Chapter 428: Thank You For Living Well
His answer was, "I’ve thought of it, but... It might look pretentious."
She burst out laughing, not expecting him to think like that after several times going above and beyond with his surprises.
"Laugh all you want," he said with a helpless tone, but was still tinged with indulgence, "But let’s go upstairs. Aren’t you tired, sweetheart?"
"Hehe, let’s go home!"
Lariette swiftly climbed down the truck, running around it before pulling Ruediger away. He had to restrain her for a moment just to lock the door. Then, she dragged him to the elevator.
Along the way to their apartment, Lariette happily teased Ruediger. She chuckled when he pinched her cheek while wearing an aggrieved look, as if she was bullying him.
"Look! Who is it?" she responded by squeezing his face too, her eyes gleaming with delight, "Oh! Someone with many super secret identities!"
"Lettie," he sighed, his lips upturned, "Keep laughing like this. Won’t you laugh when sleeping later?"
"Hehe, I can’t! It’s funny somehow."
Lariette laughed again. When the elevator reached their floor, she quickly dragged him to the door. Her short and his tall shadows overlapped on the glossy flooring.
By the time they stepped inside the apartment, the snow started falling again outside. A flurry of snowflakes drifted to the balcony, leaving white marks on the railing, strings of fairy lights and other decorations.
"Eddy, why don’t we—"
He cut off the rest of her words.
After closing the door, Ruediger easily grasped the back of Lariette’s head before pushing her to the wall. She instinctively reached for his waist when he swallowed the rest of her words with another heated kiss.
Then...
What followed over the next few hours left her thoroughly exhausted that she no longer had the energy to laugh.
Lariette could barely crack an eye open when Ruediger carried her back to bed after bathing her. The sight of his satisfied look made her pout. She lifted her hand and once again pinched his cheek.
Her glare enticed him to laugh. He carefully laid her on the bed, his lips found their way to her forehead before skimming over her lips.
"Don’t look as if I’ve bullied you," he crooned, his voice laced with a trace of laziness and indulgence, "You’re quite aggressive tonight, my love."
He couldn’t deny that he enjoyed her taking more initiative in bed. He had even tried to encourage her with different tricks.
Feeling the heat emanating from her face, Lariette cleared her throat. She pulled Ruediger to sit on the bed while saying coyly, "My waist hurts. Give me a massage."
He chuckled, "Anything my sweetheart wants."
Lariette lay over her tummy as Ruediger began to knead her waist down to her calves. His massage had never failed to soothe her tensed muscles.
Ahem, it would be even better if he didn’t try to seduce her again. He brazenly kissed her back, exposed by the silk nightdress’ low back style.
His action only left more marks on her skin. She was comforted by the idea of wearing her favorite turtleneck sweater tomorrow. Fortunately, it was winter, not the sweltering summer.
"Be serious," she slapped his arm, only to have her knuckles kissed by him.
"I’m being serious," he chuckled.
Lariette ignored Ruediger, too sleepy to argue further. As he slowly drifted to sleep, a thought crossed her mind. She murmured, wanting to say it before she forgot.
"Eddy... Thank you for living well... and coming back to me."
Her sincere words inadvertently made him pause, catching him in a trance. They sounded so soft, yet able to penetrate deep into his heart that was blazing with his love for her.
When he returned to his senses, she had already fallen asleep. Her soft breathing echoed in the bedroom.
Smiling, he leaned down before gently pressing his lips on her temple. Her familiar scent tickled the tip of his nose.
"I’m the one who should thank you," he whispered, "And I’ll always come back to you."
As long as she wanted him in her life, he would proudly stand by her side. If not, he could only watch her from afar.
That night, Lariette and Ruediger had a pleasant time sleeping. They didn’t have to hurry to the airport because they purposely booked tickets in the afternoon.
He had asked her before, asking whether she would like to ride a private jet, but she quickly turned it down. Unless it was necessary, such as when no tickets were available, there was no need for it.
He relented, canceling the thought of renting one.
The phantom billionaire Mr. R didn’t own a private jet. Even if Ruediger traveled by flight, at most, he made himself comfortable in business or first-class seats.
At noon, the pair got ready to head to the airport. A cab was already waiting for them downstairs. They had one wheeled suitcase each, carrying some clothes and gifts for their loved ones.
While wearing boots, Lariette glanced outside and remarked, "The weather’s quite clear. The forecast said it should be the same in the north."
Ruediger took the wheeled suitcase from her hand. He understood her concern, "Hopefully, the weather won’t change."
As they walked to the lobby, she said, "I’ve promised to take you around, en? The Christmas market. Also, do you want to visit Amberwood?"
Before, she was eager to show him how majestic the winter wonderland in the north was. Now, she wondered if he would like to visit the place where their paths began to intersect.
He turned to look at her, finding how clear and bright her eyes were. He smiled indulgently, "I’d love to. No matter what, that’s where we first met."
The place held his bad memories, but also beautiful ones.
When darkness and the loss of hope trapped him, her companionship made him still eager for the light.
Lariette chuckled, and then squeezed his hand, "Let’s enjoy our first winter holiday well."
Ruediger returned the gesture, "And the more to come."