.Blossom Phoenix Middle School.

At three in the afternoon, the bell echoed through the academic building, marking the end of the school hours for the day. The sound traveled through the hallways.

One by one, the students left the classrooms, slinging their backpacks over their shoulders. Some of them wanted to return home while the others remained to study.

"Odette, bye-bye~"

"Wanna get some hot milk tea? It's so cold!"

"Miss Elsher, see you tomorrow."

Lariette smilingly returned the greeting as she walked out of the classroom, bringing along her bag. She chuckled when she heard the conversations drifting from the students.

The last month of the year, December, would start in a few days. As for the examination, it would begin next week, on Tuesday, and end on Friday.

Even though its importance was far from the college entrance examination, most students nervously anticipated the day. They geared up to give their all to get good grades and evaluations.

Lariette walked down the hallway, heading to the teachers' lounge. She couldn't help but shudder as the cold air still emanated from the closed windows. Her cardigan could only do so much to keep her warm.

The sky was overcast outside the windows. The sun shone faintly as the streaks of gray colored the sky.

'It's already three. He should be home already, right?'

Lariette's thought wandered to Ruediger, recalling his last message at noon when he had just arrived at Edenia Avenue. Not wanting to bother him, she simply wished him luck and hoped to hear good news soon.

Then, Lariette was too preoccupied with her tasks at school. She didn't even get to sneak a look at her phone to check for any new notifications.

'I still can't believe it... but it's real.'

What happened last night was conjured again in Lariette's mind. She was beyond perplexed upon learning Ruediger's secret identity.

She had unknowingly gotten married to a billionaire!

Lariette didn't know much about it, but she believed Ruediger alone stood higher than her eldest brother, Declan. But she was unsure about her maternal grandfather and estranged father.

Forget it. Not that it mattered.

Despite her surprise, Lariette was earnestly happy for Ruediger. His identity allowed him to fight against Chairman Alvord, who resorted to dirty tricks as he tried to control the son he had long abandoned.

This morning, Ruediger brought Lariette back to the apartment at six, leaving the luxurious penthouse on the rooftop of Edenia Avenue. As she got ready for work, he made some breakfast.

The night they spent at the penthouse was beautiful, but they loved the apartment better. They had a simple breakfast as they recounted the night and talked about the meeting.

After a few minutes, Lariette reached the teachers' lounge. She smelled the scent of fresh coffee, baked pastries and ink in the air. She smiled once she felt the warmth inside the room.

A few teachers were already inside, chatting in low voices or grading assignments. Only some could return home right on time today.

Once Lariette slipped into her chair, she took out her phone from the bag. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw unread messages from Ruediger.

The texts were timestamped less than an hour earlier. With a tap on the screen, the private chatbox was displayed.

[Ruediger: The meeting's done. It was a success]

[Ruediger: Gonna tell you more about it later, but...]

[Ruediger: It's over]

A soft and warm smile bloomed on her lips. She felt a gentle flutter in her heart as she exhaled in relief.

'Finally. He really did it.'

The smile grew into a mischievous grin as Lariette tried to picture the scene of Chairman Alvord expecting to meet the mysterious billionaire Mr. R, only for Ruediger to walk through the door.

Aaa!

If only she could be a fly on the wall to witness it!

Such a waste! Such a shame!

Lariette giggled softly and quickly typed back. She had to chew her lower lip when a cold, short laugh almost escaped.

If only Lariette could, she wanted to laugh at Chairman Alvord and Vincent's faces and see how ugly their expressions would be.

[Lariette: I wanted to see his face when you walked in!]

[Lariette: You didn't record it?😢What a shame]

[Lariette: It can be a great comedy movie]

She had just sent the texts, but unable to resist, she called him. He answered in just two rings.

"Hey, my love."

Ruediger's voice was low and content. She could practically hear the satisfaction radiating through the line.

