Chapter 51: Meeting A Little Cutie
A look of sudden recollection crossed Mr. Raymond’s face. "Are you the daughter of Jonathon Klein?" he inquired.
Thea on hearing her Father’s name nodded her head "Yes,he is my father."
Thea’s gaze intensified as she faced Mr. Raymond. "Did you know my father?" she asked, her voice low and measured.
Mr. Raymond’s expression turned solemn, his eyes veiled with a mixture of sadness and nostalgia. "I had the privilege of meeting your father on several occasions," he said, his voice low and reflective. "My friend, who was his supervisor, often shared stories about him. He was a truly exceptional person... his passing was a tremendous loss, and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you." Mr. Raymond’s voice was laced with empathy, his words spoken with a deep sense of compassion.
Thea listened intently, her heart aching as she heard Mr. Raymond’s words. She could sense the genuine sorrow in his voice, and it touched her deeply.
Mr. Raymond paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "I’m so sorry, Alethea. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories."
Thea smiled weakly, trying to reassure him.
"It’s okay, Mr. Raymond. I appreciate your kind words about my father."
Mr. Raymond nodded, "I should be going now. I have to attend to something at home."
"Mr. Raymond. It was nice meeting you."
Mr. Raymond smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "The pleasure was mine, Alethea. Take care of yourself." With that, he excused himself and walked away.
Thea was feeling happy, a warm smile on her face, as some people still remembered her father.
Ryder was standing with her at that time, seeing that John walked away to greet some guests he knew. Just then, Julia, Savannah’s cousin, appeared out of nowhere.
"Ryder..." before Thea could say anything, Julia tugged on Ryder’s shirt to get his attention.
"My cousin is asking for you?" Julia said in her childish voice, looking up at Ryder with big brown eyes.
"Where is she?" Ryder asked, smiling down at Julia.
"Upstairs, I guess.." Julia replied, scrunching up her face in thought.
Ryder chuckled and lifted Julia into his arms. "Brother Ryder, who is this lady?" Julia asked, pointing at Thea.
"She is my friend, Thea.."
"Thea, this is Julia, Savannah’s cousin." Ryder introduced them.
"Hello, Julia! Nice to meet you."Thea said, kneeling down to Julia’s level and extending her hand for a handshake.
Julia is a bright-eyed and bubbly 4-year-old girl with a contagious giggle and a mop of curly brown hair.
Julia giggled and shook Thea’s hand,"Nice to meet you too! Pretty Sister.."
"Your ring is so beautiful!" Julia exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she gazed at the ring which Thea wore on her finger.
"It’s my mother’s ring. I recently got it.." Thea said, a soft smile spreading across her face as she cherished the memory.
"Julia, do you want to stay with her?" Ryder asked, he smiled while he asked Julia.
"Yes, I would love to stay with her here!" Julia replied, her face lighting up with excitement as she gazed up at Thea.
"Then I’m leaving you two here.." Ryder said, gently placing Julia on the floor before he went off to meet Savannah.
"He’s in a hurry to meet her." Julia observed, watching Ryder go with a tilt of her head.Hearing this, Thea’s mood shifted, and a hint of sadness crept into her eyes, like a cloud passing over the sun.
"Sister Thea ,do you have any siblings?"
"No, I’m the only child in my family." Thea replied softly.
"So, just like me, you’re an only child too!" Julia exclaimed, her face lighting up with a bright smile as she found common ground with Thea.
"Sister, pick me up!" Julia requested, opening her arms to Thea with a trusting gaze.
Thea lifted Julia into her arms, cradling her gently as if she were a precious treasure.
"Won’t your parents worry if they can’t find you?"Thea asked, concern etched on her face like a loving mother.
"No, look in that direction. That’s my mother. She knows I like to accompany and talk with pretty sisters." Julia said, pointing across the room with a confident grin.
"So, you’re saying I’m pretty?" Thea asked, a playful smile spreading across her face like a blooming flower.
