Chapter 168: Hiding Something
"Do you want to come with us for the ride? " Charlotte inquired of Saul.
"No..Miss," Saul answered.
"Alright..." Charlotte responded with a grin, as she and Thea strolled hand in hand toward the Roller Coaster.
Charlotte positioned herself in the front row seat. As the safety bar secured itself, she leaned in towards Thea and murmured, "Saul is certainly fortunate to have married his crush. "
Thea faced her, intrigued. Charlotte persisted, her voice scarcely distinguishable over the roar of the ride, "You know, Saul is the same age as Ryan. . . and I must confess, I’ve always fantasized about marrying my own crush one day. "
As the ride began to move, Thea inquired, "Isn’t Mr. Saul ..uncle’s assistant? "
Charlotte affirmed with a nod, "Yes, he’s one of the most hardworking ones. His father previously worked for my grandfather, and then subsequently for my father. When his father retired, Saul stepped into his role."
"Thea, I’ve been pondering. . . I want to give Saul and his spouse a wedding present. What are your thoughts? "
Thea nodded in agreement. "That’s a wonderful idea. "
Charlotte’s expression brightened with enthusiasm. "Alright, let’s head out now! I know a store close by that’s ideal for selecting a wedding gift. "
The two friends quietly exited the amusement park, successfully avoiding Saul, who was waiting for them in the car.
Charlotte and Thea walked into the store, and a saleswoman greeted them with a friendly smile. "Miss, what would you be interested in seeing today?" she inquired.
"Items for couples.." Charlotte responded.
The saleswoman acknowledged with a nod and guided them to an area filled with considerate gifts for couples. "We have an exquisite couple’s wallet set that has just come in. Would you like to have a look? " she offered, presenting a beautifully designed pair of leather wallets.
The wallet set was crafted from premium, dark brown leather, featuring elegant silver accents and detailed stitching. The set included two wallets, one slightly bigger than the other, each embellished with a delicate, interwoven monogram on the front.
"I like this set.." Charlotte said, glancing at Thea for her opinion. "I’ll take it. Please pack it."
The saleswoman efficiently wrapped the wallet set while Charlotte and Thea browsed the nearby shelves. Thea’s eyes landed on a beautiful pen. "I’ll take this one.." she said, holding up the pen.
The pen was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring a sleek, black lacquer finish and a slender, silver-plated nib. The barrel was adorned with a delicate, hand-engraved pattern, while the clip shone with a subtle, inlaid mother-of-pearl design.
Charlotte and Thea made their way to the counter to pay for their gifts. As the saleswoman rang up their purchases, she said to Thea, "Miss, your pen is $140."
"Miss, yours is $10,000. . . "
Thea’s eyes widened in disbelief as she heard the cost.
Charlotte coolly settled the bill, and they exited the shop. "You purchased it for? " Charlotte inquired, raising an eyebrow.
Thea paused before answering, "For. . . Mr. Saul. "
Charlotte nodded knowingly. "Hmm. . . let’s go. "
They strolled to where Saul was waiting for them. "Have you chosen where you’d like to take us? "
Saul beamed. "There’s a new eatery that just opened. Miss...would you like to give it a try? "
"I’m fine with anything. . . " Charlotte answered with a shrug.
Saul turned on the car and drove towards the restaurant.As they sat down, Saul handed them menus. Thea began to scan the options, but her attention was diverted when she noticed Charlotte staring off into space.
"Charlotte." Thea whispered, trying to get her friend’s attention.
Charlotte responded with a distracted "Hmm?"
Thea followed Charlotte’s gaze and spotted a young woman sitting across the room. "Do you know that person?" Thea asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Yes, she’s Ryan’s cousin."
"Miss, have you chosen?" Saul asked, looking up from his phone.
"Yes, I’ll have the pan-seared steak with roasted vegetables.." Charlotte replied.
"And I’ll have the seafood risotto.." Thea added.
Saul ordered their items.
"Saul, this is your wedding present." Charlotte said, setting the beautifully wrapped package on the table.
"Miss, it wasn’t necessary.." Saul replied, moved by the kind gesture.
"I believed it was necessary, so we decided to get it.." Charlotte joked.