Lariette chuckled before standing up, leaving the teachers' lounge for the quiet hallway outside. As she walked to a secluded area, she spoke to the phone.

"You're too calm for someone who had just dropped the biggest bomb on him."

She thought she would hear him more excited, but he was quite composed as if what happened at noon was something trivial.

Ruediger's soft laughter rang, "He almost choked in anger. He's in denial until I left. Nate said it looked like someone hit him with a brick."

Lariette giggled again, her eyes curving into two crescent moons. She said mockingly, "Oh no~ Poor them."

"I showed them no mercy," he teased. He indeed sounded so relaxed.

"You did it, though," she said, sincerity tingeing her voice, "You really did it. I'm so proud of you."

There was a soft hum from the end of the line, before he spoke again, "Thank you, sweetheart. No more hiding for me."

Lariette hummed. She changed the topic, "Are you home already? Or still outside?"

"Home already. Well, I went on a bit of a shopping spree before I left the mall. Got you some gifts. Hope you'll love them."

Lariette's heart fluttered again. She couldn't help but tease him, "Oh? A shopping spree? Now that you revealed your billionaire status, did you buy me a yacht or something?"

Ruediger snorted, "Actually, Nate suggested that just now."

Lariette gasped, pretending to be horrified, one hand landing on her chest, "You didn't!"

"Not. Yet," his voice lowered to another tone, more sensual than earlier, "Should I, my love?"

"Absolutely not," she hissed, laughing, her cheeks flushed red, "Where would we park a yacht? In the bathtub?"

"I could always buy us a harbor. Or do you want a private island? Both sound nice. They won't cost me much."

Lariette rolled her eyes, scoffing. She couldn't help but wonder if Ruediger might have been waiting for this moment to joke like this.

"We need groceries, not a harbor or a private island. It'd be better if you treat me to good food. Mm... I've eaten lunch, but I'm hungry already."

Lariette got some pasta with Nora and Phoebe, but everything seemed to be digested already. She guessed the cold weather helped to quicken the process.

Ruediger joked again, sounding more carefree as the minutes passed, "I've bought groceries and prepped the ingredients. Look, your billionaire is still committed to his househusband duties. Aren't you touched?" Text acquired from M|V|LEMP&YR.

"Oh~ I'm so touched. Really."

His merry laughter echoed from the other side of the line, warming her heart up. She loved to hear how relaxed he was. He deserved it.

"My love, I got you something better than a yacht. Especially~ the ones I put inside a cute, pink box."

Ruediger's next words, which came after his laughter faded, made Lariette curious. She asked, her voice hopeful, "Can't you tell me?"

Knowing him, those gifts were chosen with careful consideration. Just imagining the scene of him thoughtfully picking them carved a soft smile on her lips.

"Nope. You'll see soon," he answered mysteriously with a mirth in his voice, "You'll get home at five, right? I'll pick you up like usual."

Lariette glanced at her wristwatch, seeing the needles pointed to a quarter past three, "Yeah. But I'll try to finish everything before that. Hopefully at four-thirty at most."

"Okay. Just text me once you're done. I'll drive today. It might rain this evening. Can't let my baby get rained on."

Lariette remembered the weather forecast she saw with Ruediger last night. There was a chance of light rain today.

Coupled with the cold weather, it would be uncomfortable to walk home as usual. Since he offered to come with his truck, she wouldn't refuse.

"Hehe, alright."

Ruediger's tone had a hint of a smile, "I love you, Lettie. See you soon."

Lariette blinked. Her cheeks were dyed in a lovely shade of pink, "I love you too, Eddy."

Then, the call ended.

Lariette remained standing in the hallway for a few minutes more. She patted her cheeks, trying to calm down. Amused, she thought she kind of acting like a teenager who tasted love for the first time.

"Time to work!"

So, she could return home early to him.

Smiling to herself, Lariette smoothed her long hair before returning to the warmth inside the teachers' lounge. She wasted no time as she sat at her desk and resumed her work.