Chapter 125: Shall I Try It
"A man outside asked me to give you this..." the woman said, handing her the packet of sanitary pads Ryder had purchased.
"Thank you so much.." Thea replied, gratitude painted her face.
The stranger smiled warmly. "It’s okay.. We’ve all been there. Your man is certainly caring; I must say."
With those comforting words, the woman turned to depart, vanishing into the hallway.
Thea’s gaze fell to the packet in her hands, her heart overflowing with feelings.
Taking the packet, she re-entered the bathroom. Inside, she found a beautiful long frock and a set of underwear. Her face flushed crimson as she realized Ryder had chosen these intimate items for her.
Thea changed into the forest green dress, its soft folds and three-quarter sleeves draping elegantly around her. The uncomplicated design highlighted her natural beauty, and the earthy tone complemented her skin.
Once dressed, she emerged from the bathroom, her cheeks still aglow. As she walked, she was startled to find Ryder standing and waiting for her, his gaze locked onto hers. With his back resting against the wall, Ryder waited.
She hadn’t expected him to be there, and her embarrassment deepened.Overwhelmed, she didn’t know where to hide herself, her eyes darting around the room in search of an escape from Ryder’s piercing gaze.
"Ryder... Thank you..." Thea managed, her gratitude palpable.
He tilted his head slightly, ushering her forward, and they stepped into the room together, joining the gathering that had been expecting them.
Her face still flushed with embarrassment, she exchanged a fleeting glance with Ryder as they rejoined the group.
John’s curious gaze shifted from Thea to Ryder. "Where did you two disappear to?"
Thea’s face grew hotter as John’s curious gaze lingered. She hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Ryder, sensing her discomfort, stepped in with a smooth explanation.
"I accidentally knocked over my drink, and it spilled all over her dress. We stepped out for a quick clean-up."
She gaze lingered on Ryder, her eyes conveying gratitude. He responded with a gentle smile.
"Mr. Thompson is becoming careless day by day," John teased, "and my girl has to suffer because of it."
Emerson asked,"Brother John, is Sister Thea... your girl?"John’s smile broadened. "Yes, my little girlfriend."
Thea’s cheeks flushed, and she playfully rolled her eyes. "John, I’m not little anymore. I’m already past 18."
John chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Ooh..hoo, yes! Our little friend has indeed become a young lady."
He seizing the moment, exclaimed, "Time to order! What’s everyone craving?"
As the group began discussing menus,
Thea settled into the seat beside Emerson. Ryder claimed the chair to her right, his presence a comforting constant.
John handed her a menu leaflet, where she could select her preferred dishes.
As she scanned the options, her finger hovered over the "Spicy Shrimp Curry."
Ryder glanced at the menu, noticing her selection. "It’s not good to have the curry in your current condition, Thea..The spices might make you feel worse..." he whispered.
Thea’s eyes met Ryder’s, understanding the unspoken reference to her period.
She nodded appreciatively, altering her selection to a milder dish.
"Ryder, Thea is free to select any dishes she likes. Don’t try to influence her choice.." John said with a gentle smile.
Ryder didn’t respond, instead focusing on selecting his own dishes.
"Brother Ryder, choose some dishes for me too." Emerson requested.
Ryder murmured, "Hmm..." as he pondered the options.
The dishes arrived shortly, and John inquired, "Who ordered hot water?"
"Me.." Ryder answered, his tone casual.
Without drawing attention, Ryder took the white ceramic jar and poured a glass of warm water. He discreetly slid the glass across the table to Thea.
The others remained oblivious to the subtle exchange.Thea cradled the glass in her hands, savoring the warmth as she took a slow sip.
The simple gesture seemed to ease her discomfort, and she glanced at Ryder with quiet gratitude.
After finishing their meal, they headed to get ready to return home."Brother Ryder, I’m so happy today!" Emerson exclaimed, bubbling with enthusiasm. "Thank you for keeping your promise!"
As they settled into their vehicle, Melanie spoke up from the passenger seat.
