Chapter 113 The Things Elodie Left Behind
Catherine's heart skipped a beat as she turned to look at Alexander.
There he was, standing under the maple tree, looking all elegant and noble with maple leaves scattered around him.
"Did you grow up here?" he asked.
"Yeah, I lived here with my grandma before moving to Serenitia City."
When Catherine and Elodie moved to Serenitia City, Clara was already there. A few years later, Elodie got sick, and Celeste sent Catherine to the hospital, where she stayed ever since.
Alexander grabbed two bouquets from the car and handed one to Catherine.
'When did he get these flowers? I had no clue!' she thought.
"You still have this?" she asked.
"Of course, it's my first time meeting your grandma. I need to make a good impression," Alexander said with a calm, gentle smile, like it was no big deal. "You've been so busy lately, so I figured I'd handle the details."
'It seems he has taken the task of honoring Elodie as his own responsibility. This is my thing, but he, who should be living the high life, treats it like his own.' Catherine's heart raced.
She took the flowers from Alexander and placed them in front of Elodie's portrait. "Grandma, I'm back."
Catherine pulled out the acceptance letter she had prepared and placed it on the family altar. "Grandma, I promised you I'd get into the best university. You can rest easy now!"
It was Elodie's lifelong dream for her to go to university. Elodie, who knew so little, wanted Catherine to have the best of everything!
Even though childhood was tough, it was the happiest time of Catherine's life.
Alexander placed a photo of him and Catherine in front of the family altar. "I'm Alexander, Catherine's fiancé. I'll take good care of her, so you don't have to worry."
"When did you get this photo ready?" she asked.
Alexander smiled and gently patted Catherine's head, his eyes filled with a warmth like the sunset outside. "I planned to visit your grandma a long time ago. I already knew what I wanted to say to her. She should know me. Let's leave the photo here."
Neil stood at the gate, waving to Catherine. "Miss, I need to talk to you."
Alexander patted Catherine's hand. "Go ahead. I have something to say to your grandma alone."
'What could he possibly have to say to Grandma?' Catherine wondered, but Alexander's determined look made her agree.
She walked out of the yard and stood in front of Neil. "What's up?"
Neil handed her a cloth bag with a small maple leaf embroidered on it, clearly made by Elodie herself.
Elodie had been frugal all her life, having just a few bags, but every year she would travel to nearby towns to buy beautiful fabrics to make clothes for Catherine.
Catherine grew quickly, but Elodie refused to make larger clothes, always saying that well-fitting clothes looked better and that growing taller was a good thing.
"This is what Elodie left for you. She said to give it to you when you came back," Neil said.
'Grandma left something for me?' Catherine thought as she carefully opened the cloth bag and found a bank card and a key inside.
"The password for the bank card is your birthday. This key is for a safety deposit box at the same bank. Elodie said you know the number. She left something for you in the safety deposit box," Neil explained. Catherine looked at the bank card and key, feeling a mix of bitterness and warmth.
"When did she give this to you?" she asked.
"A long time ago, before you went to Serenitia City. Elodie gave it to me, saying to give it to you when you came back with your husband. This is what Elodie left for you." Neil quietly wiped away his tears. "Elodie was lucky to have you in her life, giving her hope in her later years."
Most folks in this village were poor, but Elodie raised Catherine with so much care and love, and she turned out great.
"If you want to know anything, don't ask me. I promised Elodie I wouldn't say, but I think Elodie will tell you. Go check the safety deposit box." Neil wiped his tears, sat at the gate, and took a couple of puffs from his cigarette, his eyes filled with loneliness and longing for the departed.
"I understand. Take care of yourself too," she said.
Neil nodded, looked at Catherine with relief, and suddenly leaned in with a sly smile. "Why don't you stay the night? I clean the room every day. It's already dark, and driving isn't safe. It's not easy to drive back either. Just stay the night and leave tomorrow!"
Catherine looked at Neil speechlessly, thinking, 'Driving out of the small village at night is indeed unsafe, but this old house hasn't been lived in for years. Staying a night doesn't seem appropriate. I don't mind, but it is inappropriate for Alexander, the head of the Howard Group, to stay here for a night.'
"I have a way to get out," she said.
Neil's eyes twinkled, and he raised his voice towards the house, "Sir, it's so late. Why don't you and Catherine stay the night?"
Catherine remained silent as Alexander walked out of the house, his dark coat catching a bit of moonlight, shining brightly, exuding a gentle and noble aura. "Alright, Catherine and I will stay."
Hearing his agreement, Neil was overjoyed and patted Catherine's shoulder proudly, whispering, "He's a good man. Elodie can rest assured! I'll go prepare dinner for you!"
Neil ran off.
Catherine rubbed her temples, feeling helpless. "There's no need to stay the night. Your car can turn into a helicopter, right? If you're tired, I can drive."
Alexander held her hand, wrapping it in his own, and said gently, "I want to see where you grew up."
"But it's so small here, and not very convenient."
"It's okay. I'm not someone who needs pampering. I've been through gunfire on the border; this is already very nice," he said.
Having survived the brink of death, they understood each other's past lives without words.
They had both experienced what the other had!
Alexander pulled Catherine to sit in the yard, lying on the rocking chair under the maple tree, swaying gently.
"There's a yard, peace, and you, all very precious to me," Alexander said gently.
Catherine watched him lie down on Elodie's chair.
No one could imagine that the head of a top financial group could have such a peaceful and gentle side!
Catherine pursed her lips, feeling a softness in her heart, and asked, "What about Marcus and Felix?"
"I called them. They can either discharge themselves today or wait for us to pick them up tomorrow," he said.
"And then?"
Alexander smiled, his sculpted profile glowing under the moonlight. "They scolded me and said we must pick them up tomorrow."
Catherine could already imagine Marcus and Felix cursing and fuming!
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