Chapter 92: Quiet Understanding
With closed eyes She recalled the time when she was only 9 years old.Ryder was sitting beside her just like this on that sunny day.
Watching with a smile as Thea’s eyes fixed on the ice -cream shop nearby.
"Do you want to have it?"Ryder chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Let’s go, little one. But hold my hand tight, okay?"
Little Thea nodded eagerly, her ponytail bouncing as she skipped alongside Ryder.
As they entered the ice cream shop, She tugged on Ryder’s hand "Ryder,I want chocolate ice cream."
Ryder smiled and bought her the treat. With ice cream in her hand they began their walk to the bench.But in an instant, her happiness turned to tears as two bigger boys snatched her ive cream and pushed her to the ground.
Ryder sprinted after the boys, determined to retrieve her stolen treat. Moments later, he returned, her ice cream cone held triumphantly in his hand. He squatted down beside her, his eyes warm with concern. "I got your ice cream back," he said, his voice gentle.
Thea’s gaze widened as she took in the sight of her beloved treat, then shifted to Ryder’s face. Her eyes narrowed, worry etched on her brow. "Did they hit you?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Are you hurt somewhere else?"
Her fingers brushed against the bruise on his lip, a gentle touch that spoke volumes of her concern. Ryder’s eyes met hers, a soft smile playing on his lips despite the pain.
Thea’s heart swelled with emotion, a mix of hurt and happiness warring within her. She was hurt because Ryder had gotten hurt, his bruised lip a testament to his bravery. Yet, she was happy because he had truly cared for her, going to great lengths to retrieve her ice cream and comfort her.
In that moment, Thea’s young heart grasped the depth of Ryder’s kindness, and her feelings for him deepened. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears.
Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, her small body trembling with emotion. She hugged him with all her might, her eyes shining like stars with adoration. In that moment, she knew she could always count on her beloved Ryder to make everything right.
As she held him close, she felt a sense of safety and security wash over her. Ryder’s strong arms encircled her, holding her tight as he whispered soft words of comfort.
As she recalled this incident, a lump formed in her throat. Memories of that day came flooding back, and she was transported to a time when life was simpler, and love was pure. That was the Ryder she remembered, the one who had always been there for her, who had protected her and made her feel loved.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she cherished the memory, her heart swelling with gratitude.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself lost in Ryder’s gaze. The night sky above them was a canvas of twinkling stars, but her attention was drawn to the gentle concern etched on his face.
"You’re crying." he whispered.
Thea’s hand instinctively rose to her cheek, and she felt the dampness of her tears. Ryder’s hand extended, offering his handkerchief with a tender smile.
"Oh..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.
She took the handkerchief from him, she dabbed at her tears.
"Let’s go."Thea got up from the seat.
"You still haven’t said why you are working in the restaurant?"Ryder asked.
"Aunt Evelyn lost her husband a few years ago.Grandma asked me to help her."
As they stepped into the warm embrace of her home, Ryder’s voice broke the silence. "Give me some water, please."
Thea vanished into the kitchen, the soft clink of glasses echoing through the hallway. She returned with a crystal clear glass, its contents sparkling in the soft light. Ryder’s eyes met hers as he accepted the glass, his fingers brushing against hers.
She settled opposite to him, her voice laced with concern. "When will your assistant come to take you home?"
Ryder’s gaze drifted toward the window, his eyes tracing the contours of the night sky. "Soon," he replied, his voice low and soothing. "But I’m in no hurry to leave."
Ryder’s voice was tinged with regret as he spoke, his eyes seeking forgiveness. "Thea, on that day, I didn’t mean to talk to you like that."
Thea’s response was gentle, her words softening the air between them. "It’s okay.I was at fault."
She wasn’t angry with him, for she knew she was at fault. Her fingers had wandered, touching his belongings without permission. They were no longer children, and the rules of respect had changed. Her heart acknowledged the boundary, and she accepted the rebuke with grace.
The silence that followed was a quiet understanding, a mutual acknowledgment of growth and the delicate dance of adult relationships.
Ryder’s voice was casual, as he broached the subject. "So, I heard Liam is teaching in your university?"
Thea’s response was brief, a gentle hum of acknowledgement. "Hmm... He is."
Grandma Grace shuffled into the kitchen, her eyes heavy with sleep, and made her way to the kitchen to quench her thirst. As she opened the door, she spotted Ryder sitting at the table with Thea. "Ryder... you’re here?" she asked, her voice husky with slumber.
Ryder smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hmm, Grandma, I met her at the restaurant. My assistant will come soon to take me home."
Grandma Grace’s gaze drifted from Ryder to Thea, her expression softening. "How are your parents, grandparents?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Ryder’s response was reassuring. "All are in good health."
Grandma Grace nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "Okay... I’m going to sleep. Goodnight." she murmured, her eyes already drooping.
With a quiet yawn, she turned and padded back to her room, leaving them to their quiet companionship. The soft click of her bedroom door signaled her retreat into her room.
Ryder’s phone rang, he answered it on seeing his assistant was calling.
"Boss, I have arrived." Axton said on the other end.
Ryder hummed a brief response, "Hmm."
"My car has arrived. Goodnight." Ryder replied after he ended his call.
As Ryder spoke, he stood up from the chair, his movements fluid. "Good night" Thea replied, her eyes meeting his.
She followed him to the gate, the night air surrounding them. Ryder turned and walked away, entering into his car.. she watched him go, her eyes lingering on the spot where he vanished.
Thea rolled over in bed, her phone’s ringtone piercing the morning calm. She groggily answered, "Hello," without checking the caller ID.
"Thea, that Ryan is so bad! He landed here yesterday yet he didn’t inform me about it," a voice complained on the other end.
Thea’s gaze fluttered to the screen, Charlotte’s name flashing like a beacon. She smiled lazily, her voice husky with sleep. "Charlotte..."
"So, what are you going to do?" Thea asked, snuggling deeper into her blankets.
"I would pester him for the rest of my life," Charlotte declared, her tone playful.
Thea chuckled, her eyes drifting shut. "That means I would be free from your pestering now onwards. I wished he should arrive here earlier."
She continued to lounge in bed, her conversation with Charlotte a gentle, meandering stream that filled the morning air. Her voice was a soft purr, her words punctuated by the occasional yawn, as she indulged in the warmth and comfort of her bed.
Earlier Charlotte had messaged Ryan that she wanted to go out today with him.
Ryan has agreed to her request.
5:00 p.m...
Charlotte went downstairs and got into a white car.
Ryan was reading work documents inside. His profile clearly showed his long and curly eyelashes. Even his fingers that held the papers were slender and clean. He was impeccable like a statue no matter from which angle one looked at.
She had always been shallow, in the sense that she cared significantly about a person’s appearance.
"Ryan, why aren’t you looking at me? Don’t you miss me?" She leaned into him and hugged his arm.
"I’m looking at a critical case." He threw her a quick glance.
"Oh, sorry to disturb you. Go on then." She sat up straight all of a sudden.She was falling more deeply for him.
