YOKED TO A BILLIONAIRE BY VENNEH LISAH

In the hospital Jason had come to, he leaned back on the bed as the nurse fed him some nutritional oatmeal.

Ryan and Eliana were there as well sharing in the meal.

Ryan would use a napkin to wipe at Jason's lips from time to time. "How are you feeling, Jason? Does it hurt?"

"A little bit, but it's alright." Jason tightened a fist and flexed his arm. "Real martial artists can take a beating."

"Put down your arm! It is still all wrapped up," Ryan commanded with the authority of an older brother.

"That's right, Jason. You're not well, so you'll have to be careful!" Eliana put on a frown as she, too, got in on the act of disciplining Jason.

"Alright, alright," Jason replied with a pout as he continued to have his food. He then turned to the youthful nurse. "You're really cute, Miss. Have you got a boyfriend?"

"Oh my!" The young woman could not keep herself from cracking up. "Not yet. Are you going to introduce someone to me?"

"What do you think about me?" Jason's brows danced as he smiled roguishly.

"Hahaha…" The nurse was quite tickled, as were the few doctors who were also in the vicinity.

"What's so amusing?" D'barl's voice was accompanied by the sound of his crutch and footsteps.

He was helped along by Douglas. Standing behind them were the medical superintendent, two pediatricians, and a few bodyguards.

"Hello, Grandpa Roman!" Ryan and Eliana chirped in greeting.

"Is this that Grandpa who knocked me down?" Jason tilted his head to scrutinize old Roman. "You look so kind. Not like a bad guy at all."

"Hahaha." D'barl laughed heartily. "Of course I'm not. Otherwise, I wouldn't visit you!"

"Oh, then I suppose you didn't do it on purpose." Jason licked the oats off the corner of his lips as he analyzed with earnestness. "I guess I'll forgive you for that."

"Thank you for being so magnanimous!"

The elderly gentleman smiled as he looked at Jason. The boy resembled the older brother Ryan to a tee, but the two had completely different personalities.

Ryan was similar to Davon in temperament,rigorous and imbued with wisdom and reason.

As for Jason ,he was more like the innocent and carefree Davon before the tragedy that befell the Romans. Or to be exact, Jason was the kid that D'barl wished Davon could be.

Eliana was like a hallow,the better angel of Davon's nature that the old man wished to preserve.

Although the three children were vastly different in their own unique merits, every one of them appealed to him equally in their own ways.

"You are welcome. From now on, we are family." Jason appeared generous and even offered the elderly man a shrimp dumpling. "Good things are better when shared. This is for you, Grandpa!"

"Haha, thank you!" D'barl did not mind the boy's oily hand at all as he received the dumpling. He was contemplative as he ate. "My grandson used to enjoy these dumplings when he was younger, but not anymore."

"Why?" the children asked.

"It's nothing." The old man smiled as he tried to change the subject. "So how is it? Did you manage to reach your mother?"

"Not yet." Ryan's little face dimmed as he lowered his head.

Eliana pursed her lips and tears started to pour when she heard that. "Mommy didn't come to look for us. I think she doesn't want us anymore."

The misery in her childlike voice instantly tugged at the heartstrings of those around her.

"There, there. Don't cry." D'barl fretted at the sight of the tearful child and immediately pulled out his own handkerchief to wipe at her eyes. "I'm here for you, ainy't I? I'll take good care of all of you."

"Come here, Eliana." Ryan embraced his younger sister and tried to put on a brave face for her sake. "Mommy wouldn't abandon us. She must be away at work, as you know she has a nasty boss who's always making her work overtime."

"Right on!" Jason said with his mouth still stuffed with dumplings. "It must be the psychotic boss who's keeping Mommy in the office and not allowing her to go home."

"Yeah." Eliana's plump cheeks were covered with tears as she pouted. "I've seen him before. He's so fierce, and he almost killed Finny. I hate him."

"He is so arrogant that he would only talk through his men when he came to the kindergarten." Ryan frowned in contempt. "I hate him too."

"What a detestable guy," Jason seethed as his fingers tightened around themselves. "Next time I see him, I'll make him pay for bullying Mommy, Ryan and Eliana!"

"Who is this man who bullies women and children?" The elderly gentleman too got riled up just hearing their exchange. "Tell me so I could teach him a lesson!"

"You're too old to fight him, Grandpa Roman" Jason said solemnly as he regarded the old man. "The man's got many bodyguards. He's big and tall and looks like a meanie!"

