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."

calmed down and pushed May into

...

Nancy looked at me in surprise. "What

with me. I can't allow the Jones family to bully her." I

Alas!" Aunt Nancy shook

getting closer. Aunt Nancy scanned the room and

I lay down under the bed,

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

...

normal, but they

someone like you in times like these,

are you bringing her up at this time? Just treat her

It was Aunt Nancy's anger-filled voice. "Especially you, Gail.

sheets a little to peek at what was going

the wrong, so he merely spat out a "disloyal thing"

a few tears out. "Nancy, how can you say

How could you not know the state of Mum's body

...

blinked, looking

enough, Nancy!" Bell said harshly. "What else are you good for, aside from bullying

heaved

his arm. "Nancy's just in a

sneered. "Go on,

see this, they'd definitely think that Aunt Nancy was bullying Gail. Where was the audacity

was so disgusted that I almost vomited.

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

block of ice had

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

the sheet down carefully, not wanting to

was going

bed

it be that someone

broke out in a cold sweat, not

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

Grandma was awake!

held my breath as my