Chapter 170: He Didn’t Give Us A Hint
"Charlotte, don’t you have anything else to say besides that?"
"Are you getting shy?" Charlotte asked, pretending to be surprised. "Oh, Thea is getting shy just because I mentioned his name!"
"Stop your teasing..." Thea replied, laughing as she gathered her belongings and left Charlotte’s room.
Charlotte smiled, amused by their playful exchange.
As Thea turned back to her room... Charlotte suddenly remembered something. "While teasing her, I forgot to take that thing..." She walked over to her wardrobe to retrieve it.
Meanwhile, Thea was putting on her earrings when her phone rang. She smiled, seeing Grandma Grace’s name on the screen.
"Grandma! Did you see the picture?" Thea asked, answering the video call.
Grandma Grace’s warm voice filled the line. "Hmm... you both look absolutely stunning, sweetie."
"Thea... Let’s go.." Charlotte said, entering the room.
Thea turned around, still on the video call with her grandma. "Grandma, did you like her look?" she asked,while joining her.Charlotte stood beside Thea, smiling at the phone.
"Yes, Charlotte, both of you are looking pretty and gorgeous.." Grandma Grace replied.
"Thanks for your compliment.." Charlotte said, "but for Thea’s look, I should get praise since I did her makeup."
Grandma Grace chuckled. "Don’t be shameless," Thea teased, "I also did your makeup."
Charlotte playfully shot back, "Thea, are you being jealous because Grandma loves me more than you?"
Grandma Grace intervened, laughing. "You two, now don’t start with your bickering...."
Charlotte looked mischievously at Thea and asked, "Grandma, you didn’t answer... whom do you love the most?"
Grandma Grace’s warm laughter filled the line. "Both of you... Now go and enjoy the wedding ceremony."
"Why do you like to annoy me all the time?" Thea asked, exasperated.
"Because... I like to irritate this cute baby a lot.." Charlotte replied, smiling mischievously.
"I am not a baby... I am going to be 19 in a few months.." Thea said, rolling her eyes.
"19... yes... Correct time.." Charlotte teased.
"Correct time?" Thea asked, raising an eyebrow.
Charlotte grinned. "See, Thea, if you get married now... in the next 13 to 14 years... you can fulfill your dream."
Thea’s eyes narrowed. "Dreams?"
Charlotte’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Tsk... the dream of having 12 children."
Thea’s face turned red with annoyance. "Charlotte, now you’re totally crossing your limit."
Charlotte chuckled. "Limit? I have no limit."
Just then, Mila called out from downstairs, "Charlotte... Thea..."
Thea glared at Charlotte. "I’ll settle the score later."
Charlotte made a funny face, sticking out her tongue. "Hmm..."
Thea walked out of the room, with Charlotte trailing behind her.
"Thea..." Charlotte called out, but Thea remained silent.
"Baby..." Charlotte tried again, but still got no response.
As soon as Charlotte mentioned "12 kids," Thea shot her a stern look.
Charlotte quickly covered. "I was just saying, you forgot your purse."
Thea took her purse from Charlotte’s hand and continued downstairs.
Grandma Agnes smiled as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "You both look lovely."
Charlotte grinned. "Grandma, you should try on this dress too. You’d look beautiful."
Mila sighed, shaking her head good-naturedly. "Charlotte..."
Grandma Agnes smiled. "Hmm... if I were your age, I would definitely try this dress."
Charlotte’s father, Garet, walked out of the room, wearing a suit. He played along, asking, "Who are these two ladies? Where is my daughter?"
"Hello, Mr. Wright... Your daughter is here," Charlotte waved her hand.
Garet looked surprised. "This is you?... I can’t recognize...".
Charlotte teased, "Yes, Mr. Wright, how can you notice when you have your eyesight only for your wife?".
Mila, Charlotte’s mother, gave her a warning glance. "Charlotte..."
Charlotte whispered, thinking Thea was beside her, "My mother is getting shy as I say the truth."
A gentle, mature voice replied, "Hmm... You are becoming naughty day by day."
Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise. "Thea, why does your voice sound like an old woman?"
A soft, raspy cough answered, "Cough, cough."
Charlotte turned to her side, and her eyes met her grandma’s warm smile.