"Yes, you’re very pretty! Even prettier than..." Julia started to say before trailing off, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
As soon as John returned,Julia’s attention shifted to him like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower.
John’s gaze swept the area, his expression puzzled. "Where’s Ryder?"
"He went to accompany her cousin." Thea replied, her eyes never leaving Julia’s face.
"Hello, gentleman. I’m Julia Sawyer!" Julia said, greeting John with a charming smile and a curtsy.
"Who is this?" John asked, looking at Thea for an introduction with raised eyebrows.
"Savannah’s cousin." Thea replied, her voice soft and gentle.
"Julia, who always troubles..." John started to say before Thea pinched his shoulder, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
"Ouch! Ouch. Thea why did you pinch my shoulder?" John asked, rubbing his shoulder in pain with a chuckle.
"You shouldn’t say that in front of her." Thea whispered in John’s ear,a touch of protectiveness towards Julia.
"I know what you two are saying. I would always trouble her!" Julia grumbled, her lower lip jutting out in a pout like a sulky child.
"Julia, don’t be sad. He didn’t mean to hurt you." Thea soothed, stroking Julia’s hair with a gentle touch.
"I’ll say something in your ear pretty sister.." Julia whispered, her voice barely audible as she leaned in close to
"Elder Brother, can you bring for me a chocolate cake from there? Please bring two pieces.." Julia requested.
John, who was standing nearby, heard Julia’s request and nodded with a smile. "I’ll be right back with your cake, Julia.." he said, heading off to fulfill her request.
As soon as John left,Julia turned to Thea with a concerned expression. "You know, I don’t like cousin Savannah. She would always snatch my things." Julia said, her voice laced with annoyance and a hint of resentment.
"After her return, I simply took her bracelet to observe, and she blamed me as if I stole it from her.." Julia continued, her face scrunched up in distaste. "I know my mother didn’t like them before, and now I understand why she doesn’t like them at all."
Thea listened attentively, her eyes filled with empathy and understanding. "I see.." she said softly, nodding her head.
Julia nodded vigorously, her ponytail bouncing with the motion. "Yes, she is! And I don’t like her one bit," Julia declared, her voice firm and resolute.
"And don’t be friends with her. She and her mother are hypocrites.. A bunch of hypocrites.." Julia said, her voice laced with disdain and a hint of warning.
"Julia, they are your elder. It’s not good to talk badly behind their backs.." she softened her tone to make the little girl understand.
But Julia shook her head, her ponytail bouncing with the motion. "I heard how her mother talked to you. I feel so sorry for you.." Julia said, her eyes filled with empathy and a touch of anger on Thea’s behalf.
Thea’s expression softened, and she placed a gentle hand on Julia’s shoulder. "It’s okay, Julia. I can handle myself. But thank you for caring.."Thea said, her voice warm with appreciation.
Julia nodded, her face set in determination. "I don’t like them, Thea. They’re not good people." Julia declared, her voice firm and resolute.
Thea smiled sadly, her eyes filled with understanding. "I know, Julia. But sometimes, it’s better to rise above and be the better person."Thea said, her voice gentle and wise.
Julia looked up at Thea, her eyes searching for understanding. "You’re right,Thea.. I’ll try." Julia said, her voice softening with a hint of resolve.
After John returned with two slices of chocolate cake,there was a smile on his face. "Here you go, Julia! Two pieces of chocolate cake, just like you requested." he said, handing her the plates.
Julia’s face lit up with delight as she took the plates from John. "Thank you, Elder Brother John! " she exclaimed, giving John a big smile.
She decided to sit on a chair, savoring her treat with a delighted smile. She leaned close to Thea and softly whispered, "You will see a funny scene today."
"Did you do any mischief?" she asked.
Julia’s grin grew wider as she continued to eat her chocolate cake. "You will see..Just wait and see Sister Thea.." she said, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
