Chapter 268


    Watching his face flush a deep shade of red, beads of sweat adorning his nose, I couldn''t help but let a smile dance across my lips.


    Ernest turned his face away, and I decided not to push my luck further, getting serious about driving instead.


    A particrly ''tough'' question had plunged us into silence for what felt like ages.


    Remembering his mention of spending time together, just the two of us, I was the one to break the silence. "So, where were you thinking of going?"


    "Do you have time this afternoon?" Ernest asked.


    "Yes!" I blurted out a bit too eagerly, as if I couldn''t wait.


    A hint of a smile cracked Ernest''s stoic expression. "I''ll take you to a ce."


    This time, I kept my mouth shut, trying to appear moreposed.


    "I''ll set up the GPS. You just follow it," Ernest said, taking my agreement for granted.


    Following his directions, we ended up in a secluded suburban area, surrounded by nothing but wilderness and weeds. The only thing that caught my eye was a river.


    It was crystal clear, sparkling in the distance.


    "What''s the n here, trying to make us pioneers?" I joked.


    Ernest surveyed our surroundings and actually responded with a "Hmm."


    Iughed. "Maybe you should stick to tinkering with electronics and earning your million-dor sry, Mr. Collins."


    He walked ahead, and I followed. Suddenly, something darted through the grass, and I screamed.


    Ernest, who was only a few steps away, rushed back immediately.


    In a moment of panic, I leaped towards him, clinging to his neck and waist with a grip so tight, it was like suction cups that wouldn''t let go.


    Back in school, my high jump skills wereughable, but this time, I executed it perfectly.


    Ernest immediately supported my lower back. "What''s wrong?"


    "A snake! I saw a snake!" My voice trembled with fear.


    Even though I wasn''t sure it was a snake, the deep, grassy wilderness made it a likely suspect.


    I''ve always been terrified of such creatures, even a caterpir could scare me senseless.


    Ernest, holding me, moved us away from the tall grass and towards thekeshore.


    Yet, I was still in a state of shock, not realizing I should let go until he suggested trying to wade in the water.


    That''s when I noticed how tightly I was clinging to him, even leaving red marks on his neck.


    Sheepishly, I let go and rushed to the water''s edge.


    Ernest followed as he said, "SusieN?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    told


    here you dreamed of a haven like


    mountains, water, and


    garden..."


    "Yes, exactly..." I trailed off, then turned I


    a


    look back at the deste st, don''t tell me you''re


    to... to..." Content belongs


    to


    Before I could finish, Ernest nodded. "Someday, when we''re married, I''ll build you that haven here."


    I was stunned, never having imagined he had such a n.


    "Really?" I asked, without a second thought.


    "Yes," Ernest smiled, his gaze returning to the barrennd, already envisioning our future home.


    Future home? The words echoed in my mind, making me realize something.


    Wait, was that... was that his way of proposing?


    And did I just unknowingly ept?


    "Ernest, you''re quite the strategist," I called out to him.


    He simply smiled and continued walking.


    I chased after him, and he started to run.


    He didn''t get far before stopping, and before I could catch up to reprimand him, he lifted me into the air.


    The world spun around.


    "Mrs. Collins," Ernest whispered, his


    arms around my waist, spinning me


    around. His voice was a soft caress in my ear.