Chapter 201: Don’t Unlock
"Where’s Mother? " she inquired, scanning the room.
At that moment, a soft voice resonated from the staircase. "Here I am. "
Her mother came down the stairs, a warm smile adorning her face.
Charlotte’s mother came over to them, extending her arms wide to wrap Charlotte in a hug. She then faced Thea, embracing her with the same warmth. "How are you, Thea? "
"Good, Aunty. . . and you? " Thea responded, her smile courteous.
Charlotte’s mother chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the edges. "Hmm. . . me too. You all must be tired from your trip. "
She looked at Charlotte, her expression directive. "Charlotte, please take Thea to her room and assist her in getting settled. "
"Let’s go. . " Charlotte said, pulling on Thea’s hand as they moved away.
Mila observed them depart, a knowing sparkle in her eye. "This child still has a playful side.." she commented.
"Not always, just with us.." Grandma Agnes added.
Charlotte’s mother, Mila, smiled knowingly. "Mom, I know how much she could annoy you."
Grandma Agnes’s face softened, her expression filled with affection. "Believe me, Mila, your daughter is a treasured and loving young lady. Yes, she’s driven me crazy at times, but I have to admit, I’ve always been charmed by her mischievous ways and playful spirit."
Garet, Charlotte’s father, murmured gently to his wife, "My beloved wife, you are also playful. . " he jested.
"You mean I’m playful? " she inquired, her tone cheerful and whimsical. "Please elaborate, in what ways? "
Garet’s smile widened, his voice lowering to a hush. "Such as in the bedroom. . . You know what I.." He trailed off, a mischievous laugh escaping from him.
Mila’s face turned a vivid shade of pink as she abruptly turned away, seeking solace with her mother in law. "Mom. . . " she said, giggling anxiously as she tried to regain her composure, while evading her husband’s teasing gaze.
As they strolled together, Mila gave her husband a look: a glance, a sparkle of mischief in her eyes, and a delicate tilt of her head that silently said, "You’re pushing your luck, Husband!"
Thea stepped into the elegantly appointed room, accompanied by Charlotte. The spacious room featured a sumptuous bed adorned with pillows in soft, complementary hues. Against one wall, a stylish, cream-painted vanity stood, topped with a large, ornate mirror framed in delicate, silver filigree.
A comfortable, high-backed armchair beckoned from a cozy reading nook.
The floor-to-ceiling glass doors slid open to reveal a spacious, sun-kissed balcony, surrounded by elegant, wooden railings.
The walls, painted a soothing, pale shade, provided a serene backdrop for the exquisite, framed artwork that adorned them.
"Baby, all the things have been arranged by mother," Charlotte explained, "if you need anything else, just ask me."
"Hmm..." Thea responded.
Charlotte headed to her room, which was opposite Thea’s. "Baby, get changed. I’ll take you somewhere.." Charlotte called out.
Thea hummed in response and then made her way to make a phone call to her grandma.
"Good morning, Grandma..." Thea greeted as soon as the line connected.
"Good morning..Thea..Did you reach safely?" Grandma asked.
"Yes, Grandma. The place is breathtaking. Next time, I want to bring you with me to travel to this amazing place.." Thea replied enthusiastically.
"Hmm..I’ll accompany you."
Thea continued chatting with her grandma about the place and other things.
"Grandma, are you sticking to your routine?" Thea asked.
"I am.." Grandma replied.
"Why are you yawning? Did you stay up late?" Thea asked, noticing the tired tone in Grandma’s voice.
" Were you watching television late at night?" Thea asked.
"No, I mean..." Grandma began.
"I get it, Grandma..Hmm... Now that I’m not there, you’re getting your freedom. Just wait, after I return, I’ll settle the score with you.." Thea said with a hint of playful warning.
"Thea, Thea... next time, I promise it won’t happen.." Grandma replied.
Just then, Charlotte entered the room. "Wow, Thea, is scolding her grandma? Early in the morning..What happened?"
Charlotte snatched the phone from Thea’s hand. "Grandma, why is your beloved granddaughter angry with you so early in the morning?"
"I slept late last night.." Grandma admitted.
"So, she’s scolding you? Don’t mind her, Grandma. You have me. Next time when I visit you, we’ll watch TV all night. Nice plan, right, Grandma?" Charlotte suggested mischievously.
" Hmm... fabulous... what a nice plan. You, Charlotte, deserve a big round of applause." Thea said through gritted teeth, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Charlotte smiled, shaking her head. "See, Grandma, Thea liked my plan.." she said, laughing and speaking into the phone.
