Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Do You See a Glimpse of Us Together?
Lariette’s eyes flung open, stunned by Ruediger’s confession. His words, which had already vanished by the breeze, still rang clearly in her mind.

“I have feelings for you.”

Lariette blinked, slowed and dazed, as her gaze remained on Ruediger. She noticed how his lips seemed to quiver as a look of anxiousness flashed across his face. His emerald eyes gleamed under the lights, carrying the same traces of uneasiness.

Ruediger was indeed anxious. He witnessed the moment Lariette’s eyes widened in surprise, followed by confusion flickering in them.

‘I have shocked her, right? Did I… scare her too?’

Inhaling a deep breath, Ruediger forced himself to speak. He couldn’t bear the silence that abruptly surrounded them. He held his gaze on her steady, hoping to present his resolve to Lariette.

“I wanted to keep my feelings hidden until we got much closer than now. But the lines become more blurry to me. I decided to be honest because I’m afraid my actions will make you think I’m leading you on.”

He was aware of the little changes in how he treated her as of late. His desire to hold her in his arms grew deeper the more time they spent together.

He wished to hold her hands and feel her soft palm graze on his coarse one.

He wished to lay on a picnic mat with her and let the breeze gently caress them.

He wished to exchange lovers’ prattle with her and hear laughter bubbling up her lips.

He wished to do so many things with her, to experience more happiness and endure sorrow together.

Seeing the same stunned look on Lariette’s face, Ruediger felt his heart sink into the pit. He lowered his gaze, unable to continue looking at her.

Ruediger’s confession still robbed Lariette of her words. She unconsciously clenched her skirt. Something swelled in her heart, leaving it trembling as she hadn’t found her voice back.

Until she saw him looking away.

“Eddy.”

Lariette whispered, her voice soft. Unclenching her hands, she reached out for Ruediger’s, enveloping her much smaller palms on the back of his bigger hands.

She sensed him shiver under her touch before he lifted his gaze, looking into her eyes again.

Lariette carefully took in the uneasiness painted on Ruediger’s face. She smiled in relief when he let her continue holding his hands.

‘He looks… so nervous.’

The Ruediger Alvord in Lariette’s mind was someone laidback, but always brimming with unwavering confidence. He believed in himself and knew his worth. The rare times he showed his weakness like during Chairman Alvord’s unwanted appearance.

Was this man, whose eyes flickering with uncertainty and fear, the same person?

Ruediger breathed shallowly as he fought the urge to look away from Lariette again. He reminded himself of his resolve to face this issue without cowering.

Once again, Ruediger lowered his gaze, but only to stare at his hands which were held by Lariette. He gently took them out of her grasp before enveloping her hands in his.

“Lettie,” Ruediger began, “I’ve liked you long before I met you at the hospital. I know I’ve surprised you tonight, and I apologize for hiding my intentions until now.”

The wind picked up, ruffling through his locks and carrying his words away. Still, each of his heartfelt words reached her clearly.

He liked her far longer before they met for the first time, really?

She had just weighed her feelings for him when he revealed his heart to her.

Was this a sign or a blessing? How should she face this?

Lariette took a moment to gather her thoughts. Ruediger’s confession still left a lingering surprise to her, but it did not stir anything repulsive in her heart.

Lariette squeezed Ruediger’s hands, hoping to alleviate the concern he tried masking from being evident on his countenance. The lines and curves of his hands seemed comfortingly familiar to her.

This confession came out of nowhere despite her noticing the changes in their daily interaction. Or perhaps, she unconsciously turned her eyes blind for fear of shattering this newly found peace.

Nevertheless, no matter how unprepared she was, Lariette decided to face Ruediger with her head held high. Nothing good would come out if she turned her back and ran away.

“Eddy, I haven’t known you much in these three months, but I believe you won’t confess to me if you’re unsure about your feelings. But us living together, it drives you to tell me, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” Ruediger nodded, his voice firmer, “I won’t entertain any thoughts if I’m not certain about my feelings for you. And yes, us living together, and the closeness between us now drive me to be honest with you.”

Lariette tilted her head. She liked to hear how unwavering Ruediger sounded as he explained more about his feelings and thoughts to her.

Seeing the soft smile on Lariette’s lips and the absence of any disgust, Ruediger knew he shouldn’t stop here. He hadn’t verbalized everything in his heart yet.

The glimmering light in her sapphire eyes reminded him of the deep ocean when it caught the moonlight. The sight of it helped to soothe the lurking storm beneath his calm exterior.

“Lettie, I know you’ve just gotten out of a relationship. I’m also aware of the short time you have known me so far, but I still want to ask you this question.”

When Ruediger paused, Lariette sensed his hands trembling in hers. Once again, she squeezed them, hoping to soothe the turmoil he tried hiding in his heart.

After a brief moment of silence, Ruediger’s voice echoed again in the stillness of the maze garden. Lariette unconsciously softened her smile the moment she heard his question.

“Lettie, if you ever see a glimpse of us being together romantically in the future, will you allow me to pursue you?”

The autumn breeze howled past them, drifting Ruediger’s earnest confession until it vanished in the air. But each of his words still resonated with Lariette’s heart.

Under her calm gaze, his heart pounded heavily against his ribs. He swore he could hear each beat until it rang loudly in his mind.

“Eddy.”

Slightly startled, Ruediger blurted, “Yes?”

Soft chuckles slipped from Lariette’s lips. She asked softly, “Can I touch you?”

Ruediger’s eyes widened, mirroring the surprise in his heart which gave a quiet, startled leap. For a moment, he was too speechless to say anything, leading him to nod.

Lariette held back from laughing. Without looking away from Ruediger’s emerald eyes, she took one hand out of his grasp before lifting it slowly, until her palm lay on one side of his face.

Lariette traced her fingertips on Ruediger’s face, her own heart beating rapidly. He was tensed under her touch, just like when she did the same earlier this afternoon, but his nerves seemed to loosen gradually.

“Eddy, do you want to hear what my thoughts are?”

Ruediger exhaled a sigh, followed by a nod, “Yes. You can be honest with me, Lettie. You don’t have to spare my feelings.”

Ruediger had been prepared for all possibilities, including the ones that would break his heart. Nevertheless, he didn’t want Lariette to lie to herself just because she didn’t want to disappoint him.

What would her answer be?