Chapter 127: I Can Take A Better One Than You
Once they settled into their seats, Grandma Grace asked, "Charlotte, have you given Thea the tonics you were mentioning before..?"
Charlotte feigned a sad expression. "Yes, Grandma, but your beloved granddaughter hasn’t touched a single tonic yet.Oh ..my poor little thing.."
"Thea, haven’t you taken the tonics she gave you yet?" Grandma Grace asked, looking at her intently."Grandma, it’s just that she told me...," Thea began, her voice trailing off. "I ..I ..t..think I forgot about it."
"Grandma, what’s for lunch?" Charlotte asked, eyeing the spread.
"Today’s special is grilled chicken, homemade coleslaw, and steamed green beans with cherry tomatoes..." Grandma Grace replied with a warm smile.Charlotte’s eyes sparkled. "Grandma, I almost forgot – my cousin’s wedding is next month. You and Thea have to come with me to Canada."
"Charlotte, thank you for inviting us.." Grandma Grace said, serving the dishes. "You take Thea with you to Canada, and have lots of fun."
"Grandma, are you going somewhere else?" Charlotte asked.
"Hmm..I will go to my elder brother’s house.." Grandma Grace replied.
"Are you going to stay there?" Thea asked curiously.Grandma Grace nodded vaguely. "Hmm...If you stay with Charlotte then I can stay with me elder brother few days..It will be good decision.."
Thea thought for a moment. "Then I’ll go with you to drop you off and meet Grandfather before heading to the wedding with Charlotte."
"Okay, dear.."
"Here you go, sweetie.." Grandma Grace said, passing Thea her plate.
Friday afternoon.. found Grandma Grace settled into her armchair, scanning the newspaper, when the landline phone in the living room rang. Thea was away at university, so Grandma Grace got up to answer it.
"Hello?" Grandma Grace said.
"Hello, Madam Wynn..." a familiar voice replied. "I’m Ryder’s grandma..."
"Hello, Madam Thompson.." Grandma Grace responded warmly. "How are you?"
Madam Thompson began to share her news, and Grandma Grace listened attentively.
"We’re planning a trip, as Thea may have mentioned.." Madam Thompson said. "We’d love for you and Thea to join us."
"That sounds lovely.." Grandma Grace replied, smiling. "I’ll accompany her on the trip."
"Wonderful!" Madam Thompson exclaimed. "We will look forward to seeing you both."
"Looking forward to it.." Grandma Grace said, before they ended the call.
As night fell, Thea busied herself in the kitchen, preparing dinner. "Grandma, I have some news.." she said, stirring the pot.
"What is it, dear?" Grandma Grace asked, curious.
"Aunt Elizabeth called today while I was in the University."
"Yes..Madam Thompson also called me
today.." Grandma Grace replied.
Thea nodded. "Oh..She invited us to join their trip."
"I heard Melanie mention they’re heading to the old mansion in Newport, Rhode Island," Thea continued. "It’s a four-hour drive from here."
After dinner, they headed to Grandma Grace’s room.
"Let me pack your clothes for the trip, Grandma.." Thea offered.
With her grandma’s luggage packed, Thea moved on to her own room to prepare for the trip. Her enthusiasm was evident as she carefully selected her outfits and essentials.
As she relaxed on her bed, scrolling through her phone, she stumbled upon a recent news article: "Ryder Thompson Leads Family’s Groundbreaking New Venture."
Intrigued, she opened the article, and her eyes landed on a photo of Ryder. His captivating smile and intense gaze filled the screen.
For a moment, she forgot about the trip preparations, lost in the depths of Ryder’s piercing eyes. Her heart beat a little faster at the thought of seeing him soon.
"He’s absolutely stunning in this picture.." Thea whispered, her finger tracing the contours of Ryder’s face on the screen.
"You are really an iceberg, Ryder.." she murmured, a gentle smile on her lips. "What your cousin sisters said is true - there’s so much more to you beneath the surface."
She scrolled through her phone gallery, revisiting treasured moments. A specific folder, "Memories with Ryder." she opened..
The first photo transported her back to her 14th year. It was her inaugural selfie, taken with Ryder, on her first-ever phone - a gift from Grandma Grace.
Five years ago
Thea sat hunched over her desk, intensely focused on her homework. She was only 14 then, and her studies consumed her evenings.
