Lariette ended up feeling drowsy, leading her to take a short nap. Ruediger lowered the volu after changing the playlist to soft country songs. The soothing lody filled the vehicle.
Glancing at the dashboard screen, Ruediger looked at the estimated ti before reaching the rest area. It would take them forty-five minutes more.
The expressway was not as crowded as the city roads far behind. The lush greenery of the rolling hills and the golden wheat fields stretched far into the horizon.
’Moonville... and Amberwood. Has it been years since my first and last visit?’
Ruediger’s erald eyes rested on Lariette’s sleeping face for a mont before returning his focus to the road ahead. He couldn’t help but recall the very first ti he stepped foot in Moonville Village in the north.
Ruediger initially visited Amberwood. No one recognized or rembered him, but they did so to Lariette and Mrs. Evans. They ntioned that the girl and her grandmother had already moved.
Then, Ruediger headed to Moonville, only to learn Lariette had already left the village. One resident ntioned that the Evanses were not her biological family.
Hearing the news surprised Ruediger. This was sothing out of his expectations. Sadly, he didn’t learn in-depth details from the villager.
"Her grandfather hires soone to take care of the old Mrs. Evans. The girl usually cos to visit during breaks."
"Her family is sooo rich! Lari is so lucky! Still, she doesn’t forget about us here. Her grandfather helps to rebuild so old houses here as thanks."
Ruediger didn’t press further about Lariette. Knowing the little girl from his past was found by her wealthy biological family made him glad. He believed her life had changed for the better.
The intention to repay his gratitude led Ruediger to begin his search. He was more than grateful to know about the positive changes in Lariette and Mrs. Evans’ life.
Believing the lady lived happily with her newly-found biological family made Ruediger cease his search. No matter how much he wished to et her personally, he was still cautious.
After all, his appearance might trigger her to rember the unpleasant mory.
Unfortunately... what he envisioned was far from the truth. The one who led him to her, also the reality, was none other than his own cousin.
Indeed, fate was a mysterious thing.
Ruediger had never expected Madeline’s new friend to be Lariette Elsher, the one he was looking for. His cousin also filled him in with details about the lady’s new life.
Sure, Lariette received the best financial stability but, she had to trade her ntal peace with it due to the Elsher family’s indifference. Luckily, she had Chairman Delaney by her side.
’Will I tell her about soon? But... what if she’ll tell to leave?’
Ruediger had lots of worries after impulsively offering himself to be Lariette’s contracted husband. He had already foresaw her being so upset with him, and even feeling betrayed once she learned who he was.
Still...
He was selfish. He couldn’t deny that aspect of him. He approached the unsuspecting her after years of being in the shadows.
What began as concerns and gratitude for the little friend in his past eventually changed into deeper feelings.
’Enough. Don’t wallow in self-pity.’
Smiling faintly, Ruediger tried to suppress his worry from flaring its tendrils within him. For now, he could only move along the route he had chosen.
If he was stuck, he believed he could clear the obstacles or dig other routes.
Ruediger continued driving in silence, occasionally glancing at Lariette. He rembered her offer to exchange as the next driver halfway to the north but, he didn’t intend to take it up.
"...emm."
Blinking, Ruediger briefly looked at Lariette. She let out a yawn, stirred awake from her nap. He chuckled seeing her rubbing her eyes.
"Awake now, Sleeping Beauty?"
Lariette stretched her arms, trying to chase away her lingering drowsiness. Laughing softly, she turned her head, staring at Ruediger.
"Such a good nap. Now I’m hungry again."
"Hahaha! We’ll reach our first stop soon. In fifteen minutes."
Lariette smiled sheepishly. She drank so water, washing away her thirst. She felt better than before.
Not long after, the truck rolled into the rest area, coming to a smooth stop under a shady tree. Being a weekday, the rest area didn’t have many visitors.
Ruediger glanced out the window, thinking how particularly scenic this area was. Lariette also did the sa.
Surrounded by the lush greenery, the abundance of tall trees swayed gently in the sumr breeze. Colorful flower beds lined up the sides of the pathways.
"Eddy, hurry! Get out!"
Lariette had already climbed down the truck, eagerly telling Ruediger to alight the vehicle. The cool breeze tousled her long hair, spreading the scent of the freshly cut grass mixed with the floral fragrance.
Ruediger laughed in helplessness. Sliding out of the truck, he shut the door behind him. Lariette circled the vehicle, heading to him.
"I told you, didn’t I?" Lariette covered her beaming face, her eyes glimring, "This is a nice stop. Great views, good food and even entertainnt. Look! They have a play area."
Ruediger’s eyes followed to where Lariette pointed at. He noticed the fenced-off ga zone. Aside from the jungle gym for the children, the rest area also had a baseball track and a basketball court.
Placing his hands on his hips, Ruediger arched his brows, "Baseball, huh? Wanna play a round or two after eating?"
"You play baseball?" asked Lariette, inwardly thinking if this was another one of Ruediger’s many hidden talents.
"A little bit," Ruediger’s lips spread into a grin. He added jokingly, "Well, I’ll let you witness another episode of how great your househusband is. What do you think?"
Ruediger’s remark spilled laughter from Lariette’s lips. Raising one of her brows, she replied, her tone playful, "I won’t say no to that. Which episode is this? The nineteenth? Or, thirty-seventh?"
"You’re wrong," Ruediger shook his head, even making a gesture by wagging his index figure, "It’s the ninety-ninth."
Glaring at Ruediger, Lariette openly scoffed. The man chortled out loud, amused by her reaction. His laughter echoed in the air, spreading in the parking lot.
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