"Yes, and it seems we have another excitement awaiting us.." Melanie added, a hint of mystery in her voice.Ryder’s eyes met Melanie’s in the rearview mirror..
Emerson’s voice burst with excitement. "Brother Ryder, we’re going on a family trip!"
Ryder’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, meeting her enthusiastic gaze.
"I thought it was just between you twins and Grandma?" Ryder asked.
Lydia intervened, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Originally, yes. But Grandpa couldn’t bear to miss out. Now we’re all joining in!"A chuckle underscored her words, highlighting their Grandpa’s endearing stubbornness.
Emerson clapped her hands, squealing with delight. "Family trip! Everyone’s coming!"
Lydia whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine. "Sister Thea, don’t forget—you’re invited too. We have lots of surprises in store for our elder ice berg brother."
Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she exchanged a knowing glance with Melanie.
Thea’s eyebrows lifted slightly, intrigued by the cryptic comment.
Ryder, focused on driving, remained blissfully unaware of the quiet exchange behind him.
The car pulled up in front of her house, and she stepped out, closing the door behind her.
"Sister Thea, I’m looking forward to our next meeting," Lydia said, her voice filled with excitement.
"Bye, bye!" Emerson chimed in, waving enthusiastically.
Thea smiled, returning the wave. "Hmm, goodbye."She turned to Ryder, her expression softening. "Thank you, Ryder."
Ryder nodded with a smile..
With a final glance, she stepped back, and Ryder started the car, pulling away from the curb.As they drove off,she watched them disappear into the distance..
Thea stepped into her house and headed straight to her room, knowing her grandmother would likely be asleep by now.
"Thank God I have taken this bag with me today," she murmured to herself, relieved. "Otherwise, I’d be in a real awkward situation."
She quickly changed into her comfortable nightdress...
Thea retrieved the stained cloth from her bag and made her way to the bathroom. She turned on the faucet, letting the water swirl as she rinsed away the remnants.
With the stain removed, Thea carefully wrung out the cloth and stepped onto the balcony. The cool evening air enveloped her as she hung the dress over the railing to dry.
The gentle breeze rustled the fabric, carrying the sweet scent of night-blooming flowers from the garden below.She breathed in deeply and gazed out into the night.
Thea gazed at the dress and the packet of pads Ryder had bought for her, a mix of gratitude and embarrassment swirling within.
"It must have been awkward for him to bring this..afterall he is a man..who has no experience.." she thought, imagining Ryder’s discomfort as he selected the pads.
Earlier, Thea had been caught off guard by a sudden abdominal pain. But it wasn’t until she stepped out of the car that she realized the source of the discomfort – her period had arrived unexpectedly, ahead of schedule.
She recalled the surprise and panic as she felt the wetness in her panties, mortified at the thought of being unprepared.
But Ryder’s timely intervention had saved her from an embarrassing situation. His thoughtfulness and discretion touched her heart.
"Thank goodness for Ryder," she thought, feeling relieved and thankful for his help in her moment of need.
Thea settled at her desk, pulling out her treasured diary from the drawer. Writing down memorable moments was her cherished hobby, a way to relive the past.
She opened the pages, pen in hand, ready to recount the day’s events. The words flowed effortlessly as she recorded every detail, from Ryder’s unexpected kindness to the surprise of her early period.
This diary was more than just a keepsake; it was a sanctuary. Whenever boredom or nostalgia struck, she would revisit its pages, reliving laughter, tears, and moments of joy.
As she wrote, the day’s experiences came alive again, a testament to the power of reflection and gratitude.
With a satisfied smile, she closed her diary, the memories safely tucked away for future reminiscence.
After closing her diary, she slid it into the drawer, her gaze fell upon a forgotten bottle of essential oil... She retrieved it and carefully placed it alongside her tonics, securing them safely.
Her eyes lingered on the tonics, and Charlotte’s words echoed in her mind: "Take it in small portions."
A tempting thought arose: "Shall I try it?"
But instantly, a cautionary voice within her countered, "Thea, what are you thinking? Don’t do it."
