Chapter 75: You Have Something On Your Lip
As time passed, Thea’s eyes slowly fluttered open, and she realised that she had dozed off.
"Did we arrive?" Thea asked while glancing around the window..
Ryder, silently looking at his phone, replied with a simple "Hmm."
"I am sorry. I fell asleep," Thea apologized.
"You don’t have to be sorry, Thea.." Ryder responded.
"It’s getting late. I better leave now... Goodbye.." Thea said, unbuckling her seat belt.
"Are you not going to invite me?" Ryder asked with a hint of amusement.
"Do I have to? You are always welcome. You know that very well..My Grandma adore you more than me." Thea replied.
"Are you coming to visit now?" she asked.
Ryder laughed. "Not today."
"Okay..then ..Bye.." Thea waved back before she made her way to her home.
Ryder didn’t start the car, even after he saw her entering her house. Instead, he took out his phone and dialed a number. His voice was firm as he spoke.
"Check what happened with Thea today in the university."After uttering those words, he ended the call and started his car.
The next day...
Thea was strolling along with Charlotte in the campus garden when Lyla rushed towards them. "Have you heard the latest news?" she asked, finding difficulty in breathing as she uttered the words.
Both Thea and Charlotte looked at each other before shaking their heads in unison. "No, what is it?" they seemed to ask simultaneously.
Lyla took a deep breath before continuing. "Everly, that newly transferred student, got expelled from the university today in the morning."
"What? That’s amazing!" Charlotte beamed. "She’s such a thorn in the ass. I’m grateful someone finally took her down."
"And you know her brother was a gang leader, and he’s in jail.." Lyla added. "And her whole family is now indebted."
"Don’t mention her anymore." Charlotte said, rolling her eyes. "I don’t care about her matters at all."
"Are you sure?" Thea asked, looking at Lyla.
Lyla nodded. "Yeah, it’s trending news that I caught up on."
"Alright, don’t bring her up again...We are getting late for our classes.."
After their class ended. Thea began arranging her books when her phone rang. She saw that Elizabeth was calling her.
"Hello, Aunty," she answered."Thea, are you free today?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, Aunty.."
"Then you have to come to our house today," Elizabeth said softly.
"Okay, Aunty. I will visit you in the evening,"
Thea agreed.
"Okay, dear.." Elizabeth said before hanging up the call.
Just then, Charlotte surprised Thea from behind. "Hey Thea, when are you going to give me the treat?" she asked.
"Treat for what?" Thea asked, continuing with her work.
"For winning the competition..." Charlotte replied.
"Did I promise that I wouldgive you a treat ?" Thea asked, feigning innocence.
"Don’t try to play tricks with me.." Charlotte replied with a grin.
"I will let you know later." Thea answered, trying to brush off the question.
"You are the best..." Charlotte said, giving her a playful hug from behind.
"Stop irritating me, Charlotte.." Thea snapped, trying to sound stern.
"I was just observing you." Charlotte grinned mischievously.
"Let’s go.." Thea after she was done with her packing replied
Charlotte happily wrapped her hands around Thea’s arm, and they started walking together.
In the evening, Thea went to visit the Thompsons’ residence. Earlier, after she had returned from university, she had already informed Grandma Grace that she would be visiting Elizabeth in the evening as she had requested her.
Thompson’s Group, founded upon the bedrock of Ryder’s grandfather’s entrepreneurial genius, had grown into a towering presence in the global business landscape, its impact reverberating across continents and industries. With a rich tapestry of history that spanned generations, the company had distilled the essence of innovation, adaptability, and excellence, emerging as a beacon of leadership and a testament to the power of visionary thinking. Through its unwavering dedication to excellence and its unrelenting pursuit of progress, Thompson’s Group had cemented its status as a legendary entity, leaving an indelible mark on the world of commerce and beyond.
Ryder’s Grandfather had his root in a rural setting, but his entrepreneurial spirit led him to pioneer a business venture in the urban landscape. As the company grew and prospered, the family’s fortunes changed, and they transitioned from their rural heritage to an urban lifestyle, setting the stage for generations of success. This strategic move from a rural to an urban environment not only elevated the family’s socioeconomic status but also paved the way for the remarkable achievements of Thompson’s Group, cementing its legacy as a business powerhouse.
