Chapter 89: Oh Well I Guess So
She hurried downstairs and panted, "Sorry. For being late."
"No worries. Let’s go."
"Where is Grandpa?"She asked as she didn’t see his grandfather.
"He went there yesterday."Ryder spoke.
"Grandma, take care." Thea said, giving her a warm hug before she left.
Ryder approached her grandmother ,Grace and smiled reassuringly. "Grandma, she will be safe with us.We’ll take good care of her."
Thea’s grandmother smiled back, looking a bit more at ease. "Okay, dear. You two drive safely and enjoy your trip."
With that, Thea and Ryder bid her goodbye and headed out the door, ready to embark on their journey.
The old mansion was located in Newport, Rhode Island, a coastal town that was a four-hour drive from New York.
This esteemed estate, the ancestral home of the Thompson family, had been founded by Edward Thompson, Ryder’s grandfather, who had built it as a testament to his entrepreneurial prowess and business acumen.
Thea settled into the passenger seat beside Ryder, who was preparing to drive. As he started the engine, her mind began to wander back to the vivid dream she had the night before. She couldn’t shake off the feeling of intimacy and connection she had felt with Ryder in the dream. Her breathing quickened as she recalled the sensation of walking hand in hand with him on the beach, and the sweet promises he had whispered in her ear.
The memory sent a flutter through her chest, and she found herself stealing glances at Ryder, who was focused on the road ahead. She wondered if he had any idea about the dream she had, or if he felt the same spark of attraction that she couldn’t ignore.
As soon as they reached Thompson Mansion, she immediately got out of the car because she couldn’t stay beside Ryder anymore. However, she walked too fast and accidentally sprained her left ankle. She lost her balance and nearly fell to the ground.
"Ah!"
"What’s the hurry?" At that very second, Ryder supported her waist with his strong arm and pulled her into his arms.
Thea was stunned to see Ryder’s worried look. She quickly pulled away from his arms and muttered, "I-I’m okay."
Suddenly, Elder Edward’s cheerful voice emerged from the entrance. "What a sweet sight."
Thea waved her hands and wanted to explain, but Ryder pulled her back into his arms and said,
"Grandpa, she accidentally sprained her ankle. Do you have some ointment?"
"Of course. Quickly bring her in." Elder Edward stopped teasing them and ordered butler to retrieve the ointment. Ryder carried her in his arms and strode into the house. She subconsciously encircled his neck with her arms and stared blankly at his jawline.
"Actually... I can walk on my own."
"Go ahead if you want to fall down." Ryder frowned.
Thea didn’t dare to say a word.
After Ryder placed her on the couch, butler brought the first-aid kit and passed the ointment to Ryderr. "Are you okay?"
Elder Edward was worried sick. "Shall we send you to the hospital?"
She was amused. "I’m fine, Grandpa. It’s just a minor sprain It won’t take long to recover."
Ryder crouched at the side and spread the ointment on his hand before massaging her ankle. Thea’s ankle was so thin that he could easily encircle it with one hand. He paused his hand momentarily on her ankle and massaged it professionally.
Perhaps it was due to psychological effects, the pain dissipated as Thea felt the warm sensation in her ankle.Noticing her gaze, Ryder lifted his eyes and reprimanded her, "You should be more careful."
"..."
Thea felt like a child being reprimanded by her father after committing a mistake.
Elder Edward smiled mysteriously at the side and comforted Thea. "Don’t take it to heart. He seems to be angry but is actually worried about you. He cares about you..."
Really? Thea cast an inquisitive gaze at Ryder, but the latter didn’t look at her and went to wash his hands.
Oh well, I guess so.
Thea uttered with a smile, "Don’t worry, Grandpa. I know him well."
He beamed from ear to ear.She held his hands and exhorted him repeatedly to take his medication on time and get enough rest. She wasn’t putting on an act. She liked the old man not only because he was kind and loving but because he also treated her genuinely..He was Ryder’s grandfather, but to her, he was more than that - a loving and kind grandfather figure, one she had grown to adore and cherish, even though she had never had the chance to know her own grandfather.
Ryder thought to carry her to the dining table since she sprained her ankle. However, she gently pressed his hand as he got up.
"I can walk on my own. You don’t have to trouble yourself."
After the meal, Thea and Ryder headed to the room on the second floor.
She sat on the soft bed while Ryder turned on his laptop and had to deal with sudden work matters. Thea sprawled on the bed. "You have work?"
"Yes, I have to review an urgent project."
She stopped disturbing him and wondered if it was because she had just eaten. Sprawling on the bed made her feel sleepy.
Initially, she was able to resist. She later caved in and instantly fell asleep.Ryder wondered why she was so quiet and glanced to the side.He found her hugging a pillow and sleeping peacefully.
Ryder looked at her for a while and smiled. He did not mind seeing such a scene.
Likely due to not having enough sleep last night, Thea slept and woke up to find it was already three in the afternoon. She rubbed her bleary eyes and noticed Ryder was still seated in the same spot and busy with work.
"How long did I sleep?"
Ryder raised his wrist to look at the watch. "Three hours."
Thea scratched her head in embarrassment and thought she had slept too long. "Are you done with work? When will we be leaving?"
"Soon."
Must he keep replying so curtly? How boring.
Thea was bored as she lay in bed. She briefly pondered on her phone. Then, seeing Ryder was still busy with work, she limped around the room to check it out.
After a while, Thea found a study next to the bedroom. It was connected directly to the room. There was a wall full of books. The shelves also contained a few interesting things.
"Ryder, can I go in for a look?" She leaned against the wall.
Ryder did not seem to mind. "Go ahead."
He grew up in Thompson Mansion till age eight and still kept many things there.
She sat on the floor and saw a large box. She opened it and found that it contained toys from childhood.
She picked up a slingshot and mumbled, "He’s no different from an ordinary kid when he was little. Why is he so different as an adult?"
Then, she searched deeper into the box and found a colorful girl’s hair tie. She laughed at her find. It was hard to imagine Ryder playing with a girl as a kid.
The box also contained a half-used pencil, cards with good wishes, and... a photo.
The photo was stuck at the bottom of the box and gathered dust. Thea brushed off the dust and found a young lady.
The boy looked young in it.He was Ryder. Two of them were standing beside each other. The boy was good-looking and smiling happily as he held the girl’s hand.
’Where have I seen her?’ Thea tried to remember.
She frowned as she looked at it.
Before she could consider further, heavy footsteps sounded outside the study. "I’m done. What are you doing?"
Ryder suddenly fell silent when he discovered Thea sitting on the floor with a photo in her hand.
He dashed forward, snatched the photo from her, and shouted, "Who allowed you to touch it!"
"I..." Thea stood up immediately. The sudden movement left her ankle in pain. This time, Ryder did not reach out to support her.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I took it without thinking."
Ryder checked the photo and confirmed it was undamaged. Then, he put it back into the box and closed the lid before turning to Thea sternly. "You shouldn’t touch things that are not yours. Did your parents never teach you this?"
