Chapter 144: The Box Was More Than Just A Gift
Thea’s apology was barely audible, a reluctant "Sorry" that was more of a mumble than a sincere expression of regret. She rolled her eyes and ground her teeth.
"Say louder, I couldn’t hear it." Charlotte continued to tease her.
Thea’s scowl deepened, but she raised her voice and repeated, "I am sorry."
"Hmm, I don’t hold grudges, even if you didn’t say sorry to me.After all you have not used too much energy to smack me."
"Grandma, did you see... Doesn’t she need a nice smack from me?" Thea asked,as she glanced at Charlotte.
Grandma Grace smiled knowingly, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "That’s between you two, I won’t comment."
She then turned her attention to more pressing matters. "Come inside, both of you. I’m going to make dinner for you two. Charlotte, after dinner, only I will let you leave my house." With that, she led the way into the house.
"You invited, of course I will obey your order, Grandma." Charlotte replied, her voice dripping with sweetness and obedience as she glanced towards the back of Grandma Grace, who was leading the way into the house.
But as soon as they were out of Grandma Grace’s earshot, Charlotte’s expression transformed. "Baby, I still have some time to pester you more." she whispered, her eyes glinting with amusement as she nudged Thea playfully.
"Are you anticipating some brutal beatings from me? My hands are feeling itchy." Thea said, her fingers flexing in a threat.
"Baby, if you like me so much, please come inside." She later added seeing that Charlotte was silent for a moment.Her voice was soft and inviting, as she gestured for Charlotte to follow her into the house.
Charlotte smiled, her eyes shining with affection. "Hmm, where my baby is, I will willingly follow."
The two girls made their way to Thea’s room, chatting and laughing together. Once they were inside, Charlotte asked, "Where did you keep the juices?"
"In the fridge.." Thea replied, "Do you want some?"
But Charlotte shook her head, "No, I’m fine with the dinner Grandma would cook." she said, already knowing that Grandma Grace’s cooking was always delicious.
As they waited for dinner, Charlotte’s eyes wandered to the bag that Thea had been carrying earlier. She walked over to it, rummaged through it, and pulled out the chocolate box that Lyla had gifted each of them. She opened the box and started eating the chocolates, savoring the sweet taste.
As she dug deeper into the box, her fingers stumbled upon a square shape box, wrapped package. She knew instantly that it was the gift Ryder had given to Thea.
Charlotte’s fingers had closed around the wrapped package, but she didn’t open it. Instead, she carefully placed it back where it was in the bag, deciding not to pry into Thea’s private matters.
Just then, Thea emerged from the bathroom, looking fresh and relaxed in her home attire. She glanced at Charlotte, who was still sitting on the bed swinging her legs continuosly, and asked, "Do you want to get fresh?"
As she spoke, she began to dry her hair with a towel, her eyes fixed on Charlotte’s face. Charlotte shook her head, "No, didn’t you see that I took a bath when you went to my house? You have almost seen me half naked."
Thea’s cheeks flushed slightly as she replied, "I have closed my eyes as soon as you emerged from the bathroom." But Charlotte was not convinced.
"But you have seen..." Charlotte teased.
Thea’s face grew even redder as she stammered, "T...that for a second."
Charlotte’s grin grew wider, and she suggested,"Then let me see yours, we’ll be even." Her eyes gleamed with a playful, evil spark, and Thea’s heart skipped a beat as she knew what Charlotte had in mind.
"Charlotte, don’t be shameless."
But Charlotte just ignored her, too busy enjoying whatever she was eating. Thea’s eyes narrowed as she glanced at Charlotte, trying to see what had captured her attention. "And what are you eating?"
"Chocolates.." Charlotte replied, her mouth full and her eyes sparkling with pleasure.
"Where did you get the chocolate?" she asked, her mind racing with possibilities.
"From your bag." Charlotte said, her voice casual and unrepentant.
Thea’s eyes snapped to her bag, and she felt a surge of surprise. "From my bag?" she wondered, her mind racing with questions.
But then she remembered the chocolate box that Lyla had gifted her. "The chocolate Lyla gifted?" she asked, her voice tinged with accusation.
Charlotte just hummed in response, too busy eating to answer properly. Thea quickly went over to Charlotte, snatching the box from her hand. She dropped the dry towel she was using to dry her wet hair onto the chair and began to count the chocolates.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized that Charlotte had already finished six of them. "You already finished six of them!" she exclaimed. "I won’t let you have any more." she said, holding the box out of Charlotte’s reach.
"I didn’t count how many I have eaten your chocolates, I’ll let you have mine tomorrow."
Thea just laughed and replied, "Did I say I want them?" Her tone was gentle, and she wasn’t angry at all with Charlotte.
Charlotte’s expression turned thoughtful, and she said, "Thea, I was thinking..."
She encouraged Charlotte to continue. "Hmm, now tell me what you want to say, my dear. What new mischievous idea do you have in your dirty mind?" She laughed, clearly entertained by Charlotte’s antics.
But then Charlotte’s tone changed, and she said, "Should I give you some breast massage? Where is that essential oil? Bring it." Her voice was sudden and commanding, catching Thea off guard.
"Okay, I’m sorry...now tell what you want to say."
Charlotte’s expression turned serious, and she asked, "Do you know any ideas about how to seduce?"
Thea burst out laughing. "You have so much idea about those facts, now you are asking me... the teacher is asking her student."
"Yeah, so silly of me to ask someone who is so naive of these matters." Charlotte said, teasing Thea about her supposed lack of knowledge on seduction.
But before Thea could respond, Grandma Grace’s voice shouted from downstairs, "Charlotte, Thea, dinner is ready, come down!"
"Going, Grandma!" Thea replied, already heading towards the door.
As they walked downstairs, Thea turned to Charlotte and asked, "Are you planning to seduce Ryan?"
Her response was unexpected. "I have to ask my little brother Nash."
"Nash... who is he? I haven’t heard of him from you." Thea asked, she wasn’t aware of who this Nash was
But Charlotte just smiled and said, "I’ll tell you later. Grandma is waiting for us."
The two girls went downstairs to have dinner, chatting and laughing with Grandma Grace. After dinner, Charlotte bid Grandma Grace and Thea goodbye, thanking them for the meal and the company. As she walked back to her house, Thea watched her go, she couldn’t help but wonder what Charlotte had been thinking, asking about seduction, and what her little brother Nash had to do with anything. But for now, she just smiled and waved goodbye, looking forward to their next conversation.
"Thea, you went to Charlotte’s house?" Grandma Grace asked.
"Yes, Grandma," Thea replied, "I was there at Ryder’s house when she called me, as she had to give me a gift. Did you remember Lyla, the one who was our university friend? She sent us a gift."
Grandma Grace’s face lit up with recognition. "Oh, Lyla! Yes, I remember her. She was such a sweet girl. What kind of gift did she send you?"
Thea smiled, happy to share the news with her grandma. "She sent us a box of chocolates and a photo frame. Charlotte and I each got one."
"And yes, Ryder too brought a gift for me, along with his cousins." Thea said, a smile spreading across her face. "He went on a business trip and brought it back for us."
Grandma Grace looked at her with a knowing glint in her eye and replied, "Hmm, he still remains the same." Her voice was low and thoughtful, implying that Ryder’s thoughtful gesture was no surprise to her.
With that, Grandma Grace turned her attention back to the television, her eyes focusing on the program that was currently playing. Thea followed her gaze, and the two of them sat together in silence, enjoying each other’s company as they watched TV.
