Chapter 46: For Both of You
"Yeah, you can say that." Charlotte agreed. "It’s been half a year since I last went."
Thea felt happy for her friend, knowing that she would finally get to visit her parents after a long time. Her parents lived in Canada, while she was living with her grandmother.
As they walked together, Thea couldn’t help but think, "If my parents were alive, they would also love me like other’s parents.." But she kept her thoughts to herself.
"Why are you not saying a word?" Charlotte asked, noticing Thea’s sudden silence.
"Did you say anything?" Thea asked as she snapped out from her thoughts.
"Yes..." Charlotte began to respond, but her phone suddenly rang, interrupting her.
"It’s Grandma." Charlotte said, glancing at the screen before answering the call.
"Grandma, I’m with Thea right now... Okay okay..I understood." Charlotte said, listening to her grandmother’s words.
After ending the call, She turned to Thea with a smile. " Let’s go to my house.My grandma wants to meet you."
She nodded, and together they headed off to meet Charlotte’s grandmother.
"Can you stop the car at the mall?" Thea asked.
"What’s up? Do you need something?"
"I was thinking of getting some presents for your grandmother. I don’t want to show up empty-handed."
Charlotte’s face softened. "Thea.. you don’t have to do that. Grandma will be happy to see you.You don’t need to bring any present for her."
"But I want to." Thea insisted. "I feel like I should bring something to show my appreciation..I feel like I should bring some presents to your grandmother after all I have been visiting her after a long time.."
"There’s no need.." Charlotte refused, waving her hand dismissively.
"But..." Thea began to protest, before Charlotte interrupted her.
"Thea,my grandma adores you a lot. If you bring those presents out of courtesy, she would feel sad thinking that you don’t consider us as your family."
Thea didn’t listen to her words.
"Okay, I got it. You won’t listen to my words...Go and buy whatever you want to give her. I am not going to accompany you.."
"Okay, you better stay here and wait for me.." Thea replied, getting out of the car. She headed to the market to buy some fruits for Charlotte’s Grandma.
Thea walked back, her arms laden with a colorful basket of fresh fruits. Charlotte looked up and asked, "Happy now?"
Thea’s face lit up with a warm smile. "Of course..." she said, proudly displaying her gift.
The car stopped in front of Charlotte’s house, a beautiful two-story mansion with a warm, inviting facade. The Wright family home was surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers, giving it a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
As they entered the house, Charlotte called out, "Grandma, I’m home!" Her grandmother, Agnes Wright, sat on the sofa in the living room, she smiled as she saw her granddaughter and Thea.
"Good evening, Grandma. How are you?" Thea asked who was standing beside Charlotte.
"Oh, Thea.. I’m good. How have you been? I haven’t seen you for a long time.." Agnes replied.
"Grandma, we met a few months ago." Thea chuckled, reminding her.
"Ah, yes! She’s getting old, and her memory is mixing everything up." Charlotte teased, playfully rolling her eyes.
Agnes threw a cushion at Charlotte, laughing. "Ouch! Why did you throw the cushion at me, Grandma?" Charlotte complained, pretending to be hurt.
"I’m still young in my mind, even if my body isn’t as spry as it used to be!" Agnes retorted.
Charlotte murmured softly, "If you’re not forgetting things, then why did you tell Father about my summer break? I had planned to stay here."
Thea could clearly hear Charlotte’s whispered complaint, but Agnes didn’t quite catch it. "Did you say something, Charlotte? I didn’t quite hear."
Charlotte stood quietly, shrugging her shoulders, and Thea could sense a hint of frustration in her friend’s demeanor.
"No Grandma..I didn’t say anything.."
"Charlotte, take Thea with you upstairs to your room.I’ll come to your room later as I have something to talk to you both about.." Agnes instructed.
