, Grant inviting me out for dinner was a surprise I didn't see coming, especially after Ernest had whispered about it in my ear while I was getting my blood drawn., I thought he was just trying to distract me, making up stuff to keep my mind off the needle. Turns out, he wasn't just blowing smoke.,

"Grant?

" Ernest's question couldn't have been clearer.,

"Yeah,

" I looked at him squarely,

"Ernest, you had a hand in this, didn't you?

", After all, Ernest was the big shot pulling the strings behind the scenes. A single word from him, and Grant would jump to it., Ernest frowned slightly.

"No.

", I let out a scoff, taking his denial as an attempt to keep his influence under wraps.,

"He told me about it in advance,

" Ernest added, trying to clear the air., But was that really how it went down?, I couldn't be bothered to guess. It is a free meal, after all.

"I've said yes. Are you coming?

" I asked, a bit cheekily.,

"Mhm,

" he replied succinctly, but then he added,

"I don't make a habit of letting my girlfriend dine alone with other men.

", There was Ernest, laying down the law in his own boss-like way., Susie, who was watching our exchange, was clearly fangirling on the sidelines.,

"Bro, you're so sweet, super sweet to your girl,

" Susie couldn't help herself., Ernest just shrugged as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Of course.

",

"Licia,

" Susie turned to me, saying,

"my brother's smoother than any romance novel hero, who would've thought?

", Susie probably figured her tough-guy brother wasn't one for sweet nothings.,

"Don't underestimate the quiet ones; they're dark horses,

" I said, locking eyes with Ernest and thinking about how he's kept his true identity from me.

"Your brother, in a different era, would have made a top-notch spy.

", The best at playing his cards close to his chest.,

"Ha,

" Susie chuckled, amused by my comment,

"A spy, really? Where did that come from, Licia?

", She was too young to catch the underlying meaning., Ernest ruffled her hair,

"You're on your own for dinner tonight. What do you want? I'll make it ahead.

", Susie was in the VIP ward, a little perk I had arranged, with its own facilities for preparing meals.,

"I'm craving fish and chips,

" Susie declared, making herself right at home with her request.,

"Alright, I'll go get the ingredients,

", Ernest said, then turned to me,

"It's hot outside, and you're just getting better. Stay here with Susie, or go find Fanny.

" ,

"Thanks for being considerate, Mr. Collins. Go on, we'll manage. And don't forget to bring us back some iced tea,

" I finished, with Susie's eyes lighting up at the mention, ,

"Bro, I want the passion fruit one.

", I chose my flavor with a smile,

"I'll have the mango yogurt one, please.

",

"Licia, is that one good? Let's share when it comes,

" Susie, like most girls, couldn't resist the allure of iced tea., She didn't know I'd chosen it more for her than for me; iced tea was something I could take or leave.,

"No problem,

" I said, watching Ernest leave,

"Thanks, Mr. Collins.

", After Ernest had gone, Susie leaned closer from her bed,

"Licia, it's like the romance novels have come to life with you and my brother.

" The sweetness had got to her., I smiled lightly,

"Those novels also have their share of ups and downs.

",

"Let's not have any of that,

" Susie said with naïve perfectionism,

"With you and my brother, it should only be happiness and joy, no sadness or parting.

", She was at that age, full of ideals. I used to be the same, dreaming that my love story with Conrad would follow the book to a happy ending.,

"Licia, are, you worried about, something? Did you and my brother, have a fight, or did he hurt you n somehow?

" Susie quickly became concerned, sensing something might be off. , Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.