After a quite tearful farewell with lissa and Paul, Lariette and Ruediger left the quaint and serene Moonville. As decided last night, she sat behind the wheel while he rested in the front passenger seat.
The truck humd along the open road as Lariette steadily drove the vehicle. She adjusted her grip on the steering wheel, smoothly maneuvering around a gentle curve at the village main entrance.
Ruediger stared at Lariette as he sat comfortably, reclined in the passenger seat. He had a lumbar pillow nestled behind his back for more comfort, purchased by Paul under Lariette’s request yesterday.
"You drive so well, Lettie," Ruediger remarked, the genuine admiration in his voice unmistakable. He watched Lariette with an amused smirk on his lips.
Lariette glanced sideways at Ruediger. Arching her brows, she answered cheekily, "What, did you think I’d drive like a tortoise? I rarely drive but my skills are good."
Soft chuckles slipped out of Ruediger’s lips, the deep sound rumbling from his chest, "Indeed. Still, it’s impressive. You’ve got skill."
Lariette smiled in helplessness, thinking that Ruediger didn’t need to praise her for her smooth driving. She flicked the turn signal before she switched lanes with ease.
"I’ve had my fair share of experience driving different vehicles. I got used to driving Grandpa’s old truck once I got my license."
Ruediger humd, recalling Chairman Delaney’s fascination with his truck on the first day they t weeks ago. The elderly man also asked him various questions about it on their way to the Elsher family’s family ho[01].
As they left Moonville far behind, Lariette and Ruediger continued chatting over the pop songs played by the radio. She also brought up her curiosities about his life as a hidden singer.
"Were you so fond of singing? You even opened a channel."
Lariette’s question earned laughter from Ruediger. He nodded once, "I used to record my singing before. Maddie told to start a channel. I just did."
"Hehe, seems like I have to thank Maddie," Lariette glanced at Ruediger, throwing him a aningful look, "She encouraged you to open the channel. She also picked your na."
"That’s undeniable," Ruediger mused, agreeing with Lariette, "I never thought I’d still keep the channel going until now."
"And, your drawing! Eddy, you draw so well too!" Lariette exclaid, thinking of the art Mr. Drear had been showing with every song release.
"I learned digital art not long before I started singing, so, yeah," Ruediger paused, a grin tugging at his lips, "I think why not I draw for each song. I don’t want to show my face after all."
Lariette exhaled softly. Shaking her head, she remarked, "At this rate, I doubt you have things you can’t do. Who knows? You might actually be a hidden billionaire! Controlling a big company behind the scenes!"
"...haha, I’m not omnipotent. What are you thinking, huh? Do you think it’s easy to be a billionaire?"
Ruediger darted his eyes elsewhere, feeling guilt pricking his heart upon hearing Lariette’s words. He knew she was just joking but... why did she imdiately hit the mark?
Not even one hour into the ride, Ruediger tended to shift frequently in his seat as he tried to get more comfortable. Despite the reclined seat, his back still throbbed dully from the bruise.
Noticing Ruediger’s little actions, Lariette’s expression softened. She said, "We should stop now. You need to stretch a little."
A healthy person would feel the strain of sitting inside a vehicle for a long ti, much less an injured one like him.
"I’m fine," Ruediger grinned, trying to reassure Lariette, "No need to stop yet."
Lariette shot Ruediger a knowing look, "Eddy."
Sighing softly, Ruediger shook his head with a small smile, "Fine, fine. But only because you asked so nicely."
Lariette scoffed. After a few more miles, she pulled into a quiet rest stop. The gravel crunched beneath the tires as she parked under a tree.
Lariette hopped out first. She stretched her arms above her head before rounding the truck to Ruediger’s side. He was slower to move, carefully stepping out with a quiet grunt.
"Co. I’ll put so ointnt on you. You refused it when we left," said Lariette as she grabbed the pharmacy bag. She quickly added, "Don’t say no to this ti."
"...I won’t."
Ruediger laughed awkwardly. He was amused because Lariette cut him off before he could refuse. She glared at him while pointing to one of the shaded pavilions built around the rest stop.
"You’re a patient," Lariette remarked as she walked toward the nearby pavilion. She arched her brows playfully, "You ought to listen to now. Don’t act tough."
"Excuse ? A patient?" Ruediger scoffed, rolling his eyes, "Shouldn’t it be your handso and charming househusband with a minor inconvenience on his back?"
Lariette exaggerated her sigh, earning laughter from Ruediger. They continued to banter until they reached the pavilion. The roof and surrounding latticed wall offered them privacy.
"Shirt off," ordered Lariette as she took out a cotton bud from its container and the ointnt tube.
"Tsk, tsk, Lettie! You’re getting awfully bold now. You even told to take my shirt off in public."
Ruediger glanced over his shoulder, staring at Lariette, who stood behind him. He received another glare in response.
Ruediger unfastened the top few buttons before pulling his shirt down from the back, revealing the bruised area. His muscles shifted slightly as he adjusted his position.
Lariette narrowed her eyes, wondering why Ruediger beca chattier as of late. She was so tempted to exert more pressure than usual on his swollen back.
"I’m being a good nurse to a problematic patient," answered Lariette wittily.
Before Ruediger could reply with anything, Lariette quickly pressed the cotton bud laced with the ointnt to his back. He flinched upon contact with its cooling sensation.
"Soone’s finally quiet now," Lariette uttered, her voice hinting of a smile.
"Not really," Ruediger chuckled. He relished the comfort brought by the pain-relief ointnt to his throbbing back, "I just don’t wanna be a problematic patient."
Laughing softly, Lariette shook her head in helplessness. She continued rubbing the cotton bud on Ruediger’s swollen skin in a slow, soothing circles.
Never did she know that the man was trying hard to slow his rapid heartbeat because of the sheer happiness within him.
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Reference:
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