Falling for the Goddess

Grandma, Why Are You Here?

After listening to Aunt Alice's account of the situation at the villa, Madam Blake's expression grew increasingly tense. She immediately called Adrian Blake.

Adrian Blake had just drifted off to sleep, but when he saw it was his grandmother calling, he paused briefly before answering. "Grandma..."

"Where are you?" she asked directly.

Adrian Blake pressed his lips together, not answering.

"What's going on with you and Sara?" she continued, not wasting any time.

Adrian Blake let out a short, humorless laugh. "Has she already complained to you?"

"What kind of attitude is that? Where are you right now?"

"Grandma, I haven't slept all night and was just about to rest."

Hearing he hadn't slept, Madam Blake's voice softened, though the concern remained. "Not even a wink? Why didn't you stay at the villa to rest? And why did Sara leave, too?"

Sara Hart left?

Adrian Blake was taken aback, but his eyes quickly grew cold again. Who knew what she was trying to pull this time?

"Grandma, you wanted me to marry her, and I did. As for the rest, please let it be."

Without another word, Adrian Blake hung up.

He didn't want to upset his grandmother over Sara, nor did he want to hear anything about her right now.

Staring at her phone, Madam Blake muttered, "He hung up on me? Well, that's a first." Realizing she wouldn't get more from Adrian Blake, she tried calling Sara instead. But Sara's phone was turned off.

She put down the phone, her face drawn in concern. "What's going on with those two?" Pacing around the house, she tried to piece things together. If last night went as planned, things shouldn't have turned out this way. She asked Aunt Alice for more details on Sara Hart's condition that morning, each revelation only adding to her sense of unease.

"Tell the chauffeur to get the car ready," she ordered. "I need to go somewhere."

***

Sara had stayed at her small apartment, eating on schedule, reading a few research papers, and trying to follow her usual routine. The ache in her body still lingered, but she hadn't shed another tear. Her mind drifted to the window often as if drawn by a thought she couldn't quite name. She kept her phone off; she had already notified her lab of her leave, and there was no one else she needed to talk to. Subconsciously, she didn't want to face Madam Blake's call. She knew Aunt Alice would've informed her about the situation, but Sara Hart hadn't yet decided what to say or how she wanted to move forward.

For now, she just wanted to let go of everyone else's concerns and focus on her own peace.

***

Madam Blake headed directly to Adrian's apartment. She punched in the code and walked in, only to be met with the startled face of Lucas Graves on the sofa.

He had been lazily scrolling on his phone, completely unprepared for her entrance. Startled, his phone slipped out of his hand and bonked his chin.

"Ouch!" he yelped, scrambling to sit up properly. "Mrs. Blake, what brings you here?" Rubbing his chin, he hoped he hadn't bruised his perfect face.

"Ah, Lucas, you're here, too?" Madam Blake's tone softened upon seeing him. "Where's Blake?"

"He's still sleeping inside," Lucas Graves replied, "He didn't sleep a wink last night, then drank a ton. He's probably going to be out cold for a while."

Hearing this, Madam Blake sat down, sighing. "Lucas, you grew up with him, so you know how he keeps everything bottled up."

Lucas nodded.

"So... was he drinking with you all last night?"

"No, he went to the club alone," Lucas replied before realizing he might've said too much.

Madam Blake looked at him keenly. "You're a good kid, Lucas. You wouldn't want me to keep worrying about him, right?"

"Of course not."

"Then tell me, do you know what's going on?"

Lucas felt a bit like a rabbit cornered by a wolf. But seeing her caring expression, he couldn't bring himself to keep quiet. So he ended up telling her everything he knew.

Meanwhile, his phone buzzed from where it had fallen on the couch, the screen lighting up with new messages in his friends' group chat.

Madam Blake glanced at the screen. Before she could ask, Lucas grabbed his phone quickly, laughing nervously. "Well, since you're here, I'll be on my way."

"Thank you, Lucas," she replied. "I appreciate it."

"Not at all." He headed out, relieved, twirling his car keys around his finger as he texted in the elevator.

[Group Chat]

Lucas Graves: Blake grandma's here, and trust me, something big's about to go down. Get ready for drama.

***

It was already noon when Adrian Blake finally woke up. Opening his bedroom door, he was met by the stern gaze of his grandmother, seated on the sofa with her cane in hand. Aunt Alice sat quietly beside her.

Surprised, Adrian Blake paused before asking, "Grandma, why are you here?"