Chapter 161: We Haven’t Been In Touch
Thea’s expression softened. "It’s beneficial for your health, Charlotte. You have a fever. "
Charlotte shook her head defiantly. "You can have it if you enjoy it. I’m not going to eat it. "
With that, Charlotte reclined on the bed, turning her back to Thea. Thea placed her plate aside and approached the bed.
"I don’t think so, Charlotte." Thea remarked, her tone both firm and playful, as she sat down next to Charlotte on the bed.
"Take some soup now." Thea suggested, extending the bowl. "You’ve already had a ’small’ piece of pastry, after all. "
Charlotte turned onto her side, her eyes squinting playfully at Thea. "Are you going to make me drink this terrible soup? "
Thea’s expression stayed neutral, but her eyes glimmered with humor. "If it’s necessary, then..."
Charlotte sulked, her bottom lip sticking out. "You’re so unkind... Can’t you see that your best friend doesn’t want to drink it? "
Thea laughed, her tone soft and teasing. "Alright, alright, I’m unkind. You’re adorable. Now quickly get up and drink it. " She positioned the bowl of soup in front of Charlotte.
With an exaggerated sigh, Charlotte sat up, tucking her legs beneath her on the bed. She stared at the soup with a look of aversion, her gaze fixed on Thea’s in a silent request for mercy.
"Fed me. . . " Charlotte sighed, accepting her fate, and responded, recognizing that Thea wouldn’t give in.
Thea stirred the bubbling hot soup, a unique medicinal brew infused with ginger, garlic, and herbs recognized for their healing benefits. The scent emanating from the bowl was strong, yet Thea assured her that it would ease her fever and comfort her sore body.
Thea lifted a spoonful of the hot liquid and reached out, feeding Charlotte. She opened her mouth, taking in the offering. As she swallowed the soup, she scrunched up her face, her eyes watering slightly from the strong flavors.
Thea beamed softly, encouraging her to keep going. "Just a little more, Charlotte." she urged, scooping up another spoonful of the healing soup.
"Good girl.." Thea remarked, smilling, as she placed the empty bowl down. "You’ve consumed everything. "
At that moment, Grandma Agnes reentered the room. "Charlotte, did you eat the soup? " she inquired.
Charlotte threw Thea a scornful glare before addressing her grandmother. Thea, in contrast, merely smiled innocently.
"Oh, my granddaughter completely finished the last drop of it.." Grandma Agnes answered, receiving a look of disapproval from Charlotte. "Did you enjoy it? I’ll request Lorie to prepare it for you this evening. "
Grandma Agnes’s eyes sparkled with delight. "Grandma. . . she’s the cause.." Charlotte mumbled, glaring at Thea.
Grandma Agnes erupted with laughter. "Ha! Ha! So Thea made you drink it all! Good, Good! "
Grandma Agnes continued, "Ah, I recall how you used to give me such a hard time when I would serve you this soup. You’d take ages to finish it. "
Charlotte interjected, defending herself. "I’ve also caused her trouble." she stated, nodding in Thea’s direction.
Grandma Agnes’s laughter resonated throughout the room once more. "Well, I’m pleased to see that you’re looking after one another! "
"Ooh, Thea, tomorrow you’re going to drop your grandma with Charlotte, right?" Grandma Agnes asked, looking at Thea.
"Yes," Thea replied. "But Grandma, my grandma said she didn’t want to trouble Charlotte since she’s not feeling well. So, I’ll just drop her off instead."
Grandma Agnes turned to Charlotte, who was sitting up in bed, looking determined. "Grandma, please convince her.." Charlotte said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I’m all good, see? I can jump and run. Why not take me?"
Charlotte threw off the covers and demonstrated her energy by jumping up and down on the bed, her fever seemingly forgotten in her excitement.
Grandma Agnes regarded Charlotte with a sense of worry. "What Thea mentioned is for your own benefit, dear. You must get adequate rest, or else you’ll become ill again. And if that occurs, will you be able to enjoy the wedding celebration? "
Charlotte looked back at her grandmother, her face softening. After a brief pause, she nodded with hesitation. "Alright. . . this time I’m letting you off, but next time I will definitely go."
