With a determined look, she declined the call, her thumb hovering over the reject button.
"I will not receive his call anymore.." she whispered to herself.
She continued reading her book but couldn't shake off the feeling that Ryder's call had stirred up. Memories of their friendship, once filled with laughter and adventure, now seemed tainted with pain and betrayal.
Her phone buzzed again, interrupting her escape into the book. She hesitated, wondering who could be messaging her now. She saw Ryder's name on the screen, a string of messages waiting to be read. She felt a surge of anxiety, her mind racing with thoughts of what he could be saying.
After opening the messages. Ryder's words danced on the screen, apologetic and pleading. Thea's eyes scanned the messages, her emotions seesawing between anger, sadness, and frustration.
But as she read on, her resolve strengthened. She remembered the pain he had caused her, the trust he had broken. She felt her determination harden. With a deep breath, she closed the messaging app, her fingers trembling slightly.
"Not now, Ryder.." she whispered to herself. "Maybe never." She returned to her book, the words blurring together as her mind wandered, processing the emotions still churning inside her.
Thea was on her way to the terrace when the landline in the lounge rang out. She froze for a moment. Then, she moved cautiously to the phone.
"Hello?"
"It's me, Ryder.." the voice on the other end replied.
Her grip on the receiver tightened. Her hand shook slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"Hello?" Ryder repeated, his voice laced with concern. "Thea, are you there?"
But Thea remained silent, her throat constricted with emotions. She couldn't bring herself to speak to him, not yet. The pain and betrayal still felt too raw, too real.
Without a word, she ended the call, her finger slamming down on the receiver. The sudden silence was deafening.
"What happened? Thea, please answer me!" But she had already disconnected, leaving him with only silence.
Thea took a deep breath and headed out to the terrace, seeking solace in the fresh air. She needed to escape the turmoil brewing inside her, if only for a moment.
After spending some time alone on the terrace, lost in thought, Thea descended to her room, seeking refuge in its quiet solitude. However, as she reached the staircase, she heard the gentle hum of conversation drifting from downstairs.
Thea's footsteps slowed. Her grandmother's warm voice mingled with a familiar, yet unexpected, tone.
She hesitated, her hand grasping the banister, as she peered downstairs. Her eyes scanned the room, locking onto the unmistakable figure sitting beside her grandmother.
Their eyes met.Thea stood there, frozen, her feet rooted to the spot. Time seemed to suspend as she faced the person she had been trying to avoid.
Ryder's gaze held hers, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and regret.
Thea's grandmother, oblivious to the sudden tension, smiled warmly. "Thea, dear, come join us.Ryder came to pay us a visit!"
But Thea remained still, her eyes locked onto Ryder's, her heart wrestling with emotions she couldn't quite process.
But she quickly broke free from the spell, her mind still reeling from their last encounter.
Her mind racing with reasons why he would show up uninvited. She didn't want to face him, not now.Without a word, she turned and headed towards her room.
"Grandma, I want to take her to a special place."
But before her grandma could respond,Thea's departure halted his words."I don't want to go out now."
"Thea,what's wrong?"Grandma Grace asked.
Thea's response was a resolute shake of her head, her eyes never leaving Ryder's face. "Just leave me alone."
With that, she turned and continued up the stairs.
"Thea.. please... today is my birthday. ."
Her heart tugged at the mention of his birthday, her conscience pricking her with guilt, but she steeled herself against the pang."No.." she repeated, "I don't want to go out."
"Thea,Won't you reconsider?"
"No, grandma. I need some time alone."
With that, she turned and went upstairs. Ryder's eyes met her grandma's, his expression a mix of sadness and understanding.
"Did you two quarrel?
Ryder sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat, his eyes downcast.
"Grandma... actually, she got sad when she learned I'm going to Scotland for my studies."
Her grandma's hand reached out to place a comforting touch on Ryder's shoulder,"I understand. I hope you don't mind her behavior, Ryder. She's just struggling to come to terms with your departure."
" I know, she needs some time as she can't bear the thought of losing you of being so far away.It's okay, Ryder. She'll come around. She just needs time."