Fortunately, Lariette seemed to be able to leave early just as she wished. One of the reasons was that she didn't steer away by having random conversations with her colleagues.

Slightly after four, Lariette estimated she would be done very soon. Thus, she texted Ruediger, saying he could come at four-thirty like they talked about before.

His response came within a minute.

[Ruediger: Aye aye, ma'am]

Smiling, Lariette put the phone down. She concentrated again on the papers before she finally capped her pen, tidied the desk and put her items inside the bed.

At this hour, half of the teachers' lounge was still occupied. Everyone was busy with their own job.

While standing up to stretch her stiff limbs, Lariette saw Nora grading a stack of essays while Phoebe was munching on dried mango strips as she scrolled on her phone.

"Lari, done already?" Nora asked, eyeing Lariette's cleared desk and the backpack on her shoulder.

"Time to breathe easier today," she hummed with a grin.

"Lucky," Nora muttered. She pinched the space between her eyebrows, trying to alleviate the strain there, "I still have two classes' worth of essays. Can the exam just start and end already?"

"Seriously," Phoebe groaned, one end of the mango strip hanging from her lip as she chewed, "I just wanna hibernate. I already bought new thermal socks for that."

"Same," Nora exhaled as she suddenly stared at the ceiling, "Hot cocoa, lazy mornings, snow, romantic movies... I wonder when the first snowfall will be."

Winter barely ushered out autumn, but everyone had already anticipated being lazy in the warm cocoon of their homes, accompanied by hot drinks and baked pastries.

"Cheer up, the exam's next week," Lariette chuckled, giving them both a playful salute, "I gonna pray for your mental sanity. Oh, for mine too."

After bidding her friends goodbye, Lariette headed out of the lounge, walking toward the main school entrance. Ruediger texted her again, saying he had arrived.

The sky was darker than the previous hour. The murky clouds hinted at incoming rain.

Her eyes lit up once she spotted the familiar blue truck, parked quite a distance away from the gate because of the other vehicles lining up at the curb.

"Eddy~"

Lariette greeted Ruediger with a grin once she climbed inside the truck. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold. The breeze from earlier had tousled her hair.

"Lettie."

Before she could buckle her seatbelt, he reached across gently with a smile in his eyes. He cupped her cool cheeks, easily warming her before he kissed her lips, warm and tender.

Startled, she blinked, "E-Eddy! We're still at school!"

Even though fewer students were passing by the sidewalk than when the school hours had just ended, she couldn't help but be careful.

Ruediger smirked, one hand gently tucking Lariette's hair behind her ear. His eyes sparkled in the dim interior of the car.

"Relax, my love. No one saw. And if they did, I'd just say I'm so in love."

She huffed, her cheeks reddening, "You're ridiculous."

"Hehe, let's go home."

Ruediger shifted the gears after Lariette latched the seatbelt. The truck slowly pulled away from the curb before rolling smoothly down the road.

Nestling in her seat, Lariette glanced at Ruediger by her side. She could tell from the way his shoulders relaxed and his countenance beamed, her beloved felt as if a huge burden had left him.

This was good. Very good.

As they neared the apartment, Ruediger said without looking at Lariette, his voice hinting of joy, "My dear sweetheart, I drew you a bath. You should soak while I make dinner."

Lariette grinned, "Sounds so perfect. While I relax in the tub, my husband's making dinner. Kind of a leisurely life."

It was such a great way to relax. Her cold and stiff muscles yearned for a hot bath before filling her stomach with the delicious food cooked by her outstanding man.

"Of course," Ruediger shrugged, one corner of his lips tugging into a smirk, "I know what my wife needs after work. I'm a good husband."

The pair exchanged laughter, the merry echo bouncing in the enclosed space of the truck. In less than ten minutes, they finally reached the tenth floor of the apartment.

Lariette stretched her arms and yawned while stepping inside. It was warm and cozy. She smelled something floral and calming in the air.

Slipping into her home slippers, Lariette took off the coat. Ruediger carried her backpack and sling bag right after they alighted from the truck. He closed the door with a soft click.

"...?"

