Chapter 86: You Two Are My Sunshine
Thea’s expression turned incredulous as she gazed at Charlotte. "Seriously, Charlotte? You and your thoughts are impossible!" she exclaimed, throwing up her hands in frustration.
Charlotte smiled at her comment.
"Let’s get fresh... you take this bathrobe and choose what clothes you want to wear from the wardrobe," Thea said, handing Charlotte a bathrobe.
"Does your Grandma know that you would be staying here?" Thea asked, curious.
"Nah... I will tell her later." Charlotte replied, distracted by the clothes in the wardrobe. She chose a knee-length frock and held it up against herself.
Thea handed her a fresh packet of underwear. "Are they my size?" Charlotte asked looking at the undergarments.
Thea shrugged nonchalantly. "Go ahead and try it on. I actually bought these online a few days ago, but the sizing is off. Luckily, I won’t have to return them now."
Charlotte entered the bathroom, while Thea went to change the bedsheet of the bed. As she was scrolling through her phone, Charlotte came out of the bathroom, wiping her hair with a towel.
"There’s the dryer.." Thea said, pointing it out to Charlotte.
She then entered the bathroom to take a bath, leaving Charlotte to dry her hair.After coming out from the bathroom she found Charlotte sitting on the balcony, engrossed in a book.
"Thea, Charlotte... lunch is ready..." Grandma Grace called out to them.
Both friends went downstairs to the dining room, where they found a delicious spread of dishes made by Grandma Grace .
Grandma Grace had gone above and beyond with the lunch preparations, and the enticing smell of the food filled the room, making their stomachs growl with hunger.
"Grandma, the dishes are looking so delicious.." Charlotte said, gazing at the spread in front of her.
"Thanks for the compliment... now let’s begin," Grandma Grace replied with a warm smile.
After finishing the meal, they all sat back in their chairs, content and satisfied.
"That was absolutely delicious, Grandma!" Charlotte exclaimed.Thea nodded in agreement.
Grandma Grace chuckled. "Well, I’m glad you both liked it. Now, how about some dessert?"
"Yes, please! What do you have?"
"I made some fresh fruit salad." Grandma Grace said, getting up to fetch it from the kitchen.
As they enjoyed their dessert, the conversation turned to their plans for the rest of the day.
"Have you done with the room?" Grandma Grace asked her granddaughter.
"She wants to stay with me in my room."
"Okay, that’s great! Both friends can enjoy each other’s company."Grandma Grace said, smiling approvingly.
Thea was busy making dinner in the kitchen, with Charlotte observing her every move.
"What happened?" Thea asked, noticing Charlotte’s curious gaze.
"Shall I help you?" Charlotte offered.
"No," Thea replied, waving her hand.
"What are you going to make today?"Charlotte asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Steak.." Thea answered, focusing on the sizzling pan."Charlotte, open that cabinet.." Thea said, nodding towards the cupboard. "You’ll find some chocolates."
Charlotte unwrapped a chocolate from the box and popped it into her mouth. The rich flavor melted effortlessly, leaving her wanting more.
"I’ve heard reviews about this brand, but this is my first time trying it.."
Thea asked, "So, what do you think?"
Charlotte nodded vigorously, "Mmm, it’s amazing!"
"Glad you like it. It was a gift from my Grandma’s friend, who knows how much we love fine chocolates."
She herself hadn’t tasted the chocolates since she received them as a gift. In fact, she had totally forgotten about the box, leaving it tucked away in the cabinet. But while she was searching for some ingredients earlier, she stumbled upon it and remembered that she had stored it there.
She sent Charlotte to accompany Grandma Grace in the living room, handing her the chocolate box to enjoy together. Meanwhile, she worked solo in the kitchen, preparing all the dishes for dinner.
"All set!" Thea exclaimed, satisfied with the preparation. She had worked tirelessly to ensure everything was perfect, and she didn’t even allow Grandma Grace to enter the kitchen to see the preparations. The dishes were beautifully arranged on the dining table, and the roses which was Grandma Grace’s favorite its delicate petals a soft blend of pink and peach, its stem trimmed were prominently displayed in a vase.
