Lariette reluctantly ended the call when Madeline drove past the main gates of the apartment, heading to the basement parking call. Once again, she told Ruediger not to worry.
The hour had just turned half-past seven when Lariette and Madeline arrived at the apartment unit. The latter carried takeout bags and shouldered a backpack of clothes.
"I gonna call Grandpa," Lariette glanced at Madeline as she walked toward the living room, "Sorry, Maddie."
"It's fine," Madeline chuckled. She gestured to the kitchen, "I'll serve us dinner in the meantime. Well, time to treat this like my own home."
Lariette laughed as Madeline immediately headed to the kitchen while humming a song. As for her, she sat on the couch with one hand holding the phone.
The living room was aglow by the main lamps, the light casting a gentle halo over Lariette. Her long hair, now loose from her usual tidy braid, cascaded over her shoulder.
