Chapter 53: Gentle Currents of Her Dream
In the parking lot, John headed towards his black Mercedes Benz. "So, I’m heading home fast." he said, before getting inside his car and descending out of sight. Thea bid him goodbye and followed Ryder to his car, a luxurious, silver BMW.
Ryder opened the passenger door for her, and as she settled into the comfortable leather seat, she couldn’t help but notice the car’s elegant interior. Ryder got into the driver’s seat, and her eyes caught sight of a chain hanging from the rearview mirror. She reached out to touch it, but Ryder’s sudden utterance stopped her.
Ryder yelled out a sudden warning: "Don’t touch it!"
Thea’s hand trembled momentarily before she withdrew it, her eyes widening in surprise. "Sorry.." she replied softly, still looking a bit shaken from the suddenness of Ryder’s loud warning.
"I just wanted to take a look at it. " she muttered, her eyes still fixed on the chain.
Remorse flickered across Ryder’s face, and his voice was laced with apology as he said, "It’s a gift."
Thea’s lips pressed together, and she said nothing, her silence a quiet rebuke.
Ryder’s gaze drifted away, his eyes clouding over with memories. "Someone special gifted it.."
Thea listened but didn’t press further, sensing that the topic was sensitive. Instead, she settled back into her seat, her eyes fixed on the chain, wondering about the story behind it.
The chain was a vintage-inspired, antique silver necklace with a beautifully ornate locket in the shape of a miniature book. The locket was adorned with intricate engravings of leaves and flowers, and a small, shimmering sapphire stone was set into its cover.
A dainty, crystal drop hung from the bottom of the locket, casting tiny rainbows across the car’s interior as Ryder drove. The chain itself was finely crafted, with each link precision-made to create a smooth, fluid texture that seemed to glow with a soft, silvery light.
She wondered about the story behind it, and the memories that Ryder had treasured inside this beautiful token.
The atmosphere inside the car was quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine. Thea was rubbing her hands together, a habit she had when she was deep in thought.
"Can I ask you one thing?"
Ryder looked at her, his expression relaxed. "Hmm, go on. You don’t have to ask permission from me."
Her eyes locked onto his face, her gaze intense. "Was Miss Sawyer with you when you were in Scotland?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm..she was ..why?" Thea’s hands stopped rubbing, her fingers stilled. "Her father was saying that they were celebrating her birthday after a long time, so I thought maybe this would be the reason.." trying to sound natural.
"So, how are your studies going?"
"As usual.. Ryder..I am taking part in an art competition.." she added.
"Oh, that’s great then. Best of luck for it.." Ryder wished.
Finally, they reached her home.
"Bye. Be careful as you drive.."
" Won’t you invite me to visit your home?" Ryder asked.
"Didn’t you say you have some work to do? So, I won’t invite you.."
"Okay. Goodnight.." Ryder said.
"Goodnight.." she hurriedly went to her house..
She directly went to her bedroom and fell onto her bed, letting out a deep sigh as she settled into the comfort of her own space.
Thea called Charlotte, eager to share the details of her evening. "Charlotte, I came back from the party.." she said, settling into her bed.
"Did anything happen there?"
"No... Nothing happened" Thea replied, downplaying the events of the evening.
"How was the day?Tell me..don’t hide anything from me..I can hear from your tone.." Charlotte asked, sensing that there was more to the story.
Thea took a deep breath and told Charlotte about the party, including her encounter with Savannah’s cousin and Alexia.
"How can you say nothing happened?" Charlotte exclaimed. "When her mother totally misbehaved with you!"
"Charlotte, it’s okay. I’m not feeling sad.." Thea reassured her.
"No, who is she to think you should address her daughter by calling ’Miss Sawyer’?" Charlotte said, still fuming. "Does she think she could talk like this to anyone?"
"Charlotte, you know her cousin is cute.."Thea said, trying to change the subject.
"Did you make friends with her?"
"Hmm..The girl is so cute.." Thea hummed, not wanting to reveal too much.
"Did you forget about me? I am your best best friend.." Charlotte said, pretending to be offended.
"Charlotte, don’t be jealous. She is just a kid.."
"A kid?" Charlotte asked, surprised.
"Yes, she is 4 years old." Thea replied.
"You made friends with a kid?" Charlotte asked, amused.
"Hmm.." Thea replied again, teasing her friend.
"You should have told me first that she is a kid, then I wouldn’t have nagged about it.." Charlotte chuckled.
"You become jealous too easily."
"Of course, for you, baby..I dont want you to have other best friend beside me.." Charlotte said, playfully.
"Ah, just now I remember. What about you? Any news about your Ryan?" Thea asked, changing the subject.
"No...he will come after one week."
After hanging up the phone, Thea went to take off her dress, exhausted from the day’s events. She washed her face with face wash and stood in front of the mirror to wipe her face.
But as she gazed at her reflection, her stomach rumbled. She quietly made her way to the kitchen, hoping to find something to satisfy her hunger.
Her eyes landed on a packet of noodles in the cabinet, and she decided to make a noodle soup. She went to boil the water, a voice startled her.
"What are you doing here?" Thea got scared, her heart racing.
"Oh, grandma! You scared me!" she exclaimed, putting her hand on her heart.
"Making noodles now?" her grandmother, Grace, asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Hmm, I’m feeling hungry." Thea replied, trying to play it cool.
"What are you doing here, grandma?"
"To fill the jar.." Grandma Grace replied, gesturing to the empty jar on the counter.
"Give it to me, I’m filling it.."
"I can do it. You don’t have to spoil."Grandma Grace refused."What’s wrong in doing so?" Thea pouted, feeling a bit frustrated.
"Nothing, dear. I just don’t want you to trouble yourself."Grandma Grace said, smiling warmly.
Thea sighed, knowing her grandmother was just trying to protect her. "Okay, grandma. But can I at least help?" she asked, hoping to compromise.
Grandma Grace chuckled and handed Thea a spoon. "Fine, but just stir the noodles. I’ll handle the rest."
"Did you enjoy today’s event?" Grandma Grace asked.
"Was Ryder present?" she added, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Mm, he was there." She replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Was there anything that’s bothering you?" Grandma Grace asked, noticing the faint hint of sadness in her eyes.
"No, grandma." Thea said quickly, deciding not to mention the uncomfortable interaction with Alexia.
"It’s great to hear that you enjoyed your day." Grandma Grace said, smiling. "Goodnight, I’m going to have my sleep."
"Good night, Grandma. Have a sweet dream." Thea replied, hugging her grandmother tightly.
Grandma Grace walked up to her room, feeling grateful for the loving relationship she shared with her granddaughter. As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that Thea was hiding something from her. But she pushed the thought aside, trusting that Thea would confide in her when the time was right.
Thea prepared her noodles and poured them out into a steaming hot bowl. Despite having dinner at the event, she had felt a sudden pang of hunger after coming home, and the noodles were just what she needed to satisfy her growling stomach. She slurped them down quickly, savoring the salty flavor .
As she finished her noodles, she glanced at the clock and saw that it was already 11 o’clock. She quickly washed her bowl and wiped down the kitchen slab.
With her kitchen duties done, Thea headed to bed, feeling sleepy but also a little restless. Before drifting off, she reached for her phone and sent a quick message to Ryder. "Did you reach home?" she typed, her fingers flying across the screen.
As she waited for Ryder’s response, her eyelids began to droop, and she felt her body relax into the comfort of her bed. She typed out a final message, her fingers moving slowly across the screen.
With that, she drifted off to sleep, her phone slipping from her grasp as she let out a contented sigh. The darkness closed in around her, and she let herself be carried away by the gentle currents of her dreams.
