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Minnie gently rubbed the woman's arms with the damp towel, and her eyes kept diverting tho and fro to Nana's eyes, and then to the woman's wrinkled skin. Her lips pulled into a smile as she watched the woman's face - Nana looked as though she was sleeping peacefully, and Dominique was sure that she was resting. She might have not been so close to Nana, but Minnie could tell that she loved the old woman.

Upon meeting Minnie, Nana had been nothing but kind to her. She never judged her, and she never mistreated her, like the rest did. She had a pure heart, and Dominique could say that this was where Alex got his good wits. She was glad that her boyfriend was nothing like his father, and his brother.

A phone's buzz snapped her out of her thoughts, and she dropped the towel at the railing of the bed, before she followed the sound of the buzz and it landed on the only couch in the room.

She had not remembered seeing a phone on the seat. Wait, hope Alex's didn't leave his phone behind? She stared at the phone on the couch until it stopped buzzing.

She sighed and turned back to the bed, but the buzzing came in again, and she huffed in frustration. She strode to the couch, and reluctantly picked up his phone. She was petrified at the thought of going through someone's phone, and she wasn't really sure if Alex will be cool with her checking his phone.

He had left the room when the doctor came for Nana's checkup, and they had both left for the doctor's office. Alex, due to the fact that he was angered, had refused any of his family members' access to Nana.

Well, his anger was partly justifiable, but still Minnie thought that he went over the bridge by denying Matthew from seeing his mother. Even if what they had done was pretty grave, Minnie hoped that Alex would still let them see Nana.

The phone buzzed yet again, and this time it was just annoying. Whosoever was calling or texting was staring to get on her nerves. She picked up his phone, and slid it open. To her surprise, his phone had no lock and she was able to open it effortlessly.

Her eyes danced over the text messages that had come in, and her brows furrowed together.

"Who's that girl you went with? Why did you hug her? I demand an explanation."
01:12pm

"Are you seriously not going to reply me, Alexander Jose Canaan?"
03:15pm

"C'mon babe, talk to me. Please."
04:50pm

Her eyes froze on the last one, and her jaws tightened together. She threw her eyes to the sender, and saw that they were messages from 'Tatiana Adams'. Minnie could not explain how she felt as she re-read the messages. A strange anger came over her, and bile rose from her stomach at the thought of Tatiana having something to do with Alex.

The door closed with a slight bang behind her, and she jumped in fear, and instantly spun around. Alex was at the door with a slight smile. His eyes dropped to her hands and he frowned.

"What are you doing with that?"

At first she was dumbfounded, as she looked back at the phone in her hand, and the back at him. She just couldn't find the words to convey how angry she was. On finding her tongue, she said, "What's between you and Tatiana?"

His frown dissolved into a purse, "What do you mean, Minnie?"

Minnie folded her arms. "I mean what I say, and I say what I mean, Alexander. What's with you and that spoiled brat?"

His face went blank for a while, as he stared at her. Then, he cut into a short laugh, and Minnie frowned.

"I don't remember making a joke, Alex!" She bickered.

He stopped laughing as soon as he saw the dead serious look on her face and he sighed. Creases formed at the side of his eyes as he watched her closely. But, Minnie's face was deadpan and void of emotions.

He walked to her, and placed his palms on both side of her arms, "Minnie, I've never seen you this way. What has come over you?"

Minnie stared at him without blinking, and then she laughed, and stepped away from him. "Answer my question, Alex. At least, tell me the truth."

Wrinkles had quickly formed in his forehead as he watched her. Seeing that he did not reply her, she frowned.

"Wait, so you have no answer to what I just asked you. Is it too much to admit that there is something between you two?" Minnie scowled.

He kept quiet and kept watching her. This annoyed her eyen more, and she threw her arms to her side in anger.

"Just be honest with me, Alex," She fumed, but her heart fell as the pain surged through her chest, and her eyes moistened up, "Please, tell me who she is."

Alex was shocked to see the tears gathering in her eyes, and he instantly moved to her, and pulled her to himself. "No, Minnie, I don't want to see tears in your eyes." He begged as he stroked her hair, and she sobbed into his chest. "Tatiana is just a friend."

She pushed him from her, and snapped her eyes to his. "Really, she's just a friend?" She asked with a deep disbelief surging in her tone. "So, I see that every woman is your friend," She said with much sarcasm. He could tell that she did not belief him, and he never wanted her to doubt him.

He cupped her face in his palm, and brought his face closer to hers. "Minnie, I swear I can't imagine being with another person. I just can't think about trying it."

She looked into his eyes - as she searched for the sincerity in them - she just wanted to let go of the pain of betrayal that thumped her heart. "Then, let me know what your relationship is with her?"

Without hesitating, he spoke, "Tatiana and I met in the United States where we attended the same university. She and I were also reading buddies, and she was among my close clique of friends. We were really close back then, but when I left, I didn't speak to any of them. It was only a month ago, that we re-met at my dad's function." He explained to Minnie who only stared at him.

