Love My Friends with Benefits

The elevator door opened. May poked her head out from behind me and scanned our surroundings.

Visiting hours had started. I looked around to make sure that there was no one from the Jones family around, then rushed into the ICU at top speed.

I didn't know why they weren't around. Perhaps God was on my side for once, giving me an opportunity to see Grandma.

Aunt Nancy was sitting by Grandma's bed. When she saw me, she stood up in surprise. "Queena, what are you doing here? I told you not to come!"

I ignored her and hurried over to Grandma's side.

Her eyes were shut tightly and she had an oxygen tube on.

Aunt Nancy said in a low voice, "Your grandmother fainted yesterday after Gail provoked her. She hasn't woken up since."

It was all because of Gail... again!

I felt the blood rush to my head. I got up and wiped my tears away, then asked Aunt Nancy, "Where is she?"

She could tell that I was mad and said, "You've already given her a beating as payback for your grandmother. Leave the rest up to me, okay? You should go."

"But... " I really didn't want to leave.

...

Somehow, I had an ominous premonition. I just felt that this would be my last time seeing Grandma.

Aunt Nancy stomped her foot anxiously. "Go!"

"I... "

I was just about to speak when the sound of footsteps came from outside the ICU ward.

At the same time, Gail's shrill voice rang out. "Oh, Leonard, you didn't have to go to the trouble of coming to the hospital..."

Bell laughed heartily. "Yes, it must've been troubling for you."

The Jones family was back. This time, Leonard was with them.

I was suddenly struck by the urge to rush up to Bell and ask him, "How can you still laugh when Grandma's like this?"

"Sh*t!" Aunt Nancy's expression changed. She opened the cupboard door and shoved me towards it. "They're back! Hide in here, for now."

into the cupboard

...

at me in

here with me. I can't allow the Jones family to bully her." I clenched my fists.

Aunt Nancy shook

closer. Aunt Nancy scanned the room and lifted the sheets, pushing me underneath the

the bed, the door was

an elder's ill." Leonard's voice rang out

...

normal, but they

find someone like you in times like these, Mr. Nell. In

reprimanded her. "Why are you bringing her up at this

to say such things?" It was Aunt Nancy's anger-filled voice. "Especially you, Gail. Mum wouldn't have ended up like this if it weren't

a little to peek at what was

the wrong, so he merely spat out a "disloyal

you say that? I didn't mean to.

Nancy turned the full force of her anger towards Gail. "You didn't know? How could you not know the

...

Gail blinked, looking

else are you good for, aside from bullying

chest heaved with rage.

arm. "Nancy's just in

"Go on, keep

Nancy was bullying Gail. Where was the audacity that she'd had

a product of her mother's training. I was so disgusted that I almost vomited. I turned away, not wanting to look at her

on Leonard. He was holding two gift boxes and standing next to a counter,

block of

away their pride to suck up to Leonard, yet he just stood there, watching them like

down carefully, not wanting to watch

going on was

the bed moved

be that someone had

in a cold sweat, not

sheets, I saw Bell's shoes moving towards the bed. He sounded overjoyed. "Mum, you're

Grandma was awake!

my breath as