04 The Silent Attraction

04

The Silent Attraction 

Ryan descended the stairs, dressed in a grey t-shirt and knee-length shorts, his hair slightly tousled, his features as effortlessly charming as ever. The scent of baked goods and fresh morning air filled the cozy home.

“Grams, good morning once again,” he greeted, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

Grams beamed. “Oh, my grandson! The sweetest of them all,” she said, patting his hand fondly.

Ryan’s eyes swept across the living room, subtle but searching.

“Who are you looking for?” Grams asked, noticing the way his gaze shifted around.

He cleared his throat, trying not to seem too obvious. “Erm... where are the kids?”

Grams wiped her hands on a towel and made her way toward the kitchen. “They’re in their house next door. But Tessy’s here. That’s actually why I called you.” She paused, then turned to face him. “Can you help her out in the garden? Bruno’s out today, and I don’t want her to handle it alone. She has a shift later at the café and I worry it’ll be too much on her.”

Ryan’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Of course. I’ll help.”

Grams smiled, relieved. “Thank you. I know your hands are a bit... rusty, but Tessy will guide you. I’m sure she’ll appreciate the company.” She disappeared into the store room and returned moments later with a pair of gardening gloves and shears.

Ryan chuckled as he took the tools from her. “She doesn’t look excited knowing me though.”

“No, no,” Grams replied firmly. “Tessy’s a sweet girl. You just haven’t had the chance to see her real side. You two started off on the wrong foot.”

“Maybe,” Ryan muttered, nodding. “I’ll go meet her.”

“I’ll make you snacks for later,” she called after him, disappearing again into the kitchen.

Ryan stepped outside through the back door, greeted by the bright morning sun and the soft rustling of leaves. Tessy was already in the garden, crouched down and focused as she trimmed the overgrown shrubs, her hair tied up in a messy bun. He stared at her side profile for a while before stepping forward to meet her. 

“Hey,” he called out, setting the tools down beside her.

Tessy paused, turning her head slightly. “Hi.” Her voice was calm, polite but not cold. Their eyes met briefly, holding a flicker of something unspoken. Hesitation, maybe. A trace of yesterday’s tension still hung between them, but excitement , attraction swirled between them. Her expression softened.

“Do you know how to do this?” she asked, rising to her feet and brushing off her hands.

“Not really,” Ryan admitted, scratching the back of his neck. “But I’ve seen it done. Sometimes I help out when Margaret gets bored and drags me along.”

Tessy chuckled, the sound light and genuine. “As expected.”

She picked up the gardening shears and handed them to him. “Just follow my lead.”

Ryan nodded and crouched beside her, watching her work with careful precision. He tried to mimic her movements but quickly proved to be clumsy with the tools.

“Whoa, careful!” Tessy laughed as he nearly chopped off the head of a flower instead of trimming the weeds.

“Sorry,” he muttered, embarrassed. “Guess I can't replace Bruno after all.”

“You’re not. You can't replace him.” she agreed with a smirk, “but it’s okay. I can tell you don’t do this often.”

Ryan sighed, wiping sweat from his brow. “No, we have gardeners for this kind of thing. Except when Margaret wants to feel ‘earthy.’ Then I get roped in.”

“Margaret?” Tessy asked too quickly, then bit her bottom lip. “Your girlfriend?”

Ryan blinked, surprised by the question. A slow smile tugged at his lips. “No. Margaret is... kind of like a mom to me. She was my nanny growing up. Still is, in a way.”

Tessy’s shoulders relaxed as she nodded. “Oh.”

But she knew that doesn't mean he doesn't have a girlfriend. He is too good looking to be single. 

They resumed their task in silence, but the mood had shifted. Easier. Warmer. She began asking questions, her curiosity piqued.

“Patricia and Bruno... are they your siblings?” Ryan glanced at her. 

“Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering. You guys don’t look that far apart in age.”

“Yeah, we’re close. I’m seventeen. I and Bruno are seventeen while Patricia is twelve.”

“I’m eighteen,” Ryan said, smiling.

Ryan paused. “Wait... so are you and Bruno twins?”

Tessy froze for a second too long. “Mm... yes. Kind of,” she said quietly, eyes back on the soil.

Her tone dimmed, and the energy between them dipped. Ryan sensed something unspoken again, hesitation, maybe shame? But he chose not to pry further.

“Cool. I mean, I wouldn’t have guessed. You guys don’t really look alike.”

Tessy didn’t respond, just continued her trimming.

Sensing the weight of his question, Ryan quickly shifted the topic. “What grade are you in?”

“Senior year. I’m almost done, actually.”

“That’s great,” he replied. “You must be really smart.”

She gave a soft laugh. “I try.”

