As their hands were linked together, Lariette and Ruediger sat in silence, their eyes looking ahead instead of each other. The wheel gradually brought them down from the peak, moving slowly.
Lariette heard Ruediger’s faint breathing over her own quickened heartbeat. Sensing the slight shift in ambiance between them, she beca very conscious of his presence now.
Despite the coarseness of his palm, he held her hand so gently.
The colorful display of lights had returned to the the park. The distant chatters of visitors far below were drifted by the passing breeze. Most of them got ready to head ho after a day full of adventure.
"Lettie."
Lariette unconsciously widened her eyes slightly. Tilting her chin up, she let her sapphire eyes collide with Ruediger’s erald ones.
His gaze reminded her of a verdant forest on a bright spring day—dazzling and enchanting.
"I haven’t thanked you properly," Ruediger spoke, there was tenderness underlying his husky voice, "That ti... and on that dawn, thank you for being with ."
Her silent yet tranquil presence helped him to ease the harsh, turbulent storm raging within him. She didn’t press for any answer, only quietly supporting him.
He still rembered how warm and gentle her embrace was.
Lariette blinked slowly, Ruediger’s smiling face was reflected in her eyes. She imdiately understood what he ant.
His words reminded her of the tempest that abruptly ca crashing into their peaceful lives a few days ago.
Lariette’s face tensed the mont she recalled the unwelco appearance of Chairman Alvord. She raised her left hand, placing it on the back of Ruediger’s hand that was holding her right one.
"We’re partners! I won’t let him trouble you!"
Lariette’s declaration earned soft laughter from Ruediger. Her cheeks puffed as even the re thought of eting Chairman Alvord again disgusted her.
"That’s reassuring," Ruediger said, teasing.
"Should I kick him if he cos again? Or give him a black eye?"
Ruediger’s laughter beca louder, resonating above the distant echoes from the outside. Amused by Lariette’s questions, he arched his brows.
"Why don’t you use your archery skill? Aim at him from afar and quickly run away. You won’t get caught ever."
Lariette grimaced, she twitched her nose in disgust, "That’s a good idea, but... I hate running."
"Hehe, should I drag you to my morning run? What do you think? You might love it after many tis running."
Lariette laughed dryly, clearly rejecting the idea, "I’m destined to be one with my bed. If only I don’t have to go to work..."
"Hahaha!"
Lariette smiled in relief seeing the way Ruediger laughed. The rough lines of his features softened, gently illuminated by the lights of the cabin.
Still placing her palm on the back of Ruediger’s hand, Lariette’s eyes remained on him. She could tell the distance between them had shrunken further, sothing she welcod.
There was sothing she needed to verbalize, hoping that by saying it, she could put his mind more at ease.
Looking into Ruediger’s eyes, Lariette spoke, her voice gentle, "If you’re worried about telling of what happened, please don’t. Only tell if you want to."
Lariette didn’t want Ruediger to be pressured with the weight of revealing his past to her or not.
Based on his strong reaction against his estranged father, and the gravity of the accusations, she was aware of how sensitive the issue was.
Ruediger’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by what Lariette had just said. She spoke what had been plaguing his mind all this ti—whether to tell her now or wait until later.
Blinking slowly, Ruediger sensed the heat coming from his eyes. He put on a smile, but it seed a little more forced than before.
Squeezing Lariette’s hand, Ruediger nodded. He could only muster a simple ’Hmm’ as he felt as if he almost choked on a sob.
Lariette saw the changes in Ruediger’s countenance. Smiling, she squeezed his hand in return.
"I’m glad that I ca here with you today, Eddy," Lariette began, her soft voice gently resonating in the small cabin, "Let’s have more fun together from now on. Be it just a stroll in the park, or anything else."
The curves of Ruediger’s smile softened slightly upon hearing what Lariette had just said. It gave him hope that they could grow even closer, sothing he yearned for.
"That’s what I hope too," Ruediger verbalized what was on his mind, his eyes never straying from Lariette’s face, "We shall enjoy our lives and not concern ourselves with troubleso people, right?"
"Hehe, that’s right!"
Ruediger smiled further when Lariette burst into giggles. In his eyes, her beaming look was much more dazzling than the fireworks they witnessed together earlier.
The one he secretly planned for this trip.
Soon, the ti to leave the cabin arrived as it arrived at the bottom of the wheel. The park attendant opened the door, allowing them to step outside.
"Lettie, be careful."
Ruediger offered his hand once he stood on the platform outside the cabin. Lariette smiled at him before placing her palm on his. She carefully stepped onto the platform, her heart giddy from what she experienced riding the Ferris wheel.
"Shall we go to the souvenir shop first?" Ruediger asked as they left the Ferris wheel, "What do you want to get for Grandpa and Maddie?"
"Hmm... I wonder too," Lariette tapped her chin, recalling the arrays of adorable items sold at the store. Looking at Ruediger, she asked, "What about you? Oh, will you buy so for Nate too?"
"I’ll get so for Nate, also for Elsie and their daughter," Ruediger chuckled, he looked a lot better than previously, "He has been gushing over them, especially Lorianne. I hope we can et them soon."
Lariette laughed, agreeing with Ruediger. Because Nathaniel kept the man up to date about his current life involving Elsie and Lorianne, Lariette also was fully inford about them.
"Then..." Lariette giggled, she said in a conspiratorial voice, "Why don’t you get a set of fluffy onesies? Hehehe, that will be a good gift."
"That’s evil," Ruediger said jokingly before he added, his eyes glinting with mischief, "But I like your suggestion."
"Hahaha!"
The lady and the gentleman shared so laughter as they walked under the vibrant lights in their surroundings. The night air was chilly, but the warmth they shared made it wonderful.
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