Standing opposite the floor-to-ceiling windows of his ho study, Nathaniel’s figure was reflected on the glass. He threw his gaze out, staring at the sea beyond the cliffs, shimring under the moonlight.
Nathaniel pressed a phone on his ear, listening to Ruediger at the end of the line. In a rare mont of vulnerability, his old friend vented about his fears.
All of it was related to Lariette.
Ruediger called Nathaniel right after dinner. Thinking that his friend might have sothing important to talk about, he told his adoptive parents that he would be in the ho study.
Nathaniel let Ruediger speak without unnecessarily interrupting the latter. Being his friend for years, he knew what Ruediger needed right now was soone to listen to him.
"...it’s funny but, I know I’m the only one clinging to the past from the beginning. Pathetic."
Once Ruediger ceased talking, Nathaniel began. His deep voice carried the calm of the night sky outside.
"Rudy, you might think you’re the only one hanging up to the past. Even though she doesn’t rember you much right now, you know it can’t be helped, don’t you?"
Nathaniel’s words might seem harsh and unfeeling but, they still elicited laughter from Ruediger. The man’s chuckles were a mix of amusent and helplessness.
"You’re really straightforward, Nate. It’s a good thing I called you."
Nathaniel arched his brows upon hearing Ruediger’s reply. He was glad to hear the lightheartedness in his friend’s tone.
Ruediger’s composure was rarely shaken. Nathaniel guessed that his friend was simply surprised by hearing Lariette talking about her childhood mory for the first ti.
The one involving him, without her realizing it.
Turning away from the glass wall, Nathaniel said, "You know you need to be truthful with her soday. I don’t know how she will react but, I believe she won’t go scorched-earth with you. Perhaps, only a little angry?"
"Most likely," Ruediger exhaled a sigh, his voice lowered, "Maddie might be affected too. Lettie... she might think Maddie befriended her because of even though it’s really a coincidence. I just..."
"Do you really think so?" Nathaniel interjected, not letting Ruediger finish his words, "I don’t know much about Miss Lariette’s personality but, I don’t think she’s soone who will quickly judge a person without listening to explanation."
The silence on Ruediger’s end made Nathaniel laugh. It seed like his simple words had driven the point ho.
Or, rather, reminding his friend that the lady he held deep in his heart was not soone irrational.
"I wonder how I will explain that... her mories are not what they seem to be."
Understanding Ruediger’s concern, Nathaniel said, "They do not seem to be because she doesn’t know the truth, even until now."
What the young Lariette assud was far from reality. To Nathaniel, it was Ruediger’s role to right what was wrong.
Ruediger’s hollow laughter resonated from the end of the line, "Yeah, you’re right. I feel dumb."
"Indeed, you’re dumb," Nathaniel shook his head in helplessness, now striding toward the door, "Don’t overthink, Rudy. You’ve done well so far. The day you’ll reveal yourself to her will co so, be prepared."
From the beginning, Ruediger was reluctant to ddle with Lariette’s life. He only appeared after Madeline brought up about Damien cheating on Lariette, including how she was still forced to marry him.
That mont marked the end of Ruediger’s resolve to watch Lariette from afar.
"Haa... Indeed, I have to," Ruediger sighed once again yet, he sounded better, "Anyway, I won’t return until next week. Send my regards to your parents. I’ll co to visit them soon."
"Sure. They’ve been asking about you too. See you next week. And," Nathaniel emphasized the word, once again telling Ruediger, "Don’t. Overthink."
When Ruediger replied, Nathaniel imagined him rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. I won’t. I’ll go now. Thanks, Nate."
"Anyti."
With one tap on the screen, Nathaniel ended the call. He arched his brows, thinking how amusing Ruediger’s situation was right now.
"Still, his situation is better than mine," Nathaniel murmured under his breath. Sighing, he slipped the phone into the pocket of his loose pants.
Nathaniel reached for the door handle, opening it wide. As he walked out of the room, he caught the pleasant laughter coming down the hallway.
Nathaniel’s lips curved into a smile, the light was reflected in his brown eyes. Without wasting ti, he headed to where the echoes ca from—the lounge.
"Nate!"
Andrea Faulkner, Nathaniel’s adoptive mother called his na once she saw him approaching. Russell Faulkner, her husband and the young man’s adoptive father, turned to look at him.
"Done talking to Rudy?" asked Russell, raising his gray brows, "When will he be back? Your mom and I hope to see him before we return ho."
Faint chuckles escaped Nathaniel’s lips. He sank into the cushion of the couch across from his parents while saying, "Rudy said next week but, he didn’t say on which day. He’ll surely co to et you two."
Russell and Andrea’s surprise visit prompted Nathaniel to leave Azure Bay earlier than scheduled. His parents planned to stay for a week or longer before heading back to Norvonna.
"Hahaha! He has to!" Russell broke into jovial laughter, "You don’t know how shocked we were when we heard of his marriage."
"It’s true," Andrea nodded, singing the sa tune as her husband. She added, her voice lacing with motherly warmth, "If he’s ready, we would love to et his wife too."
"I’ll tell him that," Nathaniel quickly agreed, taking up the ssenger role between his parents and Ruediger, "Tristan has t her. Oh, her na is Lariette. I think I haven’t told you her na, so."
"Such a lovely na," Andrea mused, her warm green eyes flickering gently, "I’m sure she’s a perfect pair for Rudy."
Nathaniel simply smiled, showing that he agreed with Andrea.
"Rudy has married," Russell glanced from Andrea to Nathaniel, his voice tingeing with curiosity, "Won’t we hear any good news from you soon? Your dad here is worried."
"You!"
Andrea quickly hit Russell’s thigh. Her action shocked both Russell and Nathaniel.
"What?" Russell was surprised, "I’m just asking."
"Keep that question to yourself," Andrea hissed, warning her husband from continuing the subject, "Nate will marry when he’s ready."
"...yes, my dear."
Russell quickly shut up, realizing his innocent question only earned ire from his wife. He glanced at Nathaniel, hoping that his son wouldn’t be upset with him.
Understanding the guilty look on Russell’s face and Andrea’s concerned countenance, Nathaniel curled up his lips. Yet, his smile was faint.
"It won’t be anyti soon, Dad, Mom. That’s for sure."
Andrea smiled softly, hoping to dissuade the slight gloom hanging above Nathaniel’s head.
"You don’t need to rush yourself, Nate. Whether you get married or not, you’re still our child."
"That’s right!" Russell nodded, trying to soothe the tension caused by him, "Your mom is right. Forgive this idiot father of yours. I talked without thinking."
"It’s fine, Dad, Mom," Nathaniel chuckled, the light in his brown eyes softening, "I know you’re thinking of my well-being."
Despite not raising Nathaniel since childhood, Russell and Andrea were very fond of him. They adopted him when he was already a young adult more than a decade ago.
Nathaniel was grood to be the successor of Faulkner Investnt but, Russell and Andrea didn’t view him as a tool. Their care and love toward the man were genuine.
It was sothing Nathaniel was grateful for his entire life.
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