They continued talking about school, music, and the weather. Ryan cracked a joke that made her laugh out loud, and something inside him fluttered. It felt... good. Natural.

After a while, he asked, “Grams says you’re working?”

“Yes,” Tessy replied, straightening up and dusting off her gloves. “Part-time at a café. My shift starts at one.”

Grams’ voice suddenly called out from inside the house. “Tessy, Ryan! You can leave the rest. Your shift’s coming up. Come in!”

Tessy turned to him. “Let’s go.” Together, they packed up the tools and stored them in the shed.

Back in the kitchen, the scent of warm cookies filled the air.

“What smells so good?” Tessy asked, grinning.

“No touching!” Grams wagged a playful finger. “These are for you to pack to work. Go clean up. Ryan, you too.”

Tessy gave Ryan one last glance, a silent nod of thanks, before disappearing down the hall. He watched her go, that same smile lingering.

He took his shower quickly, scrubbing off dirt and sweat, and dressed in another clean shirt and shorts. He descended the stairs with new energy, hoping to catch a glimpse of her again but only Grams sat at the table, a plate of cookies waiting.

“She’s gone already,” Grams said, reading his face. “Took her cookies and left.”

Ryan slumped into the chair beside her. “She’s... nice.”

Grams smiled knowingly. “I told you so.”

They sat in comfortable silence as Ryan munched on a cookie. But his mind was still buzzing with questions.

“Grams,” he said slowly. “Are Tessy and Bruno really twins? I mean... they don’t look alike.”

Grams raised a brow. “Did she tell you that?”

“Sort of,” he said. “It just feels... off. Like there’s more to it. And I’ve never seen their parents around.”

Grams sighed, folding her arms. “You’re too curious for your own good. Just like your father.”

Ryan looked hopeful.

“She didn’t tell me not to share anything,” Grams said, eyeing him. “But you didn’t hear it from me.”

“I swear.”

Grams leaned in. “Come closer.”

Ryan scooted toward her, grabbing another cookie.

“Seven years ago,” she began, “I found three kids, scrawny, scared, and desperate on the roadside. They didn’t ask for help, but they needed it. Tessy was ten, but she spoke like someone older. She protected the others. They were in an orphanage, but it was a hellhole. Abuse, neglect, you name it.” Grams face contorted in a frown. 

Ryan’s expression turned serious.

“I couldn’t let them go back. So I brought them here. I leased the house next door for them. It was better that way. They’re practically mine now.”

“They’re not related?” he asked softly.

“No. But they chose to be siblings. And Tessy... She is their anchor.”

Ryan leaned back, the truth sinking in. “You could’ve just let them stay here though.” Ryan fantasized about them staying together in the same house. He will be seeing her everyday and will be much easier. 

Grams went quiet, just for a beat. Then she smiled again. “It was better for them. Gave them space. Privacy.”

Ryan nodded, though he sensed there was more to the story. Something she didn’t want to say. He didn’t push.

“You can go over there sometimes,” Grams suggested. “Get to know them better. Patch things up with Bruno too. He’s not a bad boy.”

“We just... clashed,” Ryan muttered.

Grams raised an eyebrow. “You took after your father. That temper…”

“Margaret says the same thing,” he chuckled.

“Then maybe listen,” she said, patting his arm. “And maybe... open your heart a little. You’ll be surprised what you will find.”

Ryan smiles, finishing the last bite of his cookie, already imagining the next chance he’d get to see Tessy again. 

But just as the thought settled, the front door banged open followed by an excited squeal.

“Ryan!”

He jolted, startled. His eyes darted toward the entrance, widening as a familiar figure dashed in, practically launching herself into his arms.

“Ronda?” he gasped as she clung to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

“I missed you so much!” she said breathlessly, her perfume flooding his senses.

Ryan stood frozen, stunned by her sudden appearance. “Ronda, what are you doing here?”

She leaned back slightly, her grin wide and playful. “What? Aren’t you happy to see your baby?” Her arms remained locked around him, fingers toying with the ends of his hair.

“You smell nice as always,” she added, brushing her hand against his cheek.

Before Ryan could respond, another voice rang out from the living room.

“Grams?”

They both turned, and there stood Tessy, her eyes landing first on Ryan then quickly shifting to Ronda and the way she held him so intimately. Her expression faltered.

She looked away, swallowing hard. “Grams, I’m leaving now,” she said quickly, her voice tight. Without waiting for a reply, she turned and rushed out the door.

Ryan opened his mouth, instinctively stepping forward, but it was too late. She was gone.

He thought grams said she left, then what was she doing there? 

Ronda tilted her head. “Who’s that?”

Ryan turned to her, still processing. “Tessy,” he said quietly.

Ronda wrinkled her nose. “Hmm. I don’t like her.”