"Yeah, his eyes are scary." Eliana added as she recalled with fear her encounter with that bad guy at the mall. "He has the look of a lion who wants to eat me!"

With that, the little girl pursed her lips and started to bawl pitifully again.

"Hey there, don't be afraid." D'barl almost melted when he pulled her into his arms to comfort her. "Even if he's a lion or a tiger, I can tame him!"

"Yup, your Grandpa's the best," Douglas said in amusement. "There's no one in the world that he cannot subdue!"

"Really?" Jason became excited as he came close and tugged at the elderly man's sleeve. "Do you know martial arts, Grandpa Roman?"

The old man laughed. "I don't, but I have this!"

He then pointed to his temple. "A person who has wisdom and talent has nothing to fear!"

"Grandpa Roman's right! That's what Mommy says too," Ryan said staidly. "That's why we need to study hard and become someone useful so no one could trifle with us!"

"Good lad," D'barl's heart ached for the boy as he tenderly patted his little head. "You're still so young. Just enjoy your childhood days in the meantime."

These were the words that he had always wanted to say to Davon, but never got the chance to.

Now he was saying them to Ryan with the same sentiment.

D'barl silently made a decision and thereupon, decided to announce it. "Fate must have brought us all together. I wasn't around before, but now that I am, I'm going to be your guardian angel. I'd never let anyone pick on any single one of you, ever again!"

"Grandpa Roman." Tears flowed ceaselessly from Eliana's eyes as she wrapped her stubby hands around the old man's neck.

"Oh, sweetie. There, there." D'barl was charmed off his socks as he hurriedly wiped way above her cheeks. "It hurts me to see you cry like this."

"Thank you, Grandpa Roman!" Jason felt a stinging in his nostrils as his eyes reddened, but he fought very hard to contain himself. "You're so nice to us. When I grow up, I'll protect you too!"

"As will I!" Ryan added as he thumped upon his own little chest. "When we grow up, we shall all protect Grandpa together!"

"Good children. Excellent!" The elderly gentleman was reduced to an emotional wreck as he huddled with the children. He then turned towards the people behind him. "All of you are to bear this in mind. These children are closer to me than my own grandchildren. No one is to bully them!"

"Understood!" Behind him, the medical superintendent, doctors, and trusted members of the family all bowed in reverence.

The corner of Douglas' lips curled into a smile as he thought what a great blessing it was for the children to gain D'barl's support. Their parents should count their lucky stars that the trio would probably have little cause for worry for the rest of their lives.

He wondered which divines they had to express gratitude towards.

"Come, tell me…" D'barl asked in earnest as he pinched Ryan's face affectionately. "Where does your mom work? Let me send someone there to take care of that nasty boss of hers!"

"My Mommy works at a place called…"

"Mr. Roman!" The bodyguard's insistent voice cut Ryan off. "Young sir is here!"

"What's he doing here?" D'barl smiled.

"Who is the young sir?" Jason asked.

"He's my unbecoming grandson...Your supposed fa.... Nevermind!" His face darkened slightly upon the mention of that name, but he quickly reverted to his kindly demeanor towards the children. "Have your meal first. I'll be back shortly!"

"Okay!" Ryan pulled Eliana aside and helped the old man up. "Don't worry about us, Grandpa Roman. We'll keep ourselves occupied."

"Good boy!" D'barl ruffled his hair before turning to Jason and Eliana. "I'll be back before you know it!"

"See you later, Grandpa Roman!" the duo said as they waved him goodbye.

"Let's all head out so the children could rest." The elderly gentleman leaned on his crutch for support as he made his way out. "Just leave a few paramedics behind to take care of them."

"Yes, sir." As the room resumed its calm, Jason and Eliana returned to stuffing themselves with food while Ryan became pensive.

"What's wrong, Ryan? Doesn't the food taste good?" Jason asked as he saw his brother deep in thought.

"We still can't reach Mommy and Mrs. Blake. I'm worried about them," Ryan said with a furrow.

Eliana became worried as well when she heard this. "What could have happened to them? Were they kidnapped by bad guys?"

"Let's go and rescue Mommy." Jason then peeled the blanket off himself and prepared to get out of bed.

"Stop fooling around." The older boy stopped him. "There's nothing we can do right now except to wait here. It's only here that you can get the medical attention you need and Eliana could be taken care of."

"But we can't just go on like this," Jason argued. "Or why don't you call Mr. Black and get him to help us find Mommy."

"I thought about that too, but I don't have his number." Ryan's brows were knitted as he racked his brain.