Thea walked over and playfully smacked Charlotte on the back. "That’s your price for your idea."
Thea snatched the phone from Charlotte’s hand. "Grandma, don’t even think about entertaining her idea. I won’t allow it," Thea said sternly.
"Okay, okay... I’ll only listen to your words. Happy? I promise I won’t sleep late at night," Grandma Grace chuckled.
"I’m ending the call now, Thea. Get some rest," Grandma Grace said before hanging up.
Charlotte rubbed her back, pretending to be hurt. "Ouch, Thea, that was a hard smack! Look, it’s already red."
Thea raised an eyebrow, taking a step closer to Charlotte. "Let me see."
Charlotte backed away, laughing. "No, no, it’s fine... You didn’t use that much force. I was just joking."
"Get ready... I’m waiting.." Charlotte hopped onto the bed, swinging her legs replied..
"Where are we going?"
"You’ll see... just wait for the surprise, baby.."
"Grandma has an addiction to watching television?" Charlotte commented.
"Yeah, she used to be hooked on a particular show, but now its schedule has changed. It airs at her bedtime, so she has to wait until the next day to watch the previous day’s episode.." Thea explained, squatting down to open her suitcase and pulling out a dress.
"Hey, what’s in that packet?" Charlotte asked, her curiosity piqued as she pointed to a packet in Thea’s suitcase.
"It’s the gift..." Thea replied with a smile.
She got up and grabbed her phone. "This is the gift.." she replied while showing Charlotte a picture.
Charlotte’s face lit up with delight. "A matching his-and-hers watch set! How thoughtful! They’ll adore this gift.." she exclaimed.
Thea was well aware that the watches she had chosen were not high-end, unlike what Charlotte’s cousin and their fiancé were likely accustomed to. Despite this, she had carefully selected the gift based on her own budget, acknowledging that it was humble compared to their usual luxury standards.
Thea changed into a new dress, and the two friends set off together, accompanied by Saul. As they arrived at their destination, the car had pulled up at an amusement park.
"Was this the place you were talking about?" Thea asked.
Charlotte nodded, a nostalgic smile on her face. "Hmm... I haven’t been here in ages."
Saul, who had been quietly observing the conversation, was suddenly drawn in. "Saul, may I see a picture of your wife?" Charlotte asked, her tone friendly.
Saul looked taken aback, his eyes darting momentarily to the ground. Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she teased, "Are you afraid we’ll steal your wife away from you?"
Saul’s face flushed with embarrassment. "No, Miss.." he stammered, clearly shy.
Charlotte’s grin encouraged him to comply. "Then show us.." she said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Saul pulled out his phone and showed them the picture. Charlotte’s eyes twinkled with mirth as she said, "So, this is the special someone you’ve been harboring feelings for all this time! I recall you denying any romantic interests when I last asked."
Thea gazed at the photo and smiled. "She’s gorgeous! You two look perfect together."
In the photo, Saul looked debonair in his tailored wedding tuxedo, standing shoulder to shoulder with his beautiful bride. She shone in her exquisite white wedding gown, gently holding a gorgeous floral bouquet. Their faces glowed with happiness as they smiled together, capturing the magic of their special day.
Saul’s face lit up with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Miss."
Thea’s expression turned warm. "Please, call me Thea."
Charlotte chimed in, laughing. "I’ve been telling you to drop the ’Miss’ for ages, Saul! We’ve known each other since we were a kid, after all!"
"You even forgot to invite me to celebrate your wedding with a treat.." Charlotte said with a hint of playful reproach.
Charlotte’s expression turned mischievous. "How about you treat us today instead?"
Saul smiled. "Okay, Miss... as you wish."
Let’s go. . " Charlotte said, pulling on Thea’s hand as they moved away.Charlotte’s expression turned mischievous. "How about you treat us today instead?"
Saul smiled. "Okay, Miss... as you wish."
Let’s go. . " Charlotte said, pulling on
Let’s go. . " Charlotte said, pulling on Thea’s hand as they moved away.Charlotte’s expression turned mischievous. "How about you treat us today instead?"
Saul smiled. "Okay, Miss... as you wish."
Let’s go. . " Charlotte said, pulling on
Let’s go. . " Charlotte said, pulling on Thea’s hand as they moved away.Charlotte’s expression turned mischievous. "How about you treat us today instead?"
Saul smiled. "Okay, Miss... as.....
