Chapter 30: The Gift of Chocolate
Thea’s skin felt sticky, and her hair clung to her forehead in tangled strands. She went straight to her room, eager to take a bath. After placing the precious chocolate box on the dressing table, she dropped her clothes on the floor and stepped into the bathroom.
The warm water soothed her, melting away stress and fatigue, and filling her with calmness.
Afterward, she wrapped herself in a soft bathrobe, emerging from the bathroom.She slipped into a comfortable pastel pink sundress with white trim and tiny buttons down the front.
The chocolate box drew Thea’s attention. Unsealing the wrapper revealed the prestigious Coastal Cove Chocolatiers , a renowned Australian chocolatier.Her thoughts instinctively turned to Ryder.
Thea recalled Ryder’s birthday surprise – an extravagant Coastal Cove Chocolatiers box. She smiled, opening the lid to savor the rich cocoa aroma. After a moment of nostalgia, she closed it and placed the box in her cabinet, preserving the cherished memory.
Walking downstairs to prepare breakfast, she cracked some eggs into a bowl and scrambled them up, added some toast and fresh fruit, and called out to her grandma, "Grandma, breakfast is ready!"
"Did you open the box Nia gifted you?" Grandma Grace questioned.
"Yes, grandma."
"Then don’t forget to share it with Ryder. I believe he still likes chocolate."
"But don’t you want to have a taste of it? You too like chocolate, Grandma?"
Grandma Grace chuckled, her wrinkled hands cradling her tea cup. "My age has passed for having chocolate. Moreover, I don’t want to have sweet teeth now. Besides, it’s your gift, dear. Enjoy it with your friends."
"I will make sure to share it with him, grandma."
Then she started to dine on her breakfast, savoring the scrambled eggs and toast. Her grandma served her some more fruits, her favorite, and encouraged her to eat more with a warm smile. "Eat more, Thea."
Thea’s heart swelled with gratitude as she looked at her grandma, the one person who had been her rock since her parents passed away. She was terrified of losing anyone else close to her, especially her grandma, Ryder, the Thompsons, and all the others who had shown her kindness and care.
She felt blessed to have them in her life, and she knew that their love and support were what kept her going.
"Isn’t Ryder’s grandparents’ anniversary coming up soon?"
"Yes, that’s right... it’s this month." Thea said.
"Have you decided on a gift for Ryder’s grandparents’ anniversary?" Grandma Grace asked.
"No, grandma, I haven’t thought about it yet." Thea admitted, "But I’ve set aside some money to get them a special gift."
"I was thinking of giving them something valuable, after all, they are so good to us." Grandma Grace added, her gratitude towards Ryder’s grandparents evident in her voice.
"Okay, then on the day, we’ll go to get them a gift. I’ll take you along with me."
"That’s not required. I know your preference. I have full support..whatever you choose will be good."
Thea has been helping her neighbor, Mrs. Evelyn, at her restaurant after her husband died. Mrs. Evelyn was struggling to run it alone, so Thea assisted her and became a key part of its success.
Mrs. Evelyn loved Thea like a daughter and wanted to pay her for her work. At first, Thea and her grandma said no, but Mrs. Evelyn was kind and persistent, so they accepted a small wage. It was enough to support them, and they appreciated Mrs. Evelyn’s kindness.
With Thea’s help, the restaurant was doing well again, and Mrs. Evelyn felt relieved. After her husband’s death, the restaurant had struggled, but Thea’s hard work made it successful once more. Mrs. Evelyn was deeply thankful for Thea’s support, and they became close friends.
Sometimes, Mrs. Evelyn would cry thinking about running the restaurant without her husband. She missed his valuable advice, constant encouragement, and unwavering support. Continuing their shared dream alone felt overwhelming, but with Thea by her side, the burden became more manageable.
Mrs. Evelyn’s mind was filled with concerns: endless hours, staffing issues, financial pressures, and difficult choices. At night, fears of failure and uncertainty would keep her awake, stirring anxiety and self-doubt. Yet, with Thea by her side, a sense of hope began to emerge, and the burden of responsibility gradually became more manageable.
After losing her husband, Mrs. Evelyn felt an unfillable void. Childless and widowed, she clung to the restaurant, their shared dream. Thea’s presence, however, brought warmth and purpose, and Mrs. Evelyn’s affection for the young girl grew with each passing day.
She started to view Thea as a daughter, and the idea of them managing the restaurant together brought solace and serenity. Having Thea beside her, Mrs. Evelyn felt empowered to confront the future, and the restaurant’s prosperity became a tribute to her late husband’s legacy.
Thea entered the Thompson home, glancing around for Ryder or his mother, but the house was quiet. She paused, unsure whether to call out or wait.Then, a soothing voice spoke from behind.
"Thea, welcome. Please, sit." Elizabeth came out with a warm smile and invited Thea to join her on the couch.Thea’s doubts disappeared as she smiled back and sat beside Elizabeth, feeling cozy and relaxed.
"Am I disturbing you?" Thea asked, settling in. Elizabeth’s caring gaze and gentle touch reassured Thea.
"I actually came to see Ryder." Thea replied, glancing around the room, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"He’s not here, he stepped out." Elizabeth explained. "Why don’t you call him and ask him to come back?" Elizabeth proposed.Thea gave a small nod, then took out her phone and tapped in Ryder’s number.
Thea’s gaze fixed on her phone, her fingers tapping softly on the sofa as she awaited Ryder’s response. The ringing persisted, followed by voicemail, "He’s not picking up." she said, meeting Elizabeth’s contemplative gaze and subtle smile.
"Try again. He might be busy." Thea nodded and redialed, attentive to the ringing, but again it went to voicemail. Thea’s unease grew as her mind raced with possibilities of what could be keeping Ryder from answering.
