Ruediger’s voice was deep and velvety. Once he sang the song of his choice, it carried a weight of emotions, both haunting and beautiful as his singing drew people in.
"The old dirt road still knows my na🎶"
"Tires kickin’ dust like they’ve done for days🎶"
Everyone turned their full attention to Ruediger, entranced by his effortlessly soulful singing.
When the others were quietly clapping their hands, unwilling to disturb Ruediger’s singing, Lariette was the only one who remained as still as a statue.
Her eyes widened slightly, zeroing in on the man beyond the blazing campfire. Her breath caught in her throat.
His voice... was very familiar in a way that ghosted shivers down her spine.
As if she had heard it before in a dream.
’Eddy’s voice... Have I heard him sing before?’
The thought continuously echoed in Lariette’s mind as she tried to pinpoint where she had heard such a beautiful singing voice before. She unconsciously fidgeted when... the realization hit her.
Yes.
She had heard this voice before.
She had listened to this voice countless tis over the years. Whether during lonely nights or mornings that brought hopes—she had been lost in the music that often comforted her.
’...it can’t be. Surely, I’m mistaken.’
Lariette’s heart pounded quickly in her chest. She clasped her hands together, unable to look away from Ruediger, whose eyes also were nailed on her face.
Ruediger’s lodic voice still rang in the backyard. He plucked the strings effortlessly as he sang.
"So here’s to the sunsets, the stars in the sky🎶"
"To backroad love and tear-stained goodbyes🎶"
"One last look at the town I outgrew🎶"
"Hotown, it’s hard, but I’m leavin’ you🎶"
More chills ran down Lariette’s spine. She couldn’t deny her heart any longer.
The more Ruediger sang, the more certain Lariette beca.
The one with the raw, soul-stirring voice that never revealed his face, the very man whose singing lit up her dark days...
Mr. Drear was Ruediger.
Lariette covered her mouth as the realization sank in. She couldn’t believe that Ruediger was the man behind Mr. Drear’s mask but... the familiarity in his voice was undeniable.
The cadence, the depth, the unmistakable way his voice carried emotions—it was him.
Ruediger, her contractual husband, was the singer she had been unknowingly admiring all this ti.
"So here’s to the mories, the laughter, the pain🎶"
"The county line sign in the rearview again🎶"
"One last whisper, one last view🎶"
"Hotown, it’s hard, but I’m leavin’ you🎶"
"Yeah, I’m leavin’ you...🎶"
"But I’ll carry you wherever I go🎶"
The last note lingered in the air as the song reached its final chords. The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, but Ruediger’s eyes were still locked on Lariette’s widened ones, filled with disbelief.
"Eddy! Oh, man! You should be on stage!" Horace exclaid. He clapped Ruediger on the back, his voice full of excitent.
"Where did you learn to sing like that?" Sandra asked in awe, "Young man, you’re like the pro singers!"
Ruediger pulled his gaze away from Lariette, his expression calm and composed, "Just sothing I do on the side. It’s one of my many hobbies."
As Ruediger responded to the others, Lariette was still frozen in place, staring at him in shock. When their eyes t again, she quickly lowered her face.
Fidgeting with her skirt, more thoughts rushed to Lariette’s mind. Her heart thumped rapidly against her chest, almost leaping out.
’What do I do? What do... Aaa! Does it an he knows I’m his fangirl?!’
No!
It would be so embarrassing!
The celebration continued despite Lariette being unable to imrse herself fully in it. Whenever Ruediger ca close or tried talking to her, she froze for a mont before awkwardly replying.
Eventually, the celebration t its end.
"Goodbye! Co and visit us again."
"Lettie, co ho this autumn. Don’t forget how lively our harvest festival is!"
"I’ll co to Paul and l’s house tomorrow. Gonna give you our local specialty, Eddy."
Ruediger and Lariette thanked everyone, especially Paul and lissa, for the unforgettable celebration. They promised to drop by the Campbells’ house tomorrow before leaving.
The night was quiet as Ruediger and Lariette walked away from the Campbells’ house, their footsteps light against the dirt path. The distant chirping of crickets and soft rustling of leaves echoed faintly in the air.
Lariette walked a step behind Ruediger, occasionally stealing a glance at him. Her mind had been spinning for the past hour. She had barely been able to enjoy the rest of the party after the realization hit her.
’It’s him, right? I’m not wrong, am I?’
At certain tis, doubts made Lariette question herself, but her heart often told her otherwise.
The mysterious singer she had admired for so long... had been him all along.
Pursing her lips, Lariette decided to bring up the subject. She paused from walking, her eyes lingered on Ruediger’s broad back.
"E-Eddy."
The crimson-haired man halted in his tracks as soon as she called his na. Turning around, she saw a soft smile tugging on his lips. The orange glow of the streetlights illuminated his face.
"Yes, Lettie? You’ve been quiet tonight."
Ruediger spoke as if he didn’t understand what troubled Lariette. Leaning his weight on one foot, he tucked his hands casually in the pockets of his pants.
Ruediger’s gaze caused the heat to return to Lariette’s cheeks. She was thankful for the dimness of the surrounding area lest he see how red her face was.
"You... you’re..."
Parting her lips, Lariette wanted to ask Ruediger, but she stuttered. She clenched her hands together, feeling the loud pounding of her heart.
The smile on Ruediger’s lips softened and so did the light in his erald eyes. He took a step closer to Lariette, leaning over her.
"Yes, Lettie?"
Ruediger repeated, his voice soft and hinting of his patience. His locks were caught in the light breeze, leaving them fluttering.
Lariette swallowed. She unconsciously tilted her chin up to et Ruediger’s eyes. Sohow, he seed taller than usual—and it had nothing to do with their distance right now.
"Eddy, you’re... you’re... Mr. Drear, aren’t you?"
Mustering up her courage, Lariette forced those words out of her mouth. Her eyes never left Ruediger’s face, reluctant to miss even a single reaction from him.
One corner of Ruediger’s lips rose higher. His mouth moved slowly as he said...
"Yes. That’s , Lettie."
Her widening eyes were reflected in his mirthful ones.
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