It was a genuine vacation paradise., Lost in thought, I was suddenly snapped back to reality by a voice asking,

"Hey, are you looking for someone?

", Turning around, I saw a girl in a white sundress, her hair braided in pigtails resting on her chest, and eyes sparkling with a clarity as if washed by the surrounding nature.

"You're a Collins, right?

" I asked back., A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.

"Yeah, are you here to see... my brother?

", Hearing this, I was certain she was Ernest's sister. Honestly, she didn't bear much resemblance to Ernest, but both were undeniably attractive in their own right., Ernest possessed a rugged kind of handsomeness, while his sister's beauty seemed to have been refined by the landscape around her.,

"Yeah, I'm Felicia, a friend of Ernest,

" I said with a smile, reaching out my hand., Susie seemed startled for a moment before shaking my hand.

"I'm Susie Collins.

", Her mixture of surprise and awkwardness made me smile.

"Can I come in?

", Realizing her oversight, Susie quickly let go of my hand and invited me in, mumbling,

"My brother really should have told me you were coming; I would have tidied up.

",

"He doesn't know; I came here behind his back,

" I confessed, causing Susie to look even more surprised., I winked at her.

"Let's keep it our little secret.

", Susie froze for a second, then nodded vigorously, while I couldn't help but greedily take in the beauty of the small courtyard.,

"Make yourself comfortable. I'll brew some herbal tea,

" Susie offered warmly., Considering her condition, I didn't want to trouble her.

"No need, I'm not thirsty.

", She smiled sweetly nonetheless and soon returned with a teapot and a tray of dried flowers.,

"The teapot's this year's model, isn't it? Your brother bought it?

" I chuckled.,

"Yeah, my brother really spoils me. He wishes he could give me the best of everything,

" Susie said with a hint of pride., As she prepared the tea, she glanced around the courtyard.

"My brother built this place especially for me. He said it would be good for my health.

", I was amazed; creating such a space must have taken considerable effort and thought., Ernest must truly adore his sister to put in so much effort.,

"Felicia, the water I use for the tea is dew I collected myself. After collecting it, I store it in the fridge. It makes the tea taste amazing,

" Susie explained, handing me a glass bottle that felt ice-cold to the touch. She lived her days like a fairy tale., Knowing the effort that went into collecting a bottle of dew, and that she was willing to use it for me, showed her fondness., And I liked her too, right from the first moment., There's something to be said about first impressions, and Susie had certainly made a good one on me.,

"You're so beautiful,

" Susie complimented, embodying the saying that a beautiful person is kind at heart and sweet of speech.,

"And you're even more beautiful, like a fairy living in a hidden paradise,

" I complimented sincerely., Susie blushed, a girlish shyness in her smile. After a moment, her eyes twinkled,

"Are you my brother's girlfriend?

", I could see the hope in her eyes; she'd be disappointed if I said no., Before I could answer, she added,

"You must be his girlfriend. He wouldn't tell you about this place if you weren't.

", Her words caught me off guard. Had Ernest anticipated my visit? It seemed I had unwittingly played into his hands., But this was one trap I didn't mind falling into, delighted by my encounter with Susie and the chance to see this earthly paradise.,

"Yeah, are you okay with having me as your sister-in-law?

" I asked, not shy in the least, eagerly awaiting her response., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.