Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 267

Chapter 267: Are You Boasting Now?
The sun had risen higher in the sky, illuminating the city in its bright light as its citizens began wandering around. The wind howled, carrying along the earthy scent of fallen leaves.

The rays poured into the apartment through the sliding glass doors, casting shimmers on the ceramic vases and polished floor, and bathing the two figures on the pink couch.

Ruediger and Lariette stayed in the same position. One of his arms encircled her waist as she leaned comfortably against him. The lingering awkwardness from earlier eventually vanished.

Under her request, the man excitedly showed her more of his digital art pieces, some dated a few years ago. His happy chatter echoed in the living room, laced with her questions and their shared laughter.

“This one… I recreated the drawing from high school to see the differences.”

“Oh, I just learned shading when I drew this.”

“I sketched the road outside the cafe near our home. Maddie and Aunt Felicia liked their peach strudels.”

Lariette looked from one image to the next. She suddenly exclaimed after Ruediger swiped to the next illustration, “Oh! This chibi is so cute!”

The image displayed two adorable chibi drawings of a mother and a daughter. They had a picnic by a lake where white swans glided on the surface.

“When I was in high school, Aunt Felicia brought Maddie and me to a picnic,” Ruediger chuckled, evident joy glimmering in his eyes, “I drew this a few years ago when I saw the old photos.”

Lariette tilted her chin up, catching the way Ruediger’s countenance softened as he brought up Madeline and Felicia. The fondness in his voice was unmistakable, the same tone she had heard whenever he mentioned the mother and daughter.

Compared to Ruediger’s estranged father and younger brother, Madeline and Felicia were more of a family to him. They took him in when no one else in the huge Alvord family did.

Lariette wondered when would Felicia visit Velondia. She hadn’t met Madeline’s mother since early spring this year. The older lady was too preoccupied with her business there.

‘Maybe she’ll come soon. Or we can go and visit her there.’

The thought sneaked into Lariette’s mind. She still remembered Ruediger saying he would like to bring her to visit the place he lived with Madeline and Felicia in Norvonna before.

‘We have Sports Day soon. Then, the harvest festival. Maybe we can have a quick visit in December? Oh, I forgot Halloween too.’

Blinking, Lariette inwardly shook the thoughts away. She didn’t realize her mind wandered somewhere else just because Ruediger showed her a drawing of Madeline and Felicia.

“Eddy, why weren’t you here?” Lariette returned her gaze to the tablet screen, looking for a trace of a chibi Ruediger, “You only drew Maddie and Aunt Felicia, huh?”

Chibis Madeline and Felicia, a few white swans, a vibrant-colored park with blooming flowers, clouds, a smiley sun, and…

“Eddy! Don’t tell me! Did you only draw the top of your head?”

Stunned, Lariette pointed a finger to the bottom left of the drawing, right on something round in the color red. Upon a closer look, she saw a few strokes resembling strands of hair on it.

Lariette felt Ruediger froze. Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, she glanced at him whose expression showed an awkward smile.

“You did, right?”

Ruediger coughed, followed by awkward laughter, “Haha… I forgot to add myself. Maddie pointed it out right before I was done with it, so… Well, you can say that’s me.”

“Eddy! How could you forget to draw yourself?”

“Hehe, it just happened, okay?”

Lariette shook her head, a helpless smile curled on her lips. Ruediger was still laughing, seemingly amused by the short story he just told her. Their gazes were locked onto each other, and they saw the gentle curves of their eyes as they exchanged smiles.

“I wanna see them again.”

Taking the tablet from Ruediger, Lariette held it with both hands. She swiped from one image to the next, taking her time admiring the digital art crafted by the men.

Seeing how Lariette focused on the illustrations, Ruediger chuckled softly. He glanced at his hands which were now hanging awkwardly around her.

Ruediger blinked. Thinking back to what Lariette mentioned earlier, he slowly encircled her waist, finding a place for his arms around her. His heart thumped quicker as he couldn’t help but brace for a rejection.

But she did not.

Ruediger smiled in relief when Lariette simply leaned more toward him instead of moving away. Still, the rapid beating of his heart hadn’t returned to its usual rhythm.

‘Wow… I can feel his heart beating so quickly. Is he that nervous?’

Lariette’s lips twitched as she held back from teasing Ruediger. She could tell that he was still being cautious, but his actions were better than earlier.

Ruediger’s heartfelt confession from last night still lingered in Lariette’s mind. Because of it, she had so many things she wanted to ask him. But instead of worrying about them, she had decided to enjoy the moment.

Everything had its own time and place. There was no need to hurry.

“Lettie?”

Ruediger’s voice rang by Lariette’s ear, his warm breath fanning her neck. She turned her chin, smiling at him whose lips never failed to give her one.

“Yes?”

Ruediger shook his head, the fringes above his emerald eyes swayed slightly. A dust of blush colored his cheeks, “Nothing. I just want to call you.”

Lariette almost heaved an amused sigh. She reached for Ruediger’s right cheek, gently pinching it. She laughed when he said nothing, only smiling.

Well, it seemed like she could see more of him blushing now. Just thinking how it contrasted with his rugged features amused her.

Narrowing her eyes, Lariette continued squeezing Ruediger’s cheek, “You’re blushing, Eddy. I never knew you could look this cute. I like it.”

Blinking, Ruediger laughed softly. He answered confidently, “So, that means I am handsome and cute in your eyes, huh?”

“Hahaha! Are you boasting?”

More laughter spilled from Lariette’s lips, resonating in the living room before spreading to the other parts of the apartment. Ruediger only smiled. He was happy to see the beaming look on her countenance.