Chapter 115: Why Always Ogling Me
"Did Ryder really keep everything to himself? I specifically told him to share with both of you."
John nodded, he relived the moment Ryder swooped in and claimed all the treats.
Five years had passed since their trip, but the memory of the great cookie heist remained etched in John’s mind. He had spotted the enticing packet in Ryder’s bag and reached for a cookie, only to have his hand halted mid-air as Ryder burst into the room.
Just as John’s fingers wrapped around the treat, Ryder swooped in, plucking the cookie from his grasp and returning it to the packet.
"Why can’t I have one?" John protested, irritation flickering across his face.Ryder’s response was nonchalant. "They’re mine."
Little did John know then that Thea had lovingly baked those cookies, making Ryder’s possessiveness all the more laughable in retrospect.
Thea asked playfully, "Don’t you believe me?"
John clarified, "No, I didn’t mean to doubt you."She smiled warmly. "Well, next time I’ll make sure to save some for you."
Grandma Grace and Mrs. Evelyn chatted quietly, wrapping up their conversation. "John, if you don’t mind, you’re welcome to take the rest of the dessert home.." Grandma Grace offered.
John’s eyes lit up. "Can I?" he asked, seeking confirmation.Mrs. Evelyn smiled warmly. "Of course,John."
Thea glanced at John, curious. "Do you really want to take it home?"
John shrugged nonchalantly. "Hmm, why not?"Mrs. Evelyn stood up from her seat. "Then let me pack it for you."
As Mrs. Evelyn carefully wrapped the dessert, Thea and Charlotte cleared the table. Meanwhile, Grandma Grace and John moved to the living room, continuing their conversation.
"So, it’s been a long time since you’ve all been back to the homeland.." Grandma Grace said, settling into a comfortable armchair.John nodded, taking a seat beside her. "Yes, it has."
Just then, Mrs. Evelyn returned with the carefully packed dessert. "Here you go, John. Enjoy!"
"Thank you, Aunty Evelyn.." John said, glancing at his watch. "It’s already 8:45 pm. I’m afraid I have to head out – I have another engagement."
Grandma Grace smiled warmly. "Okay, dear. Be careful on your way."
John expressed his gratitude once more. "Thank you again for the wonderful treat, Aunty Evelyn."
He turned to Thea. "Goodbye, Thea. It was great seeing you."she smiled back. "You too, John. Have a great night."
He then nodded briefly at Charlotte before bidding them farewell and stepping out into the evening.Charlotte spoke up, "I thought Mr. Thompson and his friends are supposed to be difficult, but after meeting him and his friends, I think the rumors are untrue."
She turned to her with admiration. "I’m truly envious of you – knowing them since childhood must be amazing."
She chuckled. "Envious? You? That’s funny!"
The former asked, her brow furrowed, "Why not?"Thea teased, "You have everything; what could you possibly envy?"
Charlotte’s voice dropped to a whisper. "I’m really envious. Want to know why?"She beckoned Thea closer, her eyes sparkling with secrecy.Thea leaned in, intrigued.
She clutched Thea’s arm and murmured, "Want to know?"Thea inclined, fascinated. "Yes, share."
Charlotte’s hushed words sent shivers through her. "I covet your physique."
With a mischievous smile, Charlotte gently placed her hand on Thea’s breast, her touch sparking surprise.Her fingers grazed her breast.
"Your breasts are beautiful.." Charlotte murmured.Thea’s cheeks flushed deeply. "Hey, hands off! You’re scandalous!" Charlotte’s grin was wickedly playful. "Just appreciating your beauty."
Thea’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Charlotte, why are you always ogling me?"
Thea slapped Charlotte’s hands away, her cheeks burning. "Charlotte, you are a pervert," she whispered.
Charlotte’s teasing tone persisted. "Are you turned on?"
"Turned on? You wish."
As they spoke, Grandma Grace arrived. "Time to head home, girls?"
"Grandma did you take your medicine?"
" Yeah..I took it on time.."
"Thea, you look flushed. Do you have a temperature?"
"Grandma, I’m responsible," Charlotte said, giggling. "I was teasing her, and she’s embarrassed."
"Ah, perfect timing.." Mrs. Evelyn said, carrying in some juice bottles. "Juice anyone?"
"I’ll pass, Evelyn," Grandma Grace said. "My throat’s been bothering me."
