Falling for the Goddess

You Can't Give Up Until You've Tried

Inside a vintage-style café, the soft hum of the coffee machine occasionally cut through the air. Sara Hart sat by the window, absentmindedly stirring her coffee as she watched the pedestrians outside hurry past.

"What's going on with you?" Ella Duvall waved her hand in front of Sara's face, trying to get her attention.

Sara blinked and shook her head. "It's nothing. I just didn't sleep well. I had a little trouble falling asleep last night."

Ella gave her a hesitant look, as if she had something more on her mind.

"If you want to ask something, just ask."

"Is it because of Adrian Blake?"

Sara's hand froze slightly, the spoon clinking softly against the edge of the cup. "Why do you ask?"

"My brother said he saw Adrian Blake at Meisi last night. He was there with a few guys from their circle. It was pretty late."

"Probably with Lucas Graves and the others," Sara said softly, her lips tightening a little.

Ella hesitated for a moment, glancing cautiously at Sara. "Sara, Adrian Blake... he's not the easiest person to get close to. Apart from those he grew up with, like his close friends, hardly anyone can get near him."

"Plenty of girls like him, but he's never shown any special interest in any of them. He treats everyone the same - cold and distant. I just don't want to see you get hurt..."

When Ella first heard about Sara and Adrian Blake getting married, she was shocked, even excited - after all, it was Adrian Blake! But the more she thought about it, the more worried she became. She didn't want Sara diving headfirst into something she couldn't easily escape from.

Sara understood Ella's concern. Smiling gently, she said, "I know what I'm up against. But when this opportunity came to me, I couldn't help but be tempted."

After all these years of silently holding onto her feelings, when Madam Blake asked if she was willing to marry Adrian Blake, Sara heard her heart race. It wasn't a choice she could turn down - this was her one and only chance.

"But Adrian isn't just any ordinary person. If, in the end, you're the one who gets hurt..."

"I know," Sara cut in, her voice calm but resolute. "But I still want to try."

"I know you're worried, but believe me, I won't let myself get lost in this. I just need to give it a shot to truly let go."

If she didn't give it her all, Adrian Blake would always remain a thorn in her heart, an unshakable obsession, a regret that would haunt her day and night. She wouldn't be able to move on unless she faced it head-on.

But if she tried and failed, she would learn to let go. She would heal and move past it.

Ella watched Sara closely. Her friend's face was serene, as always - calm and composed. Sara had always been like that - level-headed, knowing exactly what she wanted and how to go after it.

Hearing her speak, Ella finally understood that Sara had already thought everything through.

"It's not that I don't believe in you two," Ella admitted. "I just... don't want to see you hurt."

"I know." Sara reached across the table and squeezed Ella's hand gently. "Don't worry. I won't let it get to that point."

"Okay, as long as you know what you're doing. So... how are things between you two now?"

Sara smiled wryly at how quickly Ella shifted the conversation from worry to curiosity.

"Why aren't you lecturing me anymore?" Sara asked with a laugh.

"I'm... still worried," Ella said, twirling her hair, clearly feeling a bit awkward. "But more than that, I want you to succeed! If you manage to win over Adrian Blake, I'll set off fireworks for three days straight and throw you the biggest celebration party!"

Sara couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head. "I'll have to thank you in advance, then."

"But really," Ella pressed, leaning in closer, her curiosity evident. "How have things been between you two?"

Sara thought for a moment before recounting the recent developments between her and Adrian Blake.

Ella listened intently, then rolled her eyes dramatically. "You two are practically roommates - so distant and polite!"

Sara could only smile awkwardly.

Ella tapped Sara on the forehead, her tone full of frustration. "Are you seriously this clueless? You're living under the same roof, for heaven's sake! You need to take the initiative!"

At first, Ella had been worried that Sara's affection for Adrian Blake would lead to rejection and heartbreak. But now, she realized that Sara wasn't even making a move! How could their relationship progress if Sara stayed so passive?

"You need to talk to him more! Give him small gifts! Ask him for little favors every now and then, something simple and easy. You need to create opportunities for connection, to make him aware of your presence. That's how you'll gradually get him used to you, maybe even fall for you!"

Ella's words flowed rapidly, and after downing a large gulp of coffee, she continued, "You're way too passive. You can't just mold yourself to fit whatever he wants. You need to assert your presence, your individuality."

Sara nodded seriously, but her expression soon turned into one of frustration. "But I never know what to say to him. He doesn't like noise, so I end up saying nothing at all..."

Ella let out a deep sigh. "Oh, my dear, clueless friend. You can talk about anything! Your day at school, what you ate, what you did, and even ask him how his day was. The point is, when you're alone together, there has to be interaction - no silence!"

Sara obediently nodded again.

Ella glanced at Sara, then couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her soft, fair cheek. "Our Sara is so pretty, sweet, and smart - no one could possibly dislike you!"

Besides, Ella had a sneaking suspicion that Adrian Blake wasn't as indifferent toward Sara as he let on. After all, he had accepted her gifts, hadn't he? She'd heard stories about how Adrian Blake had rejected countless girls who had tried to give him gifts or love letters. He never accepted anything directly, and if they left things on his desk, he'd either have them returned or thrown away.

"If you ever feel stuck, just ask me. Two heads are better than one."

"Thanks," Sara said softly, her voice sweet and melodic, making Ella smile even more.

"If you talk to Adrian in that tone, he'd probably say yes to anything you ask!" Ella teased.

"Don't exaggerate," Sara replied, her cheeks flushing slightly.

---

After chatting for a while longer, Sara was getting ready to leave.

"Aren't you staying for dinner?" Ella asked.

"I need to go to the hospital. Next time, okay?"

"The hospital? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, it's for James Hill ," Sara explained.

Ella rested her chin in her hand, thinking for a moment before remembering. "Oh, you mean the science prodigy from a few years back?"

Sara nodded. "Yeah, his lab had an accident a few days ago. He got hurt, so I'm going to visit him."

"Oh, right! I saw that news. I was scared for a second, but then I remembered it wasn't your lab. That would've given me a heart attack."

"By the way, next week is the university anniversary. I'm going back to check it out. Will you be around?" Ella asked.

"As long as it's not a holiday, I'll probably be in the lab."

"Of course, you little lab rat," Ella teased, her tone affectionate. "You spend 365 days a year in the lab, and lately, you've been taking a bit more time off than usual..." She gave Sara a pointed look. "Is there a reason for that?"

Sara laughed and quickly surrendered. "Fine, I'll treat you to dinner next time."

"Deal."