Sipping a cup of tea, Lariette’s fond gaze fell on Ruediger and Chairman Delaney in front of her. The two n were currently engaged in a battle on the chessboard.
Lariette and Ruediger were welcod warmly by Chairman Delaney who anticipated their arrival. Once they stepped into the house, the silver-haired old man asked Ruediger if he was skilled in chess.
The young man readily accepted the elderly man’s challenge, much to the latter’s delight.
The three of them gathered in Chairman Delaney’s favorite lounge. The sun was high up in the sky as the ti approached noon.
As Lariette was enjoying the tea and an array of fluffy pastries, Ruediger and Chairman Delaney’s attention was on the board ga.
’I never think they’ll get along this well. Grandpa only plays chess with the people he’s comfortable with.’
The thought crossed Lariette’s mind, followed by a smile lighting her face. She couldn’t help but continue watching Chairman Delaney and Ruediger’s ga of chess.
Chess was among Chairman Delaney’s hobbies. The elderly man was quite picky about his opponent. He rarely asked anyone he was not pleased with to play with him — for example, Damien.
Damien used to invite Chairman Delaney for a ga or two of chess but, the elderly n always turned him down without much thought.
Lariette rembered how annoyingly sulky Damien could be after receiving rejection after rejection from her maternal grandfather.
’Well, it’s great that Grandpa and Eddy can get along.’
Lariette reached for a mini hazelnut eclair. Upon taking one bite, she couldn’t help but think of the pastries Ruediger had made for her these past few days.
’His skills are comparable with Grandpa’s private chef.’
As Lariette munched the eclair, her eyes returned to Chairman Delaney and Ruediger.
Both of the n were mostly silent, only talking occasionally as they focused on their strategies. The click of the chess pieces being moved echoed faintly in the lounge.
Chairman Delaney’s sharp eyes that belied his age studied the board intently when Ruediger placed his rook strategically.
"Grandpa, you’re testing ," uttered Ruediger, his voice had a hint of a smile, "You’re quite an opponent."
Chairman Delaney chuckled, the sound deep and weathered, before he responded, "Haven’t you heard, young man? A hard test reveals one’s character. Hurm... Let see how well you fare under pressure."
The elderly man moved a knight forward, his eyes glinting with challenge and joy. The young man let out faint laughter, agreeing with the forr.
Despite only eting each other for the first ti a few days ago, Ruediger and Chairman Delaney were already on a nickna basis. They expressed no awkwardness as they interacted.
Lariette was glad about this tiny change between Chairman Delaney and Ruediger, especially coming from the elderly man. This ant her grandfather was willing to take the man under his wings.
Taking a sip of her tea, Lariette mused, "I didn’t know that Eddy could play chess well. Grandpa, I unknowingly picked soone who can be your chess rival."
Chairman Delaney smirked without taking his eyes off the board, "I’d expect no less from the man you chose to marry, my dear. Even though you know what."
Lariette and Ruediger glanced at one another before laughing together. The rry echo of their harmonized chuckles drew a deeper smile on Chairman Delaney’s wrinkly lips.
"Well... I think we have the winner now," said Ruediger confidently as he moved his queen.
Chairman Delaney lifted his brows, realizing he had been cornered by Ruediger. Exhaling a soft sigh, he conceded defeat with a knowing nod, "My grandson-in-law is impressive. This old man lost but, proud."
Leaning back, Ruediger smiled with pride glinting in his erald eyes, "Thank you, Grandpa. It’s an honor to battle with you. Shall we play another round?"
"Of course!"
Chairman Delaney’s eagerness lured more laughter from Lariette’s mouth. Shaking her head in helplessness, she reached for another pastry.
She would never say no to having more sweets and blissful monts.
At lunchti, Chairman Delaney, and Ruediger had a hearty al each while Lariette only drank so soup. She was still full from all the sweet and fluffy pastries she had earlier.
"Lari, as we planned, you and Eddy will go to the island with . Maddie as well. All three of you will stay with too."
Chairman Delaney brought up the trip to the private island for Stephanie and Matthias’ wedding this Thursday. This was the new arrangent after Lariette openly went against the Elsher family.
Lariette, Ruediger and Madeline would et Chairman Delaney and his entourage at the jetty around nine in the morning. From there, they would travel by yacht.
"Thank you so much, Grandpa," Lariette smiled softly, grateful for her maternal grandfather’s understanding, "We’ll impose on you on those few days."
"Yes. Thank you for having us," Ruediger nodded, agreeing with Lariette. He was also aware of the arrangent.
When Lariette and Damien were still together, the plan was for them to ride the yacht with the Elsher family and stay with them.
As for Chairman Delaney, his accommodation was his favorite beachfront villa. The elderly man didn’t have the intention to have any of the relatives and friends stay with him.
Now that Lariette and the Elsher family were in a huge conflict, Chairman Delaney offered her and Ruediger a room in the villa. He tried to make the trip pleasant for them.
One could easily predict how stressful Lariette could be if she and Ruediger had to stay near the Elsher family.
"Impose on how? I’m just happy to have my granddaughter and grandson-in-law with ," Chairman Delaney waved one hand off, a smile plastering on his face, "You should show Eddy around the island later, Lari."
"Hehe, okay."
Lariette didn’t care about the wedding at all but, Chairman Delaney’s words fueled her excitent. She also couldn’t wait to lead Ruediger on a tour of the island.
Also, her birthday would be on this coming Friday. Lariette wished to celebrate it with her grandfather, Madeline and Ruediger.
’Should we have a picnic? But, that day is the wedding day.’
Stephanie and Matthias’ wedding was on Friday. The bride-to-be would have her own grand birthday celebration at midnight. Lariette didn’t plan to attend the party.
’Never mind. I’ll think about it later. A simple picnic the day after is good too.’
The most important thing for Lariette was to have her loved ones around. She didn’t mind not having a lavish celebration like Stephanie.
The three people resud eating and chatting. Their voices echoed in the dining room, lacing with laughter.
Chairman Delaney happily shared about the new plants he nurtured recently. Ruediger and Lariette were more than pleased to entertain the elderly man.
"Grandpa, will you take a nap?" asked Lariette once they finished lunch, "Let escort you to your room."
Chairman Delaney often had a shut-eye after having lunch. He didn’t nap for long, at most for half an hour.
"Let’s go to my office first," Chairman Delaney raised his brows, his eyes darting from Lariette to Ruediger, "It’s finally ti to hand it to you."
The one thing Lariette had been refusing until she acknowledged her ownership recently.
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