The Billionaire's Babysitter

Chapter Twenty Six: The Reason(s) Why...

Chapter Twenty Six: The Reason(s) Why...

Gisele could not believe that the man she had spent her whole life hating was actually trying to protect her. His reasons had left her shocked and still a bit confused, to be honest.

She looked at the hospital wall while trying to take in all what he had said. It was like she was no longer part of this world as she was thinking, so she shook, startled, when Slate put a hand on her arm.

"Hey", he started in a gentle and kind voice, "don't overthink it, okay? Just relax, hmm?"

His words helped and she found herself sobbing crazily on Slate's shoulder. Slate held her close and tried all his best to comfort her.

"I f-feel l-lik-ke I-I-I've been h-ha-ting everyone for no g-good reason. I-I n-n-never lis-ten to a-an-y-y ex-explanations b-b-because I'm too proud", she hiccuped.

Then she took Slate's face in her hands and said earnestly

"I'm so *hiccup* so sorry *hiccup* Slate"

"Hey, there's nothing to forgive, hmm? And if there was, I'd have forgiven you a long time ago. I love you, Gisele, I love you as I've never loved anyone. I'm sorry I have a shitty way of showing it, but if you give me another chance, I swear I'll make it up to you", Slate replied candidly looking straight into Gisele's eyes.

Gisele could see the sincerity in his eyes, but she was confused and hurt that he was trying to lie to her.

"Slate, I know you think this is your fault... but that's not why you should pretend to love me", she said, hesitantly.

Slate looked adorably confused. "What do you mean?", he asked.

Gisele sighed, she didn't wasnt to relive those memories.

"Look, I know you... I know you love Ella, so please don't try to mess with my feelings"

"Love Ella? I've never loved Ella, even when we were dating! Shit, I didn't even like her!", Slate said, a bit offended.

"Slate, I heard the recording. 'I don't like Ella... I love her'. How was I supposed to take that?"

Slate still looked confused but then realization dawned. "Oh, that", he said, looking pensive.

"Yes, that", Gisele answered sarcastically.

Slate starting laughing, hard. It offended Gisele so she kept quiet, with a hurt look on her face.

Slate realized she was serious and sobered up, "Gisele, you offend me. I've always expressed my dislike for Ella, in every way known to man. And don't you think if I loved her, I would have tried every possible means to avoid her imprisonment?"

"Well, I don't know what to think anymore", Gisele started, exasperated, "I heard your voice clearly, saying you loved her. I don't...", she stopped abruptly, then sighed.

Slate came closer to her, put a comforting hand on her arm, and said, "Gisele, I've never lied to you. I may have kept some truths from you, but I've never outrightly lied to you. Please believe me when I say I love you, not Ella. I've never ever loved Ella"

Gisele looked at his face closely, trying to judge whether he was telling the truth. Then with a choked sob, she said, "I believe you"

The expression of relief on Slate's face was so comical that if Gisele wasn't so overwhelmed, she would have started laughing.