Chapter 114: Didn’t Save Me
Aunt Evelyn’s resistance eventually waned, and she acquiesced to Thea’s urgings. "Fine, dear. " she said, "Finish up for me. I’ll rest for a bit."
As Thea cooked, her phone rang on the counter. She picked up, and Charlotte’s voice greeted her.
"Hey, where are you?" Charlotte asked.
"I’m at Aunt Evelyn’s.." Thea replied.
"Want some company?" Charlotte suggested. "I could swing by and bring Grandma with me, if you’d like."
Thea hummed thoughtfully before responding, "Okay, see you soon." After ending the call with Charlotte, she quickly dialed Grandma Grace’s number.
"Grandma, Charlotte will be coming to pick you up. Don’t forget to take your medicine before leaving."
After Mrs. Evelyn finished most of the dishes, Thea took over and completed the remaining few. As she began preparing the desserts, the doorbell interrupted her.
Thea opened the door to find Charlotte standing alongside her grandma. The three of them stepped inside together.
Once inside Charlotte asked,"Where’s Aunt Evelyn?"
"I asked her to take some rest.."
"Let Evelyn rest.." Grandma Grace said, gesturing towards the living room. "We’ll sit in there."
"I’m just starting dessert.." Thea mentioned.
Charlotte jumped up. "I’ll help with that."
"No, sit with Grandma. I’ve got this."
Charlotte’s face fell into a playful pout. "But I want to learn."
Mrs. Evelyn entered the living room, smiling warmly. "I see my guests have arrived."
Taking a seat beside Grandma Grace, she said, "I’m so sorry, I think I nodded off."
"Are the dishes ready?" Mrs. Evelyn asked her.
"Almost," she replied. "You’d already completed most of them. I just finished one, and now I’m starting dessert."
"Grandma, I want to help her.." Charlotte pleaded, turning to Grandma Grace.
Grandma Grace looked at Thea and nodded. "Thea, let Charlotte assist you."
With a lighthearted glint, Thea pointed at Charlotte, "Deal, but don’t test my patience."
In the kitchen, Charlotte sat on the counter, swinging her legs enthusiastically. "What dessert are you going to prepare?" she asked.
"Raspberry Tiramisu.." Thea replied, expertly gathering her ingredients.
"Charlotte, can you grab the raspberries from the fridge?"
Charlotte jumped down from the counter and opened the refrigerator. As she pulled out the container of plump raspberries, she spotted the juice.
"My favorite!" she said, grinning. After a brief pause, she shut the door and brought the raspberries to her.
She carefully crafted the Raspberry Tiramisu while Charlotte was observing every step.
"Almost done.." Thea said, finishing the whipped cream.
Charlotte’s voice dropped to a whisper. "Today, he discovered my secret."
Thea’s eyes locked onto hers. "What secret?"
"The bottle... in my bag," Charlotte replied, her grin spreading.
Her eyebrows shot up. "How could you keep that bottle in that bag?"
"I forgot it was there myself!"
"Then what happened?" Thea asked, leaning in.
"At first, I thought I’d gotten away with the oil," Charlotte said, "but I underestimated him."
"Did he yell at you?"
Charlotte’s lip curled into a sly smile. "No, I’m not intimidated. He threatened to tell Grandma, but he’s in no position to tattle."
"Why not?"
"Because I know his secret – his girlfriend. And I made sure he knew I’d share it with his parents and Grandma if he said a word."
Thea laughed. "You played him perfectly, Charlotte!"
"That’s why you should take lessons from me." Charlotte said with a smile.
"Actually, I just heard from Liam on my way here. He can’t make it today."
"Professor Liam is canceling? But what about the others? Are they still coming?"
Thea clarified, "John confirmed he’s coming, but I’m not sure about Ryder. He hasn’t responded yet."
"Maybe you should call him.."
"No point. He’s seen the message but ignored it.."She dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand. "Whatever."
"By the way what is the age gap between us and Mr Thompson?"
"He is four years older than me."
"Since you are his friend..it will be a game for you..As the saying goes,’one doesn’t allow benefits created by one’s own work to go to others’What do you think about introducing me to him."Charlotte continued to irritate her.
"...."she shot a leering side eye to her friend.
