Chapter 121: Mystic Tonic
Melanie turned to Thea with a questioning gaze."Are you coming with us?" she asked.
Thea hesitated."I’ll see.." she replied.
Emerson’s face fell, and she grasped Thea’s arm."No, no, you have to come with us..." she urged, her voice filled with persuasion.Her eyes locked onto Thea’s, her tone impassioned.
"It won’t be the same without you."
A soft smile spread across Thea’s face as she looked at Emerson, her eyes shining with affection.
With a gentle smile, Elder Edward nodded.
"Thea, please join them. We’d be delighted to have you with us."
She nodded obediently."Okay, Grandfather.." she said, her tone warm and respectful.
"I should get going..." Thea said, standing up. She exchanged warm greetings with the group before bidding them a gentle goodbye.
As the door closed behind Thea, Brenda turned to the others with a smile.
"She’s such a lovely girl.." she remarked.
Rosie’s expression turned somber.
"Yes, but it’s heartbreaking that she lost her parents at such a young age.." she said, her voice tinged with sympathy.
Thea stepped off the bus and walked into her home, where a surprise awaited her. On the table, a package sat neatly, its presence sparking her curiosity.
"What is it?" Thea wondered, walking closer to investigate.Right then, Grandma Grace emerged from the kitchen, a warm smile on her face."Welcome home, dear. Were you at Ryder’s house?" she asked.Thea nodded vaguely, her attention still on the package.
"Hmm.." she replied.Grandma Grace gestured toward the package.
"This came for you today.." she explained.
"Hmm," she hummed thoughtfully. "But who sent it?" she pondered.
Picking up the package, Thea turned and headed to her room..
As she shook the package gently, trying to gauge its contents, before setting it down on her bedside table.
Next, she reached for her phone and dialed a familiar number, Charlotte’s voice answering on the other end.
"Charlotte, did you send a package for me?" Thea asked directly.Charlotte’s laugh floated through the line.
"Hmm, open it and see.." she replied, her tone playful and mysterious.
Thea’s curiosity piqued, she glanced at the package, her fingers itching to unwrap it.
"Okay, I’ll open it.." Thea said, a smile spreading across her face."Call me back after you do.." Charlotte said, before they exchanged quick goodbyes and hung up.
Thea ripped open the package, her eyes widening in shock at the contents.
"What the...?" she trailed off, stunned.
She swiftly redialed Charlotte’s number, but the call went unanswered. She tried again, her impatience growing.
On the third attempt, Charlotte finally picked up, her voice dripping with amusement.
"Did you like the surprise?" she asked, chuckling.Thea’s anger boiled over.
"CHARLOTTE, I swear, if you show up in front of me right now, I’ll kill you!" she threatened.
Charlotte’s laughter intensified.
"Don’t worry, baby. I’ll wear the best bulletproof vest just for you.."
Thea face burned with frustration."Charlotte, this isn’t funny. What were you thinking?" she demanded.Charlotte’s tone softened.
"Ah, calm down. I just wanted to shake things up."
"I was talking about these tonics earlier," Charlotte said, her voice innocent. "I thought It would help you out."
Thea’s expression darkened.
"Are you mad?" she retorted, anger flashing in her eyes. "These tonics are for boosting sex drive! What were you thinking?"
Charlotte’s laughter spilled through the line.
"Hey, I was just trying to help.." she protested, her tone playful.
Thea’s voice rose."Help? You call this help? You’re going to get me killed!" Thea exclaimed.
Charlotte’s chuckles subsided.
"Okay, okay. I didn’t mean to upset you. Explain what’s wrong with them.." she asked.
Thea’s anger simmered.
"There’s nothing wrong with them, that’s the problem! They’re explicit and you sent them to my home, without warning!"
"Return these tonics now." Thea ordered, her voice firm.
"Thea, I’m so sorry. Returns aren’t possible."
Her irritation flared."That’s not the point! You shouldn’t have sent them in the first place."
Charlotte’s amusement resurfaced."Don’t worry, the expiry date is five to six years from now. You have plenty of time... to reconsider," she teased.Thea’s embarrassment turned to outrage.
"Shut up, Charlotte! This isn’t funny."
Charlotte’s laughter filled the line, her attempt at containment failed.
"Okay, okay. I’ll stop.." she promised, still chuckling.Thea’s anger lingered.
"Darling Thea, your recipe was fantastic," Charlotte said, her voice filled with genuine praise.
Thea responded with a noncommittal hum.
"Hmmm."
Charlotte’s tone turned conciliatory."Don’t be angry, Thea. I haven’t only brought those tonics for you. I also got some for myself."
"Save it, Charlotte. You’re trying to sweet-talk your way out of this."Charlotte’s laughter bubbled through.
"Maybe a little. But I promise, I’m not the only one who needs a boost in the future..."Thea’s silence spoke volumes.
"Come on, Thea. Forgive me?" Charlotte coaxed.Thea sighed.
"Fine. But next time, ask before sending surprise gifts."
"Next time, I’ll send something even more outrageous.."
Thea’s response was immediate and stern."If you dare, I swear I’ll make you regret it."
Charlotte chuckled, unfazed."Promises, promises."
Thea’s tone turned icy."You have no idea what I’m capable of."
Charlotte’s laughter continued, taunting."Oh, I’m trembling with fear."
Her warning hung in the air.
"Don’t push me, Charlotte."
"Okay, jokes apart.." Charlotte said, her tone turning serious."Try them sometimes in secret. They’re not harmful, I promise."
"Charlotte, I’ll tell my grandma that you were talking about these tonics earlier.She will surely give you a nice scolding."
"You won’t dare. I know you well."Charlotte chuckled.
She swiftly ended the conversation."Okay, bye."
From where did she get all these ideas? Thea mused, shaking her head in wonder.
She examined the bottle in her hand, its delicate glass and vibrant colors captivating her attention.
The label read "Mystic Tonic" in bold, cursive script, with a smaller inscription below: "Guaranteed to revitalize body and soul." A golden stopper sealed the top.Its delicate edges gleaming softly in the light.She kept the Mystic Tonic bottle in her drawer and then went to change her dress.