Grandma Agnes beamed, pleased that Charlotte comprehended. She directed her attention to Thea. "After you drop off Grandma Grace, you will come here straight away, won’t you? "
Thea nodded, offering a reassuring smile to Charlotte. "Alright, alright, Charlotte. I will come and spend time with you tomorrow. "
Thea flopped into her chair, exhausted. She closed her eyes, letting the silence envelop her. But as she sat there, her mind began to stir.
She opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. 7 o’clock. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought about making a call. "Should I call him now?" she wondered, a flutter of anticipation in her chest.
She pulled out her phone and navigated through her contact list, her fingers pausing at Liam’s name. She tapped the name, and her phone started to dial. Pressing the phone to her ear, she listened.
The phone rang multiple times, but there was no response. Instead, a recorded voice started, stating:
"The person you are attempting to contact is presently unavailable. Kindly leave a message after the tone. "
She placed her phone down and went to her closet to put on a new dress. After changing into something more comfortable, she returned to her chair..
While she was taking notes, her phone unexpectedly rang, interrupting the quiet. She looked at the screen, and her heart raced when she noticed Liam’s name lighting up.
Hastily putting her pen aside, she grabbed the phone, "Hello. . . it’s Thea.." she replied, attempting to sound nonchalant.
On the other line, Liam’s deep voice responded, "Hmm. . . I know. "
Thea’s silence was palpable for a moment before she finally spoke up. "How are you?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Liam’s response was immediate. "How are you, Thea? How’s Grandma?"
"We’re good... yeah," Thea replied, choosing her words carefully. She couldn’t bring herself to mention the things John had told her about Liam’s father’s condition.
"I called you because I haven’t contacted you for a long time.." she said, her voice tinged with a hint of regret.
"Yeah... we haven’t been in touch.." There was a brief pause before Liam mumbled.
"Did you say something?" Thea asked, straining to hear.
"No... nothing.." Liam replied, his voice clear once more.
Thea took a deep breath, summoning the courage to ask the question that had been on her mind. "How’s Uncle?" she asked, her voice soft.
Liam’s response was measured. "Thea... my father had surgery recently. He’s recovering."
Thea’s heart went out to him. "Oh... it must have been tough for you. Take care of yourself and Uncle, okay?"
"I would like to get together with you later," Liam mentioned, his tone soft and genuine.
Thea’s heart raced. "Sure, that sounds wonderful.." she answered, attempting to maintain a nonchalant demeanor.
"Alright, I won’t hold you up any further. Goodnight," Thea stated, concluding the conversation.
Liam’s reply was comforting. "Ha ha, Thea, you’re not bothering me. Alright, goodnight. "
Thea beamed, feeling a bond. "Hmm, goodbye.." she murmured before the call was disconnected.
Thea, too, knew that Liam had experienced a profound loss, having lost his mother at a young age. She found herself contemplating a call to Liam,. Recognizing the immense pain he must have endured, Thea’s heart swelled with compassion.
Although she had only known Liam for a year, having met him through mutual friends Ryder and John, Thea considered him a close friend. Given their friendship, she couldn’t simply ignore his struggles and chose instead to reach out and offer her support.
The next day....
Grandma Grace looked at Thea with a questioning gaze. "Have you packed everything?" she asked. Thea nodded, "Yeah, Grandma." With a final check, Thea locked the house and handed the keys over to her grandmother. Then, she slid into the waiting cab and settled in beside Grandma Grace.
As the cab wound its way through the countryside, Thea gazed out the window, taking in the picturesque scenery. The journey lasted approximately an hour and a half, and eventually, they arrived at their destination. Thea and Grandma Grace climbed out of the cab, and Thea’s eyes landed on the charming house in front of them. The setting was breathtaking – a tranquil semi-urban town ,Willowdale.
The house, an one-story structure, was nestled amidst a vast and lush garden, its beauty leaving Thea spellbound.
