Chapter 25
Althea finishes her grocery shopping with a sense of quiet satisfaction, especially pleased that she managed to buy Daven’s preferred coffee brand. Returning home, she carries the bags inside herself despite Lena’s offer to help, reflecting the subtle distance between her and the household staff. Once inside, she carefully puts away the groceries and sets aside some fresh ingredients and herbal tea, hoping to surprise Daven.
As she moves toward the sitting room to read, Althea suddenly realizes her phone is missing. She finds it charging on the nightstand and discovers a flood of urgent messages from an unknown number, which turns out to be Daven. The messages reveal his concern over her absence and lack of response, which surprises Althea given their usual distant relationship.
She calls him back, and their conversation is tense but revealing. Daven’s sharp tone shows his worry and frustration, while Althea tries to explain her routine and reassure him. Despite the initial edge, the dialogue shifts as Daven asks if she has eaten and even jokes about her making lunch for him, showing a softer side that catches Althea off guard.
Their interaction ends with Althea offering to make dinner as a way to apologize for missing his calls. The sudden silence after her offer leaves her anxious, unsure if she has overstepped, but Daven speaks again before she can respond, hinting at a change in their dynamic.
Chapter 25
Althea gave her shopping bags one final once-over, her mind ticking off each item with quiet satisfaction. She had even managed to pick up the exact brand of coffee that Daven preferred, which meant today’s grocery run was a definite success. A small but meaningful victory.
The warm afternoon sun cast a gentle glow on her face as she steered the car into the driveway. She opened the door, reached for the bags, and began making her way up the stone path toward the kitchen’s back entrance. Almost immediately, Lena appeared, hurrying out with a helpful smile.
“Ma’am, let me take those for you,” Lena offered, reaching eagerly for the bags.
Althea shook her head gently, a soft smile playing on her lips. “It’s not heavy, Lena. I’ve got it p>
Lena’s lips pressed into a pout, clearly not impressed. “You always insist on doing everything yourself, Mrs. Althea. What are we here for if not to lend a hand p>
Althea chuckled warmly, feeling a little tug at her heart. “You already do so much around here, Lena. It’s just a few things, and I don’t mind putting them away p>
Though the staff might never fully accept her as the lady of the house, they treated her with a quiet, respectful distance. That alone made her reluctant to impose, especially when others in the household might see it as crossing a line.
One by one, she unpacked the groceries, carefully placing each item into the pantry and fridge. She separated out a few fresh ingredients for dinner and set aside a new box of herbal tea—just in case Daven ever wanted a break from his usual coffee routine.
With the kitchen back in order, she slipped off her light jacket and headed toward the sitting room, thinking she might finally finish the book she’d been slowly reading all week. But halfway there, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“My phone p>
She spun around and hurried to the nightstand where she’d left it charging earlier. “Lydia might have sent me an update about Mom’s house,” she murmured, sitting on the edge of the bed as she powered it on.
The screen lit up instantly, revealing a flood of notifications—missed calls, and a long string of messages from an unknown number.
Her brows knitted together in confusion. Every single one was from a number she didn’t recognize.
[+98067 880]
Where are you?
Why is your phone off?
I’ve been calling.
Are you okay?
You’re not sick, are you?
1/3
Answer me, Althea.
Why haven’t you replied at all? Where are you?
It’s me, Daven.
Althea blinked, surprised. She scrolled through the avalanche of messages, reading each one carefully. Daven? He had sent all of this? She hadn’t expected him to reach out, let alone bombard her with messages like this. What was going on with him?
“Should I call him back?” she whispered to herself.
Taking a deep breath, she tapped the call button. The phone barely rang once before his voice came through—sharp, intense, unmistakably his.
“Where the hell have you been, Althea p>
His voice hit her like a jolt, stirring a nervous flutter in her chest despite the distance between them. How could he make her feel so unsettled without even being in the same room?
“I… I just got back from grocery shopping,” she said, trying to keep her tone casual. “Didn’t I tell you I bought your favorite coffee beans p>
“And you didn’t bring your phone?” His voice carried an edge of accusation.
“I’m sorry. It was charging. I honestly forgot to take it with me p>
“You were out shopping all day? That’s all you were doing p>
“I’m usually home,” she replied, a little defensively. “I hardly ever leave unless I have to. And I don’t think running errands counts as doing something wrong p>
“You should’ve left a message with the head butler,” he said, his tone still firm.
“I’m sorry. But you’ve never really tried to reach me before, so I just assumed p>
“So now I’m not allowed to call or message you?” His voice rose slightly.
Althea’s breath caught. That wasn’t what she meant at all. “No… you’re allowed, Daven. Of course you are p>
“Have you eaten lunch p>
That question caught her off guard more than anything else today. When had Daven ever cared if she’d eaten? Usually, he barely acknowledged her existence, going out of his way to avoid her. But now?
She didn’t dare ask why. Instead, she simply answered, “Yes. Have you p>
A quiet sigh came through the line. “No. It’s been a busy day p>
2/3
“I see.” She bit her lower lip, hesitating. “If I’d brought you lunch, you wouldn’t have needed to leave the office to find food p>
A soft chuckle came from the other end, low and warm. It tugged an involuntary smile from Althea’s lips.
“If I asked you for it now, would you make it for me?” he asked.
She straightened up, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was already past lunchtime. Even if she cooked something now, it would take too long to get it to his office. “But, Daven… it’s a little late. You know I haven’t even p>
“Whose fault is that?” he interrupted sharply.
Her breath caught again. It felt like he was cornering her. “I’m sorry, Daven p>
She braced herself, expecting a scolding, but instead, he laughed. And this time, it was a genuine, unguarded laugh—one that made her pause and wonder what had shifted in him today.
“It’s fine,” he said, his voice lighter. “You don’t need to make anything now p>
“Then… how about dinner?” she offered, hope coloring her words. “As an apology for ignoring your calls p>
The laughter on the other end abruptly stopped, leaving a sudden silence that made Althea’s heart race. Had she said something wrong? She was about to apologize when Daven spoke again before she could.
The chapter closes on a tender moment of vulnerability between Althea and Daven, revealing the subtle shifts in their complicated relationship. Despite the lingering tension, there is an undeniable warmth beneath their exchange, a softening of barriers that have long kept them apart. Althea’s quiet acts of care and Daven’s unexpected concern hint at the possibility of healing and connection, even amid the shadows of their past misunderstandings.
This chapter gently explores themes of communication, trust, and the small gestures that can bridge emotional distance. It captures the delicate balance of hope and hesitation that defines their interaction, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation for what might come next. The emotional undercurrents remind us that even fractured relationships can find moments of grace when both parties dare to reach out.
Next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile and evolving dynamic between Althea and Daven, revealing layers of tension, vulnerability, and unexpected warmth. The shift in Daven’s tone hints at a complexity beneath his usual aloofness, suggesting that their relationship may be on the cusp of transformation. Readers will be eager to see how Althea navigates this newfound emotional openness and whether she can bridge the distance that has long separated them.
At the same time, the unanswered silence following Althea’s dinner invitation leaves a tantalizing sense of anticipation. Will Daven accept her offer, or will old wounds and misunderstandings resurface to challenge their tentative connection? The next chapter will explore these delicate moments, balancing hope with uncertainty, and setting the stage for revelations that could change everything between them.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.