"The smell of the food in the air is incredible!" Charlotte exclaimed, taking a deep breath to savor the aromas.
"Thea, why didn’t you let us help you?" Grandma Grace asked as she settled into her seat. "You’ve only just recovered a few days ago. You shouldn’t be exerting yourself like this."
"Grandma, see? I’m fully recovered," Thea replied, smiling reassuringly. "I’m not feeling any pain in my left arm."
All of them settled into their seats. Thea was cutting the steak when Charlotte suddenly screamed.
"Oh my..."
"What happened?" Thea asked, looking at her worriedly.
"This is..." Charlotte murmured, and Thea thought the steak might not be to her taste.
"Not good?"
But then Charlotte’s face lit up with a smile. "It is incredible!" she exclaimed.
"The way you screamed, I was shocked." Thea said , putting a hand on her chest to calm herself down.
"I am tasting this type of steak for the first time. How did you make it?"
"It’s Grandma’s secret ingredient." Thea replied with a smirk. "I won’t tell you."
"Grandma...you will tell me no? I too want to make this steak for..." Charlotte started to say, but stopped herself from continuing.
"For?" Thea understood whom Charlotte was going to mention, so she continued mischievously.
"For my beloved."
"Your beloved who?" Thea asked, teasing her.
"My parents, Grandma" Charlotte replied, rolling her eyes at her.
Grandma Grace smiled to herself, looking at the young generation with warmth and affection.
"Don’t speak while eating."Grandma Grace reminded them. "Charlotte, I’ll share the secret ingredient with you later."
"Charlotte, do you know how to cook?" Thea asked.
"Not as good as you make." Charlotte replied with a laugh, "but I can manage."Both friends exchanged a playful glance and continued with their meal.
In the living room..
"Grandma, close your eyes and don’t open them until I say so." Thea instructed, her voice barely containing her excitement.
"Why, dear?"
"Just do as I say, Grandma, no more questions." Thea replied, hurrying upstairs with a playful smile.
"Remember, Grandma, keep your eyes closed." Charlotte reminded, trying to stifle a giggle.
"You too?"Grandma Grace took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and waited.
"Do you know what’s going on?" Grandma Grace asked to Charlotte , trying to sound casual.
"No idea," Charlotte replied, attempting to sound convincing.
Meanwhile, Thea crept downstairs and snuck behind the sofa, positioning herself quietly behind her grandma.
She softly opened the pendant box and took out the pendant. With her hands, she placed it around Grandma Grace’s neck. "Grandma, open your eyes now.."
She held a mirror in front of her, who slowly opened her eyes to behold the beautiful pendant now adorning her neck.
The pendant was a delicate, heart-shaped locket made of sterling silver, adorned with intricate engravings and a subtle filigree pattern. It featured a small, shimmering opal stone at its center, surrounded by a halo of tiny, sparkling diamonds. The locket was suspended from a dainty chain, perfect for gracing the neck of a loved one. The pendant exuded a touch of vintage elegance.
Grandma Grace gazed at the pendant through the mirror, her eyes lighting up with delight. "It’s lovely." she whispered.
"Dear, you shouldn’t have spent your money on this... I’m too old to wear such things," her voice laced with a gentle protest.
"Grandma, age is just a number," Thea replied, placing the mirror on the sofa. "Beauty is timeless, and this pendant suits you perfectly. You’re never too old to shine. This pendant was made for you."
Charlotte nodded in agreement. "She is right, Grandma. You look stunning."
"What is the cost of it?"
"You don’t have to worry about it." Thea replied. "I bought it for you, just enjoy the pampering your granddaughter is giving you."
She hugged her tightly and swayed from side to side. Charlotte, with a warm smile on her face, joined in, wrapping her arms around both of them. "You two are my sunshine..."Grandma Grace spoke, her voice filled with joy.
Charlotte, though not a biological family member, had become like a part of the family. She felt grateful that Thea had found such a wonderful friend in her.
