Ti seed to speed up after Nathaniel and Elsie’s wedding at the end of spring. The pair had gone on a two-week-long honeymoon right after their wedding.
Under the Faulkner and Winslow couples’ persuasion, the newlyweds didn’t bring Lorianne together. The little girl also kept pushing her parents to go on a trip just the two of them.
Ruediger told Lariette that the parents simply wanted to give Nathaniel and Elsie so alone ti. Fortunately, Lorianne was happy to stay with her grandparents.
The seasons in Velondia shifted as softly as the tide. Like how the chill of winter lted into blossoms in spring, spring too gave way to the warmth of sumr.
At the middle school where Lariette taught, the corridors and classrooms were abuzz with chatter. Final exams had just ended, and the students were both nervous and excited as they anticipated the long sumr break.
In the teachers’ lounge, Lariette leaned over a stack of exam papers. The soft hum of the AC helped to keep the heat at bay.
"Lari," Nora called teasingly, "You not gonna bring them ho?"
Lariette smiled faintly without lifting her gaze, "I’ll be done once I finish this set. Can’t afford to keep bringing them back."
Nora laughed, "The fate of poor teachers like us. I’ll be done with marking tomorrow, I guess."
Lariette chuckled softly, but her mind was elsewhere. She was thinking of the promise Ruediger had made two weeks ago as they talked about their sumr trip.
His voice was calm yet tinged with excitent as he suggested going to an island abroad. He had visited there before.
He said that the place was known for coral reefs and forests so lush that one might think they were in another world.
Amused by his description, she quickly agreed. She wanted to see the place where he had set foot and ventured on before.
Now, Lariette exhaled in quiet relief as she signed the last page.
Another term done. Another season began.
When sumr break officially started at the end of July, Lariette found herself busier than she thought.
Rather than flying off imdiately, Ruediger suggested they spend ti with Chairman Delaney first. They hadn’t visited him much when Lariette was too consud with the exam preparations.
Instead of coming and going from the apartnt, the pair stayed at the elderly man’s mansion for a few days. They shared tea and stories from morning to night.
Chairman Delaney was evidently happy to have Lariette and Ruediger accompany him. Declan, Rafael and Celina also ca to have a al with them one day.
It wasn’t until the second day of August that Ruediger finally brought Lariette to the island. They flew beyond the borders of Velondia, crossing over the sky for a few hours before they finally arrived at a tropical country.
"We need to board another plane," Ruediger patted the drowsy Lariette, "It’ll take thirty minutes."
She nodded, simply following his arrangent.
Like he said, they flew to a small airport on the island all the way from the major airport in the city.
Then, a local chauffeur ca to pick them up. He drove them through winding coastal roads frad by lush greenery and turquoise sea.
Lariette saw several hotels and other establishnts along the way. Tourists and locals alike road the streets and the sandy white beach.
When the car turned down a path leading through the jungle, leaving the hotels far behind, Lariette glanced at Ruediger in curiosity.
She asked, "Honey, are you sure this is the way? Are we camping?"
He only smiled, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, "You’ll see it soon, sweetheart."
And she did, after another ten minutes had passed.
The path opened to a clearing. Lariette saw a treehouse standing high among the sturdy branches of a giant tree. Several trees beyond also had similar cabins built on their limbs, all facing the sea.
The chauffeur stopped outside one of the treehouses. Once Lariette stepped outside, she looked at it with awe. The sultry heat of the island didn’t bother her.
The treehouse wasn’t the rustic type she had often seen. The elegant cabin was made from polished wood, with wide glass panels that reflected the blue sky and the ocean beyond.
A wooden walkway led up to the front deck, overlooking the endless sea. Lanterns and string lights hung from the branches. They would resemble floating stars once they were lit up at night.
Lariette’s bright eyes looked at Ruediger, "Eddy, this is..."
"Our ho here," he finished with a gentle smile, "We’ll stay here until next week. Co, let’s go upstairs."
The interior was just as breathtaking.
It had a spacious room with an open ceiling, able to be closed by just pushing a button. A king-sized bed was placed in the middle, accompanied by bedside tables and a closet.
The balcony faced the horizon, covered with sheer white curtains. The ocean was within their line of sight.
The treehouse was also equipped with everything. It had a small kitchen, a soaking tub near the window, and even a hammock hanging on the deck.
"It’s a part of a five-star hotel on this island," Ruediger explained as he switched on the AC, letting it burst cool air throughout the cabin, "We can still order room service if we want to, like als and other things."
"This is amazing!" Lariette ran across the room, looking out of the balcony. Then, she turned around, beaming, "Honey! You’re so great!"
This was beyond her imagination. She simply thought they would reside at any hotel, not an accommodation like this.
Ruediger watched her with amusent. He shrugged, then curled his lips into a lopsided grin. He strode forward, approaching her at the balcony. The sunlight cast a glow on her fra.
"Keep your praise coming," he leaned close, pulling her into his arms, "You can thank in bed or tub later too. Oh, did you pack new lingerie? How about sexy swimsuits?"
Huffing, she quickly pushed him away. They had just arrived, but his mind had already wandered there?
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