Chapter 424: The Day He Confessed to Her
The drive to the park where Renato’s cafe was took over an hour due to bad traffic. As they left the graveyard, the snowfall had turned lighter, but the roads were still slippery.
Like any other place, the park was covered in white. Ruediger and Lariette walked slowly on the cobbledstone pathways, now layered with snow.
"Oh, Renato went all out with Christmas decor."
"I still remember last year. He bragged about the star topper his niece made."
From a distance, they saw the cafe’s tall windows glowed warmly against the pale gray sky. Snowflakes drifted lazily down, some of them clinging to the holiday decoration outside the cafe.
Ruediger reached out a hand, pushing the door open before holding it so Lariette could step in first. The bell above the door jingled merrily as the waft of spiced apples, roasted chestnuts and freshly brewed coffee greeted them.
Inside, almost half of the tables were occupied. Being the weekend, the patrons leisurely enjoyed lunch with their companions.
A waiter greeted Lariette and Ruediger. He took their coats to store them away while they dined.
Renato spotted the pair immediately. Delighted, the laugh lines etched deeply into his face moved along. He rushed to them while wiping his hands on a small towel.
"Rudy and Lari! Look who finally decided to stop by!"
"Why? Would you have cooked a feast if I did?" Ruediger teased, shaking the man’s hand firmly.
"Absolutely! I’d stuff you and your wife with a feast," Renato rolled his eyes with mock offense. He turned to Lariette, smiling warmly, "Good to see you again, Lari. You look as bright as the snow outside."
Lariette chuckled, cheeks pink from the cold, "Good to see you too, Renato. The decor is so pretty. You’ve put so many thoughts into it."
She spoke the truth. Strings of garlands and ornaments draped from the ceiling. A tall Christmas tree stood near the counter, decorated with ribbons and a star topper.
"Sit, sit," Renato urged, guiding the pair toward a cozy corner table near the window, "It’s lunchtime. I’ll bring you the holiday specials. It’s on the house today, no arguments."
Ruediger frowned, "Renato—"
"I accept no arguments," Renato cut in, wagging a finger at him, "Well, just consider it my Christmas gift to you both."
Ruediger exhaled a sigh, giving up the fight because Renato meant well. Lariette laughed softly. The pair didn’t wait long for the food to be served.
Renato pushed a three-tiered food cart to their table, having a steaming plate of roast turkey breast with cranberry glaze, bowls of creamy chestnut soup and small side dishes.
Renato also put a basket of warm, buttery bread rolls on the table, followed by two glasses of mulled cider. The fragrance of cinnamon and cloves wafted in the air.
Lariette smiled, her eyes gleaming with delight, "Everything looks incredible."
"Because it is," Renato said proudly, "Enjoy the meal. Call me if you need anything else."
After the middle-aged man left, Ruediger carved a piece of turkey before putting it onto Lariette’s plate first. He smiled, "Try it."
Once she took a bite, her eyes lighting up, "Eddy! This is amazing."
Ruediger chuckled when Lariette forked another piece. But instead of eating it herself, she brought it to his lips. His lips melted into another smile before biting the turkey.
"Yeah, it’s amazing. Try the chestnut soup too."
"Hehe, okay. Hey, have these spiced carrots."
As the pair ate, they also looked out the window, which gave them a perfect view of the snow-covered park.
Children ran about in puffy coats while throwing snowballs. Couples strolled hand-in-hand along the paths. They were bathed in the glow of the street lamps that had already lit on because of the dark, overcast sky.
To commemorate the holidays, various light sculptures were set up to decorate the park. Lariette saw a family pose for photos by a glowing reindeer.
"The whole city’s in a Christmas mood," she murmured.
Ruediger glanced out the window, and then back at her, "The light show is quite similar to the one back then, remember?"
Lariette beamed, "Of course! It’s the day you confessed to me."
The man said nothing, but the blush on his cheeks told her that he clearly remembered[01]. Her face warmed upon recalling the particular night that changed the course of their relationship.
"Sweetheart," Ruediger smiled ever so softly, "Shall we go to the maze garden next?"
Lariette nodded, "Sure."
The maze garden, the very place where he laid his heart bare to her. Now that they had come to this park again, she wouldn’t say no to visiting it along the way.
After finishing their meal, Lariette and Ruediger got up to leave. Before that, they thanked Renato and wished him well for the holidays, though Ruediger still muttered about paying next time.
"See you after the New Year!"
"Bye! Merry Christmas!"
Lariette and Ruediger bundled back into their coats, scarves and gloves. The cold wind bit their cheeks the moment they stepped outside, but the lively atmosphere of the park drew them in.
Children’s voices ran high as they rolled giant snowballs to make snowmen. Couples strolled close together, holding coffee cups or thermoses. Friends and families snapped photos of the white wonderland.
Everything was immersed in the holiday vibe, not caring about the cold at all.
Lariette leaned close to Ruediger, her voice tingeing with laughter, "They’re so cheerful. I might hum carols next."
Laughing, he glanced down at her, "Do it. Don’t just say it."
She chuckled, her breath casting soft fogs in the air, "Hey, you’re the singer, not me. You still want me to sing?"
Her singing voice was just so-so, unlike a certain someone.
Raising his brows, mischief flickered in Ruediger’s eyes. He bent down before nibbling her cold earlobe, his breath warm, "No need. Just call my name more in bed."
Lariette’s cheeks flushed red, and not from the cold. Ruediger burst out laughing once he saw her glaring at him.
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Reference:
1 - 259 and onwards