touched her senses. Awakening her consciousness. Pushing her to open her eyes.

Elice’s eyelids fluttered. Blinking repeatedly. Trying to open. And a wrinkle formed on her forehead.

The voice was familiar. Causing Elice’s eyes to focus even more. To look around. The place where she was right now.

Elice wasn’t sure where she was right now. The place seemed untidy. Untouched by humans and neglected for a long time.

Dirty. Dusty. And Elice’s eyes widened when she realized where she was lying. On the cold floor full of footprints.

“Of course, I can do that, Ariel! I will do anything to achieve my goals. Anything. Even if I have to get rid of Elice!”

Elice turned away. Trying to get up, but unable to, she could only look straight ahead. At the three human figures that seemed to be in conflict.

It was Ariel, Farrah and…

Elice’s body froze with cold fear. She would never forget that face.

Teddy. The man who claimed to be Randi’s replacement.

Elice tried to piece together the fragments of memory in her mind. She was leaving the Bintang Harapan Orphanage. Teddy offered her a drink. And then everything went dark.

“No, Mama. I won’t let you hurt Elice.”

Elice spat. She did not listen to the argument between Ariel and Farrah, but the situation at that time made her realize. That Teddy had clearly kidnapped her on Farrah’s orders.

“I won’t let you touch Elice. I won’t.”

Reflexively, Elice shifted her body. Causing a small noise that interrupted the debate. Ariel, Farrah and Teddy all looked at Elice.

Elice tensed. Her face showed fear. But on the other side was a face that showed relief.

“Elice.”

Ignoring Farrah and Teddy, Ariel immediately ran to Elice. Grabbed her body. Sitting her down. Holding her with eyes that quickly assessed.

“Are you okay, Elice? Are you hurt? Does anything hurt?” Ariel’s hands moved quickly. Feeling Elice’s arms. Checking her legs. Cuddling her face. And the eyes closed with a million reliefs. “You’re okay.”

Elice tried to breathe. Wanted to nod, but her body felt utterly powerless.

“A-Ariel.”

Elice’s voice calling his name made Ariel open his eyes. There was mist, but Ariel’s smile widened.

“Don’t worry,” Ariel said, nodding repeatedly. “I’ll take care of you. You’ll be fine.”

Elice shouldn’t believe Ariel just like that. But for some reason that couldn’t be explained in words, Elice knew that she could trust him with everything. So, she could only nod.

Ariel helped Elice to get up. Embracing her body. Making sure that Elice could stand even if she had to rely on him.

“Do you think you can just take Elice away like that, Ariel?”

When Ariel took a step, Farrah’s voice stopped him. He turned. He shook his head hopefully in the direction of his mother.

“I’m begging you, Ma. Stop everything. Don’t go any further.”

Ariel’s words hit Farrah even harder. That Ariel’s love for Elice really ran that deep. Even standing up to her own mother wasn’t a difficult task for Ariel.

“No,” Farrah said, her voice shaking. “I am not going to stop here. I am going to continue everything I started. So…” Farrah’s gaze shifted. Staring straight at Elice. In a look full of hate and anger. “… never think of taking Elice away from here. Leave her here, Ariel. And you, leave!”

Ariel moved. Making sure Elice was safely behind him. “I won’t leave Elice here.”

Just like Farrah, who showed unwavering determination in her eyes, so did Ariel. They were clearly the epitome of the same steadfastness between parent and child. Firm in their convictions, but in this case, unfortunately, at odds.

“Don’t defy me, Ariel.”

Ariel’s face hardened. Behind his body, his fingers gripped Elice’s hand tightly. As if to signal her that everything would be all right.

“I’m sorry, Ma,” Ariel pleaded desperately. Showing a sense of powerlessness. “This time I can’t do what you say. Instead, I beg you. Let Elice go. Don’t hurt Elice again. I beg you.”

Farrah tensed. Red quickly filled her eyes. Reflecting the anger simmering inside her.

Farrah hated. There was no need to ask how much she hated Elice. For every bit of love Ariel gave to Elice, Farrah loathed it.

How could this be? How could her son love Elice so much?

No matter how many times Farrah thought about it, she still couldn’t accept this reality. It was embarrassing and disgusting.

Farrah shook her head. “Never go against me, Ariel. Leave Elice here and never interfere in my affairs again.”

Ariel didn’t listen to Farrah’s words. Instead, he reaffirmed his decision. To continue to protect Elice.

“Until whenever, I won’t let you hurt Elice. I allowed you to hurt Elice once, and I won’t do it again. I won’t let you touch Elice.”

Behind Ariel’s body, Elice could only be silent. Frozen and motionless in the middle of Farrah and Ariel’s argument. But Ariel’s firm grip seemed to comfort her.

“You want to hurt Elice?” Fighting back a grin, Ariel smiled. In a bitter curve that made Farrah jump. “Over my dead body, Mom.”Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Farrah clenched her fists. Ariel’s words fueled the hatred and anger inside her. She took a deep breath. Then, without expression, she said.

“Teddy, you take care of Ariel.”

No one wanted to back down. No one wanted to give in. Her unwavering determination made Teddy nod.

Teddy stepped forward and removed the suit jacket he was wearing. He walked with confident strides, unflappable, a handgun holstered on his right thigh. He approached Ariel, who was still glancing at Farrah.

Incredible? More than that. Ariel had never thought that Farrah would stoop so low as to give Teddy that order.

Ariel clenched his jaw. His jaw tightened.

“E-Elice.”

Elice’s faint voice made Ariel turn around. He calmed her.

“Everything will be all right. I’ll protect you.”

With that, Ariel stepped away. Leaving Elice just as Teddy screamed angrily and lunged at him.

Ariel dodged. Teddy’s kick hit empty air. But Teddy quickly repositioned himself and lunged at Ariel again.

Ariel raised both hands and stepped back a few steps as he blocked Teddy’s kicks. He growled. Fully aware that Teddy, as the head of his family’s security, was not to be underestimated.

But Ariel put that aside. There was Elice he had to protect. So, he yelled angrily and tried to retaliate against Teddy’s attacks.

Ariel’s fist flew. It landed on Teddy’s chest. The man flinched, but didn’t stand still.

Dodging, countering. Teddy and Ariel traded blows again and again. Resulting in clashes that made Elice squeeze her hands in fear.

“Ariel.”

Teddy’s leg rose. His knee slammed into Ariel’s stomach with force. Sending a wave of pain that made Ariel stagger.

Teddy stepped forward. Ready to attack Ariel again, but Farrah’s command sounded again.

“Enough, Teddy!”

Teddy’s punch stopped in midair. He turned. He looked at Farrah. There was a hint of panic in his eyes as he said.

“Enough. Ariel can’t do anything now.”

*