Garet replied, "You two will ride in the car, and Saul will accompany you. We three will take another car."
They climbed into their respective vehicles, ready to head out to the evening wedding ceremony.
As they arrived at the destination, Charlotte looked up from her phone, and Thea turned away from the window.
The wedding ceremony was being held at a grand estate, boasting expansive open spaces and meticulously manicured lawns. The luxurious venue was transformed into a fairytale-like setting, with intricate details and elegant decorations.
A majestic, crystal-encrusted gazebo stood at the heart of the ceremony space, surrounded by towering candelabras and lush greenery. Rows of plush, white chairs were arranged on either side of the aisle, adorned with delicate floral patterns, sparkling crystals, and tiny, shimmering pearls.
The aisle itself was lined with a delicate, rose-petal pathway, leading up to the gazebo, where the ceremony would take place. Exquisite, hand-crafted floral arrangements, featuring rare and exotic flowers, added a touch of sophistication and elegance to the setting.
The surrounding gardens were perfectly landscaped, with serene water features, walking paths, and picturesque gazebos. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the soft chirping of birds added to the enchanting ambiance. Every detail of the wedding ceremony seemed to be meticulously planned, creating a truly unforgettable celebration.
As the visitors started to show up, the ambiance grew more lively. The wedding was a personal and limited event, with just immediate family from both sides and a chosen circle of close friends being invited.
Thea and Charlotte shared friendly smiles with Charlotte’s parents and Grandma Agnes, before heading towards the ceremony area.
As the guests continued to arrive, the parents from both sides of the groom and the bride stood warmly at the entrance, greeting everyone with bright smiles.
"Aunt..." The groom’s father exclaimed, beaming with joy, as he welcomed a familiar face.
"Charlotte... We haven’t seen you in ages," he added, turning to Charlotte.
"Uncle,we met last year.." Charlotte replied with a chuckle.
"And she is your friend,Thea?" he asked, nodding towards Thea.
"Yes..she is my best friend." Charlotte introduced.
As they exchanged pleasantries, the group made their way into the luxurious estate. Charlotte and Thea then excused themselves to congratulate the groom.
"Cousin, congratulations!" Charlotte exclaimed, as soon as she approached Roan.
Roan, dashing in his tailored suit, turned to Charlotte and smiled. "Charlotte, it’s wonderful that you and your friend could make it."
"It’s great to be here.." Charlotte replied, "and I’m glad we could both attend."
She then retrieved a beautifully wrapped gift from behind her back. "I got for you something, a little present from your cousin."
Roan smiled gratefully as he and his bride accepted the gift. "Thank you, Charlotte. This means a lot to us."
"Thea, this is my cousin Roan.." Charlotte said with a smile.
"Congratulations, Mr. Roan.." Thea said politely, extending her hand. "This is a small gift from my end."
Roan accepted the gift graciously. "Thank you for this lovely gift, Thea.." he said, smiling warmly.
Roan was conversing with his friends. At that moment, Ariella approached their group.
"I saw Grandma Agnes outside, and she informed me that you’d be here." Ariella said with a smile.
"Sister Ariella, did Uncle and Aunt arrive? " Charlotte inquired.
Ariella shook her head. "No, Father has a high fever and was unable to come. They requested me to come here without them. "
The handsome groom-to-be Roan radiated with excitement, "Ariella, you haven’t congratulated me yet! " He opened his arms wide, anticipating a warm hug and good wishes from her.
Ariella handed Roan a gift. "This is your present."
"Sister Ariella, are you upset with Roan’s cousin?"
Wren, Roan’s best friend, jumped in, his tone playful. "Ariella, are you mad at Roan?"
Ariella met Wren’s gaze, a hint of a smile on her face. "Not at all. Why would I be?"
Wren leaned in, whispering to Roan, "Bro, I think Ariella’s mad."
Ariella quickly corrected him. "Brother Wren, don’t assume things."
Ariella murmured to herself,"It stings to think that he doesn’t consider me trustworthy enough to confide in. Finding out about his girlfriend from others makes me feel like I’m on the outside looking in."
"Sister Ariella, you’re absolutely right. I was shocked when I found out that cousin was getting married. He didn’t even give us a hint about his girlfriend."
