Chapter 165: Not Being Related By Blood
Thea smiled, appreciative of Charlotte’s kindness, and took a seat. The dresser’s mirror, with its soft, built-in lighting, illuminated Thea’s face.
With Charlotte’s assistance, Thea’s hair was changed from a wet, messy bunch to a ponytail. "All set.." Charlotte remarked, giving Thea’s hair one last brush before stepping back to appreciate her work.
Charlotte proceeded to put the hairdryer away in its proper drawer, while Thea rose from the stool, straightening her dress and running a hand over her neat ponytail. Together, the two friends walked downstairs to the dining hall, where the tempting scents of lunch floated in the air.
As they walked into the room, Grandma Agnes looked up from her place at the table, "Thea, Charlotte, come and sit with me. "
Thea and Charlotte exchanged smiles before taking their places at the table.
"Grandma Agnes beamed kindly. "I’ve asked Lorie to cook your favorite meal, Thea. "
Thea’s expression brightened with a grin.
"Grandma, we have an early flight tomorrow," Charlotte reminded her.
"What time is it? "
"Our flight is at 3 am.." Charlotte answered.
Grandma Agnes considered briefly. "Alright, I’ll ensure to wake you both up in time. "
She faced Thea. "Your grandma went to visit her older brother’s home. Charlotte mentioned it... But I didn’t know she had an older brother."
Thea acknowledged. "Yes, Grandma. There were some conflicts between them in the past, but they’ve made amends now. "
The food was served, and Thea smiled when her beloved chicken and rice bowl was set before her.
Thea took a spoonful of the piping hot chicken and rice bowl and brought it to her mouth.
"How does it taste? " Charlotte inquired, her curiosity overwhelming her.
Thea beamed, relishing the experience. "It’s delicious.." she responded.
Charlotte’s eyes glimmered with curiosity, and she grabbed a spoon, leaning in to sample Thea’s lunch. Grandma Agnes, who had been observing the interaction with a smile, suddenly laughed.
"Charlotte, you’re at it once more." Grandma Agnes remarked, shaking her head in amusement. "You can’t seem to help but try Thea’s dishes. "
Charlotte glanced up, her spoon suspended in the air, a bashful smile forming on her lips. "What can I say? I really enjoy food! "
"Grandma, have you heard of Sawyer?" Charlotte asked, her voice filled with wonder.
Grandma Agnes’s eyes sparkled with interest. "Sawyer... why?" she asked, her tone inviting.
Grandma Agnes leaned forward, her gaze intent on Charlotte’s face. "When did you become so interested in Sawyer?" she asked, a hint of playful teasing in her voice.
Charlotte’s expression turned enigmatic, a small smile playing on her lips. "Just simply asking... Do you know about them?" she replied, her voice light and nonchalant.
"Nothing much.." Grandma Agnes said with a gentle smile. "Julian Sawyer established Sawyer Enterprises twenty years ago. While it may not be the biggest or most glamorous company, it’s a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work."
"Have you known anything about his wife?" Charlotte asked, her eyes shone with curiosity.
Grandma Agnes nodded thoughtfully. "His wife? Yes... people speak highly of her....Like she’s supposed to be a kind and gentle soul...infact their only daughter too."
Grandma Agnes’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Why are you suddenly so interested in Julian Sawyer’s wife, dear?"
Charlotte’s expression turned dubious, and she muttered under her breath, "Are people blind to call that old woman ’good’ ’kind and gentle soul’?"
Grandma Agnes’s ears caught the faint murmur, and her expression turned concerned. "Charlotte, what’s wrong? What do you know about Mrs. Sawyer?"
"Grandma, don’t believe a single word you hear about that old woman. " Charlotte stated, regaining her breath. "That old ha.. . . I mean that old woman is incredibly pretentious and unpleasant. She’s among the most disagreeable individuals I’ve encountered. "
Charlotte would have referred to Alexia as an old hag in front of her grandma, but Thea’s pinch had reminded her to restrain herself.
"When did you come across her? " Grandma Agnes inquired.
