The gentle sunlight stread through the windows, showering inside a classroom. There, Lariette sat at the teacher’s desk while the students remained seated at their tables.
Standing up, Lariette began to gather her belongings. She swept her gaze around the classroom, chuckling at the sight of the students being fidgety.
"That’s it for today, everyone. See you tomorrow!"
The students cheered in joy. A few of them jumped up from their chairs while the others started putting their books and pencil cases inside their bags.
"See you tomorrow, Ms. Elsher."
"Bye-Bye~"
Smiling, Lariette waved her hand at the students. She simply let them continue to address her like usual instead of using Ruediger’s surna.
Lariette carried a stack of books with her as she walked past the door, heading to the corridor. She saw students from different classes began filling the hallway.
The clock struck three, signaling the end of the school hours. The bell rang right on ti.
Lariette had just finished today’s class. Her last class was with the seventh graders. The lessons were a little laid back because today was the first day of school.
Instead of going to her desk in the teachers’ office, Lariette’s destination was the language faculty room. She left her belongings there after having a short eting with her colleagues, including the new teacher.
’Oh! I forgot! I haven’t checked my phone.’
Lariette quickly balanced the books on her left arm as she fished out her phone from the pocket of her linen skirt. She received a few ssages from Ruediger earlier.
Because the class was still ongoing, Lariette didn’t check her phone. She simply made a ntal note to reply to Ruediger’s texts once the lesson was concluded.
’Has he returned ho?’
Lariette rembered Ruediger telling her that he would go out this noon to et his colleague. She didn’t press him for more details, only assuming he would go to Faulkner Investnt.
Moving away from the middle of the corridor, Lariette stopped right next to a window. The other students walked past her. Her brows rose the mont she read Ruediger’s ssages.
[Ruediger: When will you return? I’m around the area. I’ll co to pick you up. Just tell the ti. I can wait]
[Ruediger: How about going to the new dessert shop? The Taiwanese one. My treat ;)]
Amused by Ruediger’s texts, Lariette chuckled softly. She thought he had sothing else to say, for example, he might return ho late or ask what they should have for dinner.
Lariette knew which dessert shop Ruediger brought up. Both of them saw it on the day they returned from Moonville. The small store was near the grocery market.
Lariette quickly typed her replies. A smile so gentle was drawn on her lips.
[Lariette: That sounds so yummy! Sure! I won’t say no for free food, anyway]
[Lariette: Already done with the last class. Gonna grab my bag. Text once you’re here. Just wait at the gate]
As Lariette resud walking, her phone rang once, telling her another response ca.
[Ruediger: Sure. Take your ti]
Without replying to Ruediger, Lariette hurried to the language faculty room. She held back from running across the hallway lest she showed a bad example to the passing students.
The language faculty room was just down the sa corridor as the teachers’ office, right next to the Mathematics faculty room.
Lariette bumped into Nora, the Mathematics teacher. The latter quickly asked, "Lari! Why are you in a hurry? Can’t wait to go ho?"
"Of course. It’s rare that we can get off work right on ti," replied Lariette jokingly, earning Nora’s laughter.
Nora was one of the colleagues Lariette was close to. Both of them, including another teacher nad Howard, were in the sa group for this coming Sports Day. They were tasked to oversee the stalls[01].
Reaching for the handle, Lariette pushed the door open. Her eyes imdiately landed on soone at the long table in the middle of the room.
"Mr. Eastwood, you’re not going ho yet?"
Lariette politely greeted the new teacher, nad Charles Eastwood. The man was in his early fifties, the oldest among the mbers of the language faculty.
Principal Smith introduced Mr. Eastwood to everyone during a brief eting this morning. Lariette, including the other teachers, hadn’t talked much with the new teacher yet.
If there was one thing Lariette could say, Mr. Eastwood was a respectful gentleman. Despite his age and experience being a senior teacher, he didn’t give an air of arrogance.
Mr. Eastwood lifted his head from the book he was reading. His brown hair had streaks of white, styled neatly into a slick back. The green eyes behind the pair of glasses were gentle as he smiled at Lariette.
"Hello, Ms. Elsher. I’ll be eting the principal in a bit. Done with your class? Are you going ho now?"
Stepping inside the room, Lariette nodded, her steps were quiet. She went to the table where she had left her belongings and bag earlier.
"Yes. I have nothing else to do today. My husband’s coming to pick up so I gotta hurry."
Lariette didn’t intend to ntion Ruediger, actually, but those words rolled out her mouth as if it was sothing natural—going ho with her husband. Her cheeks pinkened without her realizing it.
"Oh, you’re married?" Mr. Eastwood raised his brows. He stared at Lariette, who was gathering her items, "Ah, I just noticed your wedding ring. Anyway, don’t let hold you back. See you tomorrow, Ms. Elsher."
"Likewise, Mr. Eastwood. See you tomorrow."
Lariette zipped the backpack after shoving everything inside. Carrying it on one shoulder, she smiled at Mr. Eastwood before leaving the faculty room.
The sun spread its light and warmth all over the area as Lariette walked toward the gate. She couldn’t wait for autumn to finally arrive, bringing along crisp and cool breeze and its breathtaking foliage.
"He’s here already?"
Lariette’s eyes caught the familiar sight of the navy blue truck waiting not far from the main gate. She chuckled as she saw Ruediger standing outside the vehicle with his back leaning against its door.
The man looked exceptionally well-dressed today, unlike when he wore the usual casual outfits. He also tied his hair into a low ponytail, letting his locks drape over one shoulder.
"Lettie."
Ruediger waved one arm once he saw Lariette. His lips quirked into a smile. He pushed himself away from the truck, standing facing the lady.
Lariette returned Ruediger’s smile. She stopped a few feet away from him. Without hesitation, she openly stared at him head to toe.
"What’s the occasion? Because you had to go to the office today? Hehe, even with Nate as your best friend, you need to follow the dress code, en? Still, you look handso."
Ruediger broke into soft laughter upon hearing Lariette’s teasing. Tilting his head, he joked back, "Why? Do you think I only look handso today?"
"You’re always handso," Lariette replied without batting an eye. She quickly added, "There’s sothing different about n in suits."
Throwing his head back, Ruediger’s laughter grew louder. He didn’t expect to hear Lariette’s last sentence. It was undeniable that it made him happy.
"I should wear suits more often, then," Ruediger winked, a grin tugging on his lips, "Get inside. Let’s go now."
"Okay!"
Lariette quickly climbed inside the truck while Ruediger sat behind the wheel. None of them realized their interaction was being witnessed from afar by soone.
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