VIII: Keeping An Act

Maya knocked on the door. But after waiting for a little, she started regretting coming to her room as scared that she might bother the elderly lady.

“Come in,” a voice from inside the room said.

Maya entered. She saw Sicilia sitting at the edge of her bed; there was an open book on her lap. Sicilia was wearing a loose long white shirt as if she was ready to go to bed.

When Sicilia saw Maya, her eyes behind the reading classes lit up. A smile broke on her face, “Oh, it’s you, Maya. What is it?”

Maya almost released a relieved sigh. The way Sicilia had greeted her confirms that she was not aware that Alexander snapped at Maya earlier.

“I was looking online for more info about Adrianna Jones, and I found out that she was invited to a party hosted by the Anderson family, so I thought that it could be a great way to make them meet each other,” Maya explained.

The old lady nodded as if in deep thought. “Adrianna girl... the Jones family is not bad. That’s a good idea, plus we are already invited to that party. They invite us every year, but we don’t always go.” Sicilia said.

“I guess you’ll be going this year?” Maya said in a hopeful tone.

“Oh, most definitely! I wanted to get to know the girl more. But... Now the hard part will be convincing Alexander he hates going to these parties with me. I miss so many parties just because he doesn’t like to go, but I think I might be able to convince him.” Sicilia said with a smirk.

After a while, Sicilia stood up from the bed and walked proudly out of the room as if demonstrating her powers and abilities, as a woman on a mission. It was like she’s a woman who would not take no for answers.

Like, nothing could stop her.

Maya thought that it was Sicilia’s fault why his grandson was... difficult.

However, even though Alexander was stone-headed, if there was one person who could shut him up, it will be his grandmother. 

Maya followed her until Sicilia went to the study room to see her grandson, but Maya didn’t enter the room.

She had a feeling that being alone there with his grandma would make him crack easier, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t watch.

So, Maya stood in a corner where she could see what was going on, but she won’t be seen. However, before she could clearly understand what they were talking about, shouting was already heard inside the room.

The two started arguing louder. Maya peeked further and saw Alexander looked mad. Not as angry as he was at her before, however.

Sicilia was not happy with her grandson, of course, and the older woman started talking more emotionally as if the older woman was about to cry.

Maya almost snickered when Alexander’s expression turned to shock before guilt. She couldn’t help but appreciate what was happening.

She started taking pleasure in seeing him embarrassed. Maya wasn’t evil, but he wasn’t friendly, and he kind of deserves it.

Alexander: 0 point

Grandma: 1 point

Maya: 0 point

She was still enjoying the show when Sicilia suddenly fell on the floor and lost consciousness!

Maya’s eyes bulged, and her instinct to run and in worry kicked in. But it did not take long for her to realize what was really going on. She was still smart enough to know it was just a strategy for Sicilia to soften her grandson.

Alexander sadly did not. He started screaming for the maids to come.

Maya eagerly looked around, but no one came. He called louder for their names.

Suddenly Maya felt a pang of pity in her heart.

Alexander sounded anxious and scared, thus making all the evil intentions Maya had flown away when she saw his state.

When Alexander called Maya, she didn’t hesitate to run towards him.

“What is it? What happened?” Maya immediately asked with fake worry.

He was still holding his unconscious grandma, and Alexander seemed shocked and lost.

“She just..” he was really terrified for his grandma, which shows how much he loves her. Just as he said that Sicilia groaned suddenly and moved from her hold. She then opened her eyes before looking around dazedly.

Sicilia slowly opened her eyes.

“Oh God, she opened her eyes,” Alexander scooted closer to his grandmother. “Grandma! How are you feeling? Let’s go to the hospital!” He worriedly added before he tried to lift his grandmother up.

“I’m alright. Put me down,” Sicilia said weakly. Thankfully Alexander obediently agreed before he helped his grandmother sit on the nearest chair. 

Maya felt sad for this man and wanted to end his misery as soon as possible.

“Bring me the cup of water,” Maya asked, and he quickly agreed to her demand and left the room.

As soon as Alexander turned around to do so, Sicilia gave Maya a wink, which confirmed that the older woman was just acting earlier.

It did not take long for Alexander to get back. Now with some helpers. Maya seized the water and gently washed the grandma’s face, then she rubbed both of her hands.

“What happened?” Sicilia asked, still keeping her act going.

This woman deserves an Oscar. Maya was amazed by Sicilia because even she couldn’t keep the acting at the sight of Alexander.

“I don’t know, one minute we were talking, then suddenly you were on the ground,” Alexander explained.

The older woman just hummed in response. She was now holding her head with one hand as if she has a headache. Sicilia looked like a feeble old lady at that moment.

There was unmasked guilt in Alexander’s handsome face when he saw his grandmother like that.

“I’m sorry, did I scare you?” Alexander whispered before he helped his grandmother stand up.

Sicilia walked little by little, still demonstrating her strong acting skills. He grabbed her hands and helped her out of the study room and went to Sicilia’s bedroom.

Maya only followed them out. She would let both the grandma and her grandson alone. Even though she knew that all that was an act, she did not deny the strong bond and love, these two had. She wanted to let them have their moment.

After the entire mission was accomplished, and Maya had her small little revenge towards the ogre.