Chapter 27

Melissa's face involuntarily flushed red. Noticing Melissa's embarrassment, Joseph glanced at her, the corner of his mouth curving up with a trace of a secretive smile. "I don't mind, Grandmother, I will do as you say." Joseph deceitfully volunteered himself to be the good guy. Melissa, however, didn't want this man with ulterior motives to accompany her children to bed, so she quickly interjected. "Grandmother! Well...Alvin and and Alvina don't need anybody to accompany them to sleep. Otherwise, they might become uncomfortable." "Oh okay, in that case, I'll have someone prepare a separate room for the children" Grandma Julia immediately ordered the maid to get a single room ready for Melissa's children. Turning towards Melissa and Joseph, she said “Let me borrow my granddaughter-in-law for the night!” Overwhelmed by the elderly woman's kindness, Melissa could not bring herself to refuse. The elderly woman patted Melissa’s hand with a broad smile and said "Once you two lovebirds work things out, remember to join me upstairs.” Saying this, Grandma Julia turned around and climbed up the stairs. Just as the elderly woman stepped out, Melissa's wrist was suddenly seized. "Melissa, where are you going?" Joseph assumed that Melissa was going upstairs to bring their children home, so in his panic, he promptly grabbed her. Seeing his palm clutching her so tightly, Melissa looked up at him quizzically. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward! “I’m going to help grandmother go to bed.” Melissa said calmly and collectedly. “Weren’t you going home with the kids?” Joseph scrutinized her, a sense of puzzlement succeeding his initial panic. “I have changed my mind at the last moment. Is that a problem?” Melissa gaily shook off Joseph's hand, and began to ascend the staircase confidently. Joseph stared at Melissa's light-hearted figure as she ascended the stairs, a trace of astonishment sweeping across his eyes. What's going on? How did this woman change her mind so suddenly? Melissa settled Alvin and Alvina upstairs and then as agreed, she went to the second floor to accompany Grandma Julia, the old lady, in her bedroom. They lay in the same bed, chatting idly, discussing interesting events from Alvin and Alvina's lives from when they were small until now. They chatted like this for about two hours before Grandma Julia fell asleep. This was the most sound sleep the old lady had had in a year. .....… Early in the morning, as soon as Melissa crawled out of her blanket, she saw Grandma Julia sitting in front of the dressing table, silently stroking a jewelry box. "Grandma, you're up so early!" Melissa rubbed her eyes and sat up from the bed, just as she saw Grandma Julia took out a dark green jade bracelet from the very bottom of the jewelry box and slipped it onto Melissa's wrist. Melissa was startled. This was definitely an expensive gift. "Grandma, what are you doing?" "Melissa, this was the first gift that my mother-in-law gave to my mother. But my mother only had me, her only daughter, and ultimately she gave me the bracelet." Grandma Julia lovingly patted Melissa's hand, her eyes filled with warmth and some regret as she added, "Now, I'm giving it to you. Keep it safe for me!" "But why would you give me something so valuable?" Melissa looked at Grandma Julia's firm gaze, a little puzzled. After all, they had known each other for less than twenty-four hours. "Don't ask so many questions, it's because Grandma likes you!" Grandma Julia got up and began to walk towards the door. She was afraid that Melissa would try to return the bracelet, so she decided to get out first. "I'll go wake up Alvin and Alvina. After you tidy up, come downstairs and we'll have breakfast together." Watching Grandma Julia hastily leave, a slight smile formed on the corner of Melissa's mouth. "Thank you then, Grandma." Melissa quickly got out of bed, because after breakfast, she had an important errand to run.