Chapter 98: Leave This Topic
"Is that boy already engaged?"
Thea nodded, still looking surprised at herself. "Yes, I guess so. I was dumbfounded too when I found out."
Grandma Grace smiled warmly. "Well, good for him. He’s found his other half."
Thea too smiled on hearing her grandmother’s words."Hmm, that’s true,Grandma."
She meticulously packed the prepared dishes into containers, ensuring each one was sealed tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Her culinary spread included crispy vegetable spring rolls, dumplings,creamy pasta salad, and sweet, golden-brown cookies. With everything neatly arranged in a large, wicker basket.
She set out to Lyla’s house, looking stylish and put-together in her outfit. She had chosen a comfortable yet elegant blouse, paired with beige trouser that accentuated her legs. To complete her look, she opted for kitten heels. With her hair neatly styled and a subtle hint of makeup.
In the evening,she arrived at Lyla’s house first and waited for Charlotte to arrive. They had planned a surprise farewell party for their friend.Five minutes later, Charlotte pulled up, and Thea couldn’t help but notice how stylish her friend looked in her outfit and matching sunglasses.
"Girl, you’re looking fabulous!" Charlotte exclaimed, eyeing her outfit. "Are you using that essential oil I told you about? I can see the changes already!"
"Shut the .... never mind!"Thea controlled herself from cursing.
Charlotte chuckled. "You were about to curse! I’m just trying to give you a compliment!"
"No, I haven’t used it yet."
Charlotte grinned mischievously. "So you’re saving it for later. Good choice! I knew you’d come around to seeing things my way."
Thea just shook her head, knowing that Charlotte wouldn’t stop teasing her until she got a rise out of her.
"Did you bring the gift?" She asked, double-checking the preparations.
"Hmm...I got the same bottle we bought," Charlotte replied, holding up a wrapped package.
"Did you really?" Thea raised an eyebrow, surprised by Charlotte’s choice.
"Hmm, what’s wrong with it? I’m a good friend, I should guide you two.." Charlotte said with a straight face, pretending to be serious.
She played along, unsure if Charlotte was joking or not.But then Charlotte burst out laughing. "Just kidding!" she chuckled, and went to ring the doorbell.
The door swung open, and Lyla’s eyes widened in surprise as she found her two friends, Thea and Charlotte, standing on her porch.
"What are you two doing here?" Lyla asked, confusion etched on her face.
"You traitor!" Charlotte exclaimed, feigning hurt. "You’re moving to another city, and you didn’t even inform us!"
Lyla looked taken aback by the accusation. "It all happened so suddenly, I...," she began to explain, but then remembered that they were still standing outside. "Come in, come in! Let’s talk about this inside."
With a warm smile, Lyla stepped aside, inviting her friends into the house.
"We came to throw a surprise party for you," Charlotte announced, plopping down on the sofa with a grin.
"Really?" Lyla exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Hmm..." Charlotte replied , smiling mischievously.
Lyla’s eyes welled up with tears as she spoke from the heart. "You two are so good to me, although we’re not that close. Thank you for being my friends."
Charlotte’s expression turned sentimental as she replied, "Hmm... Thea is my best friend, but you’re our friends too. So we felt we should do it. We wanted to show you how much we care."
The room fell silent for a moment, filled with the warmth and sincerity of their friendship. Then, Thea and Charlotte jumped up, exclaiming, "Surprise!" as they revealed the party decorations and gifts they had brought.
"Open it." Charlotte said, handing Lyla the gift.
Lyla’s hands trembled as she unwrapped the present, revealing a beautiful bracelet and a heartwarming photo frame inside. Her eyes widened in astonishment at the thoughtful gift.
As she gazed at the frame, memories came flooding back. The photo showed the three friends - Thea, Charlotte, and Lyla - standing together on the campus grounds, beaming with joy. They had taken that picture on a sunny day.
Lyla’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at the photo, touched by the sentimental gift. "Oh, this is so beautiful." she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for this gift."
"Now it’s time to see what our dear Thea has prepared for us.." Charlotte said, clapping her hands in excitement.