"Why not?How petty of you! Don’t tell me you are already in love with him? Are you serious? You’re not secretly in love with him, are you?"Charlotte asked, her voice trembling with suppressed laughter.
"Are you kidding me? If you and he ever get together, I’d have to start calling you sister-in-law! No thanks. You’re not going to take advantage of me that easily. No chance."
Charlotte burst into laughter. "Pff... That makes sense! Mr. Thompson is single, young, and handsome... if I weren’t head over heels for Ryan, I’d snatch him up myself."
"I know about your feelings," Charlotte said, her voice low and persuasive. "You better take your chance and convey them to him before it’s too late."
"Should I?" Thea asked hesitantly.
"Hmm... I even confessed my feelings to Ryan, and he rejected me, but that didn’t stop me. I’ll keep pestering him until he gives in. Maybe in the future, when he’s settled down, I’ll leave him alone... maybe..."
The bell rang once again, and Mrs. Evelyn made her way to the gate. As she opened it, she was greeted by a familiar face - John.
"Good evening, Aunt Evelyn.." John said with a warm smile. "Let me reintroduce myself... I’m John... Thea’s friend."
Mrs. Evelyn’s face lit up with a welcoming smile. "John, dear, it’s so lovely to see you! Come on in."
As they stepped inside, John’s eyes scanned the room, but Thea was nowhere to be seen.
"Grandma, how have you been?" John asked, turning to Grandma Grace. "After returning from abroad, I haven’t had a chance to visit."
"I’m doing well, dear. Thea told me you’ve been busy with the business since your return. I’m glad you’re all settled back home."
John’s gaze wandered around the room again. "Where’s she?"
"She’s in the kitchen." Grandma Grace replied.
Thea stepped out of the kitchen, Charlotte following closely behind. "All set, Aunt Evelyn," she said, before her eyes landed on John. A look of surprise flickered across her face. "Oh, you’re here already?"
The clock struck 7 pm, its gentle chime filling the room as Thea’s eyes remained fixed on John.
Charlotte whispered to her, her eyes fixed on John, "He’s too handsome... all three of Mr. Thompson’s friends are stunning."
Thea smiled and made the introduction, "John, this is my friend Charlotte."
Charlotte extended her hand, flashing a bright smile. "Hello, Mr. Smith. I’m Charlotte Wright. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Thea."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Wright.." John said, shaking Charlotte’s hand.
"Thea, will Ryder and Liam be joining us?" John asked.
"Liam called me earlier, saying he can’t make it due to urgent work," Thea replied. "As for Ryder, I’m not sure."
"Let me call him," John offered, pulling out his phone to dial Ryder’s number.
"Where are you?" John asked, speaking into the phone.
A pause.
"He can’t come either," John said, hanging up the call.
Charlotte leaned in to whisper to her, "If they’re not coming... Shall we begin?"
"Are you feeling hungry?"Charlotte nodded subtly, "Hmm.."
Mrs. Evelyn, catching the suggestion, smiled. "Let’s start..."
As they took their seats, John presented Mrs. Evelyn with a small gift. "Aunt Evelyn, a small token of appreciation."
"You didn’t have to bring anything, John."
John’s expression turned sincere. "Please, Aunt Evelyn, accept it. I’d feel terrible otherwise."
Mrs. Evelyn accepted the gift with gratitude. "Thank you, John."
John sat beside Thea at the table. After dinner, he expressed his appreciation. "Thanks for this wonderful meal."
"I completely agree," Charlotte added. "Every dish was delicious."
Mrs. Evelyn smiled, pleased. "I’m glad you enjoyed it."
Charlotte turned to John and asked, "Mr. Smith, how’s the dessert?"
"Delicious.."
Mrs. Evelyn chimed in, "Then you should especially appreciate Thea for it."
John’s eyes shifted to Thea. "You made it?"
Thea teased, "Is it hard to believe?"
John smiled. "I remember getting to taste your baking for the first time."
"Really, Mr. Smith?"
John nodded. "Hmm, it’s my first time."
Thea chuckled. "John, don’t lie. Didn’t Ryder share the cookies I made before your trip ?"
John laughed. "Ryder hoarded them, claiming you made them specifically for him!"
"I was looking forward to trying one, but Ryder snatched them all – didn’t even save me a single piece."
