No matter how many times Samantha tried calling or messaging Larriete, her attempts were futile. The young lady's attention was fully on setting up her contract marriage with Ruediger.
"Lari, you're going to meet Rudy tomorrow, right?"
Lariette peeled her eyes away from the dart board hung on the wall, looking at Madeline who had just appeared from the kitchen. The latter held a bowl of green grapes.
"I'll meet him at noon," Lariette reached for the grapes, popping one into her mouth, "Well, it's our first date but, we'll finalize our terms tomorrow."
Ruediger told Lariette to be at Willow Brook Lake Park on Saturday noon. The lake park was one of Avaloria City's attractions. It was twenty minutes away from Madeline's apartment.
Madeline sat cross-legged on the couch, her reddish blond waves cascading as she tilted her head. She openly stared at Lariette who kept throwing darts at the board, her precision was deadly accurate.
Wow... If only her friend would throw those pointy darts at her cheating ex's tiny dick.
Stifling her laughter, Madeline said, "I didn't expect this is how your marriage will be."
"I didn't too," replied Lariette followed by chuckles. Returning Madeline's gaze, she said, "I know you're worried, Maddie. Fret not. I'll just enjoy having a husband."
Madeline clicked her tongue. Tapping her chin, she uttered, "Should I look for a husband too? It sounds fun. But..."
Lariette arched her brows, wondering what made Madeline hesitant. She fiddled with the next dart.
"Lari," Madeline lowered her voice, her voice cautious, "Must you and Rudy stay married for one year? Why not make it into six months or something?"
Madeline was genuinely shocked when Lariette announced the contract marriage period was one year. She thought it was too long considering her friend started this out of whim.
"I better be a divorcee in one year instead of six months," replied Lariette laughingly, "It's fine. I don't plan to go into the dating scene so soon. I'll treat it as having a handsome roommate."
Well, that handsome roommate surely welcomed this one-year-long contract.
Madeline bit her lower lip, refraining from spilling what was in her mind to Lariette. She knew full well how excited Ruediger was with the arrangement.
As someone close to both of them, she earnestly prayed everything would be well.
Finally, Saturday arrived.
Lariette spent the morning lazying in bed before forcing herself to wake up. She was alone in the apartment. Madeline had already gone to Suit & Tie.
After tidying around the apartment, Lariette got ready for her first date with Ruediger. She opted for a sleeveless white tank top, pairing it with a loose pink button-down shirt and a knee-length denim skirt.
Lariette stood opposite the full-length mirror, tying a knot using the bottoms of her shirt. She applied light makeup earlier after braiding her long hair with a pink ribbon. The satin stripe interlaced with her pleats.
"Okay. I'm ready!"
Grabbing her sling bag, Lariette hurried to the door. She called for a taxi instead of driving herself there. If she was in a relaxing mood, she would choose the subway.
'The weather is nice. It's a good day to be out.'
Lariette was glad there was no Stephanie or even Damien waiting to ambush her in the lobby. She didn't want any of them to ruin her mood.
Summers in Avaloria City ranged from long sunny days with occasional heatwaves and thunderstorms. More white clouds blanketed the sky today, shielding the city from the scorching heat of the sun.
"Eh?"
While sitting in the backseat, Lariette scrolled the news page. She was surprised to see Schuman Group being mentioned in one of the front-page articles.
[Faulkner Investment Warns Schuman Group For Fraud Allegations]
Schuman Group was founded and chaired by Damien's father. The company was already well-established but, its reputation and financial standing were still below the Elsher Group.
'Well, at least this will keep him busy.'
Lariette hoped this trouble with investors was enough to keep Damien away from her.
The cheating scumbag didn't pester her much like usual, most likely due to this issue.
Lariette arrived at the lake park ten minutes before noon. As she walked on the paved walkways, the soles of her sneakers crunched on the fallen leaves and gravel.
'Where is he?'
Ruediger informed Lariette that he would be waiting at the east of the park, near the lake. Sweeping her gaze around, she took in her surroundings.
The midday sun had come out from its hiding behind the clouds, casting a warm hue over the tranquil lake park, leaving shimmers on the surface of the lake.
"Oh, there he is."
Lariette quickened her pace as soon as she spotted Ruediger, only to halt in her tracks once she realized what he was doing. Tilting her head, she quietly looked at the man's side profile.
Dressed in casual clothes, Ruediger sat on a stool opposite a portable stove with a griller on the side. The nearby trees provided shade to him.
The sunlight filtered through the rustling leaves, gleaming on Ruediger's wavy red wine hair. As usual, he tied his hair into a messy bun. The loose strands lightly touched his nape.
Ruediger stirred the pot on the portable stove before he flipped the meats on the griller. Their savory aromas drifted in the air, reaching Lariette who remained frozen.
'He's cooking here... really?'
Lariette didn't expect to see Ruediger cooking. She thought they would have a simple date here, not including cooking while having a picnic.
Shaking her head, Lariette resumed her walk. Her sapphire eyes were still on Ruediger's relaxed stance.
There was nothing awkward in his movements, reminding her of the time she saw him arranging flowers two days ago.
"He's really something else," murmured Lariette.
As Lariette approached the area, her eyes never strayed away from Ruediger despite being surrounded by the majestic scenery of the lake part. Her red lips curled into a soft smile.
"Mr. Alvord."
Ruediger lifted his eyes from the pot, turning to look at Lariette. She was already standing nearby. Her cheery countenance drew a smile on his lips.
"How long have you arrived? Oh, you can sit here or at the table. I'll done cooking soon."
Lariette opted to sit on the folding chair near Ruediger. She cast her gaze on the pot and the griller. Their heat could be sensed from this distance.
"So, our first date is cooking while on a picnic?" asked Lariette, glancing at Ruediger before looking at the griller and the pot again, "You look experienced. Do you camp a lot?"
"Whenever I feel like it," Ruediger checked the meat strips and chicken breast on the griller. He moved them to a clean plate, "Maddie said you have no allergy and enjoy most flavors. I hope you don't mind my cooking."
"I won't! They all look so delicious! Here, let me help."
Lariette placed the plates of meat and vegetables on the folding table under a tree. The alluring smell easily caught her appetite.
"The soup's done."
Ruediger scooped the soup into a huge bowl before putting it on the center of the table. He returned to the portable kitchen to grill some bread.
"Should we eat or talk first?" asked Ruediger once he moved the chair to the table. He smiled languidly at Lariette sitting opposite him, "Which one is your pick, milady?"
"Eating!" Lariette patted her tummy, her lips widening into a smile, "Lucky, I only had a sandwich this morning. I'm hungry already."
Soft chuckles escaped Ruediger's lips. He was glad to see the comfort shown in how Lariette interacting with him now. She was less formal with him already.
"Then, enjoy your food."
"Hehe, thank you."
Lariette chose to savor the soup first before having it with the grilled bread. Holding the small bowl, she slowly ate it from the spoon.
''Isn't this...'
Blinking, Lariette looked up from the bowl to Ruediger. He was slicing the juicy grilled meat into tiny bites.
"Mr. Alvord, I have something to ask."
Ruediger raised his brows, letting his emerald eyes lock into Lariette's sapphire ones, "Yes?"
"You... Were you the one who cooked the meals Maddie brought to me? In the hospital and her apartment?"
The taste of this sweet potato and zucchini soup was similar to the one she had this week.
Under Lariette's curious gaze, Ruediger's smile deepened.
"Yes. It's me."