Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Newlyweds’ Bashful Smiles

The civil marriage between Lariette Elsher and Ruediger Alvord went smoothly. They were declared husband and wife soon after, thus legalizing their marital union.

Lariette decided to still go with her maiden name instead of taking Ruediger’s surname. Because they would only stay married for one year, she didn’t want the hassle of changing her records in the government office.

“Lari! Rudy! Congrats!”

A happy Madeline excitedly hugged Lariette before she did the same to Ruediger. Mr. Turner smiled in helplessness seeing how overjoyed the strawberry blond lady was as if she was the bride.

“Hehe, thank you, Maddie.”

Lariette laughed, her face beaming with delight. Her friend’s excitement amplified her joy.

Ruediger patted Madeline’s back, he asked teasingly, “Where’s our gift? Do you come here empty-handed?”

Putting both hands on her hips, Madeline declared, “Tomorrow night! Come to the cafe. Both of you have to. We’ll have a little reception there.”

“Wow~ Boss Maddie is the best!”

Lariette clapped her hands. The little blue gemstone on her wedding ring sparkled under the lights. She didn’t notice the subtle gaze from Ruediger’s emerald eyes as they lingered on her.

The merry ambiance of the group of four matched the other newlyweds at the courthouse.

No one would ever think the gentleman in the blue suit and the lady in the white dress were actually having a contractual marriage.

“Photo time! No matter what, you have to take photos!”

Madeline dragged Lariette along, pulling her friend away from Ruediger’s side. The crimson-haired man pretended to sigh before he and Mr. Turner followed the ladies.

A perfectly manicured garden surrounded the courthouse, adorned with blooming summer flowers and topiaries. The leaves rustled and the tips of the grasses danced with each blow of the breeze.

“En? Where’s Eddy?”

Looking behind her shoulders, Lariette only saw Mr. Turner. She knew Ruediger had walked alongside the attorney earlier.

“He’s getting something from his truck,” replied Mr. Turner, a chuckle escaping his lips, “Perhaps, a gift for his bride.”

Mr. Turner’s last remark dusted Lariette’s cheeks with a pink blush. Smiling shyly, she tucked a strand of her hair behind her right ear. The sapphire earrings glimmered under the sunlight.

Knowing Ruediger, he might really do it. Lariette felt bad for not thinking much about preparing a return gift for him. Contract marriage or not, he was her partner now.

“He’s here,” Madeline gestured in a direction, her hands holding her sleek smartphone, “Oh~ My cousin is being romantic.”

Lariette followed where Madeline’s gaze was. Her eyes widened once they landed on the tall figure in the blue suit.

Seeing Ruediger now brought up different feelings than the time they met outside the courthouse earlier. Lariette’s eyes zeroed in on the approaching gentleman.

Ruediger appeared effortlessly charming and striking in the light blue suit. The softness of the color brought up the deep tones of his crimson hair. His piercing emerald eyes seemed to only lock into hers.

When he stopped a few feet opposite her, Lariette finally realized Ruediger was hiding his hands behind his back. Blinking, she tilted her chin up, staring at his smiling countenance.

“Lettie, this is for you.”

Tenderness underlying Ruediger’s husky voice. He brought out a bouquet of tulips from behind, the pastel hues were reflected in Lariette’s widened eyes.

“…thank you, Eddy. I didn’t prepare anything for you.”

“You gave me a wedding ring,” Ruediger held his left hand, showing the band on his wedding finger, “Also, a bride shouldn’t do without flowers.”

Lariette bit her lower lip, her face bashful. Pulling her eyes from Ruediger’s face, she looked at the bouquet in his hands.

The velvety tulips reminded Lariette of the day Ruediger presented her one last week. That one had long wilted yet, she remembered it fondly because tulips were always her favorite.

“Hehe, thank you again.”

Bringing the bouquet to her lips, Lariette took in the very subtle scent of the tulips. The beauty of tulips lay more in their elegant shapes and vivid colors rather than their scent.

Unable to take his eyes off her, Ruediger smiled fondly. Happiness flooded in his heart, bringing along a sense of calmness.

“Come! Come! Photo time!”

Clapping her hands, Madeline’s voice pulled Lariette and Ruediger out of their trance. Mr. Turner chuckled at the sight of the newlyweds smiling bashfully.

“Where should we stand?” asked Lariette, almost stammering. She held the bouquet with both hands.

“Under that tree,” Madeline pointed to one of the trees adorning the yard, “The flower beds will look nice in the background.”

Ruediger and Lariette followed Madeline’s instructions while Mr. Turner simply watched from the sidelines. The newlyweds looked a little awkward when the self-appointed photographer tried to get them to pose more intimately.

“May I, Lettie?”

Ruediger’s whisper resonated in Lariette’s ears, his tone sounding cautious. He requested to put his hand on her waist, one of Madeline’s suggestions. The latter had taken few photos by now.

“You may.”

Lariette hoped her cheeks wouldn’t blush too much. Ruediger’s smile softened as he finally secured her waist in his arm.

Her back brushed the front of his abdomen, sensing the hard muscles of his sturdy chest. His tall body towered above hers.

Ruediger and Lariette stared at the phone camera, their lips tugging into smiles. The tulips bloomed vividly in the lady’s hands, resembling the secret passion in the gentleman’s heart.

Finally, the photo session ended. The group of four headed to the parking lot.

“You’re going to meet your grandpa, right?” asked Madeline once they reached Ruediger’s truck.

“Yes. I promise to have lunch with him,” replied Lariette, still holding the tulip bouquet, “We’ll stay there until tonight’s event.”

Chairman Delaney would join the Elsher family’s dinner. Lariette and Ruediger planned to follow the elderly man there by riding the latter’s truck, trailing behind the car driven by the chauffeur.

“You’ll be fine, Lari,” Madeline hugged Lariette, gently patting her friend’s back, “You have a knight beside you now. Use him well, okay?”

Lariette chuckled while Ruediger purposely widened his eyes, glaring at Madeline. The latter stuck out her tongue, unfazed by her cousin’s glowering.

“Lettie, close your eyes.”

Ruediger’s sudden instruction confused Lariette but, she still did as she was told.

Madeline’s chuckles slipped into her ears as if something fun was happening. Her friend guided her to a spot.

Lariette heard the sound of Ruediger opening the truck door. Her heart started beating rapidly. She couldn’t help but wonder if the man prepared another surprise.

“Lettie,” Ruediger’s voice reached Lariette, his tone brimming with tenderness, “You can open your eyes now.”

Unconsciously clenching her hands on the bouquet, Lariette slowly lifted her eyelids. A splash of colors greeted her sight, followed by a sweet floral scent lingering in the air.

Without Lariette expecting it at all, Ruediger filled the trunk with blooming roses and tulips. The petals in the colors light pink, yellow, white and red cast a sea of wonderful hues in her eyes.

Trying to suppress the happiness in his eyes, Ruediger stood by Lariette’s side, his gaze falling on her face.

“Happy Marriage Day, Lettie.”

Blinking, Lariette sensed tears pooling in her eyes. Her heart tightened before it expanded in the next second, flooding with warmth as Ruediger’s thoughtfulness moved her.

“Happy Marriage Day too, Eddy.”

Lariette’s lips bloomed into a smile, unknowingly capturing Ruediger’s heart all over again.