Chapter 72: That I Won
"We would like to welcome our Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Thompson, for giving the awards to our winners for this competition." the emcee announced, his voice booming through the hall.
Thea was shocked, thinking to herself, "Thompson? That’s Ryder’s last name too. What a coincidence!"
Just then, a man dashed towards the stage, his tall figure and familiar features making Thea’s heart skip a beat. She glanced at the figure, and for a moment, she couldn’t believe her eyes.
Jolted back to reality, her eyes darted to Ryder’s attire - a tailored business suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and chiseled features. He looked every bit the successful, put-together man he had become. Her gaze lingered on his face, and for a moment, she felt like she was transported back to a time in her childhood days.
"Am I dreaming?" she wondered, pinching her arm discreetly to ensure she wasn’t hallucinating. The slight pain reassured her that this was, in fact, real life.
"Didn’t he say before that he doesn’t have any events to attend today?" she recalled, her thoughts swirling with confusion. What was he doing here, presenting awards at her art competition? The questions swirled in her head like a vortex, leaving her stunned and bewildered.
The prize for the event was a trophy along with money.Ryder began to present the awards, starting from the 5th position,When it was finally her turn, Ryder’s eyes met hers, and he flashed her a warm, familiar smile.
"Congratulations."he said handing her the trophy and an envelope containing the prize money. She smiled back at Ryder, her eyes locking onto his, as she whispered
quietly "Thank you."
Ryder excused himself to take an incoming call, stepping away from the stage after awarding the winners.Jackson Hall, standing beside her turned to her asked ,"Do you know Mr. Thompson?"
She had always been private about her connection with Ryder, and she didn’t feel like sharing it with a stranger. So, she chose to remain silent, offering only a polite smile.
Jackson raised an eyebrow, seemingly taken aback by her silence. "How silly of me to ask you such a question," he said with a scoff. "How can such a distinguished figure like Mr. Thompson acknowledge mere people like us?"
She felt irritated at Jackson’s condescending remark, but she chose not to respond.She didn’t want to create a scene or draw attention to herself. Instead, she focused on the trophy and prize money in her hand.
Her eyes wandered around the room but her gaze soon landed on an empty space where she had expected to see him. She felt a sudden jolt of confusion and disappointment. Ryder was no longer standing by the window, and she realized with a start that he had slipped out of the room unnoticed.
She scanned the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but he was nowhere to be seen. The phone call seemed to be winding down. Where had Ryder gone?
She was about to step down from the stage, clutching her trophy and prize money of $1600, when a person approached her.
"Likewise, Alethea.",the woman exclaimed, extending her hand.Her voice smooth and melodious, with a hint of a subtle accent that Thea couldn’t quite place. "Congratulations on your award today."
Rachel Kim exuded an aura of refined sophistication.She wore a fluid, champagne-colored gown.
Her features were finely chiseled, with high cheekbones, a slender nose, and full lips that curved into a perpetual smile.Her eyes shone like dark sapphires, sparkling . A delicate sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks.
Madam Kim’s hair was a rich, dark auburn that fell in soft, luscious waves down her back, its subtle layers framing her face with effortless elegance. A delicate, pearl-encrusted cuff adorned her wrist, casting a soft, creamy glow on her skin. Every aspect of her presence seemed to radiate confidence, poise, and a deep, unshakeable sense of self-assurance, as if she were a queen surveying her kingdom with quiet, understated authority.
She extended her hand to shake Madam Kim’s hand.She knew that Madam Kim was a highly respected figure in the art world, known for her impeccable taste and keen eye for talent. To receive praise from her was a truly humbling experience.
"Thank you, Madam Kim," Thea replied, trying to sound composed despite feeling a little awestruck.
"You’re incredibly young,yet your art possesses a profound quality that leaves me wondering how you managed to capture it so skillfully." Rachel said, her eyes filled with a admiration."Your work conveys a level of emotional depth and understanding that’s rare in artists in your age."
The woman’s kind tone put her at ease. "I... I just try to create from a place of honesty and vulnerability," Thea replied, "I don’t overthink it. I just let my feelings guide me."
Rachel nodded thoughtfully, a small smile playing on her lips. "That’s precisely what makes your art so compelling. You have a remarkable ability to tap into the essence of the human experience. Don’t ever lose that spark."
Rachel pulled out a sleek, silver business card holder from her purse and extracted a card, which she handed to her with a warm smile. "If you ever feel like learning more about the art world, or need guidance on how to navigate it, I’m here to help," Rachel said, her eyes shinning with passion."You can contact me anytime, and I’ll do my best to support you."
Thea took the card."Thank you, Madam Kim." Her said, her voice filled with sincerity.
Rachel’s smile broadened, and she placed a reassuring hand on Thea’s shoulder. "I’m looking forward to it, Alethea. Remember, you have so much potential."
Madam Kim turned to leave, her elegant figure gliding effortlessly across the room. Thea followed closely behind, her eyes fixed on the older woman’s poised demeanor.
At that moment her phone rang, and she retrieved it from her sling bag to find Ryder’s name on the screen.
"Wait for me at the main entrance, I’ll take you home." he said, his voice clear and direct.
She instincts told her to ask, "Won’t you be late for your office?"
Ryder’s response was reassuring, "I don’t think so. I can do that for you."
Thea smiled, "Okay, I’m waiting for you there," she replied, before ending the call.
After she reached the main entrance, a black car pulled up in front of her, its engine purring smoothly. The window of the driver side rolled down, revealing Ryder’s chiseled features. "Get in," he said, his voice low and commanding. Thea walked around to the passenger side of the car and opened the door, settling into the leather seat. She closed the door behind her and fastened her seatbelt.
"Didn’t you say you didn’t have any events to attend today?" She asked,turned her face towards his direction.Ryder’s expression turned soft as he started the car. "Hmm, I did say that. But they contacted me a few days ago," he explained, his voice smooth and soft. "I guess my schedule changed unexpectedly." He glanced at her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "But I’m glad I can still drive you home."
"After the award ceremony, I didn’t find you in the hall." Thea murmured, her voice barely audible. "I thought you had already left for the company." Ryder leaned in, trying to catch her words, but they were too quiet. "Did you say something?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Her voice was a little clearer this time. "I thought you had left to attend to something else after receiving that phone call." she explained.
Ryder dropped her at home before he headed back to his office after bidding each other goodbye.
"Grandma.. Grandma",she shouted in excitement as she entered her house.
She quickly changed her heels with slippers before running to grandma Grace.
"Why is my granddaughter calling me?"Grandma Grace came out from her room.
"Grandma you can’t believe that..."she started to say, but her words trailed off as she struggled to contain her excitement.
"Can’t believe what dear?"Grandma Grace asked.
"That I won ...the second prize in the competition."Thea shared the news.
She grabbed her hands and twirled her around the room.
"I’m so happy for you, thea!" Grandma Grace exclaimed, beaming with pride as she saw her excitement.
"I was so nervous, Grandma," Thea admitted. "The judges were all prominent figures in the art world. I thought my work wouldn’t measure up."
