"Mr. Hayes, please co in."
Lariette opened the door once Damien was dragged away by the guards, inviting Mr. Hayes inside. Her gleeful countenance upon witnessing the trashy man’s humiliating exit replaced the previous worry.
"Good morning, Ms. Elsher," greeted Mr. Hayes upon seeing Lariette. His eyes wandered to the crimson-haired man standing by the lady, "Is this gentleman your husband?"
Mr. Hayes noticed Lariette bringing up her husband during their phone call. He found a new addition under the young lady’s residential records when briefly checking them earlier.
"Yes, this is my husband," Lariette nodded softly, gesturing at Ruediger, "Ruediger Alvord. We’ve just gotten married."
"Oh! Congratulations!"
Ruediger let out soft chuckles. He reached out a hand, offering to shake hands with Mr. Hayes, "Hello, Mr. Hayes. Thank you for your swift action just now. You’ve helped us."
"Hello, Mr. Alvord. I’m just glad we settled the disturbance without much trouble."
The two n shook hands before Lariette reminded them to step inside the apartnt. Mr. Hayes hurriedly followed the lady while Ruediger closed the door.
Slipping his feet out of the shoes, Mr. Hayes wore the ho slippers placed at the entryway. Lariette gestured at him, telling the middle-aged man to sit in the living room.
Ruediger went to the kitchen, intending to bring at least a cup of tea out for Mr. Hayes. His tall figure swiftly disappeared behind the wall separating the kitchen and the hallway.
"Excuse ..." Mr. Hayes lifted one hand, sounding a little hesitant, "How should I address you now?"
Lariette chuckled, understanding why Mr. Hayes asked such a question. He was simply being polite.
"You may call Mrs. Alvord."
It would be best if she got used to the change of address. Plus, her parents would be annoyed every ti they heard other people calling her that.
"Yes, Mrs. Alvord."
Lariette remained seated in the living room. She brought up the issue related to Damien as she hoped this kind of matter wouldn’t occur again.
"That man is Damien Schuman, he’s my ex. This is his first ti coming to see here but, I hope this will be the last. May I ask you to check how did he sneak into this building?"
"As if said before, we broke up because he cheated on . I have to tell you this because he has twisted the story and slandered my husband and before."
Lariette didn’t want to air out her personal affairs but, she also refused to let Damien sar her and Ruediger’s nas. Telling Mr. Hayes, the apartnt manager was still acceptable.
"We’re terribly sorry, Mrs. Alvord," said Mr. Hayes, even bowing his head slightly at Lariette, "We’ll thoroughly check this issue. We don’t want anything like this to happen again, including to the other residents."
Mr. Hayes was actually horrified once he learned about soone sneaking past the security of Lumina Spring. This matter could end badly if the trespasser committed a grave cri against the residents.
"I know you understand the danger behind such action, Mr. Hayes," Lariette softened her voice, relief to see Mr. Hayes sharing the sa sentint as her.
Mr. Hayes nodded repeatedly, still inwardly aghast by the situation, "Yes, yes. I’ll make sure to deliver a satisfactory resolution to you."
Ruediger returned with a small tray of a tea cup. The conversation between Lariette and Mr. Hayes reached his ears.
No one knew his heart did a few sorsaults upon hearing her wanting to be addressed as Mrs. Alvord.
A light tint of pink added colors to Ruediger’s cheeks, including the tips of his ears. He silently told himself off for thinking like a boy having his crush return his feelings.
Cough.
"Please have so tea before you leave, Mr. Hayes," said Ruediger. Bending down slightly, he placed the cup on the coffee table, right opposite Mr. Hayes.
Mr. Hayes smiled faintly, "Thank you, Mr. Alvord."
Ruediger placed the tray on the side table by the two-seater couch occupied by Lariette.
Sitting next to her, his erald eyes gazed at the lady before a tiny smile was carved on his lips. She returned his smile with one of her own.
Mr. Hayes quietly stared at Lariette and Ruediger while drinking the tea. He rembered she lived in this apartnt for so ti before moving out. Despite being left vacant, she refused to rent the unit.
The apartnt manager recalled that Lariette had just started living in the apartnt again. She asked for the necessary permission to grant the movers access to this building less than one week ago.
’Perhaps she returns here to live with her husband. They make such a good and pretty couple.’
Mr. Hayes wouldn’t bother himself with the residents’ personal lives as long as they didn’t disturb the community’s peace. He also appreciated how calm the newlyweds were when dealing with the man surnad Schuman.
Before leaving the apartnt, once again Mr. Hayes promised Lariette about investigating how Damien gained entry into the building. She thanked him while wishing him to have a good weekend.
Lariette and Ruediger returned to the dining table after sending Mr. Hayes off. She took a scoop of the yogurt she had to abandon for a mont because of Damien’s sudden arrival.
"The matter might be simple but, I just hope the managent will be more alert with the security. It could end badly."
Ruediger nodded, agreeing with Lariette. He had heard and read enough about people, especially males — stalking and threatening their exes when the breakup went wrong.
And...
Most won didn’t live to tell the tale.
Ruediger couldn’t help but feel a little goosebumps. He recalled the day he went to et Lariette at the hospital.
Seeing Damien try to assault Lariette was enough to send Ruiediger on a rampage. Fortunately, he possessed greater patience to restrain himself from doing sothing that would ruin himself.
Parting his lips, Ruediger said without looking at Lariette, "He won’t be able to bother you again."
"...pardon?"
Lariette blinked, thinking sothing was amiss from Ruediger’s exceptionally low tone. She almost couldn’t catch the words spoken by him.
Ruediger lifted his chin, trying to suppress the boiling anger within him—directed to Damien.
"Don’t worry about him, Lettie," Ruediger softened his voice before repeating, "He won’t be able to bother you again."
Harming you? He would drop to hell first.
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