[Declan: Return my call]
[Declan: Please, Lari]
Lariette quietly read the texts from her eldest brother, wondering why Declan had been trying to call and message her as of late. It had been going on for two days.
Ignoring the texts, Lariette tossed her phone inside her handbag. The taxi she was riding finally pulled up by the curb, a few meters away from the main entrance of a mall.
"Thank you, mister."
Stepping out of the taxi, Lariette was welcomed by the cool gust of wind. She stared at the mall entryway, watching people coming and going through the automatic sliding doors.
"Oh... So many people already," uttered Lariette under her breath, "Well, it's summer break."
Today was Lariette and Ruediger's second date. She suggested meeting at Edenia Avenue, one of the most popular shopping complexes in Avaloria City.
The mall was around ten minutes from Celesta Villa, Madeline's apartment.
Despite being a Monday morning, the shopping complex was bustling with many crowds due to the ongoing summer break.
"Lettie!"
The familiar sound of Ruediger's deep and velvety voice caught Lariette's attention, echoing above the indistinctive chatters from the passersby. Turning to her right, she saw the man taking large strides, hurrying to her.
"Eddy..." Lariette chuckled in amusement, not expecting to meet him this soon, "When did you arrive? How long have you been waiting?"
Lariette and Ruediger agreed to meet in the main lobby at eleven in the morning. The clock had just struck a quarter to eleven, leaving another fifteen minutes before their meeting time.
Her sapphire eyes had a hint of delight as she looked at the young man, looking from head to toe. His outfit today was simple; a mint green shirt and a pair of long dark denim pants.
His wavy crimson hair was the striking part of his overall being, especially his signature messy bun behind his head. The glossy sheen of his hair caught the dazzling sunlight.
"I've just arrived," replied Ruediger, raising the right corner of his lips, his voice husky yet held tenderness, "Lettie, you look great today.",
Blinking, Lariette felt the heat emanating from her cheeks. Ruediger's praise sounded earnest but, she couldn't help but feel a little bashful.
"Thank you, Eddy. You look handsome too."
The light in Ruediger's eyes softened. He caught the hint of shyness in Lariette's voice.
Lariette wore a plain one-piece chiffon dress. The skirt's hem of the lilac attire hung just below her knees. Despite its simplicity, Ruediger would always see her as the most beautiful in his eyes.
"Should we head inside?" Ruediger gestured to the main entrance. Smiling, he offered his broad right palm to Lariette, "What do you say about us holding hands, my bride-to-be?"
Stunned, Lariette blankly stared at the smiling Ruediger before her eyes shifted to his palm. Another soft flush heated her cheeks.
Receiving no immediate response from Lariette wavered Ruediger's composure but, he didn't put his palm down. He saw the slight uncertainty in her sapphire eyes yet, the adorable blush on her cheeks told him that she was not apprehensive about the idea.
"Okay, my groom-to-be."
Lariette smiled shyly, slowly extending her left hand to Ruediger's right one. His long fingers gently wrapped around her delicate hand.
"Let's go, Lettie."
"En."
Ruediger and Lariette finally headed toward the main entrance where cascading green vines framed the glass panels, assuming the position of a pair of lovers going on a date.
"Where should we go first? Do you have any specific store to visit?" asked Ruediger as they walked under the high-ceiling archway where sunlight flooded in.
"Oh, let's go to Annelle Style. It's on the first floor."
"Okay."
Lariette glanced from Ruediger's side profile to their linking hands. His calloused yet warm hand firmly secured hers, giving off a solid and reassuring vibe.
'This is good. It'll help us to appear close.'
Lariette anticipated this coming Friday. Aside from registering their marriage, she would bring Ruediger to meet Chairman Delaney before heading to the Elsher family home.
Hah! They wanted her to bring a husband, weren't they? She would absolutely do that.
Lariette and Ruediger spent quite some time at Annelle Style, one of her favorite boutiques. The brand was fairly new but, its simple yet elegant style caught her fondness.
Aside from the sales assistants, Lariette and Ruediger were the only ones inside. They took their time browsing the store.
"Didn't you say you wanna get a new suit?" asked Lariette without looking at Ruediger as she analyzed the dresses before her, "Where should we go? Let me buy it for you."
A throaty and low chuckle escaped Ruediger's lips. Grinning, his emerald eyes fell on Lariette's side profile, watching her browsing the dresses hanging on the racks.
"I'll take the offer if you let me pay for your dress."
"...en?"
Lariette looked up from the rack, her eyes landing on Ruediger's smiling countenance. He stood right opposite her with one arm draping on the steel rack while putting his other hand deep inside his denim pocket.
Blinking, Lariette realized how closed they were. Ruediger's familiar mint fragrance lingered on the tip of her nose.
"Are you saying we should have an exchange?"
"Yup," Ruediger raised his right brow. A hint of playfulness twinkled in his emerald eyes, "Or, would you rather we do it when buying rings?"
Shaking her head out of helplessness, Lariette chuckled. She managed to persuade Ruediger to let her—only herself—pay for their wedding rings.
"Alright. Let's do that."
Ruediger raised the right corner of his lips. Lariette couldn't hold herself back from giggling at the sight of his playful countenance.
"Have you decided on which dress? Should we go look in other stores too?"
From following and focusing on Lariette closely, Ruediger guessed that she wasn't looking for a real wedding dress. She simply wanted to get a new and pretty outfit for their marriage registration day.
"Hehe, I think this dress is nice enough," replied Lariette, taking one of the dresses hanging on the rack, "What do you... argh!"
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Wide-eyed in surprise, Lariette stared bewilderedly at the angry figure of Ruediger whose emerald eyes were locked in another direction – to a woman.
And... Lariette knew full well who that woman was.
She was Amber Anderson, one of Stephanie's lackeys.
"Hurt! You're hurting me!" exclaimed Amber, hissing at Ruediger, "Do you have no manners?"
"Right back to you," shot Ruediger, his husky voice lacing with frost, "Do you have no manners? You tried to snatch this dress from someone else."
Lariette had just taken the dress off the rack when Amber emerged out of nowhere, abruptly extending her hand to grab the hanger.
Noticing Amber's sudden appearance, Ruediger swiftly grabbed her hand, catching both Lariette and Amber off guard. The stunned sales assistants stared at them.
"Huh! The dress isn't yours yet!" yelled Amber, yanking her hand from Ruediger's clasp, "I can do whatever I want. Do you know who I am? You can't afford to offend me!"
Before Ruediger could answer Amber, Lariette finally spoke, her voice cold.
"You? Aren't you one of Stephanie's ass-kissers?"
A pin-drop silence shrouded the boutique. Lariette's insult to Amber reached everyone nearby.
"W-what? What did you say?"
Once the scornful remark settled into her mind, Amber shouted back. Her whole face flushed in embarrassment and rage.
Shrugging, Lariette said disinterestedly, "Didn't you ask if we know who you are? I only remember you because you keep running after her, dying to be her servant."
"Pfft! Hahaha!"
Ruediger burst out laughing, splashing a deeper shade of red on Amber's face.