Chapter 308: Call Her
Opening Chapter 309 of "Suddenly, I Am Rich": Gray stayed seated for a while. The shaking in Eliâs body had stopped now. Aside... Read on for more!
Gray stayed seated for a while. The shaking in Eliâs body had stopped now. Aside from that, Eli told him more of the truth. A terrifying truth that he couldnât believe was real.Eli had told him that this wasnât a single incident, but a cycle. He revealed that it was the older caretakers who would hurt the kids whenever they "messed up". They would hit the kids with a stick, kick, or grab their wrists too hard.
Their punishments were delivered in a different room or out here behind the center where no one can hear them. New employees were also warned to keep quiet if they wanted to keep their jobs.
Some tried to help, but fear made them look the other way. Eli heard that it was done behind Litaâs back, though he was not sure.
While listening, Gray does not know how to react. He wanted to burst in anger, but he controlled his reaction and kept his face gentle for Eli. The boy kept watching him to see his reaction, so he had to be careful.
"I... I didnât do anything wrong," Eli whispered. "I just dropped a bowl one time. I didnât mean to. But they said I had to clean outside so no one would see me cry." He rubbed his arm with his small hand. His eyes were starting to become teary again.
"Sometimes it happens to the others, too. When no oneâs looking."
Gray exhaled slowly.
"Thank you for telling me," he murmured. "You did the right thing, Eli."
Eli shook his head as if he didnât believe that.
"Listen, Eli. I want you to come back inside with me." Gray softened his tone.
The boy stiffened. "W-With you?" His eyes widened. Fear flickered on it again. "But... if they see me... I donât..." His breath turned quick again. "Theyâll be mad! Theyâll... theyâll hit me again."
"They wonât," Gray answered him. He made his voice firm as if telling Eli to trust him. It was the tone of voice he used whenever he was talking to Lily when she was scared.
"I wonât let them hit you, Eli."
Eliâs eyes darted to the building, and his small shoulders trembled.
"You wonât be alone, Eli. Iâll be with you the whole time. And no one is going to touch you. I promise. No one will hurt you again, even if I leave today." Gray moved closer to him and showed a determined smile.
Eli bit his lower lip, thinking hard while Gray patiently waited on the side. He didnât push him. He wanted Eli to decide on his own, to see whether he was comfortable or not.
After a long moment, Eli finally lifted his eyes.
"Y-You wonât let them hit me?"
"I wonât."
With that answer from him, a small and shaky breath escaped Eliâs mouth. After a second, he gave a small and hesitant nod.
Gray gently took his hand. It was cold and damp with sweat. The boyâs fingers curled around his tightly, like he was afraid Gray would vanish if he didnât hold on hard enough.
"Weâll go together," Gray said.
Eli swallowed hard before nodding again. "Okay..."
They began to walk back toward the building. Eli stayed close to him throughout. Every step they took made the boyâs grip tighten around his hands, but he didnât stop. Gray just let him be.
When they reached the entrance, the voices from the people started reappearing. There were laughters and light casual conversation.
However, the moment Gray and Eli stepped in, the conversation of the people immediately halted. Two staff members standing near the hallway froze mid-turn. Their eyes widened at the sight of Eli. Real confusion flickered across their faces, before it became fear.
"O-Oh!" One of the older women forced out a laugher from her mouth. "You found Eli! Haha. Yes, um, he likes going to the backyard. Hiding sometimes. Kids, you know how they are." She rubbed the back of her neck. "We apologize if he worried you."
Another employee chimed in too quickly. "Yeah, he wanders off a lot. He shouldnât, but... we remind him all the time."
Their smiles were obviously stiff.
Gray didnât respond to any of their words. He stepped forward, positioning himself slightly in front of Eli when one of them moved to reach out.
"Donât," Gray said.
The manâs hand froze mid-air.
"Call Lita." Grayâs gaze stayed hard.
Mara, who just arrived to say something to Gray, blinked in confusion. "Gray? Whatâs going onâ"
Gray simply glanced back at her, signalling that he didnât want any questions right now. Maraâs brows drew together, worry forming in her eyes, but she didnât push it. Instead, she stepped beside Gray.
"S-Sir, is there... a problem? We can help you. Lita is busy with the morning errands. She might not be available now." The employees shifted uncomfortably. One of the senior caretakers swallowed, trying to keep her shaky smile.
But Gray didnât blink at all. "I. Said. Call. Lita."
Silence surrounded everyone. For a moment, the lively atmosphere became heavy. Even Eliâs breathing became subtle and tense behind him.
The younger staff, the ones whose faces had earlier looked genuinely surprised, exchanged frightened glances. One of them stepped forward nervously, clutching her phone.
"S-Sir," she said quietly to the older caretakers, voice trembling, "we should call her. Heâs asking nicely."
The older woman shot her a glare. "We canât bother the coordinator for every little thing. Eli just wanderedâ"
Grayâs patience finally thinned.
"I donât want to repeat myself again or else..."
His voice remained calm, but something in it made every person in the room straighten. Even Mara flinched a little. The older staff backed away, fear flashing in their eyes clearly now.
"I-Iâll call her! Iâll call her right now." The younger employee panicked and fumbled with her phone.
She stepped aside and hurriedly dialed, while the others stood stiffly, as if bracing for something that was soon about to happen. The older staff members, the ones Eli had described earlier, remained frozen.
Their faces suddenly became drained of color, their eyes flicking nervously between Gray, the boy, and the exit as though calculating the quickest escape.
Eli squeezed Grayâs hand again, as if telling him to stop already. But Gray just smiled.
"Youâre safe with me," he said softly, only for the boy to hear.
Eli nodded shakily.
Mara, who still confused, leaned closer to Gray and whispered, "Is someone hurting the kids?"
"Yes."
That answer made Maraâs eyes widened. She became speechless for a secong.
The younger staff member finished the call. "L-Litaâs on her way. She said sheâs coming right now."