Thea entered the house and found no one inside. "Aunty...Miss Jane.." she called out, but got no response. She strolled slowly to find them, but couldn’t find them. Someone from the back put a black cloth on her eyes. "Who is this? Why are you putting a cloth in my eyes?" Thea got tensed.
"It’s me," Elizabeth answered. "Don’t worry about the cloth. Just follow my words." Elizabeth led her to the dining table and helped her sit on a chair. "Sit here. Don’t open your eyes." Elizabeth motioned Mrs. Jane, who was standing beside her, took her place and untied the cloth. As soon as Mrs. Jane took her place, Elizabeth went to the kitchen. Mrs. Jane quickly untied the cloth and stood behind her.
After sometime, Elizabeth emerged from the kitchen carrying some dishes on a tray. She put the tray in front of Thea on the table. "Now you can open your eyes.." Elizabeth instructed. Thea kept her words as she didn’t open her eyes until she was asked. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the tray lying in front of her on the table.
"I have prepared these dishes for you. Quickly taste and tell me how they are." Elizabeth said with a warm smile. "And congratulations on winning in the Art Competition. Ryder informed me the day before yesterday, but I’m upset that you didn’t share the news with me yourself." Elizabeth’s expression turned hurt as she spoke.
"I am sorry aunty..I should inform you about it."
"This time you’re forgiven," Elizabeth said with a gentle smile. "Now, come and eat before the food gets cold."
"Miss, you know that today Madam personally prepared all these dishes by herself for you.." Mrs. Jane added.
Thea felt her heart warm at Elizabeth’s thoughtful gesture. Although her mother was no longer with her, being with Elizabeth made her feel a deep sense of motherly love and care, a feeling she cherished deeply.
"Being sorry won’t work.." Elizabeth said sternly. "You have to finish all these dishes. After that, only you will be forgiven."
Thea looked at the array of dishes and exclaimed, "There are so many dishes. How can I finish them alone?" Elizabeth’s response was firm, "You have to eat everything."
Thea gazed at the dishes and saw that Elizabeth had lovingly prepared a four-course meal just for her. Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, with its tender pasta and savory sauce, sat alongside a bowl of Roasted Vegetable Soup, its flavors simmered to perfection. A plate of Garlic and Herb Crusted Salmon, crispy on the outside and flaky within, accompanied the soup, while a Fresh Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream provided a sweet and refreshing finish to the meal.
"Aunty, I will gain weight if I eat all of them.." Thea said, her eyes widening at the spread before her. "You won’t," Elizabeth replied reassuringly. "You have to eat a lot to be healthy." Thea hesitated, "But..." she began to protest. "No but..." Elizabeth interrupted, a smile spreading across her face. "It’s better if I feed you." she said, an idea came to her mind.
Elizabeth went to sit beside her and took a spoon in her hand as she started to feed her. Thea, while chewing, her eyes became teary. "Why are you crying, dear?" Elizabeth put the spoon aside as she asked. "I remembered my mother.."
Elizabeth’s expression softened, and she put the spoon down, her hands reaching out to offer comfort. "Oh, dear one," she said, her voice warm with empathy. "It’s okay to remember, to feel." Thea’s tears flowed freely now, as she let the pain of her loss wash over her.
"Don’t cry, your parents won’t be happy to see you crying.." Elizabeth said, as she gently wiped away tears from Thea’s face.
"Young master, you have arrived." As soon as she noticed a figure entering the house, Mrs Jane exclaimed.."Ryder, you are here! It’s good that you came. I have invited Thea to our home."
Ryder’s eyes scanned the room and noticed a figure sitting at the dining table beside his mother. "I am going to the kitchen to prepare something for you." Saying that she made her way towards the kitchen.
Ryder went to his room to change his clothes before he came to the dining hall. When he arrived, he saw that Thea was about to finish the last dish. "So, Mother invited you?" he asked, taking a seat beside her.
Thea finished the last spoonful of food before responding, "Hmm... she wants to give me a treat for winning the competition."
Ryder smiled and pointed out, "You have something on your lip."
