Chapter 158: Yes ..All Is Well.
Thea entered the living room quietly, attempting to avoid any noise. Her grandmother, Grandma Grace, was sitting on the couch, her eyes focused on the television. Thea’s eyebrows lifted slightly as she observed the situation.
"Grandma, it’s time to go to bed, isn’t it? " Thea inquired, her hands placed on her hips. "Yet you are still watching TV. "
Grandma Grace remained still, her eyes staying glued to the show. "Let me enjoy this, dear," she replied, her tone soft yet resolute. "It’s quite fascinating. " Her gaze did not shift from the screen, and Thea couldn’t help but chuckle at her grandmother’s resolve.
"Grandma, you’re acting like a child," Thea remarked, attempting to suppress a laugh.
Grandma Grace glanced up from the television, a mischievous smile emerging on her face. "Hmm, as we grow older, we behave like children. Research has stated that." she answered, her eyes sparkling with playfulness.
Thea shook her head. "Grandma, the doctor has already advised you to stick to your routine. "
Grandma Grace shrugged. "Skipping once won’t do much damage." she stated, her eyes drifting back to the screen.
Thea raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so.. "
Grandma Grace remained absorbed in her show, and Thea continued, "I considered sharing something with you, but you’re so engrossed in your program. . . I might as well just forget it. " She turned to go upstairs, attempting to sound casual.
However, Grandma Grace’s voice halted her. "Wait. . . "
Thea turned around, a trace of a smile on her face. "Keep on watching your program. . . it’s more important.." she said, attempting to sound indifferent.
Grandma Grace’s expression became sorrowful, and she gazed at Thea with imploring eyes. "No, no, my beloved granddaughter, you mean more to me.." she said, her voice brimming with emotion.
Thea’s lips pressed together as she fought to hold back a smile. "If I’m so significant, why haven’t you switched off the TV yet? "
Grandma Grace’s face brightened with a bashful smile. "Oh, look, I’ve turned it off.." she said, grabbing the remote control and hitting the power button. The screen went blank, and Grandma Grace focused her full attention on Thea, her eyes gleaming with affection and interest.
"Now, what do you have to tell me? " Grandma Grace inquired, her eyes glimmering with curiosity as she gazed at Thea.
Thea looked at her grandmother and smiled. "Why don’t you head to bed? I’ll tell you after I freshen up." she replied,
Grandma Grace returned her smile, her expression filled with warmth. "Whatever you desire, my dear." she responded, as she rose from the sofa.
Thea smiled while observing her grandmother walk towards her room. She then glanced at the clock in the living room and was startled to find it was already past 9 o’clock.
Aware that her grandma would soon begin to feel drowsy, Thea quickly hurried to her room, took a refreshing shower to wash away the tiredness, and changed into a comfortable dress.
Thea headed to her grandmother’s room. She knocked on the door and entered, discovering her grandmother cozy and relaxed, awaiting her arrival.
"Grandma, this Wednesday we will be going out to attend the Charlotte’s cousin’s wedding." Thea mentioned, sitting down next to her grandma. "So, on Tuesday, Charlotte and I will take you to Grandfather’s house. "
Grandma Grace’s eyes squinted slightly as she inquired, "Charlotte will be accompanying us? "
Thea affirmed. "Hmm. . . She insists that I need to stay with her on Tuesday because we have an early flight the following day. Additionally, she believes you’ll be concerned about me if I’m not with her. "
Grandma Grace chuckled, recognizing the validity in Charlotte’s statement. "What she claims is accurate." she conceded.
However, Thea’s demeanor shifted to playful, and she made a pout with her lips. "Grandma, do you genuinely believe I’m still a child? " she questioned, feigning offense.
Grandma Grace’s face brightened with a loving grin as she gazed at Thea. "Hmm, in my view, my dear Thea, you will forever be my little child." she said, her tone brimming with love and tenderness.
"Today, I’m going to sleep with you, Grandma.." Thea remarked, a playful sparkle in her eyes.
