More Than A Favor (Elaine and Logan)

It was the perfect place for a destination holiday, a sanctuary so serene that it made the rest of th world seem chaotic in comparison.

As I stood there, lost in my daydream, a soft voice broke my thoughts.

"Who are you looking for, Miss?"

I turned toward the voice and saw a girl in a white dress. Her braided hair rested against her chest her eyes sparkled like reflections of the river nearby.

"Are you Miss Drake?" I asked, trying to confirm her identity.

A look of surprise crossed her delicate face. "Yes. Are you here for my brother?"

Her words confirmed it-she was Ashton's sister.

To be honest, they didn't resemble each other much. Ashton's charm was rugged and commanding like a warrior, whereas his sister had an ethereal, almost fairy-like beauty. Despite their differences, both of them were stunning in their own right.

"Yes, I'm his friend, Elaine." I smiled, extending my hand toward her.

She hesitated for a moment before shaking it. "I'm Alice."

Her voice was soft, and there was a certain timidity about her. I smiled warmly. "May I come in?" Alice seemed a little flustered but quickly stepped aside to let me in. "Oh, of course! Sorry, I wasn't expecting anyone. I haven't cleaned up or anything," she mumbled nervously.

"He didn't know I was coming. I came here behind his back," I admitted with a playful wink. "Don't tell him."

Alice froze for a moment, then nodded with a small smile. Her innocence was endearing, and I couldr help but feel at ease around her.

As I walked into the yard, I couldn't stop myself from admiring everything around me. My affection for the place grew with every detail I noticed.

"Sit anywhere you like, Elaine. I'll make you a cup of tea," Alice said warmly, gesturing toward the seating

area.

I didn't want to trouble her. "It's alright. I'm not thirsty," I said.

But Alice was insistent. She smiled sweetly and disappeared into the house, returning shortly with a teapot and a small tray of dried flowers.

The teapot caught my attention-it was a sleek, modern design that I recognized from a recent collection. "Did your brother buy that?" I asked, smiling.

"Yes," she said with a proud smile. "He really cares about me. He always makes sure I have the best of everything.'

Her words carried a warmth that made my heart ache. It was clear how much Ashton loved his sister.

As she sat down to prepare the tea, her gaze drifted toward the yard. "He built this for me. He said it would be good for my condition."

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< Chapter 147

I was stunned. The yard was a masterpiece, the result of meticulous care and considerable effort. Ashton must have poured his heart into creating it.

Alice handed me a glass jar filled with frozen water. "The water in this tea is from the river. I collect it a nd freeze it. Tea tastes better when it's made with river water.'

I touched the jar-it was cold, a testament to the care she put into preserving it.

Her lifestyle was pure and enchanting, like something out of a fairytale.

I knew it must have been difficult for her to fetch water from the river, yet she was using it to make tea for me. That simple gesture told me everything I needed to know-Alice liked me.

And I liked her, too.

Sometimes, you can tell within moments whether you'll get along with someone. Alice was one of those rare people.

"You're really pretty," Alice said suddenly, her voice filled with sincerity.

I laughed softly. "You're even prettier than me. You're like a fairy living in the woods."

Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled shyly. After a moment, she blinked and asked, "Are you my brother's girlfriend?"

Her eyes lit up with eager anticipation, and I could tell she would be disappointed if I denied it.

Just as I was about to answer, Alice added, "You're my brother's first female friend. You must be his girlfriend. If not, he wouldn't have told you where I live."

Her words left me momentarily stunned.

Had Ashton anticipated that I'd come here?

Had I walked right into another one of his traps?

But this trap didn't feel like a burden. In fact, it made me happy.noveldrama

I was happy to meet Alice and to see this breathtaking oasis Ashton had created for her.

"Yes, I am," I said, answering her question unabashedly. "Do you like your sister-in-law?" I looked at her eagerly, waiting for her answer.

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