Robinah and her group went to celebrate. On their way, those who had mocked them were ashamed and run away as soon as they saw them. Alex had something to do and left. He promised to meet her later.
The principal had sent enough money for their celebration. They ate, drank and played around before leaving for the hotel to rest. As Robinah opened her door, she was shocked with the decorations and gifts on her bed. Alex was sitting on the couch smiling.
" Is this what you were busy with?" To think that he left in hurry just to surprise her.
" If I don't do it you might run away from me and follow someone who can do it for you." This young girl was really clueless.
" Thanks Alex, you are the best." She went to sit next to him holding his hands.
" Am glad you like it." He would do anything for her so long as she wanted it.
She opened her gifts and packed for the journey back home. She had missed her grandma. " See you tomorrow." Alex left for his room.
The night was uneventful. The internet was on fire but the people involved didn't care. They slept as usual and woke up for breakfast before leaving for the airport. They were blocked by reporters but managed to pave their way through.
During the flight, Robinah started feeling uneasy. Alex noticed and kept comforting her. Tears were streaming down her face yet she couldn't say what the problem was. By the time they were landing, it became difficult for her to breath.
" I have to take you to the hospital." Alex was at a loss. He could only take her to the hospital.
" No ...n..no need. Ta...ke me ho.....m..e." she managed to say.
Alex made arrangements for a car to pick them and left the airport. The Gray family waiting at the entrance didn't get a chance to see her. They were told she had already left. On the way back, Alex called the principal to let her know she wasn't in the right frame of mind for a celebration. He knew they had made preparations to receive her.
Before long they arrived at the apartment and made a frantic Grace with Jason. Grace's eyes were red from crying.
" Where is grandma." Alex asked noticing something was a miss.
" I want to see grandma." Robinah said rushing to her grandmother's room.
" Grandma is gone Robinah." Grace managed to say.
" What are you trying to say? Stop pranking me. I brought her a lot of gifts. I need to see her." She was panicking now.
Alex moved to hold her while Jason explained what had happened. It turned out Mrs. Smith had noticed someone following her about. She kept misleading the person to avoid leading the person to their apartment. Earlier that day, she had gone to buy ingredients to prepare food for Robinah when she noticed a man following her. She was in hurry to cross the road and cut him off when she was hit by a car. By the time they received a call and rushed to the hospital, she was taking her last breath.
" She recorded a video for you before taking her last breath." Grace added handing her her grandmother's phone. Robinah played the video.
" My dear girl, if you are watching this,it means you are yet to meet the Gray family. I know you have always wondered why my surname is Smith and not Gray. Well, am not your real grandma neither is the Gray family your family. I was entrusted by your mother to take care of you. The man you call master was your grandfather from your mum's side. We did everything to protect you from those beasts who killed your mother. We chose the Gray family who had just lost their second daughter. They adopted you and I became your nanny. When they started maltreating you, I took you to the countryside where your grandfather came to guide you. The skills you learnt will save your life. They are almost finding you. They already killed your grandfather. He left you an encrypted letter in the countryside, where he stayed. Take care of yourself. Alex can be trusted to take care of you. He already told me everything." The video ended at that point.
" But this was recorded before the accident." Alex commented.
" Maybe she had a feeling she would leave soon." Jason said.
As Grace was about to try and console her, they noticed she had fainted. They rushed her to the hospital. The doctor said she had fainted due to intense grief.
*****
It had been two days and she didn't show any signs of waking up. Alex had been staying by her side after carrying out the final rites of her grandma. He had already cremated her and was waiting for her to take care of the ash.
" When will you wake up. Your grandma's ashes are waiting for you to send her to her final journey." The doctor had told him to try and talk to her to hasten her waking up. People had been visiting from time to time but Alex hadn't left. He feared she might wake up when he left.
In the evening, Alex was resting beside her bed when she woke up.
" Grandma." She called out.
" You are finally awake." He was thrilled and rung the bell to call for a doctor. After checking up on her, the doctor said she was fine and could be discharged the next day.
Alex filled her in about her grandmother's issues. He had also informed the principal to cancel her celebration and recognition ceremony and focus on preparing the lab. The Gray family had also been blocked from accessing her.
Alex tried everything to cheer her up but nothing worked. After getting discharged, she requested to go back to the apartment after which she went into her grandma's room and locked herself inside. Her cries echoed in and out the apartment. After three hours she stopped crying but didn't come out. Grace brought out the spare key and opened the door.
" I promised grandma I will take care of you. She watched your competition and said you were just like your mother. She hoped you would be always happy. You know I , Jason and Alex are here for you. Alex is heartbroken seeing you like this and can't even eat knowing you are not eating your food. You need to be strong if you want to avenge your family." She had to wake her up from her grief.
Robinah slowly stood up and went to the sitting room where Alex was seated. He had called Grace to help. He seemed to have aged.
" Am sorry I made you worry so much."
" It's okay, I understand. What to you plan on doing."
" I will lay her to rest and leave to go stay at the laboratory. I hope you can join me. Grace will be moving to a villa near the hospital with Jason. I don't want to be left here. I will focus on my research and plan my revenge. I also need to visit the countryside to retrieve the letter my grandfather left me." She had thought it through and knew crying won't help. She had to be strong to fight the Gray family and those who killed her mother , grandfather and caused her grandmother to die.
" Okay, I had already planned on following you." He was glad she had come around.
She swung into action immediately and laid her grandmother to rest before packing up and leaving for the courtyard near the exclusive laboratory. She went to class and left Alex arranging everything. Her classmates sympathized with her and consoled her. She promised to always answer any questions they had twice a week since she would be in the laboratory the rest of the week. They were thrilled to be able to learn from her.
The principal informed her of the Gray family reaching out but she told him to let them know she was an opharn with no family. She didn't have time for their schemes for now. Mr. Johnson understood and didn't ask many questions. The lab was kept a secret. Not many people knew of it's existence. It would be difficult for anyone to find her.
She went back to the courtyard and met Alex cooking.
" You cook." Her eyes were shining.
" Yeah, I will cook for you from now on." He learned to cook just for her.
" Then I will leave the cooking to you. Thanks Alex."
" What are you thanking me for?" He was lost.
" Everything, you have been there for me. I just have you and Grace left but you know you are my best friend and confidant." This man was so good to her that she thought it was a dream.
Looking at her pure face, Alex just smiled and ruffled her hair. This girl had taken over his heart.
" Go set the table."
After serving the food, he waited for her to eat and comment on his cooking skills.
" How is it?" He couldn't wait. He had been learning different recipes just for her.
" Well, I have never tasted such delicious food before. Why didn't you cook for me earlier on?" He could actually cook such delicious food.
" I didn't have the opportunity but now I can. It's not late yet." He kept serving her.
Robinah ate so much for the first time since her grandmother died. Alex was happy. His efforts were worth it. He cleaned the dishes and sat with her to watch a movie. Such peaceful moments were rare.