Grandma Grace laughed and responded, "Hmm, I don’t have an issue with that. "
Thea grinned, her eyes glinting with delight. "Grandma, I was only teasing you."
However, Grandma Grace joined in, stating, "I’m also being honest with you; I have no problem with you sleeping with me. "
Thea’s grin widened as she said, "Alright, I’ll sleep with you today.." and she moved to embrace her grandma tightly.
Once they lay on the bed together, Thea stared quietly at the ceiling, deep in thought. "Grandma, today we encountered Ryder at the restaurant." she said, her voice just above a whisper.
Yet she received no answer from Grandma Grace. Thea shifted her face to look at her grandma and saw that she had dozed off. Thea’s expression softened as she gently turned onto her side and tenderly caressed her grandma’s head, her fingers gently stroking her hair.
As she gazed at her grandma’s tranquil face, Thea’s eyelids began to feel heavy, and she eventually closed her eyes, falling asleep next to her cherished grandma.
The following day....
As Thea’s eyelids slowly opened, she noticed that she was still tucked in beside her grandma, her hand softly encircling Grandma Grace’s waist. She beamed affectionately as she greeted her grandma with a gentle, morning tone. "Good morning, Grandma. "
Grandma Grace’s reply was just as tender, her voice infused with affection and warmth. "Good morning.." she answered, her eyes crinkling at the edges as she smiled at Thea. The two of them remained in the serene morning moment, relishing the comfort and proximity of one another’s presence.
Thea returned to her room to freshen up.
Her phone rang, interrupting her morning routine. She walked over to answer it, and upon seeing Charlotte’s name on the screen, she smiled. "Hmm, Charlotte." she said, answering the call.
"Thea, did you forget about me?" Charlotte asked, her voice playful and teasing.
Thea laughed and splashed some water on her face, after putting the phone on speaker mode so she could continue getting ready while they talked. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice casual and curious.
Charlotte’s response was laced with humor. "No news, didn’t even ask if I reached safely or not... hmm, getting too cozy with Mr. Thompson, you’ve forgotten about me.." she joked, her tone lighthearted and friendly.
Thea’s voice was assertive as she questioned, "Who would have the audacity to threaten our madam, Charlotte? " She was determined not to allow anyone to intimidate her friend.
"So, any positive news? "
Thea updated her on the events of the previous day, "No..He had some significant work, so after I got into a cab, he departed. " She was speaking about Ryder.
Charlotte’s voice was tinged with empathy as she probed, "Oh, so my sweetheart was upset about it? " She was concerned that Thea may have felt sad about Ryder’s departure.
But Thea promptly refuted it, "No, I’m not upset. " She wished for Charlotte not to fret over her.
However, Thea noted that Charlotte had called her earlier than usual, "You called quite early today. . . " She was intrigued about what might have caused Charlotte to reach out to her so soon.
Charlotte disclosed, "Hmm. . . Thea, I won’t be attending university today. "
"Is everything alright? " Thea inquired, her concern clear in her tone.
Charlotte comforted her, "Yes. . . all is well. Just I. . . Achoo. . . " But before she could complete her thought, Charlotte sneezed loudly.
"Are you running a fever? " Thea queried.
Charlotte sneezed again, "Hmm. . . Achoo. . . " She began to sneeze in succession, and Thea recognized that she was not feeling well.
Thea’s reaction was swift, "Get some rest. " She didn’t want Charlotte to strain herself, and she understood that she needed to prioritize her health. With that, she ended the call, feeling anxious about her friend’s sudden sickness.
Thea went for her usual morning walk with her grandma, relishing the fresh air and light exercise. Once they finished their walk, they headed back home and shared a simple breakfast. While seated at the table, Thea brought up her worry regarding her friend.
"Grandma, Charlotte has gotten sick with a fever." she stated.
Her grandma’s face grew sympathetic. "Oh, dear. Let her know she doesn’t need to join us tomorrow. After all, she will be feeling weak, and we wouldn’t want her to push herself." she recommended, her tone laced with worry.
