Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 296

Chapter 296: An Extra Candy and a Kiss
<.Lumina Spring, that evening.>

Ruediger sat on the couch in the living room, smiling as he scrolled the screen of his phone. While waiting for Lariette to get ready, he checked the texts he recently received from Nathaniel.

His best friend brought his lover and their daughter to an aquarium. Lorianne was so adorable in her sea witch dress. Nathaniel and Elsie looked equally happy as they enjoyed the day.

‘The Winslows will come next week. I wonder how their first meeting will be.’

Ruediger heard about Mr. and Mrs. Winslow’s future visit. At the same time, Russell and Andrea would also come. Both families wished to gather and get to know each other better for the sake of their children and granddaughter.

For some reason, Ruediger could hear wedding bells ringing. Nathaniel and Elsie had resumed their relationship. They might get married sooner than expected.

Putting the phone down, Ruediger glanced at the hallway, a grin tugging on his lips. He wondered what took Lariette so long.

Tonight was Halloween which felt more like a whisper of the holiday. No waves of costumed crows paraded the streets nor did children trick-or-treating from door-to-door.

Still, small celebrations were scattered across the city. One of them was the neighborhood park near the apartment.

During lunch, Ruediger offered to take Lariette out that evening. Even though they were still drained from Sports Day’s hecticness, enjoying the celebration for a little bit was still alright.

Lariette quickly agreed, saying she wanted to see how the neighborhood celebrated Halloween in the park nearby. It was held annually by a community here.

Lariette also wanted to distribute candies. Thus, they decided to head out at seven in the evening.

“Eddy!”

Lariette appeared, her cheeks flushed with excitement and her single braid tousled behind. She wore a black knit sweater embroidered with tiny jack-o-lanterns across the hem, paired with a calf-length knitted skirt.

Raising his brows, Ruediger assessed Lariette from head to toe, including the glittery bat wings headband perched on her head. He also saw a bulging small backpack slung on her shoulder.

“Someone’s excited,” Ruediger said, amused, “You brought your entire candy arsenal, huh?”

“Hehehe~” Lariette chuckled. She patted the backpack with a proud look, “I grabbed everything I had. Not that much tho.”

Lariette was so energized after getting the much-needed rest post-Sports Day. She slept until almost noon, even forgetting breakfast. Despite still having cramps, the pain was much more bearable now.

Ruediger smiled in helplessness. Walking toward Lariette, he placed one arm across her shoulders, gazing at her softly “As long as you have fun. Let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Lariette and Ruediger quietly left the apartment, walking side by side to the park. The neighborhood was calm. Autumn leaves fluttered along the pavement as the breeze blew.

They had taken a few strolls in the park, making them quite familiar with its surroundings.

A soft golden glow greeted Lariette and Ruediger as they approached the park gates. The community had gone all out here despite the city didn’t make a grand show of Halloween.

Pumpkin and ghost paper lanterns lined the path. Children, wearing everything from sparkly fairy dresses to floppy-eared werewolf costumes, ran giggling from one place to the next.

At the same time, night joggers and cyclists stopped for a moment to enjoy the celebration. The community invited everyone who wished to join, including the passersby.

“Those booths look so well decorated.”

Lariette pointed at the trick-or-treat stalls manned by volunteers, each decorated in different themes. A tiny haunted house made of cardboard, a castle tower with fairy lights and a pirate ship assembled out of wooden crates.

Grinning, Ruediger leaned over, whispering by Lariette’s ear, “Why? They remind you of yesterday’s booths, huh, Teacher Elsher?”

Lariette smacked Ruediger’s arm, eliciting chuckles from him. He slipped his arm around hers, pulling her closer. He laughed louder when she stuck her tongue out.

Walking further ahead, they saw tables where the community served food, drinks and even small toys. The smell of buttery popcorn, marinated chicken skewers and sweet cider drifted in the night air.

“Oh, dear! You two are here!”

Lariette and Ruediger looked to the left, both were pulled by the exclamation. Their eyes widened slightly in surprise at the sight of an elderly lady waving at them. An old man stood beside her.

She was the old lady from the grocery store[01]! And her husband!

“Hello,” Lariette smilingly greeted the elderly couple, “We didn’t expect to bump into you here.”

Ruediger nodded at them. He smiled seeing they wore matching black-and-white striped prisoner outfits as costumes.

“Our neighborhood organized this. We come just to have fun,” the elderly lady chirped, earning a fond look from her husband.

Lariette and Ruediger learned their names, Maggie and Bill. The elderly couple led them to meet their neighbors who warmly welcomed the newlyweds.

“It’s our first time here so we’re not sure what else to bring. We do have some candies,” Lariette chuckled while showing the backpack, “Can we give them to the children?”

“Of course! You’re more than welcome! Come and join us for food and drinks too.”

“If only you two wore costumes, it’d be even better. What a handsome lad and a beautiful lass.”

“Hahaha! Make sure you guys dress up next year, okay? We do this event yearly.”

Lariette and Ruediger exchanged a smile. They were not close to their neighbors in the apartment, thus, they felt better when this community welcomed them warmly.

The couple headed to a booth that was shaped like a pumpkin patch, joining the volunteers there. They handed out their candies one by one.

Ruediger watched as Lariette knelt to talk to the children, even praising their costumes. He laughed softly when she sometimes slipped them extra candies when their parents weren’t looking.

“Trick-or-treat!”

A tiny boy in a vampire costume chirped before Lariette, his dark cape dragging on the ground. His mother smilingly watched him from behind.

Narrowing her eyes, Lariette asked, “Are you Count Choco-cula? Coming to get offerings, aren’t you?”

The boy grinned, revealing the absence of some of his teeth, “Lady Bat, you’re so pretty. Can I get a candy?”

“You know what to say, boy,” Lariette chuckled. Winking, she handed the boy two chocolate coins, “So, have an extra.”

Covering his mouth, Ruediger’s shoulders shook slightly. Once the vampire boy and his mother left, he asked in mischief, “So, you’ll also give me an extra candy if I praise you?”

“No,” Lariette shook her head. Tilting her chin up, she stared at Ruediger before whispering in his ear, “An extra candy and a kiss.”

“That’s even better.”

Lariette blushed when Ruediger’s chuckles echoed softly, the sound brushing gently against her heart.

———-

Reference:

1 – Chapter 250