The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Three o’clock in the afternoon was an unusual time for Garrett to leave his magnificent office. But an exception was made for this day. Especially since he was driving his own car. And without anyone to accompany him.

“Mr. Dirk will be expecting you. At half past three at Coastal Bistro Restaurant.”

Those were Amber’s words that successfully made Garrett cancel his schedule until six in the evening. Anything that had to do with his work could wait. His schedule could still be rearranged. But meeting someone who knew for sure the facts behind his father’s accident was clearly something that could not happen twice.

Garrett impatiently parked his car in the lot. He almost hit a car next to him, but luckily he hit the brake pedal at the right time. He took a deep breath. He tried to calm down.

When he entered the restaurant, Garrett immediately went to the table that Amber had reserved for their meeting. He sat down and checked his watch. It was still ten minutes before the appointed time.

Trying to remain calm while waiting, Garrett tried to keep himself occupied by looking at his phone. Just to check incoming emails or read the latest news.

Half past three.

Garrett glanced at his watch and then across the room. At the door. But there was still no sign of the person he was waiting for.

Hmm… maybe there’s heavy traffic. Maybe he’ll arrive soon.

Everyone knew for sure that the streets of the capital were almost always jammed. Especially since it was approaching rush hour. Maybe Dirk was stuck in traffic. That’s what Garrett thought.

But after another ten minutes passed, Garrett grew more impatient. He grew restless in his seat. Even a glass of water was not enough to calm him down.

Garrett grabbed his cell phone. He quickly contacted Amber. Fortunately, his call was quickly answered by his secretary.

“Hello. What’s up, sir?”

Garrett ignored the pleasantries. He asked directly, “I’m already here, and so far, Mr. Dirk hasn’t arrived.”

“Oh, really? I thought you had met him, sir.”

“Not yet,” Garrett said without taking his eyes off the door. “Are your sure our appointment is now?”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Garrett thought that was the only reasonable reason why Dirk had not arrived even after half an hour had passed. For someone in the police profession, it seemed odd to Garrett that Dirk would be so late.

“I’m sure, sir. Besides, the restaurant has already confirmed my order. Your appointment with Mr. Dirk is indeed this afternoon.”

Garrett took a deep breath. There were two possibilities.

“Or… it could be that you gave the information to Mr. Dirk by mistake?”

There was a moment of silence before Amber’s voice was heard again two seconds later. There was a hint of doubt.

“It doesn’t appear so, sir. I’m sure I didn’t give Mr. Dirk any false information.”

Garrett knew Amber to be an extremely meticulous secretary. Even as she grew older, her meticulousness did not diminish. Instead, it increased. She never neglected anything that had to do with Garrett’s work.

“But I will try to contact Mr. Dirk first, sir. I will let you know as soon as possible.”

Garrett had no choice. So, he closed his eyes. “All right, Amber. Contact Mr. Dirk immediately. I’ll wait for the next update.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The call ended. While waiting for a call from Amber, Garrett tried to be patient again. And this time it was very difficult.

As he took another sip of water for the umpteenth time, Garrett realized something painful. It was the first time he had ever felt so restless. In fact, he was so restless that every time a customer entered the restaurant, he thought it was Dirk, who he thought had arrived. But he was wrong.

Time passed uncomfortably. Garrett grew more and more anxious. His feelings became more and more uncomfortable. He tried to calm down, but it felt useless. Waiting was boring, and waiting without certainty like now was very unsettling.

Garrett’s attention remained focused on two different things, the restaurant door and his phone. Time seemed to pass so slowly for him.

The ringing of his phone quickly caught Garrett’s attention. He answered it immediately. Surely it was Amber contacting him.

“Hello, Amber. Have you contacted Mr. Dirk yet?””

As he asked the question, Garrett noticed that his heart was pounding uncomfortably. Since when, he did not know. And when Amber answered his question, his heart seemed to stop beating.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

Of course, apologies were never a good sign. In some cases, apologies tended to be a cover for bad things to come. And it seemed that Garrett’s suspicions were correct.

“I tried, sir, but Mr. Dirk cannot be reached.”

Garrett took a deep breath. He had to stay calm. “What do you mean ‘cannot be reached’?”

“His phone is disconnected.”

“Could it be that Mr. Dirk mistakenly thought today wasn’t the day we were supposed to meet? Is he busy with something else?”

Faintly, but Garrett heard Amber’s sigh on the other end.

“No, sir. I checked before I contacted him. From the message I sent him, I can assure you that I didn’t give him any false information. Mr. Dirk clearly knew that tonight was the day you and he were to meet.”

Hearing this, Garrett was taken aback. He remained silent as Amber continued.

“I believe something unexpected happened and prevented Mr. Dirk from meeting you tonight. I will try to contact him again as soon as possible and reschedule with you.”

There was nothing he could do, Garrett knew that. “Alright then.”

“I apologize, sir.”

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault, Amber. Thank you for your efforts.”

When the call finally ended, Garrett remained silent. He was thinking and suddenly a thought crossed his mind. Something that made him wonder. Something that made him uneasy.

Was it just a coincidence that Mr. Dirk had suddenly become unreachable? Or was it something else? Could it be…?

*