Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Dinner by the Terrace
Once Ruediger and Lariette wore the home slippers, Nathaniel spoke. His voice echoed in the entryway.

“Rudy, you should show Lari around the house,” Nathaniel glanced at Ruediger, his brown eyes darting from his friend to Lariette, “And bring her to the terrace in ten minutes. We’ll have dinner there.”

Understanding that Nathaniel wanted to serve the dishes first, Ruediger nodded. Andrea and Russell also encouraged him to familiarize Lariette with the villa.

“Come, Lettie.”

Lariette smiled at Nathaniel and his parents before following Ruediger. The crimson-haired man led her away from the entrance, heading down the hallway.

The lovely scent of lavender drifted in the air. Lariette saw vases of the purple flowers in different parts of the villa. She quietly trailed after Ruediger.

“Nate lives here alone with Tristan,” Ruediger began speaking, his husky voice low as he briefly looked at Lariette, “Oh, Tristan isn’t here tonight. He went out with his college friends.”

Lariette knew Tristan acted as a housekeeper here but, only when he was not busy with studies. Ruediger said Nathaniel simply felt better if Tristan was also here instead of hiring other people.

Both Nathaniel and Ruediger had known Tristan for years because the young man’s parents worked at Russell and Andrea’s main residence.

“This is one of the lounges. Sometimes, I’ll play chess with Nate here.”

Ruediger showed Lariette the rooms on the first floor, from the lounge to the next place. His relaxed movements showed how familiar he was with the villa.

“The view is so pretty from here,” Lariette commented when she and Ruediger walked past the floor-to-ceiling windows, “It’s far from the busy city life too.”

“It’s indeed peaceful,” Ruediger nodded, agreeing with Lariette.

Through the windows, they saw the evening had settled into a comfortable twilight. The last remnants of sunset had faded into the deep blue of night.

“…”

Lariette’s steps faltered when her eyes spotted something on a console table on their way to the terrace. Ruediger paused, noticing where her attention went to.

Photo frames. They showed the same pictures on the wall near the kitchen[01].

“That’s Nate when he was a bit younger,” Ruediger said, his voice calm as he stood by Lariette’s side, “The lady beside him is Elsie.”

Blinking, Lariette stared at the photos. She recognized the man as Nathaniel. He indeed looked younger, most likely in his early twenties.

In all of them, Nathaniel’s countenance was soft as he hugged the beautiful lady by his side. Her blond locks shimmered under the sun, her green eyes warm and full of life.

“She was his lover, right?” Lariette asked, unable to contain her curiosity. Tearing her eyes away from the photos, she looked at Ruediger.

“She was his girlfriend. They met in the same orphanage,” Ruediger smiled faintly, his gaze locking onto Lariette’s curious one, “In fact, she’s still the only woman in his heart.”

The slight melancholy in Ruediger’s voice stopped Lariette from asking further. Various scenarios were immediately conjured in her mind, even the worst one.

As if he realized where her thoughts had wandered, Ruediger quickly added, “Elsie is still alive. But, we don’t know where she is. Their story is quite complicated.”

“Ah… Sorry. I don’t mean to think that she’s…”

Unable to finish her sentence, Lariette smiled apologetically. Ruediger lightly shook his head, the curves of his lips softening.

“No need to feel sorry, Lettie. I’ll tell you some other time,” Ruediger said, hoping to reassure Lariette, “Let’s go to the terrace.”

“Okay.”

Lariette glanced at the photos one more time before she resumed walking, following Ruediger. Still, her mind was still stuck to Nathaniel and the lady named Elsie.

Lariette was aware that Nathaniel was among the most sought after bachelors in high society but, she also knew he was known not to mingle with his admirers.

It turned out, the man had his own, most likely heartbreaking love story.

“Lari, Rudy, here!”

Nathaniel’s voice echoed from the terrace once Ruediger and Lariette walked past the open French doors. Andrea and Russell were already there, also beckoning at them with warm smiles.

The sweet scent of lavender blended with the salty breeze. The alluring scents of the home-cooked dishes also wafted in the air.

“Everything looks delicious,” Ruediger commented as he swept his gaze over the dining table, “Aunt Andrea, did Nate help you in the kitchen?”

“Hehe, I even dragged your Uncle Russell to help as well,” Andrea laughed, her face beaming, “I made my special terrine ice cream for dessert. Let’s have dinner first. Lari, please sit.”

Lariette nodded. Her smile had a hint of bashfulness. She seated herself next to Ruediger, facing Andrea and Nathaniel while Russell sat at the head of the table.

As the five of them began dining, they shared chatter and laughter. The distant echoes of the waves crashing against the cliffs added a soothing rhythm to the ambiance.

Andrea and Russell included Lariette in the conversations. Fortunately, they didn’t ask much about her relationship with Ruediger.

Lariette occasionally threw her gaze to the surrounding view. The terrace overlooked the sprawling garden of lavender and hibiscus. The hanging lanterns from the wooden poles cast a soft, golden glow over the yard.

“Rudy,” Russell called Ruediger after swallowing one bite of his food, “Won’t you bring Lari to Norvonna? You should show her Havenshire at least.”

Hearing her name being mentioned by Russell too, Lariette briefly looked at the chairman of Faulkner Investment before her eyes wandering to Ruediger. He glanced at her, flashing one of his bright smiles.

“Maybe someday. I’d love to bring Lettie on a tour there too,” arching his brows, Ruediger directed the next remark to Lariette, “Only if she’s up to it.”

Ruediger’s words elicited laughter from Lariette. She answered merrily, “Sure. I’d love to see where you and Maddie used to live before.”

Madeline often talked about her life in Norvonna. The country was as beautiful as Velondia but, had a different kind of charm.

“We’ll plan it later,” Ruediger replied simply but, the joy on his face clearly evident.

After dinner, Nathaniel headed to the kitchen, bringing along the raspberry and dark chocolate ice cream terrine made by Andrea.

“Lettie, dig in,” Ruediger placed one plate of the ice cream slice before Lariette, encouraging her to try the dessert, “Aunt Andrea’s ice cream terrine is divine, to say the least.”

Ruediger’s choice of words amused Lariette. Picking up her dessert spoon, she scooped some of the ice cream before eating it. Her eyes widened as soon as the frozen dessert touched her taste buds.

“This is so good, Aunt Andrea,” exclaimed Lariette, her eyes falling on Andrea’s face. Giggles spilled from her mouth as she said, “I don’t mind another slice or two of this.”

“Hahaha! Feel free to do so,” Andrea laughed along, happy to hear Lariette’s remark, “Russell and Nate aren’t fans of sweet desserts. Usually, Rudy and Tristan finish them.”

“How can I decline?” Ruediger arched his brows, his tone languid, “It’ll be my loss.”

“Hahaha!”

More laughter echoed from the terrace, the sound blending with the echoes of the waves in the surroundings.

This was the first time Lariette met Andrea and Russell but, she could safely say she looked forward to their next meeting.

———-

Reference:

1 – Chapter 16