An eerie feeling engrossed Alec and El as they dressed themselves for the funeral.
Breaking the deafening silence around them, El softly asked,
"You alright?"
Alec slightly nodded.
They both left for the funeral.
Carolyn had arranged the funeral in an open space.
When Alec and El arrived, Carolyn approached them,
"Oh Al, you are here" she exclaimed sadly and hugged him.
"I still have some things to take care of, you take your seat, okay. Don't worry about anything."
She said holding his hands. Alec nodded and sat.
El sat beside Alec when Carolyn left, she held his hand as an attempt to comfort him.
After a few minutes they heard a commotion outside, they saw reporters and guards obstructing them and someone stepping out of a Range Rover.
They weren't able to see the person, their view was obscured with reporters and guards.
Alec turned his head back ignoring the commotion, while El kept looking at the entrance.
The lady stepped in followed by two of her guards, she was Alexandra Ford.
Michelle's eyes popped out seeing her grandma.
Few minutes after Alexandra settled in, Michelle looked around, she saw that Carolyn and Fred were not in sight and only a few guests had arrived.
"I'll be back in a minute, okay." She told Alec and walked towards Alexandra.
When she reached closer, the guards blocked her.
She eyed her grandmother eagerly.
"Let her come." Alexandra instructed her guards.
Michelle sat beside her, "How have you been Grandma?" She asked softly in a low voice.
"Good"
Alexandra replied and turned to get a proper look at her. Michelle turned to her as well.
Alexandra stoke her wrinkled hands on Michelle's face.
"You look like a refined lady now. It's been four long years, my little Michelle is all grown up" Alexandra said with tears welling up in her eyes.
"I missed you too grandma" Michelle said.
"I heard you married Emilia's grandson", Alexandra inquired
Michelle nodded.
"Are you happy my child?" Alexandra asked with concern.
"Yes," Michelle said firmly.
"I hope Emilia was alive and we could see your lives together, she always wanted you to be her granddaughter-in-law." Alexandra said, sobbing lightly.
"Don't worry Grandma, Grandma Emmy is in a good place watching over us all the time." Michelle said, trying to console Alexandra.
"When did you arrive?" Michelle asked
"This morning an hour ago, Fred invited me." Alexandra answered.
"And where are you staying?"
"Carolyn asked me to stay at the Wilson's Mansion"
"Okay" Michelle said and nodded.
"I didn't ask you to entertain guests" Carolyn scorned standing behind the guards.
Approaching closer she continued,
"I'm sorry Madam Ford, people like her don't understand basic etiquette" saying this she glared at El.
"Leave now" she snapped.
Michelle and Alexandra exchanged glances before she left.
Ricky had arrived at that very moment.
He walked to El and greeted her, they both walked towards Alec and sat by his side.
The funeral went on smoothly without any interruptions.
El accompanied Alec back to Alwils Villa while Alexandra accompanied Carolyn and Fred Wilson to their place.
El knew that Alec would take time to get over the grief of his grandmother's death so she tried to comfort him whenever she could.
For the next two days she tried to be around Alec as much as she could. Alec found her presence soothing that he didn't object to it.
Michelle wanted to meet her grandmother today, since she had to return to her work the next day.
It'd be hard for her to meet Alexandra during a working day so she decided to visit the Wilson's Mansion.
After four long years she finally had a family member who she could manage to meet, therefore she didn't want to miss any chance of seeing her grandma.
At Wilson's Mansion, Michelle easily managed to enter without being seen by anyone.
"Hi grandma," she said.
"Michelle, my child" Alexandra exclaimed with joy.
"Don't call me that here grandma, nobody knows that I'm Michelle, call me El." She whispered.
"Not even your husband?" Alexandra asked
Michelle shook her face.
"And is it a nominal marriage like Carolyn said?"
"No Grandma, although the circumstances in which we got married weren't ideal but we are trying to get to know each other and be a better spouse, it'll take time." Michelle assured her.
"I know, my granddaughter is very sensible," she said with pride.
"But, you can't build a good marriage on lies dear. If you trust him then you need to be honest with him." Alexandra repeated the same words as Emilia did.
Now that Michelle had developed a deeper attachment with Alec, these words troubled her more than before.
"This is my truth grandma. I'm El Wilson now" she said dejectedly.
"You can't simply ignore your past just by changing your name Michelle. You are Michelle Ford, and that will always remain your truth, no matter what anyone else does or you change names a thousand times" she said, reprimanding Michelle.
"Your real self, your true self will always be a part of you no matter how many identities you assume." Alexandra said firmly.
Michelle nodded and said "I'll inform Alec at the right time." saying this she took her leave.
She carefully maneuvered her way out of Wilson's Mansion.
When she stepped out of the door she heard someone say,
"What are you doing here?"
It was Alec.
"I.. I came looking for you.", Alec was visiting his parents and Alexandra for the past two days before or after his working hours, which was indefinite. So Michelle coming to look for him there didn't raise any suspicions.
Knowing that Carolyn might create a scene on having El around he chose not to visit them today.
"Come, let's go back home together," he said to El, slightly raising his hand towards her.
She held his hand and they drove away.