Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: The Boy She Befriended Decades Ago
Chairman Delaney and Madeline didn’t bring up the traumatizing event that happened to Lariette yesterday, to which she was grateful. They, alongside Ruediger, exchanged mundane chatters as they enjoyed the sea breeze.

The bright atmosphere at Chairman Delaney’s villa contrasted with the tense and gloomy one at the Elsher family’s.

After over one hour of staying in the yard, Chairman Delaney began to look drowsy. He usually took a short nap in the afternoon.

“Grandpa, you should head back inside,” Lariette gently patted Chairman Delaney’s arm, seeing the sleepy look on the elderly man’s face, “We can chat again later.”

“I’ll bring you to your room, Grandpa,” Madeline offered herself to escort Chairman Delaney. She rose to her feet, looking at the old man, “We better go now before Lari starts nagging.”

Madeline’s last remark earned laughter from Chairman Delaney, followed by Lariette and Ruediger. The merry echoes harmonized with the gentle lapping of the waves nearby.

“Let’s have dinner together later,” said Chairman Delaney smilingly at Lariette, the eyes beneath his drooping eyelids exuded warmth for her, “This old man here is glad to see you’re better.”

The curve on Lariette’s lips softened. Leaning closer to Chairman Delaney, she wrapped her arms around the elderly man’s shoulders. Her grandfather’s familiar warmth seeped into her heart.

“Rest well, Grandpa,” Lariette whispered, her tone hinting at a smile, “And, thank you again.”

Chairman Delaney replied by returning Lariette’s hug. His broad and calloused, wrinkly palms which were weathered by the years, gently rubbed his granddaughter’s back.

As Madeline escorted Chairman Delaney away from the yard, Lariette and Ruediger were left alone behind. He moved from his original seat to the one occupied by the elderly man.

“Sleepy again?” asked Ruediger teasingly. His crimson fringes were caught in the breeze, gently tousled on his forehead.

“I’ve slept too much,” Lariette chuckled, looking at Ruediger beside him, “Still, the wind feels nice. I might fall asleep if I stay here.”

“You can use my shoulder as a pillow,” replied Ruediger without missing a beat. He raised his left palm, patting his right shoulder, “Don’t worry. I won’t charge you.”

“Oh? How generous are you?”

Lariette shook her head, amused by Ruediger’s remark. Glancing in a direction, she pointed to a swing standing under a tree.

“Let’s move there.”

Ruediger agreed quickly, “Sure.”

The husband and wife left the pavilion, heading to the swing. The wrought-iron swing was placed facing the beach. The vast blue ocean, scarce from any visitors, was clearly visible from the swing.

Sitting comfortably on the plush cushion of the swing, Lariette tilted her chin up, staring at the extended branches of the tree. The packed, rustling leaves provided a great shade against the dazzling sun.

“This tree is way shorter than the one I climbed yesterday,” Lariette mused, recalling the time she was forced to hide among the branches yesterday, “Hehe, I should climb this one later.”

Ruediger blinked slowly, his eyes gazing at Lariette’s side profile before moving to the leaves. He was reminded of the question he wished to ask her[01].

Despite knowing how strong Lariette was compared to one’s assumption, Ruediger was reluctant to bring up the issue.

Still…

With his gaze remaining on her, Ruediger asked, his tone cautious, “I wonder… why did you hide on the tree branch?”

Lariette tore her eyes away from the leaves, staring at Ruediger. Looking into his emerald eyes, she inwardly thought she saw curiosity in them, entwined with concern.

“You didn’t expect to find me on a tree?” asked Lariette, her tone lacing with chuckles.

“Kind of,” Ruediger nodded once. Shaking his head, he added, “I’m sorry. I do not mean to make you remember what happened yesterday.”

“It’s fine,” Lariette smiled. She reached for Ruediger’s arm, gently patting it, “Actually, I thought to hide in the cave but, the tide was rising. Any other places seemed unreliable.”

Ruediger’s eyes briefly wandered to Lariette’s hand on his arm before he returned his gaze to her. She seemed oblivious to the minute movement of his eyes.

“I was afraid they would find me if I just hid between the bushes,” said Lariette, her voice remaining calm, “I was lucky I got to climb the tree even when it’s slippery.”

Ruediger quietly assessed Lariette’s countenance, finding no traces of fear from yesterday’s event. Exhaling a sigh, he raised the hand not being touched by her, raking his fingers through his crimson locks.

“Thank goodness you didn’t slip or anything. You did well, Lettie,” Ruediger smiled despite feeling how faint it was, “Those men weren’t sharp-minded or anything. They wouldn’t think to check on the trees.”

Ruediger’s remarks earned laughter from Lariette. Taking her hand away from his arm, she grasped the soft cotton skirt covering her thighs to her knees.

Smiling to herself, Lariette recalled the flash of memories she had when she was hiding on the tree branch.

They came like a fleeting light but, enough to remind her of her long forgotten childhood days.

“I hadn’t climbed a tree much once I was older but, I did it often when I was a child and a teenager. Hehe, all because of someone.”

Ruediger blinked, his heart suspended for a moment. Without him realizing it, he unconsciously grasped the hem of his shirt with one hand, the veins popping on its back.

Lariette resumed without realizing the change in Ruediger’s countenance.

“Back when I still lived in the village with my grandma, I mean, my adoptive grandmother, I befriended this boy for a short time. I was very small, maybe around five to six years old.”

Throwing her gaze to the ocean, Lariette continued talking. As she spoke of her childhood memories, her tone softened, carrying a hint of longing.

“I don’t remember much, not even his face or name but, I remember how I loved climbing the tree with him. It was just…”

Lariette sighed softly. A faint trace of guilt laced on her smiling lips.

“If I’m not mistaken, he usually hid on the tree because his parents always beat him. I thought he did it for fun. I guess I was still too young to understand. Still, he was kind enough to let me join him.”

Lariette paused, trying to remember the distant memories with more clarity. The fond feelings of playing together with the boy remained yet, unfortunately, she couldn’t recall much.

His young, always smiling face had faded in her memories.

“You said you were friends with him for a short time. What happened?”

Ruediger’s voice lured Lariette out of her trance. Her gaze remained on the glimmering surface of the ocean.

“Something happened one day. His mother… I heard his father killed her. That boy barely escaped. He disappeared from that day on.”

Lariette heaved a sigh, feeling the weight of the abrupt separation despite it happened decades ago.

“I tried asking about him but, my grandma brought me to live somewhere else so, until now I don’t know what happened to him.”

Ruediger held back from saying anything. He didn’t trust himself much at this moment. He only kept his ears open, wondering if Lariette still had anything to say.

Indeed, she had.

“I hope, wherever he is now, he no longer lives a life of fear.”

The world was vast. His life shouldn’t be confined only to the tree branch as he gazed far into the distance, wishing for his freedom.

Lariette let the blue, luminous ocean be reflected in her sapphire eyes. Without her realizing it, Ruediger’s emerald eyes had hints of red.

———-

Reference:

1 – Chapter 106