Welcome to Paradise
Emilia set her suitcase down by her feet and lifted the brim of her hat, squinting up at the massive gate in front of her.
The summer air was warm, the kind that made everything shimmer a little in the sunlight. She glanced at Hunter, who was struggling to wrangle three rolling suitcases that seemed determined to escape down the gravel path.
“This… this is your stepfather’s house?” she asked.
Hunter grinned as he tugged the suitcases toward her. His blond hair caught the sunlight, blue eyes sparkling with that easy charm he always carried. “Yeah! Cool, right?”
Emilia let out a small laugh, blowing a strand of brown hair from her face.
Cool? That was an understatement.
The place was enormous—more like a palace than a house.
Beyond the tall iron gate stretched a long driveway lined with old oak trees, their shadows dancing across the cobblestones. At the end stood a cream-colored villa with high arched windows, a balcony draped with vines, and a fountain sparkling in the center of a circular courtyard.
Somewhere in the distance, she could hear birds and the faint sound of water from what must have been a fountain.
Emilia had never seen anything like it. French countryside air smelled like lavender and new beginnings, but her stomach twisted with nerves.
She and Hunter had only been dating for a short time, having met during an internship last winter break.
Emilia had finished college two months ago and still hadn’t found a job. These days, finding a job wasn’t easy for new graduates.
Then, just a week ago, Hunter had invited her to join him and his family on a summer vacation.
He had said lightly, “Come meet my stepdad—he runs a company. Maybe he can help you find a job.”
At the time, it had sounded simple. Now, standing before this mansion, Emilia realized how far out of her world she really was.
She smiled weakly at Hunter as he gave another cheerful tug on the suitcases.
“Yeah,” she murmured, “it’s definitely… something.”
Hunter was already pressing the doorbell before she finished the sentence.
A faint chime echoed through the gate speaker, and within seconds, a male voice answered in English with a soft French lilt.
Hunter greeted him brightly, exchanging a few cheerful words before the iron gates swung open with a quiet hum.
Emilia followed him up the stone path, dragging her suitcase behind her. The wheels bumped over the stones as the grand front doors came into view—tall, carved wood with gold handles that gleamed in the sunlight.
When they stepped inside the villa, a rush of cool air greeted them. The marble floor reflected the chandelier light above, and the faint scent of roses hung in the air.
A stunning woman appeared from the hallway. Her golden hair was perfectly styled, her light blue eyes sharp but warm.
She looked effortlessly elegant, the kind of beauty that made Emilia suddenly aware of the wrinkles in her travel shirt.
“You should’ve let the driver pick you up,” the woman said with gentle reproach.
Hunter grinned and pulled her into a quick hug. “Mom! Come on, I’m a big boy. I can find my own way here.”
Then he turned to Emilia with a proud smile. “Mom, this is my girlfriend, Emilia.”
Emilia straightened and stepped forward, smiling politely as she reached out her hand. “Hi, Mrs. Vaughn. Thank you so much for having me.”
For a split second, the woman’s face froze—surprise flashing across her eyes.
Then, just as quickly, the woman’s expression softened into a graceful smile.
“Call me Susan,” she said, taking Emilia’s hand warmly, “you’re very beautiful, Emilia. Anyone can see why Hunter’s so proud.”
Emilia’s brown hair rested gently under the hat. The white sundress made her green eyes stand out even more, glowing like the prettiest hint of summer.
Hunter beamed. “Right? I told you she’s amazing.”
Susan gave a light laugh and squeezed Emilia’s hand. “You must be tired from the trip. Come, I’ll show you to your room. You’ll love the view.”
Hunter blinked in surprise. “Wait—why does she need her own room? She can just stay with me.”
Susan shot him a gentle but warning look, her smile still perfectly calm. “We have plenty of rooms, sweetheart. Why would you make her share with you? It’s better for her to have her own space—more comfortable that way.” She turned to Emilia, her expression softening. “Don’t you agree, dear?”
Emilia hesitated, then smiled politely. “I’m fine with whatever you think is best.”
Hunter started to protest again, but Susan was already slipping her arm through Emilia’s. “Good,” she said warmly. “Come, I’ll show you the way.”
***
Susan led Emilia up the grand staircase to the second floor. Sunlight streamed through tall windows overlooking the gardens.
The guest room door opened to reveal a space larger than Emilia’s entire apartment—cream-colored walls, a king-size bed, pale curtains fluttering in the breeze, and even an en-suite bathroom gleaming with gold fixtures.