"C'mon fire, you have to believe me," Alex said, "I have nothing to hide."

She squeezed her eyes, and let the tears roll out of her eyes as a different pain stabbed her in the heart. She had just doubted someone she knew will never lie to her. Why did she even take Tatiana's actions to heart, when she knew that Alex would always love her?

Alex wiped off the tears from her cheeks, and she opened her eyes back, and met with his.

"I'm sorry," was all she could say.

He shook his head, and kissed the tip of her nose. "Minnie, I am at fault. I should have told you about Tatiana the moment I saw you, but I was overwhelmed with my emotions, that I forgot that she even existed."

Minnie couldn't help but to chuckled amidst her tears. "You are an asshole, Alex," She said.

He smiled, and kissed her forehead. "I'll gladly remain an asshole for you, Minnie."

She laughed again, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to herself, and he wrapped his arms around her waist.

A cough came from their side, and they both pulled away from each other, and spun to Nana on the bed. Their joy knew no abounds when they saw Nana's eyes open, and her thin lips were pulled into a smile.

"Nana!" They both said at once.

💮💮💮

The doctor placed his stethoscope on Nana's chest as he performed his check-up on her. After confirming that the woman was alright, he turned to the duo - Alex and Dominique - with a smile.

"I'm happy to tell you both that she is very fine," The doctor announced.

Alex's forehead smoothened out, as the glower of appreciation showed on his face. Minnie's lips pulled into a smile that reached her eyes, with sparkled with relief. After thanking the doctor, he walked out along leaving them with the woman. Without hesitating, Alex moved to his grandmother's side taking her hand in his, as his eyes scanned her still with caution.

Nana broke out a slight laugh at his actions, and she took her other free hand to cup his check, and she smiled. "My dear Jose, I am fine."

He gave her hand a slight squeeze, "I was so worried, Nana."

She slightly nodded. "I know you were, and I'm proud of you." She grinned as she looked at her grandson with so much love and affection. Her eyes diverted to the lady standing at his back whose face was just as she had recalled. Dominique, she recalled when they had both come to the house the very first time, and she smiled.

Alex noticed his grandmother's diverted gaze, and he cocked his head to his back - and met with the object of Nana's attention. "Nana, do you remember her?"

Still having her eyes on Minnie, her smile deepened. "Of course! How would I forget such a beautiful and kind darling?"

Minnie's face warmed up, as her lips curled into a dimpled smile. "Oh! Nana, I'm so glad you're fine. We were all worried that something will happen to you."

Nana shook her head as she chuckled, "I'm very fine now that you are here with me," She said, but her eyelids drooped, and her smile vanished into the air as she recalled the past months.

Both Alex and Minnie were worried with her shift in moods, and Minnie rushed to her side, and placed her palm on Nana's leg. The old woman kept her eyes on Minnie, and she took her hand from Alex, and caressed Minnie's cheek.

"Why did you ever leave, child?" She queried. "As you left, a lot changed with us. You were the golden gem that kept the light of our family burning," She paused, "Dominique, you are a dominion and I know that no matter what you might be facing, you'll remain brave and strong. You were born to be an overcomer, and so, I knew you'll come back."

Minnie's face fell as the words left the woman's lips, and she felt the tears gather in her eyes as she realized how much she was loved by this woman, despite the fact that she was a major stranger to the family. She threw her glance to Alex, who smiled and encouraged her to speak her heart to the woman who had loved her despite everything.

"Nana, I'm sorry I left," Minnie apologized, but the woman shook her head.

"Dominique, you have to learn to stop apologizing for who you are. Anyone who doesn't understand you, and chooses to leave you-" She said, "Is heading into regret. That is a loss to that person cause you are a very special lady." She added and tucked a hair behind Dominique's hear.

Minnie framed a smile, as she exchanged glances with Alex with only shrugged and she turned back to the woman. "Thank you so much, Nana."

The woman's lips stretched into a bright smile, "Minnie, you should know that you are beautiful just the way you are. You are amazing for what you do, and no one should determine your happiness. You do not have to change anything about yourself, because you are perfect in your way," Nana breathed.

The words were caught up in her throat as she listened to what Nana said, and she was not sure how to react to such lovely words. She had no idea why Nana said all this things to her, and she could not also tell why the woman loved her. Not much people fancied her, as majority would rather kiss the floor than have anything to do with her. So, shock was not enough to explain how she felt. Her heart thumped and felt like it was hoping to tear out of her chest anytime soon.

She looked away from the woman and unto Alex, and their gaze cliqued. It was obvious that his grandmother's word was equally as shocking to him as it was to her, and she could also guess that he also had no idea of how to react.

Nana's chuckle pulled them both out of their gaze and they faced her. "Jose, do you recall I told you that in all my seventy years on this earth, I had not seen a love so pure as what I shared with your grandfather?"