"What should we do?" Jason asked as the bun seemed to have lost its flavor in his mouth.

"I want Mommy. I want Mrs. Blake." Eliana pursed her lips as tears began to well up in her eyes again.

"Your mommy will be here very soon, Eliana dear." The paramedic immediately came over. "You shouldn't cry, or your tonsils are going to get infected again."

"Why don't we ask Grandpa to help us find them?" Jason said to Ryan. "He'll be able to think of something."

"Sounds like a plan," replied Ryan after some thought. "I'm going to try to call Mommy again. If we still can't reach her, then we could go to Grandpa!"

"Uh huh." Jason nodded.

"Miss, could we borrow your phone?" Ryan asked the nurse politely.

"Of course. Here." She passed it to him.

Ryan went out to the balcony and dialed Violla's number. This time, it indicated that her phone had been switched off.

The boy felt discouraged, and at the same time, worried as he wondered if his mother was really in trouble.

She did not pick up when he called previously. He was afraid that she might have rejected it, thinking that it was a nuisance call. Hence, he had sent her a text as well, just in case. There was no reply for that either, as the phone itself was off.

The more he thought about it, the more his unease grew. He decided that he was going to ask Grandpa Roman for help when the latter returned.

D'barl met with Davon at the medical superintendent's office. "What are you doing here?"

"Can I not come?" Davon appeared frustrated. "Your chauffeur drove my car over someone and their parents called the police on me."

"The children's parents called the police?" D'barl was astonished. "Where are they? I have been trying to get in touch with them."

"Let me handle this, just in case." Davon tried to look for an excuse.

"Let you handle what?" D'barl flatly refused. "Those children and I have a connection. I will be assuming responsibility for them as I swore to protect them."

"No matter what you do, you're neither their father nor mother," Davon posited. "We have to return them eventually."

"You may be right about that," the old man concurred after some thought. "Why don't we do it this way. You bring the parents here so that I could apologize to them and discuss the terms of compensation before I hand the children over personally."

"The car involved is registered under my name and I'm the one the traffic police department contacted. If someone is trying to stir up controversy, I'll be the one in trouble. Surely you don't want me to get implicated, do you?"

D'barl found his logic hard to refute. "How do you intend to handle this?"

"We'll return the children, offer compensation, and try to keep everything low-key," Davon said in all seriousness. "I've checked in with the hospital. The kid's fine, so it'll be a trivial matter. They won't be looking to pursue it further."

"I see." The old man nodded. "These three children are adorable and I quite like them. Be sure to do your best to satisfy their parent's demands. Am I clear?" D'barl decided to relax and see how it will all play out eventually .

"Understood. I will." Davon nodded before he turned to Cruze. "Send my grandpa home!"

"Yes, sir."

"One moment. I want to say goodbye to them." D'barl issued instructions to Douglas while he made his way back to the ward with the aid of his crutch.

"Bring over the presents I've got for them, and the smart watches as well. Save my number into them so they could reach me at any time." D'barl said.

'This boy Davon thinks I am a fool. Let me see how he will play it out.'

"Right away." Douglas nodded in acknowledgement.

"What's he thinking?" Davon frowned when he regarded the old man from behind. "Giving them presents and leaving his number? Does he think he's reacquainting with long-lost relatives?"

"I've heard from Douglas that old Mr. Roman is very fond of the children, and had been spending time in the hospital with them; himself over the past few days," Cruze said cautiously. "Mr. Roman, I think he's quite serious about them, so they're untouchable! They are officially under the Romans protection."

"They're not family." The very thought of it made Davon's blood boil. "Compared to them, who's closer to him?"

"You, of course. But…"

"Then shut your mouth and just do as you've been told," Davon said.

"Understood."

Meanwhile, Martin and Violla had arrived at the Garden Villa, D'barl's residence in the northern suburbs.

Martin alighted to request an audience with the master of the house but was told by the bodyguard that he had gone out early and had not mentioned when he might return.

The guard offered no opposition when Martin said he would like to wait outside the gates.

When the man returned to the car, Violla asked, "How did it go?"

"Mr. Roman's away, but I plan to stay here and wait. Shall I have someone send you back first?"

"I won't be able to settle myself down if I were to go back without them." Violla sounded disconsolate. "Martin, I've left my phone at home. I'd like to go back to get it. It'll be terrible if I were to miss any of their calls."

"Very well. In that case, I'll go with you." Martin then had his chauffeur drove them to her place.