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!"

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

Nancy's voice rang out from

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

I refused to

up to me and pulled me away from the nurse. "There's no use pushing the doctors

help bursting into

of Grandma's destiny to be on the receiving end of Gail's

another ward once she was

and led me back to Grandma's

still asleep. Aunt Nancy and I sat down on the cot together, and she

...

understand what she was talking

for a moment before asking, "Do you... do you owe someone a

I was stunned. "Huh?"

grim. "The moment Leonard's gotten Bell and his family to leave, you show up. This

tongue-tied, not knowing how to refute

up so coincidentally two days in a row, and I hadn't even bothered to conceal anything.

to having a deal

natural as possible. "It's just

twice?" Aunt Nancy pointed at my hat. "And you're

"I was afraid that the Jones

so?" Aunt Nancy

nodded and crossed my fingers behind my back. "There's really

Aunt Nancy's

realised that I'd

me doing a deal with someone, but she hadn't mentioned any names. How would I have known

can explain..." I gritted my teeth

...

"Forget it. Queena, you're old enough

fatigue and disappointment in

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

say something when Grandma suddenly said,

immediately threw Aunt Nancy

she was still as loving as I remembered. "Queena, it's

"She's right. Do you know how much

my life if I were to miss out