Chapter 88: Waiting For You
"You won’t have a chance, as I will not tell you who my crush is, after knowing your agenda," Thea replied, twitching her eyebrows.
Grandma Grace interrupted, "You two, quickly finish your breakfast..."
Charlotte left for her house after having breakfast. Thea waved at her as Charlotte got inside her car to get ready to start the engine.
"I will remember it till my death..." Charlotte spoke, rolling down her window.
"Yes, yes... remember it forever... I will wait for your chance," Thea replied, waving back.
"See you in university tomorrow..." Charlotte said.
"Hmm, now go..." Thea spoke, urging her to leave.
"Charlotte is good at heart," Grandma Grace spoke, noticing Thea sitting beside her.
"Yes... sometimes she likes to act like a kid," Thea uttered.
"Thea, can you do one thing for me?" Grandma Grace asked.
"Hmm, tell me..."
"Can you bring some flower plants, seedless, from the nursery?" She requested.
"Hmm... I will, grandma." Thea spoke, agreeing to the task.
"This time what type of flower plant do you want to grow?"
"Lantanas or Sunflowers would be lovely too! They’re so bright and cheerful, and they’ll attract butterflies to the garden. Or maybe some Lavender or Chamomile, they’re so calming and will add a soothing touch to our outdoor space.What do you think?"
"Lavender and Chamomile." Thea answered.
"Okay, it’s decided..." Grandma Grace spoke, nodding in agreement.
Thea went to her room to wash the clothes Charlotte had left behind. She had gone home wearing her dress, leaving yesterday’s dress at their place.
"Let me wash it... I will return it to her tomorrow at university.." Thea spoke to herself, as she began to sort the laundry.
Later she went to the nursery after completing the laundry. "Thea... long time no see..." The nursery’s in-charge, an old lady, greeted her warmly.
"Yes... Grandma Moore. Grandma asked me to buy some flower plants."
"How is she? I haven’t seen her for a long time..." Grandma Moore asked, showing concern.
"She is well, but her arthritis pain is giving her trouble.."
"Yeah, as we become old... problems arise.." Grandma Moore spoke, nodding her head in understanding.
"What flower does she want to grow this year?"
"Lavender and Chamomile." Thea answered quickly.
"Your grandma’s hobby remains same." Grandma Moore spoke, smiling knowingly.
"Hmm... Gardening is her own pastime killer after television." Thea said, smiling.
"Here..." Grandma Moore prepared the items and handed them to her.
"How much?" She asked, taking out her purse.
"Free for you..." Grandma Moore replied with a warm smile.
"No, Grandma Moore, you can’t give me free..." Thea spoke, protesting.
"No, I won’t accept money this time... after a long time, you visited my nursery." Grandma Moore said firmly, her eyes twinkling with kindness.
"Consider it a gift, dear. I’m just happy to see you and know that your grandma is doing well. Tell her I said hello." Grandma Moore added, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
She smiled, touched by the old lady’s kindness. "Thank you, Grandma Moore. I’ll tell her, and I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you soon."
"As you won’t accept money, then I will give you this chocolate." Thea took out some of the chocolates from her bag and handed them to Grandma Moore.
"Oh, my favorite! I haven’t had these in ages.!" She took the chocolates."Ah, these chocolates are my weakness. You know just what to bring to an old lady’s heart." Grandma Moore said, as she placed the chocolates in her apron Bidding her goodbye she went to her home.
Thea took the things and went back home. "Grandma Moore didn’t take the money for these," teha6 informed Grand6Grace, who couldn’t say anything but smiled knowingly.
Just then, Thea’s phone rang. "Ryder is calling." the screen read.
"Hello." She spoke first.
"Grandpa wants to talk with you." Ryder said, handing the phone over to Elder Edward.
"Thea, are you free this coming Saturday?" Elder Edward asked.
"Yeah..." Thea replied hesitantly.
