“I…I don’t think so. Should let Mrs. Bradley sing for us.” Thea declined politely.
Cody pulled a face, “Why not? Just sing a good one. Don’t make me feel embarrassed.”
Thea was a bit speechless.
Cristelle thus said, “Just sing whatever you like. None of us is professional. No one will laugh at you.”
Thea was forced, then she stood up and picked Ariana’s song.
When the instrumental started to play, she started to sing heartily, ignoring people around her.
Candace and Mia thought Thea would sing horribly. However, after she finished, none of them could keep their mouths closed as Thea sounded like a diva.
“Oh my god, Thea. You’re such a great singer! You seemed like a professional!” Mia hastened to approach Thea.
“Really?” Thea couldn’t believe people thought she sang well.
Cristelle nodded, “You have a beautiful voice. People would have believed it was your song. You sing like a star.”
Fritzi thought about her first daughter when she heard Thea sing. Demi had wanted to become a star. The little girl often sang in the house all day during her younger days. She would have sung to the mirror when she went into the bathroom. And she had been so carefree and happy.
However, she would never be able to come back again.
Drew noticed the look on Fritzi’s face, so he quickly suggested with a smile on his face to diffuse the sadness in his wife’s heart, “It’s getting pretty late, guys. I think it’s time to go back and have some rest.”
Cody felt a bit sad after hearing the song, “I also need to go back to sleep. We must sleep on time to be healthy.”
Cristelle agreed immediately as she heard what her son had just said. So they all went back to the mansion.
Linford was the last to get into the mansion. His eyes lingered shortly on Thea before getting in. This woman was not as simple as she appeared to be.
Thea pushed Cody’s chair into his bedroom and started to massage him.
Cody asked, “Where did you learn to sing?”
Thea giggled shortly, “I learned it on TV. I heard a lot of songs and just tried to learn them.”
“You’re pretty talented,” Cody praised her randomly.
Thea’s heart suddenly fluttered, “Really?”
Cody seldom complimented anyone. He had to be pretty impressed before he praised other people.
Cody didn’t want her to get overly excited. But the way she looked at him made him smile, “Yeah. You’re pretty good.”
“Thank you, Cody! My biggest dream is to be a big star. I wish I could sing and act in the movies.” Thea forgot herself a bit as she got excited.
Cody took in a deep breath and uttered in a serious tone, “Thea, you have to…”
“Yeah yeah… I know. I have to know my limits.” Thea instantly cut his words, “I was just sharing my biggest dream.”
And then, she took a deep breath. She felt lucky to shut her mouth immediately. Or she would have exposed herself.
****
The next morning, after Cody finished his breakfast, he bid farewell to his family and informed them he wanted to return to his house. Thea, Matt, and Zoey helped him get in the car.
Cristelle stood at the door, watching as the car drove away, feeling a bit sad, “Cody only stayed one day. He seldom visits us yet quickly leaves soon.”
Linford was puzzled, patting his wife’s shoulder, “Isn’t one day enough? We’re not far from each other anyway. You can go visit him if you miss him.”
Cristelle was upset after hearing her husband’s cold words. She suddenly didn’t even want to talk to him.
Linford felt regretful. He could only follow her around and try to coax her.
After going back to his own mansion, Cody went back to his old routine, which mainly revolved around his plan of making Thea pretty.
Thea thought it was torture, but she was glad that Cody could finally find something to do.
Time passed quite quickly. Soon, Christmas was around the corner.
Cody gave Thea a couple of days’ break and sent her a lot of gifts.
Thea was deeply moved, “You’re treating me so well, Cody.”
Cody looked away as if he was just treating her as one of his employees, “I’m not. I don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong.”
Thea winked at him, “Whatever your real thoughts, I’m still thankful. I will be visiting my family today. You take care of yourself while I’m away.”
Cody just nodded and told her to leave soon.
Thea took the train to go back home. It only took her one day to arrive.
It was already dark outside when she got out of the train station.
Thea called an Uber and went back to their house.
Her Mom and Granny were cooking her favorite food when she stood at the door house. She could smell the fragrance from where she stood.
Thea took in a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. Her Mom walked to the door immediately, yelling, “Who is that?”
“Mom! It’s me! I’m back!” Thea excitedly exclaimed.
“Thea? My girl? Is that you?” Her Mom opened the door instantly. She couldn’t stop smiling as she noticed how many gifts Thea had just brought back, “Why didn’t you call me when you came back? I could have at least gone to the station to pick you up. It must be cold outside. Are you hungry? I made pizza today. Just come in and get changed.”
Soon, as her Mom appeared before her, Thea quickly dropped all the gifts and gave her Mom a tight hug. Thea’s voice sounded crying, “I’m okay. I missed you guys so much. I just couldn’t wait to see you again. So I came back this holiday. Where’s Granny?”
“Granny’s in the kitchen.” Her mother said while hugging her back.
She then helped Thea to pick up all her things going inside the house as she called to the kitchen, “Mom! Thea’s back!”
Granny came out from the kitchen in a hurry. The old lady couldn’t stop smiling, “Thea! My sweet girl! You’re finally here!”
Thea gave her Mom and Granny another warm hug, “I missed you so much both.”
Her Granny touched her hair lovingly, “Granny missed you too. How was your trip? Was it good?”
“Yep,” Thea nodded while she pulled them to the sofa. “The trip was fantastic. Granny, I brought you a new set of hearing aids. I bet your old ones are not working as they used to be.”