"Then I’ll take Grandma’s bottle also.." Charlotte offered.
"You want to sign your own death warrant?" Thea retorted. "You’re already stuffed from eating too much, and now you want two bottles of juice?"
"I can handle it," Charlotte said, rolling her eyes playfully.
"You’re going to make yourself sick," Thea warned, laughing. "You’ve already eaten enough for three people, and now you want double the juice.."
"Charlotte eats like a normal child," Grandma Grace said, shaking her head at her. "You need to put some weight on, sweetie. You’re far too thin."
"Definitely, Grandma.." Charlotte agreed. "Thea should totally gain some weight."
She gave Charlotte a disdainful glance.
"Thea, dear, Grandma knows what’s best.."
"Aunt Evelyn, please don’t gang up on me.." Thea pleaded, her eyes locking onto Mrs Evelyn.
Charlotte smiled sweetly. "Don’t worry, Aunt, Grandma. I’ve got just the thing. My special tonics will fix her right up." She winked at her, who rolled her eyes.
"No, no, no!" Thea protested, panic rising. "Grandma, please don’t let her give me those tonics! I don’t want them!"
"My tonics will put some meat on those bones of yours in no time."
Thea’s face fell. "Grandma, please! Anything but not her tonics!"
"What’s wrong with my tonics?" Charlotte asked, feigning innocence.
"They’re outrageous.." she replied, shaking her head.Just as the argument was escalating, Grandma Grace intervened.
"Enough, you two! Stop fighting. Don’t give me more headaches," she said firmly, her voice brooking no argument.
Mrs. Evelyn watched the exchange with a knowing smile. "They look more like siblings fighting."
Charlotte nodded vigorously. "You said it, Aunt. Thea and I may not always see eye-to-eye, but our spats are just like sisterly love."
"It’s getting late, let’s go," Grandma Grace looked at the time.
"Thanks, Evelyn, for having us.." Grandma Grace said, as the others echoed their thanks.
"Thanks for the amazing meal, Aunt Evelyn," Charlotte said.
"Thanks, Aunt Evelyn.." Thea added, smiling.
All three bid goodbye and stepped out of Mrs. Evelyn’s home.
"Thea, Grandma, let me drop you home.." Charlotte suggested, gesturing to her car.
Grandma Grace smiled warmly. "Charlotte, it would be good if we walk home. The digestion will do us good. You go ahead, drive safely."
"Hmm, as you wish." Charlotte replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Well, bye then. See you later, Thea. I’ll bring those tonics for you tomorrow at university." Charlotte called out with a smile.
Thea shot back, her eyes flashing with warning. "If you dare, then you’ll see the consequences."
"See you.." Charlotte said, waving as she entered her car.
As Charlotte drove away, Grandma Grace turned to her granddaughter with a curious expression.
"Grandma, I am your granddaughter, or is she?" She asked, her eyes following Charlotte’s car as it disappeared into the distance.
Grandma Grace let out a gentle chuckle."You, of course, dear. And Charlotte is too, since she’s your close friend."Thea raised an eyebrow. "I feel like she’s more your granddaughter than me."
"I wonder if you’ll still recall my name after you’re married.." Grandma Grace teased.
Thea smiled warmly. "I won’t forget about you even after getting married, Grandma. But who knows, you might love me less after my marriage."
Grandma Grace replied with a grin, "Hmm... if my grandson-in-law loves you a lot... I might forget about you... and would treasure your husband."
Thea and Grandma Grace strolled together, engaged in conversation.
"I shouldn’t get married first... or else you will prefer your future grandson-in-law to me," Thea said as she could not imagine the future she would face.
"Before not getting married, you are talking about his good side... what will happen in the future?" Thea wondered aloud, her brow furrowed in playful contemplation.
"Hmm... already getting jealous?" Grandma Grace teased.
Thea ignored the jab, gazing up at the star-filled sky and the half-moon. "Grandma, how’s your elder brother?"
Grandma Grace’s expression softened. "I called him yesterday. He’s still doing well."
Thea’s eyes remained on the night sky. "Grandma, if he feels lonely there, we can bring him here, right?"
Grandma Grace’s voice tinged with wistfulness. "Hmm... I suggested that initially, but he’s adamant about not leaving that house."She sighed, lost in thought for a moment.
"Thea, I’ll take you with me to visit him." Grandma Grace said, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
