Falling for the Goddess

I'm Not Picky

When Sara Hart entered the café, Ella Duvall was flipping through the books at the counter. Seeing Sara, she waved enthusiastically.

"Sara!"

Walking over, Sara noticed the ledger in Ella's hands. "How's the month looking?"

Ella, ever the pragmatist, shrugged lightly. "Enough to buy me a few bags."

Sara chuckled. "Sounds like business is good."

"Want something to drink?"

"No thanks, I just had dinner."

Ella reached into her bag and handed Sara a gift box. "This is for you. My brother went abroad last week, and I asked him to bring this back."

Inside was a pair of delicate tasseled earrings—elegant and understated. Sara glanced at the designer logo on the box and sighed helplessly. "Ella, you really don't have to give me such expensive gifts every time."

Ella waved dismissively. "Oh, please. We're friends, aren't we? Plus, it's my brother's money, not mine—no need to feel guilty."

She held up one of the earrings near Sara's ear, inspecting it with a critical eye. "The last time I saw you wearing earrings, they looked amazing. You should wear them more often."

Before she could finish, Ella's words trailed off. Her eyes widened, then narrowed with intrigue.

"Sara, you..."

Sara blinked, confused by her sudden shift. Ella's eyes scanned her neck, where faint marks were still visible beneath her collar.

The realization hit Sara like a bolt. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she quickly adjusted her neckline.

Ella leaned in with a knowing smirk. "So... you and Mr. Blake?"

"Ella!" Sara's voice rose in embarrassed protest.

"Oh, come on," Ella teased, undeterred. "When did this happen? And why didn't you tell me? You've been holding out on me!"

Flustered and cornered, Sara tried to deflect, "Please, can we not talk about this?"

"Fine, fine," Ella said, relenting just enough before lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I only have one question—how is he? You know, that way?"

Sara's eyes widened in shock. Her face burned so hot she thought it might combust.

Ella's playful grin widened as she studied her friend's reaction. "Judging by those marks, I already have my answer. But seriously, can that petite frame of yours handle it?"

"Ella!" Sara buried her face in her hands, mortified.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop." Ella finally decided to show mercy. "Here, let me put these earrings on you."

Sara obediently held still as Ella fastened the earrings. "These look perfect on you," Ella said, admiring her handiwork. She then pinched Sara's cheek affectionately. "Such a pretty little face. If I were Mr. Blake, I wouldn't be able to resist either."

Sara laughed nervously, brushing off the teasing. She touched the earrings and changed the subject, albeit clumsily. "Thank you, Ella. I really like them."

"That's the spirit. Just keep them on; otherwise, they'll sit forgotten in a box somewhere."

After chatting, the sky outside grew darker, and Sara decided it was time to leave.

"How are you getting home? Is Mr. Blake picking you up?" Ella asked.

"I'll take a cab. He might still be busy with work." Sara had texted Adrian Blake earlier, but he hadn't responded.

"Hold on a minute. I'll drive you," Ella offered as she grabbed her car keys.

"You don't have to. It's really no trouble for me to get a cab."

"I'm heading out anyway. My mom's been nagging me to come home for dinner—if I don't leave soon, I'll never hear the end of it."

Sara smiled, a flicker of envy crossing her eyes. Ella's warm family dynamic was something Sara couldn't help but admire.

Ella dropped Sara off at the front gate of her neighborhood. Before she drove off, she said, "I'll send you something in a few days."

"Please don't," Sara replied with a sigh. "You've already given me so much."

Ella laughed. "Don't worry, it's nothing extravagant. I promise you'll love it."

"Alright, drive safe."

Sara watched Ella's car disappear down the street before heading inside. The lights on the lawn had already been turned on, and Adrian's car was parked in the driveway.

When she walked in, Adrian looked up from the sofa. "You're back."

"Yeah," she replied, going to the living room. "Have you eaten?"

He paused for a moment. "Not yet."

"You haven't eaten? Why not?"

"I just got back from the office."

With Aunt Wang off for the evening and Sara eating out, Adrian clearly hadn't bothered with dinner.

Normally, this was the part where Sara would offer to cook, but her culinary skills were dismal at best. After a long pause, she hesitantly asked, "Should I order something for you?"

Adrian didn't immediately respond. Instead, he asked, "Did you have dinner after the race?"

Sara nodded. Her earrings swayed slightly with the movement, catching his attention. They were new—something she hadn't been wearing that morning.

"They're from Ella," she said, noticing his gaze and feeling compelled to explain. "I stopped by her café after dinner, and she gave them to me."

Adrian's expression softened as he hummed in acknowledgment. The earrings no longer seemed bothersome.

"But about your dinner..." Sara trailed off, her concern returning. "What are you going to eat?"

Adrian thought for a moment before saying, "Anything's fine."

Anything? Sara blinked at him, unsure what to make of the answer.

The silence stretched between them before she tentatively held up her phone. "Should I order something?"

"Sure."

Surprised by his response, she opened the food delivery app. "Any preferences?"

"I'm not picky. You decide."

But as Sara scrolled through the options, she needed more clarity. Spicy dishes like hot pot or mala tang didn't seem right. Regular takeout looked too ordinary for someone like Adrian.

Finally, she looked up, admitting defeat. "How about I go with you to eat out instead?"

Adrian's eyes lingered on her for a moment before he gave a slight nod, his tone hinting at reluctant compromise.

"Alright."