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Alex and Juliet set out that morning to Gladys' house, and on their way, they had stopped for a bit to get something for her... "Juliet, Alex," Gladys said gladly when she opened her door and saw both of them... she drew them both into a warm embrace that made Juliet and Alex chuckle because of how excited Gladys was. She led them both into her house when she broke the hug, and Alex handed what he had bought as a present for her. Gladys beamed at him when she opened her presents and saw that he had gotten her a very expensive silk scarf... "I don't think I can accept this... this is too much, " She said, but Alex wasn't having it. "I thought about you immediately. I saw it," Alex said and helped Gladys put the scarf around her neck, and it looked great on her. Juliet clapped her hands together and gasped. "Wow, you look so beautiful, Grandma," She said, and Gladys's face became flushed... "Thank you, dear," She said to Alex.. and he nodded, his eyes travelling to Juliet who mouthed the word "Thank you. "... Gladys offered both of them her special muffin a while later and didn't take no for an answer when they told her they had had breakfast already. Alex had ended up eating a lot after tasting just one and realising how delicious they were, and Gladys felt pure happiness as she watched them. "I can speak to your father today," Gladys said a while later when Alex had left to take a call from Patrick... Juliet froze for a few seconds before she finally responded and simply said, "Oh, that sounds great." Juliet's eyes travelled to her fingers that she was fiddling with nervously. "Would you like to speak to him too?" Gladys asked, and Juliet shook her head... she raised her head to stare at her grandmother, who nodded and didn't try to convince her... Alex came back a few minutes later, and even though Gladys told him not to, he cleared the table and offered to do the dished. "I know this might not be my place to say this, or perhaps it's too late for me, but can you please take care of her and protect her..." Gladys said to Alex, her eyes filled with so much care for her granddaughter who in just a few months had become the most important person in her life... she wanted Juliet to always be happy and protected, and Alex seemed to be the perfect person to make that happen. she could tell just by the way Alex stared at Juliet that he would do anything for her. "You don't have to worry about that... I will always make sure of that. I love her," Alex assured Gladys, who patted his hand, and this made a warm smile appear on Alex's face... They both turned to look at juliet, who had walked into the kitchen... she had a smile on her face as she stared at Alex and her grandmother. "What are you two talking sp intently about?" Juliet asked, her eyes squinted playfully at the both of them... "Nothing to worry about, dear... tell me what you would like for lunch, " Gladys said and walked over to where her granddaughter was standing. Gladys led juliet away to the living room, and Alex felt his heart become full just by staring at the both of them... ______________________ ______^_________^_______ "Thank you for today," Juliet said when they arrived back at home... seeing her grandmother so happy warmed her heart to much and juliet had spoken to her about moving closer to town, but her grandmother had declined, she wanted to stay in her house for the remainder of her life and felt much more comfortable that way. Alex leaned closer and planted a soft kiss on her forehead... "Why didn't you speak to your father today?" Alex asked, and juliet fell silent... after the last time they saw each other, she didn't even know what she could say to him anymore. she wasn't mad at him anymore and just wanted her grandmother to be happy even if it meant she had to see him again. she knew it was going to be hard for her to avoid that... "I didn't know what to say to him." Juliet answered truthfully... "I know that I can't avoid him forever, but when the times finally , for us to meet again, then I will cross the bridge then," She quickly added before Alex could say anything else. Alex nodded and smiled Warmly at her. "I trust whatever you want to do," He said, and juliet felt her heart warm up for Alex. "Thank you, we should get some rest... it's getting late, " She said, and Alex shook his head. he still had some things that he needed to do... "I have some work to catch up on, I will be up in probably an hour," Alex sa,id and juliet. she proceeded upstairs while Alex proceeded to his study... Juliet took out her phone and dropped it by the bedstand while she went to take a shower and change into her pyjamas. But the time she was done and came back check the time on her phone, she was a missed call on her phone... she dropped her phone and was about to head downstairs to get some water when her phone started to ring once again... juliet picked up her phone and paused for a moment when she saw who was calling. it was the same number that had been at the back of her mind. the number she had saved with the same "Unknown" and this time juliet knew it couldn't be a coincidence... was the person trying to taunt her... she finally pressed the answer button before her phone stopped ringing, and she placed the phone close to her ear and waited for the person to say something first before she did. But when this went on for more than a few seconds, juliet finally broke the silence. "Hello, who is this?" She said and waited for a short while before she continued talking... "Hello, I know you can hear me, and I know this isn't a coincidence. maybe the first it was, but now I'm sure it isn't... who are you, and why do you keep calling me without saying anything? " Juliet said firmly. And there was a long pause. and for a moment, she thought the call had been disconnected. but the call hadn't been disconnected. "Do you have something to tell me?" Juliet asked when whoever it was wouldn't say anything. she knew it would just before the person hung up on her, but she wanted to at least hear the person's voice. Maybe she could recognise who it was and then tell Alex everything. "Hello..." Juliet started again but trailed off when the person's voice interloped with hers... "What did you just say?" Juliet said and waited with anticipation for the person to say something... anything... "Juliet." The person at the other end of the line finally spoke in a low voice, and It took juliet just a few seconds to recognise the person's voice. her eyes grew slightly wide as she did...