The next day, Friday.
Streaks of amber, ruby and violet dyed the skyline when Lariette and Ruediger arrived at Elysian Heights, bringing along the boxes of gifts. The guards allowed them in because Nathaniel had registered them as the guests.
Ruediger and Lariette walked down the hallway, their footsteps quiet. The warm recessed lights showered on them, lighting up the entire space.
"That’s the unit," Ruediger pointed to a door, quite secluded from the other apartnt units, "Tsk tsk, what a bad host. Nate should welco us from the lobby."
Lariette nudged Ruediger’s arm, playfully chiding him, "Don’t complain. Hurry up. I can’t wait to et Elsie and Lorianne."
Ruediger chuckled. Raising his eyebrows, he teased Lariette, "I think you can be a good friend to the little Lorianne."
Lariette shot Ruediger a look, "Are you saying I’m childish?"
"I reserve my right to stay silent."
Lariette threw Ruediger another glare, only to receive laughter from him. He couldn’t help but picture an angry yet adorable bunny when she glowered at him like that. Still, he held back from teasing her further.
"Rudy, Lari, welco!"
An eager Nathaniel greeted Ruediger and Lariette at the door. Looking happier than ever, the man dressed warmly in a loose sweater and long pants.
"Nate, we almost got lost, you know?" Ruediger began by complaining, "You should welco us from the lobby."
Nathaniel rolled his eyes, "I forgot. I should line up a red carpet for you."
Lariette smiled seeing Ruediger and Nathaniel’s banter. She noticed a beautiful lady and an adorable little girl standing behind Nathaniel, whose faces she recognized from the photos.
Elsie and Lorianne. The mother and daughter wore simple dresses in a similar shade. Lariette recalled Ruediger saying Elsie was a fashion designer.
"Hello, Rudy," Elsie greeted Ruediger, a warm smile hanging on her lips, "It has been years since we last t. And you’re Lariette, Rudy’s wife, right? I’m Elsie. It’s nice to et you."
"Yes, I am," Lariette nodded, pleased with Elsie’s friendliness, "Hello, Elsie. I’ve heard about you from Rudy. I’m glad to et you too."
As the adults exchanged greetings, Lorianne peeked her small head behind her mommy’s legs. Her brown eyes stared at Ruediger and Lariette, who she heard were friends of her daddy.
"Lorrie, why are you hiding there?" Nathaniel gently called the little one, beckoning Lorianne to co to him, "Co and et my friends."
Blinking, Lorianne glanced from Nathaniel to Elsie. Under her parents’ reassuring gazes, she stepped out of her hiding.
"Hello, my na is Lorianne. You can call Lorrie," the little girl introduced herself, followed by a slight bow.
Ruediger and Lariette exchanged a smile, both thinking the sa thing. Lorianne was not only adorable but also well-mannered.
"Lorrie, you can call them Uncle Rudy and Aunt Lari," Nathaniel said, trying to ease the initial awkwardness. He patted Ruediger’s back while declaring, "I’ve told you, right? Your Uncle Rudy is just like my younger brother."
Ruediger nodded, also attempting to reassure Lorianne. He quickly added, "You can ask if you wanna hear more about your daddy and mommy. I know all of your dad’s embarrassing stories."
"Don’t you dare!"
Nathaniel swiftly smacked Ruediger’s back, warning his friend from tainting his image in his daughter’s mind.
"Ouch! Shouldn’t you behave in front of your daughter?"
Elsie exhaled a helpless sigh. She gestured at Lariette, "Let them fight. Co inside, Lari."
Lariette chuckled, "Hehe, let’s leave them here. Oh, we brought so gifts for your family."
Ruediger held the three huge paper bags of gifts. He insisted on carrying everything when Lariette wanted to take at least one.
"You don’t have to, but thank you," Elsie smiled in gratitude. She glanced at Lorianne whose eyes remained on Nathaniel and Ruediger, "Lorrie, co with Mommy and Aunt Lari."
"Okay~"
Ignoring her father and Uncle Rudy, Lorianne spun on her heels, following her mother and Aunt Lari. Not long after, the two bantering n trailed after the ladies.
Tristan was also there. He jumped out of the couch once he saw Ruediger and Lariette. At the sa ti, Elsie introduced the couple to Michelle, the nanny and housekeeper.
"We shall go to the dining room," Nathaniel gestured in a direction with a tilt of his chin, "It’s just a small celebratory dinner, but thank you for coming here."
Not many people knew Nathaniel began living in Elysian Heights. There was no need to make the knowledge public. Thus, he only invited very few people for his housewarming party.
Only a few were missing, the Faulkner spouses and also the Winslow spouses. They would co to Velondia in a few weeks, marking the first gathering between two families.
"I ca for free food," Ruediger stated, his lips drew into a smirk, "Shall we see what CEO Faulkner prepared for us?"
Nathaniel scoffed, "I’m more than happy to serve you with only plain water."
Led by Nathaniel, everyone headed to the dining room. The area was spacious enough to accommodate a massive, twelve-seater table. Golden light spilled from the lamps hanging above, casting a warm and welcoming glow.
A feast was already served on the table, including a pot of lavender as the centerpiece. A large, golden brown roasted chicken sat in the middle, nestling in a bed of rosemary, carrots, potatoes and parsnips. Plates and bowls of other autumn delights surrounded the chicken.
Once everyone settled on the chairs, Nathaniel stood at the head of the table. He swept his gaze across everyone, his countenance mirrored the quiet joy within him.
"I won’t say much lest the food turns cold. I want to thank everyone again for being here. Enjoy the feast."
Ruediger clapped his hands, slow and steady, then followed by everyone. The applause rang in the dining room. Nathaniel chuckled. He sat down and urged everyone to dig in.
Soon, laughter and chatter filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of cutlery. Lariette talked to Elsie, Michelle and Tristan while Ruediger chatted with Nathaniel. Lorianne chid in from ti to ti, bringing up stories about her days in the kindergarten.
As Lariette spoke to Elsie, she ntioned a topic that remained a mystery in her mind, the sa one her grandfather also wanted to know.
"Yeah, I’ve heard you know Nate and Rudy for so many years. But there’s one thing I’m still curious about."
Lariette’s remarks piqued Elsie’s interest. Pausing from taking another bite, she asked, "What is it? I might be able to tell you."
Lariette glanced at Ruediger and Nathaniel. They were engrossed in a topic. Smiling, she explained, "Rudy has told how he first t Nate, but he said there’s another story, a follow-up."
Elsie bit back the laughter that almost spilled from her lips. Glancing from Lariette to the two n, she said, "I know what you’re talking about. Well, let’s get the man to tell his story. Niel."
Nathaniel paused once he heard Elsie calling for him. Ruediger also looked at the lady before he saw the cheeky smile on Lariette’s face.
"Yes, Elsie?" Nathaniel asked.
"Lari asked about how you and Rudy t for the second ti," Elsie raised her eyebrows, "Shouldn’t you entertain our guest’s curiosity?"
Nathaniel and Ruediger blinked before they exchanged a glance. Elsie’s words also piqued Lorianne and Michelle’s interest while Tristan laughed, obviously knowing what she ant.
"Rudy, you tell them."
Ruediger pretended to groan when Nathaniel passed the baton to him. Still, he was weak under Lariette’s sparkly eyes, clearly anticipating the story.
Smiling faintly, Ruediger began, "Well, I t Nate for the second ti before the sa spring ended. I was sixteen. What happened was..."
Everyone was quiet as they listened to the crimson-haired man, his voice ringing in the dining room.
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