Thea took out the container and opened the lid, revealing the contents. "Wow, these spring rolls look incredible," Charlotte said, her eyes widening as she licked her lips.
"Lyla, are you staying alone?" Thea asked, noticing that Lyla’s mother was not present.
Lyla nodded. "Hmm, my parents went to visit Grandma’s place."
Charlotte looked concerned. "So, are you not going to see each other in the future?"
Lyla sighed. "Maybe."
Thea tried to reassure her. "But you’ll still be in contact, right?"
"Yes, we would.." Lyla said.
"Let’s start," Thea said, eager to begin.
"Let me bring some plates and spoons," Lyla offered, getting up to fetch them from the kitchen. She returned and distributed them.
"Thea, the dumplings are so tasty," Charlotte said, her mouth full.
"Don’t speak while eating, Charlotte" she reminded her with a smile.
"I can’t help myself..." Charlotte replied, enjoying the food.
"Thea, really, the dishes are so delicious.." Lyla added, impressed.
"That’s why, in the future, I won’t be deprived of having tasty meals from her.." Charlotte said, winking at her.
"I am not going to cook for you in the future." Thea teased.
"How can you say that? It’s breaking my heart." The latter joked, pretending to weep dramatically.
"I would too love to join you in the future Charlotte, don’t forget to invite me when you have her delicious dishes again."
"Hmm, I will surely." Charlotte nodded, making a mental note.
"I am full." Charlotte said, rubbing her tummy contentedly. The three of them had finished their meals.
"Ah, I forgot to tell you one thing.." Lyla suddenly remembered. "A few days ago, Professor Liam came to take a substitute class in our class. He is handsome, but..."
"But?" Charlotte and Thea asked in unison, curious.
"He scolded one of our classmates for interrupting during his lecture." Lyla continued.
"Really?" Thea asked, surprised.
"Hmm, he got irritated easily.." Lyla spoke, recalling the incident.
"Oh, I see..." Charlotte trailed off, intrigued by the story.
"Is he like that in your class?" Lyla asked.
"No, no... He is so sweet in our class," Charlotte replied. "His eyes always follow a special person."
"Who is that person?" Lyla asked, curious.
"That, I don’t know," Charlotte said, a sly grin spreading across her face.
Thea kept silent, noticing Charlotte’s mischievous eyes. She understood what Charlotte was implying.
"Do you have feelings for our Professor Liam?" Charlotte asked Lyla, her tone playful.
"No, no. No.don’t get me wrong ...I respect him as a teacher. I’m just his fan, that’s all," Lyla clarified.
"Oh, that’s great to hear," Thea said, her words slipping out subconsciously.
"What do you mean by that?" Lyla asked, noticing Thea’s comment.
"Did I say something?" Thea tried to cover.
"Hmm... you said..." Lyla started to question.
"Whatever, leave this topic," Charlotte intervened. "So, what are your plans after graduation?"
"After graduation, I plan to move and settle in Seattle," Lyla said. "My dream job is to work as a tour agent."
"Is that your plan?" Charlotte asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a tour agent since childhood," Lyla explained. "I want to see the beautiful sights of different places and share them with others."
"Good choice." Charlotte said, nodding in approval.
After spending some time together, they bid Lyla goodbye. "It’s good to have you two as my friends," Lyla said, hugging them tightly.
They waved at Lyla before settling into the passenger’s seat of the car. The driver started the engine.
"What do you mean by those words?" Charlotte asked, sensing that her previous statement had underlying implications.
"Today at the market, I saw him with his fiancée," Thea revealed.
"W..what...Really?" Charlotte asked, surprised.
"Hmm... I was too astonished to learn," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Charlotte reached out to place a hand on Thea’s arm. "Are you unhappy?" she asked gently.
Thea’s gaze lifted, her eyes locking onto Charlotte’s as she gave a soft smile. "No... I am happy for him," she replied, "Besides, I have always regarded him as an older brother."
"Thea, promise me that if we don’t find our true loves, we’ll never leave each other’s side," Charlotte said, her voice laced with emotion, her lips pouting.
"Hmm... we’ll see," Thea said, her voice measured, leaving the promise hanging in the air.