Charlotte’s demeanor soured. "We encountered her at the shopping mall last weekend. She was deliberately provoking and insulting Thea, bragging about her wealth, but ironically, she couldn’t even afford to buy one luxury dress. "
"Grandma, you would have found it laughable if you had witnessed her expression when she was unable to settle the bill. . . "
"Did she treat you badly, Thea? " Grandma Agnes inquired, her eyes glowing with fury.
Thea tried to minimize the situation, but Charlotte interrupted her.
"Hmm, Grandma," Charlotte asserted, her tone resolute. "That woman went too far. She labeled Thea an orphan and hurled various painful insults. "
Grandma Agnes’s expression deepened with indignation. "How could she do that? " she roared.
"Grandma, don’t worry about it.." Thea said, trying to comfort her. "Her words didn’t affect me. She’s just not worth my time."
Grandma Agnes’s face relaxed into a warm smile as she gazed at Thea. "You’re right.." she agreed. "We shouldn’t let people like that get under our skin."
Charlotte’s voice was gentle and supportive as she said, "Eat, Thea, the food is getting cold. " She gestured toward Thea, who remained silent, her gaze fixed on the dish before her.
Thea’s voice was almost a whisper as she replied, "Grandma. . . Charlotte. . . thank you. " Her eyes started to fill with tears, and she fought to keep them at bay.
Grandma Agnes’s face was marked with empathy and understanding. "Silly girl, you don’t need to thank us.." she stated, her tone warm and comforting. "We’re family, and that’s what families do – we look after one another, no matter the circumstances. "
Grandma Agnes’s demeanor softened, and she reached out to caress Thea’s hair. "Don’t cry, sweetie," she murmured. "I understand it’s difficult for you, losing your parents at such a young age. But I want you to know that I’m certain they’re watching over you from above, and they would be extremely proud of the strong, brave woman you’re becoming. "
Thea felt a lump rise in her throat as she gazed at Grandma Agnes. She experienced a blend of feelings: sorrow for the absence of her parents, but also gratitude for the affection and support from them.Thea felt acknowledged and understood, and that sensation provided her with comfort and tranquility. She inhaled deeply, allowing the tears to fall, and gave a faint smile to Grandma Agnes.
Charlotte gave Thea a tissue paper. "If you continue to cry, I’ll eat your favorite meal.." she joked. "And then don’t come crying to me about it. "
Thea smiled faintly, accepted the tissue paper, and dried her tears. She grabbed her spoon and started to eat.
Once they finished their meal, the two girls proceeded to their rooms. Thea entered hers, while Charlotte went to her own.
Just as Charlotte got comfortable, there was a knock at the door. She stood up to open it and discovered her grandma waiting in the hallway.
"Grandma.." Charlotte exclaimed, taken aback.
"Come in, dear.." Grandma Agnes said. "I need to ask you something. "
Charlotte accompanied her grandma into her room.
"Thea appears to be upset," Grandma Agnes noted.
"Who wouldn’t be? " Charlotte concurred. "I witnessed how that woman treated her. She was utterly out of line. "
"Did Thea know her previously? " Grandma Agnes inquired.
"No," Charlotte answered. "She is the mother of one of Mr. Thompson’s friends. "
Charlotte’s eyes glimmered with amusement. "I must admit, I found it quite enjoyable watching that woman feel embarrassed at the shopping mall. "
"Next time, if that woman dares to do anything to either of you, inform me immediately." Grandma Agnes instructed, her voice firm and protective.
"Okay, Grandma.." Charlotte replied obediently, nodding her head in agreement.
Thea was seated on the chair on the balcony. While she admired the stunning view, her thoughts began to drift, contemplating the day’s happenings.
As she reflected on Charlotte’s grandmother, grandma Agnes.Thea’s heart filled with emotion. Grandma Agnes’s fierce protectiveness and wrath on her behalf had made a significant impact on Thea. The realization that this compassionate, loving woman was prepared to defend her, despite not being related by blood, profoundly touched Thea’s heart.
Thea remembered Grandma Agnes’s expression of outrage when she found out about the incident. She recalled how her voice quivered with fury and her eyes shone with resolve. It was evident that Grandma Agnes would do anything to keep her safe, and that understanding brought joy and gratitude to Thea’s heart.
Thea’s phone rang. She picked it up to answer the call.
