Chapter 68: I Would Return Them
She looked at the clock and it was showing 7 o’clock.She went downstairs in the kitchen and found Mrs Jane was preparing breakfast for the family.
"Good morning Aunty Jane." she greeted her as she approached.
"Good morning Miss Thea."she greeted back.
She moved to help, heading towards the tea station. "Let me help you," she offered, reaching for the tea leaves.
"Miss You don’t have to do."Mrs.Jane tried to stop her.
But Thea insisted, "Let me do it, Aunty Jane. I’d like to help."
With a gentle smile, Mrs. Jane relented, allowing Thea to take over the task. As she expertly brewed the tea, the two women worked together in comfortable silence, the only sound the clinking of dishes and the sizzle of breakfast cooking on the stovetop.
Ryder’s Favorite Avocado Toast with poached eggs and cherry tomatoes, a Fresh Fruit Juice Bar with grapefruit, and cranberry , a Fluffy Pancake Stack with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Both of them set the table for breakfast. Elizabeth came downstairs.
"Good morning, Thea," Elizabeth greeted.
"Good morning, Aunty," Thea replied, greeting her back.
"Did you enjoy playing with Grandfather yesterday?" Elizabeth asked.
Thea nodded her head enthusiastically, a smile spreading across her face.
As both of them were chatting, the other family members arrived and greeted each other before settling in to sit down.
"When will he come?" Elder Edward asked, referring to Ryder, who had not yet arrived.
Just then, Ryder walked in and said, "Good morning, everyone!"
He settled into his seat, and Elder Edward replied, "Just now I was talking about you."
Ryder smiled and asked, "What were you saying about me?"
"I dreamed that you got married," Elder Edward replied with a sly grin.
Ryder’s expression turned annoyed, "Why are you so adamant about my marriage, Grandfather?"
Elder Edward’s expression turned serious, "Because you are becoming old enough to produce the new heir for our family."
Ryder sighed, feeling the familiar pressure from his grandfather, "Grandfather, we’ve discussed this before. I’m not ready for marriage yet."
Elder Edward’s eyes narrowed slightly, "You’re not getting any younger, Ryder. It’s time to think about your responsibilities to the family.When I was your age, I already became a father," Elder Edward replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Rosie poked him discreetly, trying to signal him to stop, but Elder Edward continued, undeterred.
"You two can discuss this later. Don’t foul our mood now at the time of breakfast," Rosie uttered, trying to intervene.
But Elder Edward pressed on, "No, darling, I’m talking about a serious matter. He doesn’t even have a girlfriend!"
Ryder replied calmly, without any emotions, "When the time is right, I will get married. Don’t worry, Grandfather.
Both Ryder’s parents, Elizabeth and Ryder’s father, Harrison kept silent as they watched Ryder get reprimanded by his grandfather, Edward. They exchanged a brief glance, but neither of them intervened or spoke up in Ryder’s defense. The atmosphere at the table became slightly tense, with Ryder looking somewhat annoyed and Elder Edward seeming determined to make his point.
The table fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable, before Rosie attempted to change the subject, "So, Thea, did you have a good sleep yesterday ?"
"Yes Grandma.Indeed I fell sleep after ready the book."
Thea was sitting beside Ryder, while Elizabeth was sitting on her other side, creating a cozy family atmosphere.
"Today, Miss Thea prepared tea for breakfast," Mrs. Jane announced.
"Then I have to taste it first, to see how she prepared it," Elder Edward said, taking out his cup and saucer.
He poured the tea into the cup, and before taking a sip, he smelled the scent, savoring the aroma.
"It’s incredible," he commented, impressed by Thea’s tea-making skills.
"Thea, you have to prepare the tea every time you visit me." Elder Edward said, smiling at her.
"Okay, Grandpa. I would make tea for you." Thea replied, giggling.
"Not only for him, but also for me too." Rosie added, playfully.
"Then why should we not get to taste the tea she prepared? We too are included." Elizabeth said, laughing.
Elder Edward, who was watching the exchange, chimed in, "Of course, everyone should... It’s a special treat for the whole family."
As Thea prepared to leave, Elizabeth suggested, "Let Ryder drop you at home."
Thea replied, "Aunty, I can take the bus."
But Elizabeth insisted, "No, Thea. He is about to go to the office and he can drop you at home."
Ryder who came downstairs, looking sharp and professional in his tailored navy blue suit, white shirt, and patterned tie. His dark hair was styled perfectly, and his brown eyes sparkled with a hint of morning freshness. He carried a sleek black leather briefcase in one hand, completing his polished office look.
"Ryder, drop Thea at her home." Elizabeth said, nodding towards her son.
Ryder smiled and nodded, "Of course, Mom. I’d be happy to give her a ride home."
As they walked towards the car, Ryder gestured for Thea to get in, opening the passenger door for her with a courteous smile. "After you." he said, waiting for her to settle in before closing the door gently behind her.
Then, he walked around to the driver’s side, his suit jacket fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. He opened the door, slipped into the driver’s seat, and fastened his seatbelt, his movements fluid and practiced.
She settled into the passenger seat, her hands moving instinctively to fasten her seatbelt. She clicked the buckle into place, feeling the familiar snugness of the belt across her lap and chest. With a contented sigh, she leaned back into the comfortable leather seat, her eyes fixed on Ryder as he began to navigate the car out of the driveway.
"Ready to go?" he asked her, glancing over at her with a friendly smile. He started the engine, and the car hummed to life.
As they pulled away from the house, she gazed out the window, watching the neighborhood, while Ryder focused on the road ahead, his hands steady on the wheel.
"What are you carrying in your bag?" Ryder asked, glancing at the plastic bag beside her.
"There are some clothes your grandma prepared for me. I would return them after washing ." Thea replied, looking down at the bag.
"Did anyone ask you to return them?" Ryder asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No," she answered, her response simple and quiet.
"Then why are you thinking of returning them? Grandma would feel bad if you do so," Ryder said, his tone gentle but firm.
Thea kept quiet, listening intently to Ryder’s words. She knew he was right - his grandma, Rosie, adored her like her own granddaughter, even though they weren’t related by blood. Her kindness and generosity knew no bounds, and she didn’t want to hurt her feelings by returning the clothes. She nodded slightly, acknowledging Ryder’s point, and gazed out the window, lost in thought.
"Will you be making a special appearance at any events on the 4th of July?" Thea asked, glancing at Ryder’s profile.
Ryder thought for a moment before responding, "I don’t think so. I don’t have any events scheduled for the 4th. Why, is there something going on?"
She shook her head, a slight smile on her face. "No, nothing in particular. I was just wondering."
Ryder nodded, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
"We’re here," Ryder said, pulling up to Thea’s house and putting the car in park.
"Thanks for the ride,Ryder.." Thea replied, opening the door and stepping out onto the sidewalk.
"Drive safely," she added, bending down to smile at Ryder through the open window.
With a wave of her hand, she stood back and watched as he started the car and pulled away from the curb, disappearing into the distance. She remained standing there for a moment, lost in thought, before turning to head towards her front door.
As she approached the gate, she noticed it was already open, a soft sign that her grandma had arrived home before her. She quickly let herself in with the spare key and entered the house, finding her grandma, Grace, comfortably seated on the sofa, engrossed in the newspaper.
"Grandma, when did you get here?"
Grandma Grace looked up from the paper, a warm smile on her face. "About an hour ago, dear. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I just made myself at home."