Emilia blinked in awe. “This is… incredible. Thank you so much, Mrs—uh, Susan.”
Susan smiled, though something unreadable flickered in her eyes. “I’m glad you like it.”
She didn’t move right away, just stood near the doorway watching Emilia with an expression that was hard to place.
Wherever Emilia went, she felt Susan’s gaze following her, calm but too focused.
Emilia hesitated, setting her suitcase beside the bed. “Um… I’m sorry. But did I do something wrong?” she asked softly.
Susan’s eyes softened as she stepped closer. “No, not at all.” She reached out and gently lifted Emilia’s chin with her fingers, studying her face as if trying to memorize it. “I’m just happy for my son,” she said with a faint smile. “He’s found himself a wonderful girl.”
Emilia’s breath caught for a second at the unexpected closeness, but before she could respond, footsteps echoed down the hall.
Susan let her hand drop and turned toward the doorway. “Darling,” she called lightly.
A tall man appeared in the hall, his shadow stretching across the polished floor before he stepped into the light.
Emilia’s pulse quickened a little.
That had to be Hunter’s stepfather—the very man she’d come here hoping to meet.
He paused at the threshold, and the air in the room seemed to shift.
Sunlight poured through the window, catching on his face—strong jawline, neatly styled light brown hair, and striking blue eyes that held both warmth and distance.
He couldn’t have been much older than forty, though she knew he was nearly fifty. His white shirt was rolled at the sleeves, revealing lean, defined forearms.
There was something effortless about his presence, something that made Emilia forget to breathe.
Realizing she had been staring, Emilia quickly fixed her hair and cleared her throat, forcing a very polite smile onto her face. “Hello, Mr. Vaughn,” she said, stepping forward. “I’m Emilia Spencer. Nice to meet you.”
Sebastian’s gaze rested on her for a moment—calm, unreadable, almost assessing. “It’s a pleasure,” he said in a low, even voice. “You must be tired from the trip. Get some rest. If you need anything, ask the staff. They’ll take care of it.”
Emilia nodded quickly, trying not to sound nervous. “Thank you, sir.”
He gave a polite nod and turned slightly, as if to leave, when Susan moved closer to him.
For a brief second, her hand brushed his sleeve, her gaze lingering on his face before sliding back to Emilia.
“We’ll let you settle in,” Susan said with a gentle smile. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” With that, she turned and walked out beside her husband.
Emilia watched them go, the faint echo of their footsteps fading down the hall.
***
Emilia unpacked her things and changed into her swimsuit. When she went downstairs, Hunter was already waiting by the pool with two glasses of lemonade and a grin.
The sun was high, glittering on the turquoise water. She dipped a toe in and gasped at the coolness before Hunter splashed her playfully.
“Hey!” she laughed, flicking water back at him.
He swam over, caught her by the waist, and pulled her into the pool with a loud splash.
She came up sputtering, hair dripping, while he laughed uncontrollably. Emilia hit his shoulder lightly, pretending to be mad, but he only pulled her closer.
The water shimmered between them, sunlight breaking into silver ripples.
“Are you mad?” he teased.
“Maybe,” she said, smiling despite herself.
He brushed her wet hair back and kissed her quickly, softly at first, then longer.
Her arms looped around his neck.
He lifted her easily in the water, spinning her around as she squealed with laughter, both of them soaked and breathless.
For a while, it felt like there was no world beyond this sparkling pool, just the two of them, young and in love, under the golden French sun.
Neither of them noticed the figure watching from a large glass window on the second floor.
Behind the sunlight’s reflection stood Sebastian, his expression unreadable, hands in his pockets as he looked down at them in silence. The afternoon light caught the edges of his face, sharp and still.
A soft voice came from behind him. “Do you like what you see?” Susan said, stepping closer. “She is beautiful. Isn’t she?”
Sebastian turned his head toward Susan.
She met his eyes, her smile steady and unchanged. “Isn’t she?”
Sebastian finally turned toward her, his face calm. “Next time you come into my study,” he said quietly, “knock first.”
Susan smiled faintly, her eyes glinting. “Of course,” she replied in a soft voice. “I will, darling.”
Her heels clicked against the floor as she left, the sound fading into the hall, leaving only the quiet hum of the summer air and the laughter echoing from the pool below.No Glasses
