Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 136

Chapter 136: The Lasting Imprint of Her Love
After dinner, the five of them moved to the lounge on the first floor. The scenic canvas of the night sky was perfectly visible through the large windows.

Lariette and Andrea talked about their shared interest in food and fashion while Ruediger played chess with Russell, watched by Nathaniel. The ambiance was mellow and peaceful.

“Rudy, have you shown Lari around the garden?” Andrea turned to look from Lariette to Ruediger, lightly asking him, “I’ll bring your wife outside to do that if you haven’t.”

Ruediger lifted his eyes from the chessboard, his crimson fringes swayed gently on his forehead. Hearing the words ‘your wife’ spoken by Andrea softened his gaze.

“I haven’t. Aunt Andrea, I know you wanna chat more with Lari. Feel free.”

Ruediger’s teasing remarks earned laughter from Andrea. Russell and Nathaniel glanced at the lady, seeing the obvious delight on her face.

“Come, Lari. Let me show you the garden,” Andrea rose from the touch, beckoning at Lariette to follow her, “Let’s leave these men with their game.”

Lariette chuckled, also rising to her feet, “Okay, Aunt Andrea.”

Ruediger silently watched Lariette’s figure disappear alongside Andrea outside the lounge. Their footsteps echoed gently in the hallway, eventually fading into nothingness.

“Keep your eyes on the board,” Nathaniel chimed, also smacking his friend’s back, “She won’t go anywhere else.”

Ruediger narrowed his eyes, shooting Nathaniel a look. Russell burst out laughing as he understood what his son meant.

“Your aunt is just so excited to meet your wife,” Russell raised his brows, joining Nathaniel in teasing Ruediger, “She has been waiting since we heard of your marriage.”

“I’m thankful that you and Aunt Andrea welcomed her well,” said Ruediger. Sensing the heat swirling from his cheeks, he could only hope that the blush wasn’t too clear.

Russell exhaled a soft sigh, his lips smiling, “We’ve seen how happier you look, Rudy. That’s all that matters.”

Nathaniel nodded, sharing the same view as his father. Ruediger smiled at them, gratitude was evident in his eyes.

As the men were busy socializing in the lounge, the ladies had already stepped into the garden. The cool gentle breeze, carrying the scents of lavender and salt, welcomed them.

Andrea led Lariette down a stone pathway, their steps unhurried as they admired the blooms. The lavender and hibiscus danced gracefully in the breeze, their hues glowed faintly under the soft moonlight.

“I heard Nate planted the flowers himself,” Lariette tore her gaze away from the lavender, looking at Andrea by her side, “Does he like gardening?”

Lariette was in awe once she heard Ruediger sharing the info about Nathaniel. She could tell how well-maintained the garden was.

Even though Nathaniel had private gardeners doing the upkeep, knowing he invested time and energy to plant the lavender and hibiscus by himself was deeply admirable.

Andrea curled up her lips but, her smile was faint. She stopped by a flourishing patch of lavender. Lifting her right hand, she gently grazed the delicate purple blossoms.

“He didn’t particularly enjoy or dislike gardening,” Andrea said, her voice carrying a touch of sorrow, “He started planting these as a way to cope with his loss. His lover loved lavender.”

Lariette blinked, not expecting Andrea to bring up the subject. She believed it was a rather personal issue to Nathaniel even though Ruediger briefly told her just earlier.

“…Eddy told me about Elsie,” Lariette replied, a little cautious, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to probe. I saw their photos when I looked around the villa.”

“It’s nothing to apologize for. You’re Rudy’s wife now, Lari. They’re like brothers,” Andrea looked at Lariette, her countenance softening, “It’s not weird if Rudy told you about Elsie.”

Within the short moment, Lariette couldn’t help but think Andrea also missed the lady named Elsie. She wondered what led to Nathaniel’s separation from her.

Sighing, Andrea inhaled the floral air. She smiled wistfully. The glow of the garden lights was reflected in her warm gaze.

“They’ve known each other longer than us. My husband and I know he still waits for her. It’s sad to see him like that but, we won’t force him to forget her.”

Unsure of what she should say, Lariette let Andrea’s words blend with the gentle rustling of the leaves and the distant murmur of waves. It was a heavy subject to touch on.

Lariette parted her lips, began speaking after a period of silence.

“I might not know Elsie personally but… perhaps, her love for Nate leaves a lasting imprint because she means so much to him.”

Blinking, Lariette laughed nervously. She just realized the meaning behind her words, “Sorry, I stated what’s already obvious.”

Andrea chuckled, looking visibly more relaxed than earlier, “Why are you sorry again? Well, that’s indeed the truth. She was with him when he was at his lowest. I’m glad that my son had Elsie when he thought he had no one before.”

Lariette immediately assumed Andrea was talking about the period when Nathaniel and Elsie lived in the same orphanage. Ruediger mentioned it once before.

No one truly knew what they experienced back then.

“I made some lavender soaps with these flowers, also candles,” Andrea suddenly changed the subject, hoping to lighten the atmosphere, “I’ll give some for you. Just the scent alone is divine.”

Lariette quickly nodded, relieved by the shift of topic, “I’d love that. Thank you, Aunt Andrea.”

The two ladies resumed walking, taking their time to admire the flowers and the scenic view of the expansive sea beyond the cliffs. Their voices echoed softly in the garden.

At a quarter before ten, Ruediger and Lariette finally bid farewell to Andrea, Russell and Nathaniel.

As promised, the lady received a pack of handmade lavender soap and candles from the middle-aged lady. She also got dried lavender buds and hibiscus petals.

“Thank you for having us tonight,” Lariette bowed slightly at the three people, evidently joyful.

“Let’s meet again,” Andrea smiled warmingly. Russell by her side nodded eagerly, showing his approval, “Come and visit us if Rudy brings you to Norvonna later.”

“I’ll surely do that,” Ruediger chuckled, knowing Andrea was being hopeful, “Thank you for tonight. See you again, Aunt Andrea and Uncle Russell.”

“Be careful on the road.”

“Bye bye.”

Lariette waved at the husband and wife while Ruediger exchanged a look with Nathaniel. They climbed inside the truck as the family of three watched them.

As Andrea’s gaze followed the truck’s bright taillights, she said, her voice carrying fondness, “Lari is a good lady. Your old mom here is glad to see Rudy has such a wife.”

“She is,” Nathaniel chimed, agreeing with Andrea. Shifting his brown eyes from the fading taillights, he looked at his mother, “Rudy is happy too.”

After getting inside the villa, Nathaniel went to his home study while Andrea and Russell headed to theirs. The night was still relatively early but, the husband and wife were already tired.

Nathaniel made himself comfortable on the couch. Putting on his round-rimmed glasses, he grabbed the tablet sitting on the coffee table.

“…en?”

Nathaniel was browsing the news page when he noticed a notification of an unread e-mail. The tablet was only for his personal use, nothing about work was in there.

Nathaniel simply thought it was a newsletter he subscribed to using his personal e-mail. Only… it was not a newsletter or even an ad.

“This… can’t be…”

Surprised, Nathaniel’s eyes widened. He stared at the sender’s name and e-mail address.

Both were familiar to him but, he hadn’t seen them in over five years.

Swallowing, Nathaniel tapped on the unread e-mail. He realized his fingers were shaking as his heart beat rapidly against his chest.

It was sent via Elsie’s old e-mail address!

Within a second, the e-mail was clearly displayed on the screen.

[Hello, Niel.

It has been years. I want to ask. May I meet you?]

The e-mail was very short but… enough to shake Nathaniel to the core.

She was back?