The door creaked open, but Thea didn’t notice. Grandma Grace slipped in, her footsteps light as she tiptoed across the room.
Without making a sound, Grandma Grace glided behind her, her eyes scanning the textbook and notes scattered across the desk. She watched her granddaughter’s concentrated expression, a warm smile spreading across her face.
Thea remained oblivious to Grandma Grace’s presence, her pencil scratching away at the paper as she worked through the math problems. The silence was only broken by the soft scratch of pencil lead and her occasional sigh.
"Thea, close your eyes..." Grandma Grace whispered softly..
Her gaze shifted upward, her expression inquisitive. "Grandma, why do I need to close my eyes?"Grandma Grace’s smile hinted at a surprise. "Just close them, dear."
Thea’s pencil clattered onto the desk as she obeyed. Her eyelids shut, and she waited.
"I’ve closed them as you have instructed." She said, her words laced with expectation.
Grandma Grace gently deposited an elegantly wrapped box on the desk, the soft whisper of paper and faint click resounding in the quiet.
"Now, open your eyes.." Grandma Grace whispered.
Thea’s eyes snapped open, locking onto the mysterious box. Her gaze darted to Grandma Grace, excitement and curiosity mingling on her face.
"Grandma, is this for me?" She asked, her voice barely containing her excitement.
Grandma Grace nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, Thea."
With trembling hands, she unwrapped the elegant paper, revealing the beautifully crafted box beneath. She lifted the lid, and her eyes widened.
"A phone!" Thea squealed, delight radiating from her face.
She carefully lifted the device from the box, admiring its sleek design. "Thank you so much, Grandma!" She exclaimed, rushing to hug Grandma Grace.
Grandma Grace smiled, hugging her lovely granddaughter tightly. "I thought it is time you have one,Thea."
She was quite happy after getting the phone in her hand..when she went to visit Ryder..
She directly went to his room and found him sitting on the sofa reading a novel book...
"What novel are you reading?"Thea went and sat beside him...
Ryder smiled briefly before refocusing on his book. She, undeterred, pulled out her new phone.
"Ryder, look here.." Thea said, trying to capture his attention.
Ryder looked up, curious, and she swiftly snapped a photo of him.
"Hey!" Ryder protested, laughing.
"You got a new phone?" Ryder asked, eyeing the device.
Thea nodded, beaming. "Hmm, Grandma bought it for me."
Ryder gently took the phone from Thea’s hand. "You shouldn’t click photos of others without their permission.." he said with a hint of teasing.
She puffed out her cheek, looking slightly rebellious. Ryder chuckled and began deleting the photo.
"Come here.." Ryder said, beckoning her closer.
Thea without hesitating , stepping nearer to Ryder. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a playful hug.
"Sorry.." Thea muttered, looking up at Ryder with a mischievous smile..
Ryder smiled, releasing her from the hug.
He placed his hands on her shoulders, his fingers gently gripping her. He opened the camera app on her phone.As she drew closer to Ryder, her heartbeat accelerated. She was utterly entranced by his gaze, her eyes locked onto his, unable to look away.
"Look at the camera...." Ryder instructed..
Thea lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting Ryder’s as he snapped a photo.
"Smile.." Ryder whispered, capturing another shot.Thea’s smile blossomed, and Ryder captured its beauty.
"Perfect.." Ryder said, reviewing the photos. "Now, let’s see if I can take a better one than you took of me."
Her gaze fell upon the photo, and her cheeks instantly flushed. The image captured her and Ryder in a tender moment, their faces aglow with happiness.
In the photo, her bright smile illuminated her features, her eyes shining with warmth. Ryder’s arm wrapped affectionately around her shoulders, his own smile mirroring hers. Their faces were tilted toward each other, their joy and contentment palpable.
The soft focus and golden light enveloped them, creating an intimate atmosphere. Thea’s hair fell softly around her face, framing her radiant expression. Ryder’s eyes crinkled at the corners, his gaze filled with adoration.
The photograph radiated warmth, capturing a transcendent moment of unity between her and Ryder. As she gazed at the image, Thea’s heart swelled with affection, her eyes locking onto the tender embrace they shared.The photo exuded a sense of togetherness, freezing a fleeting moment of bliss between them.
