Secretly Married to Her Billionaire Boss

Chapter 5

"No! I don't need it!" Dara uttered firmly. She shook her head several times to emphasize that she meant her refusal.

"Why? You should look like Mrs. Gav Ackers!" Mr. Ackers exclaimed. He had commissioned a couturier and a hairstylist to give Dara a make-over.

"There is no clause in any legal papers I signed last night that I should look like one, Mr. Ackers," Dara replied tightly.

Mr. Ackers' heart had lightened when he had seen her in the patient's room. He always visited his grandson before sunrise but Dara beat him.

"Anyway, um, Gav is not conscious so it really doesn't matter," Dara muttered. She was embarrassed to say the name of the stranger she had married!

"Call me Grandpa!" he ordered her. "And don't tell me it isn't in the legal papers!"

Dara stared at him through her spectacles. "Okay, Grandpa," she capitulated after a while. "But only when we're alone," she followed on determinedly.

"Hmph!" Grandpa Ackers breathed out like a dragon. He nostrils enlarged visually as air passed out. He did not say anything though.

Dara smoothed the white sheet beside the bed carefully. She did not know that her eyes caressed the strong features of Gav Ackers. The tall and arrogant nose was prominent. His mouth had firm lips with a semi-rounded under-lip.

Her gauche fingers itched to stroke the silky hair on his high forehead but she became aware of his grandfather. She forced her feet to step back from the patient.

Grandpa Ackers was observing her with keen eyes. Dara was neatly combed and wore clean clothes. Her shoes were black and with flat soles. She did not wear any jewelry or perfume.

Grandpa Ackers sniffed the air. 'But she smells fresh and flowery...'

"What time did you wake up, Dara?"

"I didn't sleep well." Dara raised her head. "I got up at three."

"You will get used to your room," he said comfortingly. "Let's go downstairs. We'll have breakfast!" He led the way.

Dara threw Gav a last glance before leaving the bedroom. They met the nurse at the hallway.

"Call me if you noticed something amiss about my grandson," Grandpa Ackers instructed the matronly woman gruffly.

"Master Gav's skin has color today, Mr. Ackers," the nurse informed the old man.

"Is that good?" Grandpa Ackers asked worriedly.

"I took his temperature. It is normal so it must be good," the nurse replied positively.

"I wish Gav would wake up!" He wiped out his eyes with a handkerchief that he pulled out from his pants' pocket.

Dara could not help herself. She laid a hand on the arm of Grandpa Ackers. He nodded at her and smiled tremulously. Her touch offered comfort which he accepted.

"I'm sure he will wake up, Grandpa Ackers," Dara murmured with a smile.

She promised herself that she would talk to Gav every morning and every evening. Studies showed that talking to coma patients was found helpful and effective for their recovery.

Grandpa Ackers held her hand and kissed it.

Dara was startled but she did not pull back. She had never had a grandfather. She decided to enjoy the moment while she could.

With light steps, they passed the large living room and went through a side door. There was a clearing in the garden. It was surrounded by fruit-bearing trees.

At the center stood a round table with two plates and two cups plus an array of bread in a platter. There was a fruit basket, a pot of coffee, and a pitcher of orange juice.

Dara's stomach rumbled delicately. Her intestines reminded that she did not have dinner last night. And it was her wedding day!

The corners of her mouth turned down slightly.

"Come on! Let's eat!" Grandpa Ackers was enthusiastic while he pulled a chair for her.

"Thank you." Dara had her usual breakfast: black coffee and one slice of bread. She had ignored the butter curls and the jam. She was tempted by the fresh aroma of the foods in front of her.

"More bread?"

Dara shook her head. "I must go, Grandpa Ackers."

"Where you going, Dara?"

"I'm going to the office," she answered innocently.

"But you just married Gav!"

"My exact role is not outlined to me. I had a shock yesterday when you ordered me to marry!" she bristled.

'And I thought that I was marrying an old man--which is you!' Dara thought strongly.

Suddenly, Grandpa Ackers smiled. "You don't like to be ordered around," he concluded. "I think I like that. Okay, you go into the office. You will have Lot as your immediate superior while Gav is..." His voice broke again.

Dara cleared her throat. "Mr. Lot is--?"

"Lot is the real personal assistant of Gav."

"Meaning, my position is redundant," she reckoned.

"When Gav is well, he will decide whether you will stay or not as his personal assistant, Dara," Grandpa Ackers explained steadily. "I hired you for him."

Dara shook her head. "Since I am not a real wife to him, I shall continue working!"

"Hey! Who said you won't be a real wife? You agreed to have children!"

"A baby-maker!" she cried sharply. "How many children? Two or four?"

Grandpa rubbed his palms together and chuckled. "Five or six! Maybe, you can produce a basketball team!"

Dara slapped her forehead although her heart softened unconsciously when she heard the old man laughing. His face had been stiff with silent suffering.

Giving Grandpa Ackers his happiness was a small thing compared to the wonderful changes for her family. The old man was busy turning their fortune behind her back.

Dara's Mama Nena had been ecstatic! She had an early morning good news. Through text, she recounted the team of carpenters who visited them.

'Dear Dara, I can't believe this! The bank has a contest and I am the lucky winner of a house renovation and free education for the kids! Such good fortune for us! Thank you for asking me to open an account on this bank, my dear daughter! And thank you for the huge amount that you sent us! We love you!' Mama Nena showed a screenshot of the amount in her bank account.

Dara was perplexed. She sent a modestly large amount but not that large. But she did not contradict Mama Nena.

'I'm glad for you, Mama Nena! And for me, too. I've got a good job now and you won in the contest. May we be careful of our good fortune!'

Yes... Dara could afford to be generous to the man who brought good tidings for her family.