"Oh! Tell more!"
Ruediger’s words piqued Lariette’s curiosity. She couldn’t resist from hearing more about his trip to Thailand. Surely, he experienced new wonders there.
Ruediger took a bite of his pad Thai and slowly chewed it. He answered after swallowing, "It was a spontaneous trip. I followed a friend from uni there. I think it was during our sumr break."
Almost a decade had passed, but Ruediger still rembered the trip vividly. Under Lariette’s eyes, sparkling with interest, he continued.
"We spent two weeks exploring Bangkok, Chiang Mai and so of the islands. I loved every bit of it. The food, the culture and the people there."
"Wow~ That sounds amazing," Lariette mused, already thinking of the promotional videos of Thailand she had seen before, "What was your favorite part?"
Ruediger leaned back slightly, thinking, "It’s hard to choose, actually. Bangkok was chaotic but exhilarating. Their street food scene was really sothing else."
Ruediger began describing the endless rows of stalls selling various kinds of food. Grilled ats, sweet and savory pancakes, and mango sticky rice were among the dishes.
"I tried this one dish called nam prik. It’s a kind of chili dip that’s normal for locals," Ruediger paused, laughing softly, "Just one bite. I only took one bite and, wow... I thought my soul was leaving my body."
Throwing her head back, Lariette burst into laughter. She asked teasingly, "Seems like soone found it the hard way that he wasn’t immune to Thai spice."
"Not at all," Ruediger admitted, shaking his head in helplessness, "I still stubbornly finished it tho. After that, I was more careful with my food choices."
As Ruediger paused to take a sip of his drink, Lariette resud eating. She still had so left on her plate. The beef green curry was one of her favorite Thai dishes.
"Chiang Mai was different than Bangkok," Ruediger continued, his voice calm, "It’s quieter, more relaxed. I wandered the markets, visited the temples and just enjoyed the atmosphere."
Fascinated by Ruediger’s stories, Lariette asked after swallowing her food, "Which islands did you visit?"
Her interest toward his experience deepened the smile on his lips. He could do this every day—telling her his travel stories while sharing warm als with her.
"I went to Krabi and Phi Phi Islands," Ruediger resud after a montary pause. His voice beca considerably softer as he spoke, "The beaches were breathtaking. Very crystal-clear, sandy white beach, dramatic listone cliffs."
Lariette didn’t realize how much her smile widened as she tried picturing the scenery. Ruediger ntioned his snorkeling trip, including how peaceful he felt when wandering under the water.
"Eddy, that sounds so wonderful."
Ruediger nodded, locking his eyes with Lariette’s, "It was. I’d like to go back one day. Maybe... maybe we can go there together. You can show how well you handle spice now."
Blinking, Lariette took a mont to register Ruediger’s words, "You an... going to Thailand with you?"
"Only if you want to," Ruediger replied with a shrug.
Despite looking as casual as ever, Ruediger couldn’t help but look forward to Lariette’s answer. He still rembered that he had just invited her to go to a thed park together.
Would she consider this suggestion?
Traveling to another country together was on a different level than going to the amusent park within the sa city.
Unaware by Ruediger, sothing stirred in Lariette’s heart. Laughing softly, she said, "As long as you don’t challenge to eat anything like nam prik, I’m in."
Ruediger froze for a second before his grin widened, "Deal."
Hopefully, this trip would co true so day.
Lariette and Ruediger continued eating while chatting. Their conversation drifted to other topics.
"I’ll be busy once school starts," Lariette lanted while scooping so of the mango sticky rice, "Our sports day is in late October. Less than two months. We’ll welco a new teacher too."
"The kids will surely love it," Ruediger remarked, laughter lacing his voice, "I loved sports day so much back in school."
"Of course, you were! Many girls cheered on you, right? I bet you were the number one star during sports day."
Ruediger shook his head, more laughter spilling from his mouth. He knew Lariette referred to what Madeline had told her about his high school days.
After finishing the last bite of the mango sticky rice, Lariette and Ruediger imdiately cleaned the dining table. They worked in harmony, ensuring no ss was left behind.
"I’ll be in my room," said Lariette as she walked to the corridor, glancing over her shoulder, "Just call if you need help with your back."
Lariette applied a warm compress for Ruediger before dinner, including reapplied the ointnt. It might be her imagination but the purple color seed to fade a little.
Tomorrow was Sunday, one more day before school began. Lariette planned to spend her ti resting after driving for hours.
"I’ll do that," Ruediger answered with a smile. He walked closer to Lariette, his chin tilting down to look into her eyes, "You should go and rest."
"Okay."
Lariette didn’t bother Ruediger much. She didn’t want to be perceived as naggy by the man. Waving at him, she disappeared inside her bedroom.
Running her fingers through her hair, Lariette approached the bed. Her eyes glanced at the phone lying on the bedside table. She raised her brows once she noticed a missed call from Declan, including a few unread ssages.
’Is there anything new?’
Lariette sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the phone. She recalled what had happened the past few days, but her interest in the issue was almost non-existent.
Not intending to return the call, Lariette simply checked the ssages. She tapped on the screen, displaying the texts before her eyes.
[Declan: Leon was arrested. His family tried to bail him out but were denied. Just in case you want a new update, here it is]
[Declan: Mom and Stephanie left the country. I told them to take a trip abroad. You don’t have to worry about them bothering you now."
Narrowing her eyes, Lariette exhaled softly. She didn’t care what happened to Stephanie, Samantha and Leon as long as they didn’t ruin her peace.
Instead of an apology, she just wished they would leave her alone.
Moving her fingers on the screen, Lariette sent Declan a reply. She conveyed her thoughts in it.
[Lariette: You don’t need to send any updates about them. Just don’t let them disturb again. I won’t seek them out either]
The stunts she pulled over the past few weeks were enough for Lariette; getting married on impulse, fighting against the Elsher family’s long-ti bias and taking over her possession of the inheritance left by her maternal grandmother.
All was enough.
Lariette didn’t intend to go out of her way seeking justice for the mistreatnts she suffered under the Elsher family before.
She knew she was half to bla. After all, she blindly craved their attention and care despite being rejected nurous tis.
If not for Damien cheating on her, including the accident, Lariette believed she wouldn’t fully wake up yet. Instead of wasting ti pursuing revenge, she would rather spend it on loving herself more.
Tossing the phone aside, Lariette lay on her back. She stared at the high ceiling, her face didn’t betray the waves of emotions within her.
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