Love My Friends with Benefits

Phoebe lowered her voice even more and said, "For instance, we can get someone to..."

She was speaking so softly that I couldn't hear her even after getting as close to them as I could.

When Phoebe was done, Gail clapped her hands approvingly. "You're right, Phoebe. Why didn't I think of that?"

Phoebe smiled serenely, looking pleased.

Gail rubbed her hands together. "I have some connections who know people in the underworld. I'll ask them to deal with Queena."

Connections with the underworld? Deal with me?

I couldn't help feeling anxious and doubtful at their words. I carefully walked away when I saw that they were almost done.

Around ten to three, I saw Leonard's car arrive at the hospital.

Bell and his family quickly appeared at the entrance, looking delighted. I could even sense their excitement from several metres away from them.

Leonard got out of the car and said a few words to them before getting back in the car.

The Jones family got into his car, Phoebe climbing into the passenger seat bashfully.

I rubbed my jaw.

Was Phoebe pretending to be bashful despite her obvious intentions?

Once Leonard's car disappeared from sight, I headed to the ICU as quickly as I could.

There was a nurse in there with Aunt Nancy. It was the one from the day before who'd said that Grandma didn't have long to go.

With a sliver of hope, I asked her, "Is my grandmother doing better?"

The nurse pulled me out of the ward, then nodded. However, she also shook her head.

I felt a little anxious. "What does that mean?"

"Her condition has indeed improved, but it's only because we plied her with medication. She doesn't have a strong foundation, and I don't know how long she'll be able to hold on like this..." the nurse trailed off. I lost my composure and grabbed the nurse by her uniform. "Please, save my grandmother! I'll pay for any bills regardless of the amount!"

She looked at me sympathetically. "Miss, it's not about money..."

"Queena, come back here." Aunt Nancy's voice rang out from the door. "Don't make things hard for her."

I turned around, feeling like I'd been shocked by electricity. Aunt Nancy stood there, looking tearful.

"But..." I refused to give up.

"We all know exactly how your grandmother's doing." Aunt Nancy walked up to me and pulled me away from the nurse. "There's no use pushing the doctors and nurses. It's her destiny." I couldn't help bursting into tears.

There was no way I could accept this. Was it part of Grandma's destiny to be on the receiving end of Gail's malice?

The nurse hurried away to another ward once she was free of my clutches.

Aunt Nancy held my hand and led me back to Grandma's ward.

Grandma was still asleep. Aunt Nancy and I sat down on the cot together, and she asked me sternly, "Queena, tell me the truth."

...

I didn't understand what she was talking about.

Aunt Nancy hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you... do you owe someone a favour?"

I was stunned. "Huh?"

"Queena, don't lie to me." Aunt Nancy's tone was grim. "The moment Leonard's gotten Bell and his family to leave, you show up. This has happened two days in a row now."

I was tongue-tied, not knowing how to refute her.

All I'd thought about was seeing Grandma. I hadn't expected Aunt Nancy to see through me. Then again, I'd shown up so coincidentally two days in a row, and I hadn't even bothered to conceal anything. How could Aunt Nancy miss this?

However, I couldn't admit to having a deal with Leonard.

I tried to look as natural as possible. "It's just a coincidence."

"Once is a coincidence, but twice?" Aunt Nancy pointed at my hat. "And you're even dressed like this."

An idea struck me and I explained, "I was afraid that the Jones family would recognise me."

"Is that so?" Aunt Nancy looked at me doubtfully.

"Yes, I promise." I nodded and crossed my fingers behind my back. "There's really nothing going on between me and Leonard."

The doubt in Aunt Nancy's eyes grew.

I suddenly realised that I'd said the wrong thing.

Aunt Nancy had only mentioned me doing a deal with someone, but she hadn't mentioned any names. How would I have known that she was referring to Leonard?

"I... Aunt Nancy, I can explain..." I gritted my teeth and tried to save myself.

Aunt Nancy shook her head and cut me off. "Forget it. Queena, you're old enough to know what you're doing."

I could sense the fatigue and disappointment in her voice.

After a while, she said, "It's fine if you owe someone financially, but it's not easy to pay off a favour. No matter what, it's not the best idea to do something like this. You need to think about how you're going to repay a favour before owing someone, Queena."

I felt bad. I was just about to say something when Grandma suddenly said, "Queena? Is... is that Queena?"

At Grandma's voice, I immediately threw Aunt Nancy aside.

Grandma's eyes were half-open and looked murky, but she was still as loving as I remembered. "Queena, it's too dangerous for you to come here."

Aunt Nancy chimed in. "She's right. Do you know how much the Jones family hates you?"

Of course, I knew. However, I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life if I were to miss out on seeing Grandma before she passed away.

I changed the subject. "Grandma, how do you feel?"

"I feel good."

She smiled kindly and gestured for me to go over to her.

I sat down next to her and she fished a key out of her pocket before passing it to me.

It was a tiny key, not like a door key.

I looked up and asked, "What's this?"

Aunt Nancy answered on Grandma's behalf. "It's the key to your grandmother's box. All of the jewellery and memorabilia that she's collected over the years are in there."

Grandma nodded. "Yes, that's right. Queena, I'm passing it over to you now."

Her actions made me feel like she was bequeathing me with her possessions.

I felt terrible and shook my head, wanting to give the key back to her. "You can give it to me when you're out of the hospital, Grandma."

I knew that I was just running away from the fact that Grandma was going to die.

She shook her head, looking firm.

Aunt Nancy wiped her tears. "Alright, Queena, just keep it. If you don't, these things are going to end up in Gail and Phoebe's hands."

"But..." I was still feeling hesitant.

Grandma's tone became a lot sterner. "Do you want me to die with regrets?"

I was shocked and quickly tucked the key away.

She nodded gratuitously. "Now that's a good girl."

When she spoke, she sounded weaker than ever.

My heart ached. I was just about to say something when we heard the sound of footsteps outside the door.

"Who would be here at this time?"

Aunt Nancy frowned and headed to the door, pulling it open slightly.

When she saw the people outside, her expression changed and she closed the door, leaning against it. "Queena, hide! Your father and the others are back!"

What?!