When Nathaniel and Ruediger were in the ho office, Elsie entertained Lariette in the living room. At the sa ti, Michelle and Tristan played with Lorianne who was happy with the new storybooks she received as gifts.
"This book has brownie fairies! They clean houses when we sleep~"
"Oh~ The pumpkin carriage can fly!"
"Can we make a giant dumpling like this?"
Lorianne’s chirpy voice rang in the living room. Her whole face bead with excitent when Michelle and Tristan began to read her stories. The little one’s joy couldn’t hold her back from stating and asking about multiple things.
Lariette stared at Lorianne with a fond smile. The girl’s antics were too adorable, enough to turn her heart into a sweet and fluffy cotton candy.
Elsie placed more pecan pie bars on Lariette’s plate. She grinned when the latter thanked her. She noticed Lariette had been watching Lorianne for a while now.
"Lari, I heard you’re a teacher," Elsie brought up what Nathaniel told her before, her eyes laying on Lariette, "That ans you’re good with children, right? At least to a certain degree."
Elsie had exchanged a few conversations with Lariette at the dining table, but they were mostly superficial. Now that Nathaniel and Ruediger were absent, she could talk more to the lady.
Soft laughter bubbled on Lariette’s lips as she looked at Elsie. With a light nod, she said, "You can say so. But I’m no expert with children. I’ve only interacted with much older kids."
Elsie humd, understanding what Lariette ant. The lady was mostly surrounded by students of age ten and above. Those children were certainly different than babies and toddlers, including the ones in kindergartens.
"I’ve told you this, right?" Elsie tucked her hair behind her ear, her lips lting into a softer smile, "I was surprised when Niel told Rudy got married. I couldn’t wait to see you."
Elsie actually wanted to ask if Lariette and Ruediger had planned to have children or not, or when. But she also realized those questions were inappropriate. After all, they had just t tonight.
Elsie’s remarks elicited laughter from Lariette. While picking up one of the pie bars, she said, "It just happened. We didn’t know each other for long, but I’m glad I chose to marry him."
Ruediger had inford Lariette that Elsie wasn’t aware of the true story behind their marriage. Nathaniel decided not to disclose their contract because it was theirs to decide.
Lariette silently applauded and thanked Nathaniel for keeping the secret well, even from Elsie, the one he had been yearning for the past five years.
Lariette was comfortable with Elsie. She could picture her befriending the older lady instead of just being an acquaintance. But it did not an she wanted to reveal the secret of her contractual marriage to Ruediger.
Elsie exhaled. She heard more about Ruediger and Lariette from Nathaniel. He also showed so photos of the newlyweds. Only pure joy was exuded by the pictures.
"Rudy is a good man. I’m sure you’re already aware of that. He didn’t show much interest in dating before, not even after he returned to this country. I’m happy he has found soone special to him."
A blush pinkened Lariette’s cheeks. She quietly chewed the pie bar, her mind drifting to Ruediger. She couldn’t help but wonder about his life before she t him in the past few months.
"He told he traveled often before," Lariette said after swallowing the bite of food. She lightly brushed the corner of her lips, "To many countries. I haven’t visited out of Velondia much, but his stories make want to travel."
"Yes, he’s quite a traveler," Elsie nodded. She reached for her cup of vanilla rooibos tea, steam still curling from its surface, "Maybe you two can go sowhere together later. Traveling together helps to deepen one’s relationship."
Lariette said nothing, but her smile softened more, showing she liked what she heard from Elsie. She also rembered Ruediger’s suggestion of going to travel together, including visiting the place where he lived back in Norvonna.
’We should go there first, right? Then, where next?’
’Maybe we can plan a trip in winter. Perhaps going to hot climate countries.’
Lariette couldn’t help but daydream about traveling to other places with Ruediger. She wondered what kind of experiences awaited her. People did say traveling could broaden one’s horizons.
As the night deepened and the hour shifted, Nathaniel and Ruediger finally erged from the ho office. Elsie joked about them discussing work during a party, earning laughter from everyone.
They continued to chat in the living room, accompanied by the rest of the desserts and drinks. Only crumbs were left on the plates.
"We should get going now. It’s getting late."
Ruediger glanced at the wall clock, seeing the needles pointing at a quarter past ten. At this hour, Lorianne had shown hints of being sleepy. Her tiny head rested on Nathaniel’s chest as he carried the little girl.
"Thank you for coming here, Rudy, Lari," Nathaniel smiled as he stroked Lorianne’s back. To the child, he whispered, "Lorrie, say bye bye to Uncle Rudy and Aunt Lari. They’re going ho now."
Lorianne turned her head, drowsily staring at Ruediger and Lariette. Raising her hand, she waved at them, "Bye bye, Uncle Rudy, Aunt Lari. See you again."
"We’ll co to visit you again, Lorrie," Ruediger chuckled. He held back from reaching for Lorianne’s chubby cheeks.
After exchanging farewells with each other, Ruediger and Lariette walked out of the apartnt. Elsie reminded them to be careful driving at night, while Nathaniel joked about going to their residence next.
Walking down the hallway to the elevator, Ruediger asked, his voice hinting of tenderness, "Did you enjoy chatting with Elsie? Seed like she had a lot to talk about with you."
Lariette tilted her chin, smiling at Ruediger before saying jokingly, "I did! I think I’ve found soone I can gossip about you with."
"Excuse ?" Ruediger exclaid, pretending to be offended, "Are you digging into my embarrassing monts in the past? I’m sure Nate shared everything with her."
"Hehe, who knows?"
Lariette elaborated nothing more, but her beaming look earned more suspicions from Ruediger. She laughed when he suddenly hugged her sideways, her arm playfully smacking his
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