"That’s great! Ryder and I will be going to our old mansion, and we thought it would be lovely if you could join us. You would really like the place..." Elder Edward continued, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
Thea was silent for a moment, unsure of how to respond. She couldn’t decide whether she should agree to his request.
"Okay... Grandpa, I’ll go." Thea finally agreed.
"That’s great!" Elder Edward exclaimed from the other end of the phone.She hung up the call and turned to Grandma Grace.
"Ryder and his grandfather, are going to visit their old mansion this Saturday," Thea said, filling her in. "He invited me to come along and see the place."
The next day... in the classroom of the university...
Thea was engrossed in writing in her notebook. Charlotte softly tapped her on the shoulder, breaking her concentration.
"Hey, girl, what are you writing?"
She looked up, slightly startled. "Some word meanings." she replied, returning to her notes.
Her eyes widened as she remembered something. "Oh, take your clothes!" she exclaimed, and she took out a packet from her bag.
Charlotte laughed. "Oh, thanks for bringing it."
Handing over the packet containing the dress Charlotte had left at her place.Thea nodded, smiling. "Of course."
The bell rang, signaling the end of their last period, and Thea packed her bag, eager to head out. She exited the classroom with Charlotte by her side.
"Thea, Charlotte..." Lyla called out from behind them, her voice ringing through the hallway.
Thea and Charlotte turned around at the same time, waiting for Lyla to catch up. "What’s up, Lyla?" Thea asked, adjusting her bag strap.
Lyla hurried towards them, "I was thinking we could grab some coffee together before heading home. My treat!" she exclaimed.
Charlotte grinned. "Sounds good to me!"
Thea nodded in agreement. "Sure, I’d love to join you."
The three friends walked into the cozy "Brewed Awakening" cafe, finding a comfortable spot to settle in. As they sat down, Lyla asked, "What do you two want to drink?"
"For me, a Cappuccino."
Thea replied after scanning the menu.
"Ice coffee..for me.." Charlotte said, fanning herself with her hand.
Lyla nodded and headed to the counter to place their order.
"It’s so hot outside," Charlotte complained, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Lyla returned with their drinks, setting them down on the table. "Here you go, girls! Enjoy!"
Lyla looked into her phone. "Do you two want to join the party our department students are going to host this Saturday?"
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. "Won’t it be a problem? We’re from another department."
Lyla waved her hand dismissively. "No, it’s fine. Everyone’s invited."
Thea hesitated, remembering her prior commitment. "Lyla, this Saturday I have some work, so I can’t make it."
Charlotte also declined. "Saturday... oh, I have to accompany my Grandma to visit my aunt in Chicago."Lyla nodded understandingly. "Okay, no worries."
The three friends bid each other goodbye, and Lyla departed first.As they walked out of the cafe, Charlotte turned to her. "What task do you have this Saturday?"
Thea replied, "I would visit the Old Mansion with Ryder’s Grandfather."
Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Only Grandfather? Won’t Mr. Thompson join you? Hah?"
Thea whispered, "Yes, he too."
Charlotte cupped her ear, pretending she couldn’t hear. "I can’t hear."
Thea spoke in a louder voice, "Yes, your Mr. Thompson would also join us.."
Charlotte observed Thea with a knowing glint in her eye. "That’s the reason... hmm... interesting."
The day finally arrived.Previous night, she had a dream Ryder and she were strolling by the beach, holding hands on an ordinary night. He told her they would be together forever.
She couldn’t see his face clearly in the dream but was certain that the man was Ryder.
The dream felt surreal as if it happened in reality.
The next day, the sun had risen when
she woke up. Her cheeks blushed uncontrollably. What on earth are you thinking about, Thea?
Grandma Grace knocked on her door. "Thea are you awake? It’s time to go."
She quickly got out of bed to wash up and asked, "Where is he?"
"He has been waiting for you in the living room..for fifteen minutes.."
Only then did Thea realize she had overslept! After dressing up, she hurriedly went downstairs, she saw Ryder, who wore a casual white shirt and a pair of dark blue pants, standing in front of the window, emanating a warm aura.
