[Valentine Home]
Gigi was casually adjusting her face mask while watching a drama on television. Surprisingly, this world had some decent shows. Not a lot of information, but enough to give her a broader glimpse of what the world here was like.
Bzzt… bzzt…
"Hmm?" A soft hum slipped past her lips as she noticed her phone light up.
Curious, she reached for it to check the message. Much to her surprise, it was from an unsaved number.
"Who is this?" she muttered, opening the message. It read:
> [Good evening. I'm not sure if you've saved my number, but I'm the grandson of the old lady you helped.]
"Grandson of who?" she repeated, momentarily confused—until she remembered that strange encounter with the old woman. How could she forget? It was the second strangest thing to happen to her, right after ending up in this world.
She quickly saved the number, just in case.
[To: Grandson
Good evening.]
Her brows rose when she saw the message had been instantly read. She blinked a few times before another reply popped up.
> [From: Grandson
My grandmother was looking for you the moment she woke up. I know it's not your responsibility, but would you mind if I called you so she can talk to you? Just one minute.]
Gigi's face twitched as she read the message. "I thought she forgot about me," she mumbled, scratching her forehead. "Is he sure I'm the granddaughter she's looking for?"
DING!
> [From: Grandson
Please let me know if I'm bothering you.]
Her eyes snapped back to her phone. Reading his latest message, she let out a small sigh.
"Goodness. How can I refuse if he sounds so pitiful?" she breathed out, leaning back against the bed's headboard while staring at the screen. "It must be really hard for him."
As someone raised by her grandparents, she could understand this grandson's struggles. She probably would've done the same for them. Her grandfather's dementia had him constantly searching for his late wife, and she had to constantly lie to him or do things to make him happy.
[To: Grandson
Fine. Just call. ^_^]
"Hehe." A soft chuckle escaped her lips, hoping the little emoticon would cheer him up.
---
[From: Good Samaritan
Fine. Just call. ^_^]
Lucian let out a breath of relief as he read the short message. Her words were few, but they felt warm.
"I feel bad for being so cold to her earlier," he muttered before getting up from the bench and heading into the private ward where his grandmother rested.
His smile widened as he approached. "Grandma."
"What?!" Old Madam Marcelis snapped, glaring at him.
"I'll call her now," he said. "Do you want to talk to her?"
Her eyes lit up immediately. "Yes, yes! I want to see my granddaughter!"
"..." Lucian pressed his lips into a thin line. "It's just a call."
"Do it quickly!" she waved him off, completely ignoring what he said.
Seeing her so excited, Lucian tapped the call button. A video call option was available, but he hesitated. The person his grandmother kept bothering had already saved her twice—and now they were interrupting her again in the middle of the night.
"My granddaughter?!" Old Madam Marcelis exclaimed. "Huh? Why can't I hear or see you?!"
She frowned at the phone, confused as to why she couldn't see her beautiful granddaughter.
"Grandma, it's just a voice call," Lucian whispered, making her frown deeper.
"Granddaughter, why is it just a call? Do you not want to see me anymore? Have you come to despise me now that I'm old and weak?" she wailed dramatically, wiping imaginary tears from her wrinkled face. "Don't worry. Even if your husband is here, if you don't want me to show you, I won't!"
On the other end, Gigi cringed. She could faintly hear a man's voice in the background—clearly, the grandson heard all of this.
"Grandma…" Gigi sighed in defeat. "It's not like that. I told you, I'm still recovering."
"But my granddaughter, I missed you so much! You promised to pick me up once you were better! Why aren't you healed yet?"
Gigi cringed again. 'She remembers that?!'
"Today, I was in the hospital. I know you're not well either, but seeing you would comfort me," the old lady continued, her voice full of sorrow.
"You were?" Gigi frowned. "Grandma, don't cry anymore. I'll turn on my camera, but you have to turn on yours too so I can see how you're doing, alright?"
"Really!?" The old lady perked up as she heard the notification, accepting the video call. Since the caller ID only showed Good, she didn't question it. But the moment the camera came on, she frowned. "My granddaughter, why are you covering your face?!"
Gigi nearly jumped out of her skin, having completely forgotten about her face mask. "Hehe… Grandma, it's just a face mask. So your granddaughter stays pretty."
"Haha! You've always been pretty—even before you were born!"
"Of course! It's because you're pretty. Where else would I get these genes?"
Old Madam Marcelis laughed heartily, her cheeks tinged pink. Gigi chatted with her casually, smiling as she saw the old lady in such high spirits. And judging by the setting, it was clear she really was in the hospital.
"Grandma, which hospital are you admitted to?" Gigi asked out of curiosity. "I'll send you some fruit."
"Forget the fruit. When are you going to visit me?"
"Well…" Gigi scratched the back of her head, not planning on going to the hospital. "Grandma, my schedule is still packed. But if it frees up next month, I'll come see you."
"Next month…?"
"Grandma, I promise I'll try to finish things quickly so we can meet sooner."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Promise?"
Gigi winced as another promise was brought up. "I'll do my best."
Meanwhile, Lucian, who had been quietly spectating, couldn't help but glance at the screen. He barely caught a glimpse—just a woman with a panda face mask.
"..." He stayed silent, eyes focused on his lively grandmother. The corners of his mouth curled upward, his expression softening. 'It's been a while since she was this happy.'