Both girls nodded and headed upstairs to Charlotte’s room. Charlotte’s room was a cozy retreat that reflected her personality perfectly. The walls were painted a soft, pale pink, and the furniture was white with gold accents. A plush area rug in a matching pink hue covered the floor, and a comfortable-looking bed with a canopy sat against one wall. The room was filled with natural light pouring in through the large windows, which were adorned with lace curtains. A desk sat in one corner, covered with books and papers, and a bookshelf filled with favorite novels and mementos stood against another wall.
Entering the room, Charlotte flopped down on her bed, and Thea sat down beside her. They both let out contented sighs, happy to be relaxing together in such a peaceful space.
"Have you started with your painting?" Charlotte asked, placing one hand on her face as she lay on her bed and turned to face Thea.
"Yes, I have drafted it."
"I’m sad that I won’t be able to see your painting on that day," Charlotte continued, a sympathetic expression on her face. "But I’m sure you’ll definitely win the competition."
"Charlotte, I’m a little nervous about it." Thea confessed. "I heard many people will take part in the competition. Will my painting be as good as theirs? It is making me worry."
"Don’t think like that." Charlotte consoled her, offering a reassuring smile. "Let’s hope for the best. You’re talented, Thea..and I have no doubt you’ll do great."
"Moreover I have seen your paintings....They are quite impressive and beautiful...You are not less than other..Have faith in yourself.."
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Lorie, a sweet-faced old lady with a kind smile and silver hair tied in a neat bun, entered the room carrying a tray laden with an assortment of delicious treats. "Miss, Madam sent these for you two."
"Hmm, thanks Grandma Lorie. " Thea nodded her head in gratitude, giving Lorie a sweet smile.
Lorie, who had been a part of the Wright household for decades, set the tray down on the bedside table. The tray was filled with an array of mouthwatering delicacies - chewy cookies, flaky pastries, and rich chocolate shakes.
"Let’s have them after washing our hands. I can’t stop myself from eating these." Charlotte exclaimed, she jumped down from the bed and headed to the washroom to wash her hands and Thea followed her.
Charlotte handed her a pastry, saying, "Here, try this one. It has become one of my favorite!" Thea took a bite, "Mmm, this is delicious!"
Charlotte smiled, taking a bite of her own pastry. "I know, right? Grandma Lorie learnt to prepare this cakes for me.." They savored their treats in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s company and the sweet indulgence.
"Tomorrow at what time is your flight?"
"At 8 o’clock in the morning.." Charlotte replied, her mouth full of cookies as she munched away.
"So, tomorrow is your invitation to Mr. Thompson’s friend’s birthday?" Charlotte asked, her brow furrowed with interest.
Thea nodded her head, a small smile playing on her lips.
"How long have you known her?" Charlotte inquired.
"I met her once, four years ago, then after Ryan returned from Scotland, and the day she invited me." Thea replied, her eyes narrowing slightly as she thought back.
"Thea ..I find it a little strange..Why is she suddenly inviting you to her birthday celebration when you two haven’t known each other that well?"
"Maybe because I know Ryder." Thea suggested, a hint of a shrug in her voice.
"Is it?" Charlotte wondered, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Or does she have some ulterior motive behind it?" she thought to herself, a hint of doubt creeping into her mind.
Just then, the door opened, and Agnes entered, a warm smile on her face. "Thea, did you like the pastries?"
"Yes, Grandma, these pastries made by Grandma Lorie is delicious."
"I’m glad to hear that!"
She looked at the two friends, her heart swelled with love and affection. One was her granddaughter, and the other was her granddaughter’s best friend.
Agnes went over to sit beside Charlotte on the bed. "For both of you, I have a present." she announced.
"What is it, Grandma?"
Agnes chuckled. "Wait and see, my dear. It’s a surprise!" she said, her hands clasped together in excitement.
"Both of you close your eyes." Agnes instructed them.
After both of them closed their eyes, Agnes took out two beautifully wrapped boxes and took their hands and handed one to each of them. "Now open your eyes and see whether you two like the present or not."