"Thea. . . " Charlotte turned to her.
"Hmm? " Thea answered.
"The gift. . . " She encouraged.
"Oh, right. .... Mr. Saul, we wish you every happiness for your wedding and a joyful life together." Thea said, giving him her present.
Saul’s face brightened with appreciation. "Thank you, Miss, for these considerate gifts."
"Charlotte?" a soft voice called out.
The young woman whom Charlotte had been staring at earlier now stood before her. She had a polished look, with her dark hair styled in loose waves that fell down her back. Her hazel brown eyes and her full lips were painted a subtle pink. She wore a fitted white blouse and a pencil skirt that accentuated her curves, exuding a sense of understated elegance. A delicate silver pendant glinted around her neck.
"It’s you... At first, when I saw you, I was confused. When did you arrive?" Ariella, Ryan’s cousin, asked.
"I arrived this morning.." Charlotte replied. "How are you, Sister Ariella?"
"I’m good." Ariella said with a smile.
"Saul, you too are here."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Pierce.." he greeted.
Ariella turned her attention to Thea. "And she?"
"She’s my best friend, Thea.." Charlotte explained. "This is Ryan’s cousin."
"Hello, I’m Alethea Klein.." Thea introduced herself.
"Hello, Thea. I’m Ariella Pierce. Nice to meet you.." Ariella replied.
"So, Sister Ariella, when did you return from abroad?" Charlotte asked.
"I returned three months ago.." Ariella replied.
Ariella’s gaze drifted to Saul, and for a moment, her eyes seemed to hold a secret. But she quickly composed herself. Charlotte noticed the fleeting glance and sensed that Ariella was hiding something. She glanced at Saul, who was engrossed in his phone.
"Sister Ariella, you changed your number.." Charlotte said, taking Ariella’s hand. "I tried calling your old number this year, but I forgot to ask your new number from your elder cousin brother. And even if I asked, I wasn’t sure he would give it to me."
"Hmm, he can do that.." Ariella said with a chuckle.
"Tell me your number." She asked, pulling out her phone.
Charlotte shared her number, and Ariella promptly dialed it. "This is my number..." Ariella said, saving Charlotte’s contact information.
"Okay... I should leave now. I have to head to the department.." Ariella said, gathering her belongings. "See you at the wedding."
With that, Ariella bid them farewell and made her way towards the exit.
"She’s Ryan’s aunt’s only daughter.." Charlotte explained. "She’s older than us."
"Saul, you have known her before, right?" Charlotte asked.
"We attended the same university.." Saul replied. "Miss Pierce was my junior."
"I had no idea.." Charlotte said, her expression revealing her surprise.
After finishing their meal, the three of them walked to the car. Saul gallantly opened the door for Charlotte and Thea. The two women settled into their seats, and Saul closed the door behind them.
"Where to now, Miss?" Saul asked, starting the engine.
"Home.." Charlotte replied, her voice soft. She closed her eyes and leaned back into her seat, relaxing.
As they entered the living room, Mila looked up from her seat. "How was your day, girls?"
Charlotte dropped onto the couch beside her mother. "It was great, Mom. We went to the amusement park and then Paul took us out for dinner."
Thea settled into the armchair across from them. "And we ran into Sister Ariella at the restaurant.
Mila’s eyes lit up with interest. "She’s back from abroad?"
Charlotte nodded. "She got back three months ago."
"She’ll be coming to the wedding, too." Charlotte added.
"Have you decided which dress you’ll wear? "
"Hmm, and this girl is going to apply my makeup. "
Mila beamed, happy with her daughter’s enthusiasm.
At that moment, Grandma Agnes appeared, taking a seat next to Thea. "Charlotte, which dress have you picked? "
Charlotte’s face lit up with playfulness. "That’s a secret, Grandma. "
Charlotte rose from her seat. "Mom, Grandma, we’re going upstairs."
She turned to Thea, whispering playfully, "Did you want to stick around them?You don’t have to torture yourself with their old stories. Come on, let’s go!"
Mila asked, "Charlotte, are you saying we speak old stories?"
Charlotte chuckled. "Hmm..."
"Mother, you won’t say anything to her?"Mila turned to her mother-in-law.
