Chapter 84: Don’t Touch Them
"It’s good to see you after a long time." Thea said, her voice a little softer now that the initial shock had worn off.
As Thea exited Liam’s office, she couldn’t help but smile, still feeling a bit surprised by the unexpected reunion. Before leaving, they had exchanged numbers, and she felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her.
Back in class, Charlotte’s curious gaze met hers. "Hmmm, what happened?" Charlotte teased, whispering conspiratorially. "Did he fall in love with you?"
Thea playfully rolled her eyes. "No, nothing like that. He’s Ryder’s childhood friend."
Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise. "Ohh...what? So, that means you too knew him."
Thea nodded, taking a seat next to Charlotte. "Hmm, yeah. When I met Ryder, we used to play together... Lio was part of the group. After that, he went abroad with his parents."
Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with interest. "Wow, that’s amazing! I had no idea Mr. Liam was Lio. What a coincidence!"
Thea smiled, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events. " Life is full of shocks."
After their class ended, she headed home. As she entered the house, she found her grandma busy preparing something in the kitchen. Curious, she walked in and asked, "What are you making, Grandma?"
Her grandma looked up, a warm smile on her face. Thea, meanwhile, opened the fridge to grab a cold water bottle and poured herself a glass. The cool water refreshed her after a long day at University. She leaned against the counter, watching her grandma with interest, waiting for her response.
"I am making a nutritious soup for you." her grandma said, stirring the pot. "I saw it on the television. It’s supposed to be very good for your recovery."
Thea chuckled. "Grandma, don’t believe everything they say on TV."
Her grandma turned around, a hint of scolding in her voice. "You go and get changed... How many times do I have to tell you not to drink cold water after coming from outside?"
"Grandma, see, I have poured only a little amount."
But her grandma was firm. "Go and get changed." she urged, shaking her head.
Thea cleaned the glass and put it back in the cabinet before heading to her room, still smiling to herself. She later came down wearing a comfortable shirt and skirt, her hair tied up in a ponytail. Her grandma was waiting for her on the sofa, and as soon as she noticed Thea, she called out, "Come here."
She went to sit beside her, and while she was getting settled, her grandma handed her a steaming bowl of soup. "Hmm, here...finish it all." Grandma Grace said, her eyes already back on the television.
Thea pretended to be weak, "Grandma, Ahh ..my arms are hurting, please feed me." She gave her best puppy dog eyes, hoping to get out of eating the soup herself.
But her grandma was not having it. "I won’t fall for your tricks...finish it by yourself," she said with a chuckle, not even looking away from the TV.
"Why don’t you marry the television then?" Thea murmured under her breath, teasing her grandma about her constant watching.But her grandma’s ears were sharper than she thought. "I heard what you murmured," grandma Grace said, looking at her granddaughter with a hint of amusement and a raised eyebrow.
"Grandma, to you, what is the definition of love?" Thea asked, her eyes locked on her grandma’s face.
Grandma Grace’s face softened, and she reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind Thea’s ear. "Love is when you feel seen, heard, and understood, no matter what. It’s when someone knows your flaws and imperfections, but still chooses to be with you, to support you, and to make you feel loved and cherished. It’s a feeling that grows stronger with each passing day, and it’s the foundation on which memories, laughter, and tears are shared."
"Grandma ,you were so young when Grandfather passed away. Why didn’t you ever remarry?" Thea asked softly.
Her stare became distant, clouded by recollections "Your grandfather was my first love, my true love. After he passed, I devoted myself to raising your mother and preserving the life we built together. I couldn’t imagine loving another person the way I loved him wholeheartedly."
Her voice softened, filled with a deep longing. "A part of me left with him, and I couldn’t replace it. I poured my heart into giving your mother a happy life, and that became my purpose."Thea kept silent as she understand the depth of her grandma’s love and loss.
"Grandma, did you remember Lio?"
"Lio...who is he?" Grandma Grace asked, her expression creased in puzzlement
"The boy who used to play with us...he went abroad later..." Thea reminded her, trying to jog her memory.
"Oh, that boy...who used to play with you...Ryder’s friend?" Grandma Grace asked, her eyes squinting slightly as she tried to recall.
"Hmm...yes, that’s him," she replied, nodding her head. "And guess what? He’s now teaching in our university...our professor."
Grandma Grace paused mid-spoonful. "Really? That little boy is now a professor?" She chuckled, shaking her head. "Time sure flies. I remember when he used to come over and play with you and Ryder...such a sweet boy."
Thea smiled, happy to see her grandma’s face light up with memories. "Yes, Grandma, and he’s still really nice. I have him as a professor for one of my classes."
On one lazy weekend morning..
Thea woke up from a deep sleep, feeling refreshed and energized. She decided to spend the day cooking a special feast for her grandma, Grace. After getting dressed, she headed to the local market to buy some fresh groceries.
As she was busy selecting the best vegetables at the market’s produce section, her phone rang. She answered the call, and a cheerful voice greeted her.
"Hey, do you have any plans today?" Charlotte asked, sounding excited.
"Hmm, I’m going to prepare some delicious food for Grandma today," she replied, her eyes scanning the vibrant vegetables on display.
"I’m then going to attend it, even if you don’t invite me," Charlotte said with a laugh.
Thea chuckled and asked, "Where are you now?"
"I’m at home, but I can come to you. Where are you?" Charlotte responded.
"I’m at the supermarket, GreenMart." Thea said, still examining the fresh produce.
"Wait for me, I’m coming," Charlotte said, and before she could respond, she hung up the phone.
"Hello, Charlotte... Charlotte..."
But all she got was a series of excited "du du du" sounds, the line going dead again. Thea couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s antics.
She was busy examining the various cuts of meat at the meat section, having already collected all the vegetables she needed in her cart. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her back.
"Oh, you arrived..."
Thea said, turning around to face Charlotte with a smile.
Charlotte grinned mischievously, and Thea turned her attention back to the meat selection.
"When is Ryan coming back?"
"Maybe next month...Not sure.." Charlotte replied, shrugging her shoulders.
Thea glanced at her friend, curious. "Are you still angry at him?"Charlotte responded with a noncommittal "Hmmm."
"Are you really angry...I can’t believe..."
"You can’t believe...Why?" Charlotte asked, raising an eyebrow.
"How long can you be angry? Less than half a minute..." Thea teased, chuckling.
Charlotte smiled, acknowledging the truth in her words. "Hmm, that’s true..." she trailed off.
"After grocery shopping, I would like to go to the jewelry section.."
"For Grandma?"
"Hmm."
After paying for their groceries, she and Charlotte walked out of the supermarket and got into Charlotte’s car. "Let’s go to ’Sparkles & Shine’ jewelry shop.I have heard that the store is brand new."
Charlotte nodded and started the engine. "I love that place! They have the most beautiful pieces."
Charlotte pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. The two friends climbed out of the car and walked into the jewelry shop. Inside, they made their way to the pendant section, where a dazzling array of designs glittered in the display case.
As she reached out to touch a breathtaking diamond-encrusted pendant, she turned to Charlotte with a questioning gaze. "What do you think of this?" she asked.
Her fingers hovered mere inches from the glass case when a stern voice cut through the air. "Miss, please don’t touch them." A manager materialized beside her. Her eyes narrowed as she took in Thea’s casual attire.