Lariette blinked, quite muddleheaded for a moment because of her drowsiness, before laughter escaped her lips. Ruediger suddenly hugged her from behind, letting her back touch his chest.

"My cuddly bear wants a hug, en?"

Turning around, her eyes sparkled as she circled his waist with her arms. His muffled laughter echoed next to her ear, evidently laced with happiness.

"I missed you so much," he whispered in earnest. One of his broad palms secured the back of her waist while the other crossed over her shoulders, "And I just want to hug you."

Lariette's smile softened, and so did her heart. She listened to Ruediger's rapid heartbeat while one hand reached for his head, her fingers brushing through his locks.

Tiptoeing slightly, she whispered, "How about a kiss?"

He froze and then chuckled, his voice imbuing with affection, "I'll make it more than one."

It was nice coming home to her husband's hugs and kisses.

Then, Lariette headed to the bedroom while Ruediger went to the kitchen. He said everything had been prepped, just needed to be freshly cooked for their early dinner.

Lariette had already expected to see something on the bed, but her heart still beat in excitement. She grinned at the sight of several items neatly arranged on the mattress.

Bending over, Lariette touched the stack of folded cozy loungewear. She especially loved the one in periwinkle blue. The familiar laundry fragrance wafted from the fabrics.

Then, Lariette assessed the bath bombs, oils and scented candles. She decided to use the rose and sandalwood one for her bath.

'What's in this box?'

Before coming into the bedroom, he told her to check the pink box last. Despite her excitement, she still listened to him, thinking it was his biggest surprise.

The blush-hued box was tied with a white silk ribbon. She saw no brand name on it. Curious, she untied the ribbon before lifting the lid.

Her cheeks went scarlet in an instant.

She didn't expect this! Keep us going by reading on *.

Inside the box, four sets of lingerie lay neatly, each more daring than the last. White lace, soft pink mesh, sleek black and crimson silk with gold accents.

Her jaw dropped, and then she rushed out, stammering, "E-Eddy!"

"Yes?"

Ruediger poked his head out of the kitchen, seeing Lariette standing just outside the bedroom. His brows arched the moment he noticed the lovely blush on her cheeks.

With a smirk, he left the kitchen. In no time, he reached her, and one hand naturally found a space around her waist.

"Saw what's inside the box, huh? Like them?"

Lariette coughed, "I... didn't think you'd get me lingerie. And four sets? Seriously?"

Ruediger laughed, voice and countenance rich with amusement. He leaned closer while bringing Lariette inside the room again, inching closer to the bed.

"I remembered last night, my love. You looked more beautiful. I wanted to... imagine and try a few more things."

Her heart raced at the sight of his intense gaze. She smacked his chest.

He laughed again. He glanced at the lingerie on the bed before brushing his nose on hers.

"Well, I wonder what you'd look like in the black one... or maybe the white. The pink is lovely and the red is bold."

She buried her face in his chest, flustered by his teasing. His low chuckle rang in her ear before his next words came, more sensual than the last.

"I also wonder what it's like to take them off you."

Huffing, Lariette tilted her chin up, glaring at Ruediger. She squeezed his waist and grumbled.

"Quite shameless, are you? Well, yours truly will be generous and wear them later. Can't let them go to waste. Mm, I like them, especially the pink one."

More laughter escaped his lips, the sound rumbling in his chest. Her fingers pinched his waist again.

Squeezing one of her cheeks, he said, "We'll save them for later. Tonight's for rest, sweetheart. Hot bath, comfy wear, delicious food and maybe a movie? You need rest."

Lariette narrowed her eyes, "Really?"

Ruediger grinned, "On my very expensive, not-purchased yacht, okay?"

That made her laugh. His lips were carved into a helpless smile. Then, he nudged her toward the bathroom.

"Go soak. Wear the blue set after. I have one that matches. Gonna wear it tonight."

She grinned, eyes darting to the lounge wear before looking at him again, "Is it a power couple thing?"

"Absolutely."

Lariette rolled her eyes. She grabbed the bathbombs, the lounge wear and turned toward the bathroom, "I'll go now~"

Ruediger simply smiled. He watched her disappear inside the bathroom, her giggle trailing behind.