Chapter 136: We’ll All Live Together!
Charlotte’s voice was hushed as she asked, "What’s the progress with...you know what I mean?" Thea’s expression turned solemn, and she replied, "Charlotte, I found out that he has someone on his mind."
Charlotte’s reaction was instantaneous. She gasped loudly, "What?" The sudden outburst drew the attention of the surrounding students, who turned to stare at the two friends.
Thea’s eyes widened in alarm, and she quickly gestured for Charlotte to keep her voice down. "Ssh, Charlotte.." she whispered, her eyes darting around the room in embarrassment.Charlotte’s face flushed with mortification as she realized she had become the center of attention. "I’m sorry." she apologized, trying to regain her composure.
She glanced around at her classmates, who were still watching her with interest, and said, "Please, continue with your work."
Charlotte’s eyes were fixed on Thea, awaiting her response. "So, what are you going to do?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Thea’s gaze drifted down to her notes, her eyes scanning the pages as if searching for an answer. "Charlotte, I don’t know.." she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
She continued to stare at her notes, trying to appear nonchalant, but her actions betrayed her desperation. Her eyes darted back and forth, her brow furrowed in worry, as she struggled to come to terms with the unexpected revelation.
Charlotte noticed Thea’s distress and decided not to press the issue further. Instead, she chose to give her friend space, allowing her to process her emotions without interruption. Throughout the class, she would occasionally steal glances at Thea, checking in on her without being intrusive. She would then refocus her attention on the lesson, taking notes and participating in the discussion, all while keeping a watchful eye on her friend.
Charlotte whispered to Thea, "So, do you know who Mr. Thompson has in his mind?"
Thea shook her head, "No." Charlotte’s eyes dropped, and she softly murmured, "Our fate is the same."
Inside the grand living room of Thompson’s Mansion...
Elder Edward and his wife were seated alongside their twin granddaughters. Elder Edward posed a question to the twins. "So, have you two given any thought to which university you’ll be attending after you finish school?"
Melanie’s face lit up with excitement as she responded, "Grandpa, we want to enroll in the same university as our elder brother."
Elder Edward’s eyebrows rose slightly, "In Scotland?"
Melanie shook her head, "No, Grandpa. We want to attend Lumina University, here."
Brenda’s expression turned serious as she listened to her daughter’s aspirations. She cleared her throat, and her voice took on a thoughtful tone. "If you two want to get admitted to that prestigious university, you two have to study hard," she cautioned, "but with the way you two are studying, I don’t think you would have the chance to get admitted."
Rosie’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at her daughter. "Brenda, why are you talking like that to them?" she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
"Did I say anything wrong?" she countered. "From the time we have come, I haven’t seen them studying at all," she pointed out, her words a candid reflection of her observations.
Elder Edward’s eyes twinkled with warmth as he gazed at his granddaughters. "Let them enjoy for a few days." he said, his voice filled with kindness. "After returning, they will study hard, right, my dears?" He winked at Melanie and Lydia, who responded with delighted giggles.
Brenda, his daughter, sighed softly, her expression a blend of concern and amusement. "Hmm...like this way, they will dance upon my head if you all go on spoiling them." she remarked, her words a playful rebuke to her father, teasing him about his tendency to indulge the twins and undermine her efforts to discipline them.
With a twinkle in his eye, Elder Edward turned to his wife and asked, "Then, if our granddaughters like to dance on your head," his voice dripping with amusement, "we would like to spoil them more. What do you say, honey?"
Rosie’s expression was equally playful as she nodded her head, a soft smile on her lips. "Yes, why not?" she replied, her voice laced with warmth and affection, as she joined her husband in his lighthearted teasing, both of them clearly relishing the joy of spoiling their beloved granddaughters.
Anderson, Brenda’s husband, came downstairs and entered the living room, a chuckle escaping his lips. "What’s going on? Did I miss something, Father?" he asked, laughing as he spoke, his eyes scanning the room, as he joined his family and tried to get in on the joke.
"Your daughters want to get enrolled in Lumina University." Brenda said, turning to her husband who was sitting beside her.
"That’s a great choice," he replied, "but why didn’t you two tell me about your decision before?"
"Father, we weren’t sure about it," Lydia explained, looking at her sister before continuing.
Their father nodded thoughtfully, a hint of a smile on his face. "Hmm, that would be great if you study here." he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm and approval.
Anderson turned to his wife with a thoughtful expression. "Darling, should we also return here after our daughters get admitted?" he asked, seeking her opinion.
Lydia’s face lit up with excitement. "Father, that would be great! We can all live together again," she exclaimed, her eyes shining with nostalgia. "I missed my childhood days here," she added, a wistful tone creeping into her voice.
Anderson’s gaze drifted off, lost in thought, as he recalled the decision he had made fourteen years ago to move his family to Dallas. The prospect of returning to their old home, surrounded by familiar memories and loved ones, seemed increasingly appealing.
"Hmm.." Brenda murmured.
Elder Edward beamed with delight. "That’s great news. So, Melanie and Lydia, study hard, okay?" he said, his voice warm with encouragement.
Lydia’s face lit up with a bright smile as she laughed and promised, "Hmm, Grandpa, we would.." her eyes shining with amusement as she exchanged a glance with her twin sister, Melanie, before looking back at her grandfather with a determined glint in her eye.
Lydia entered their room, beaming with excitement. "So, finally, we get to shift back here! Melanie, I am so excited, I just can’t express myself in words," she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.
Melanie’s face mirrored her twin sister’s excitement. "Hmm, me too... I just can’t believe that after 14 years, we’re actually going to return here," she said, her voice filled with awe. "Our Grandfather would be happy if he heard the news."
Lydia nodded, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Hmm.." she agreed, before Melanie added, "Just think, we have to study hard and get admitted to our dream university."
Melanie’s eyes shone with anticipation as she spoke, and Lydia’s excitement reached a fever pitch. "I just can’t wait for it." she announced, her voice bubbling over with enthusiasm, as she contemplated the thrilling adventures that awaited them.
Emerson pushed open the door and stepped inside, her eyes fixed on Melanie. "Sister Melanie.."
Melanie looked up, a hint of a smile on her face. "Hmm, Emerson," she replied, her tone relaxed.
But Emerson’s expression quickly turned sour, and she pouted, her lower lip jutting out. "You forgot your promise, sister" she accused, her voice trembling with disappointment.
Melanie’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she looked at Emerson with a questioning gaze. "Promise?" she repeated, her tone uncertain, as if trying to remember what promise Emerson was talking about.
Emerson’s face scrunched up in disappointment as she reminded Melanie of her promise. "Hmm... You promised that you would give me your chocolate from your collection."
Melanie’s expression turned mock-innocent, and she tilted her head to one side, pretending to be puzzled. "Did I?" she asked, her tone dripping with fake forgetfulness. "Why can’t I remember?" she added, batting her eyelashes, trying to appear as innocent as possible.
Emerson’s eyes flashed with annoyance, and she crossed her little arms, her voice rising in indignation. Melanie, however, continued to play dumb, enjoying the opportunity to tease her little sister. "I don’t recall making any such promise." she said, shrugging her shoulders, a smile spreading across her face.
Lydia’s face lit up with a bright smile as she shared the exciting news. "Emerson, we have good news to share with you." she said, her voice trembling with amusement.
Emerson’s eyes widened with curiosity. "Good news?" she repeated, her tone eager.