Despite not knowing where the woman was headed to, he leaned closer to her.

Nana smiled, and took his hand and that of Minnie's and she held them both together. Minnie and Alex were surprised with her move as their gaze went to their interlocked arms, wrapped with Nana's slightly wrinkled hands. They looked up from the hands and their gaze locked.

For a moment, Nana watched them before she squeezed their hands lightly, and their attention came back to her. "Well, Jose, I've seen a love greater," Her eyes sparkled as she confessed this, and Alex and Minnie were thrown back to each other. Minnie was practically frozen while Alex was surprised, but cut out of this by pulling his lips into a broad smile.

Noticing this, Nana sighed as she saw that her job was completed, and she released their tangled hands, and pulled her hands back to herself. Despite this, Alex held Minnie's hand tightly just as Nana had left them. He brought her knuckles to his lips and peppered kissed on them, and Minnie eyes crinkled at their sides, and her lips formed a smile.

"I love you so much, Minnie. For now, and till forevermore," Alex professed.

Minnie couldn't hold it in her, as she busted out into tears even as she smiled brightly, "I love you too, Alex - More than anything, more than everything."

Alex's eyes grew wide, "Minnie,-" He gasped.

She smiled and turned his hands around, and brought them to her face, "I do mean it," She winked at him, and he laughed. She placed her lips on his palm, and pressed a kiss on both his palms.

Nana's excited voice came up, "This is all so beautiful." Her eyes flashed as she watched the two of them, and crow's feet appeared around the corner of her eyes as her happiness deepened. She watched them both with so much love, and as much as it hurt to leave them, she knew she had too. However, she had a consolation that Alex would always have her, and Minnie would always have him - they would always have each other. Together, she knew they would be safer and happier. She could not be happier and fulfilled.

Her smile dropped slowly, as she felt her breathe cease in her, but she did not stop smiling and she did not show her fears as she did not want to disturb her grandson and the woman of his dreams. For the very last time, she reached out to Alex and touch the side of his cheek - and she recalled the very first time she had touched him as an innocent baby. He turned to her with his broad smile, and so did Minnie, but their faces draw out as they noticed Nana's face.

Nana parted her lips to say something, but all she could let out was a slight whisper of Alex's name, and the heart monitor by her side went up in bleeps. Alex's eyes switched from his grandmother to the monitor, and back to her, "Nana?" He called out.

Minnie also moved closer to Nana, "Nana, are you okay?"

The words chocked up in her throat as she tried to speak, and just at once, Nana released her final breathe and her body became still. Both Alex and Minnie went blue as they watched the monitor go blank, and everything went quiet.

A sudden sense of coldness took over, and a heavy feeling sunk in his stomach as Alex stared at the body without blinking while Minnie placed her hand over her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.

She jumped to her feet, and hit the alarm button on the wall beside Nana's bed. Nana could not die. No she couldn't. She was just fine, and she will be fine - she has to be. Yet, as she stared at the still body, the realization slowly sucked into her and she crashed to her knees.

Nana was gone, she was really gone.

Her eyes went to Alex, and saw that he was stiff with his muscles rigid and his face was expressionless and his eyes were fixated on Nana's body.

She called out to him, "Alex," but he shook his head, and gripped Nana's shoulders, shaking the body.

"Nana, c'mon stop this joke," He said with a soft, shaky voice. She lost control of her tears as she watched Alex break down, and she felt a cold wind sweep past her, and she shivered.

The door flung open, and the doctor and three nurses ran inside. They immediately rallied around Nana, with two of the nurses who pushed Alex away from the bed, while he demanded to remain there. It quickly erupted into a chaos as the doctor used the automated external defibrillators to try to resuscitate Nana.

Both Dominique and Alex watched in horror as the first shock went in to Nana, but she remained still. The doctor tried twice, but it was all futile. He tried the very last time, but the monitor still went blank.

The doctor pulled his sleeve up and checked the time, "Time of death 07:02pm."

Alex felt numb as he watched with clouded tears as the nurse covered Nana's eyes, and pulled the sheet over her. Dominique's eyes remained open in shock as she felt that time had suddenly stopped and she refused to believe that the woman they were just laughing with had been cuddled away by the cold and frightful hands of death.

A quick bark of laughter escaped Alex's lips, and he forced a smile, "Doctor, are you kidding me right now? My Nana is very much okay. She's just sleeping, right?"

The doctor's eyes drooped, and the smile vanished off Alex's lips. "No, that can't be true," he shook his head.

"Do take heart, Alex," The doctor consoled.

"No!" Alex shouted, "Tell me you're lying!"

The doctor shook his head sadly, and Alex staggered back as the realization finally hit him. He had to grip the rail of the bed to stabilize himself. Minnie pulled herself up, and moved to him - and she wrapped her arms around his body as she wept into his chest.

His eyes also melted off, and he gasped, "No."

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