Chapter 417: Season It With Rosemary
The early snowfall lingered for days, dusting the city in white and frosting the apartment windows with a festive glow.
As the vehicles moved slowly on the icy roads, the passersby still walked in a rush, trying to escape the cold. The beautiful snow quickly turned into muddy waters.
While Lariette truly enjoyed the first snowfall, she couldn’t help but think otherwise as the brand new week began. The sight of snow drifting past her classroom windows was more like a taunt than a gift.
Why? Because her work as a teacher didn’t magically pause for winter.
But it was alright! Winter break was getting nearer and nearer. Freedom was very closely approaching!
The week after the first snowfall was quite a blur. All of the teachers rushed to be done with grading papers, including students’ performance evaluations and end-of-term reports.
Each evening, Lariette left school exhausted, and each evening Ruediger waited for her outside the school gates. Then, he welcomed her back with a warm meal and a hot drink.
They chatted while eating, exchanging even the mundane details of their lives. Then, the pair would cuddle on the couch.
The entire apartment had been embellished with Christmas decorations. The pouty angel stood proudly on the tree. They hadn’t put any Christmas presents under the tree, waiting for the right time.
"I feel like my brain has been roasted," she complained one night, leaning against him as they sat on the couch, "Thank goodness, it’s already Thursday. And I’m done with everything."
The grading and the evaluations, she had completed them all!
Lariette didn’t simply anticipate the weekend’s arrival because she wanted to rest. An event on the weekend awaited her.
Madeline would host a winter party at her butler cafe this Saturday. Both Lariette and Ruediger had promised her to come in the evening.
It would truly be magical!
A winter party this Saturday, while next Saturday was the early Christmas dinner that Lariette and Ruediger had planned. They invited quite a number of people.
Aside from Chairman Delaney, Madeline and Nathaniel’s family of three, they also invited Edmund, Declan, Rafael and Celina.
This would be Lariette’s first time meeting Edmund. She was quite intrigued about the man whom Ruediger trusted enough to be the frontman of his business empire.
At the same time, Lariette extended an invitation to her two estranged brothers, including Celina. They would come with Chairman Delaney.
Ruediger smirked as he rubbed Lariette’s right arm. She said it ached more today.
"At least season it with rosemary. Your brain will taste better that way. Or how about with honey too?"
Tilting her chin up, Lariette glared, her lips pouting, "Eddy."
"Yes?" he feigned innocence, but his eyes flickered with the evident mischief, "Why? Aren’t I telling the truth?"
"Not that," her pout quickly changed into a grin, "Kiss me."
He chuckled, "It’s my pleasure."
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, before his lips slowly moved down to her eyes, nose, cheeks and finally landed on her lips. When he released her lips, she was still clinging to him like a koala, her legs wrapping around his waist.
"Anything else to say, my love?" Ruediger crooned, eyes droopy as he smiled lazily. One of his hands traced a circle on Lariette’s back while the other supported her waist.
Giggles spilled from Lariette’s lips as she rested her head on Ruediger’s shoulder, both arms looping around his neck, "Nothing. I’m just so happy."
Warmth rippled in his chest upon catching the sincerity in her voice. He smiled gently before hugging her tighter, as if he wanted them to merge into one.
"I’m happy too," he replied, short but brimming with his earnest feelings, "Very happy."
Neither of them needed to explain how much they cherished this happiness. They lay in silence on the couch while relishing each other’s presence.
By Saturday evening, Lariette and Ruediger braced the cold to go to Suit & Tie. Madeline had been waiting for their arrival. The party began at three in the afternoon and was scheduled to end at eleven.
The butler cafe, normally a cozy spot with vintage lights and photography on the walls, had been transformed into a miniature winter wonderland.
Garlands framed the windows, and wreaths hung on the doors and strings of warm golden fairy lights crisscrossed the ceiling. A huge Christmas tree stood tall in a corner, perfect for a photo backdrop.
Lariette wore a cream sweater dress and boots, paired with a thick coat and a scarf looped around her neck. Her cheeks flushed with the cold as she and Ruediger walked in.
His beloved, of course, looked efforlessly sharp in a charcoal coat and black turtleneck. His crimson locks were slightly tousled by the breeze.
"Finally!" Madeline exclaimed once she spotted her cousin and best friend, rushing forward in a burgundy dress, "I’ve been waiting! What took you so long?"
"Hehe, we still made it," Lariette laughed while hugging Madeline, "Everything’s gorgeous."
"Don’t nag," Ruediger pretended to flick his cousin’s forehead, "So, shouldn’t you serve us with your best dishes, dear host?"
Madeline humphed, "No sincerity at all!"
Still, Madeline led Lariette and Ruediger to a table, already reserved for the pair. Not long after, the waiters, dressed in dapper winter-themed suits, served them food.
The evening was filled with chatter, clinking glasses and laughter. Aside from the regular customers, Madeline had also invited her friends and acquaintances.
"Which game should we try first?" asked Lariette while sipping her hot tea. She was halfway through the meal.
Ruediger scanned the game areas, a smirk hanging on his lips, "Sweetheart, why don’t you use your strength on that Whack-a-Mole? Oh, I was mistaken. They’re elves, not moles."
Fluttering her eyes innocently, Lariette answered coyly, "I’m sorry, honey. I’m so delicate. I can’t play such a game."
Ruediger clicked his tongue, "Seems like I played baseball with a ghost the other day. She— Ouch!"
Lariette humphed. She quickly retreated her feet after kicking Ruediger’s. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled them playing baseball in the nearby playground a few days ago.
Why... Just why did she slip and fall on her bum twice?