Falling for the Goddess

Promise Me One Thing

Sara Hart froze, surprised by Ethan Brown's words. She hadn't expected him to say that.

Just now, her emotions had indeed been a little out of control.

But Ethan seemed satisfied. Ever since their first meeting, he'd noticed that Sara always carried an air of aloofness and cool detachment. Polite, yes, and she often smiled, but there was always something missing.

Now he realized - it was emotion. Sara rarely showed her feelings, and when she did, they were always carefully restrained. Even when she was clearly scared out of her mind during his reckless driving, she hadn’t screamed or panicked like most girls would. Instead, she had silently endured, keeping it all in.

“That’s better. You know, emotions need to be released sometimes - makes you feel a lot better,” Ethan said, his voice light. “Don’t unbuckle yet, we’re almost there.”

This time, he started the car again, but the speed was much more reasonable.

When they reached the top of the hill, Ethan opened the door. “Come on, get out.”

The temperature was a bit cooler here, the breeze refreshing. It was the perfect amount of chill.

Ahead, the mountains stretched into the distance, green and vibrant, with a light mist hanging over them.

Down below, the towering buildings of the city seemed small and insignificant, mere fragments of the vastness of nature.

In front of such a landscape, people felt so tiny, so insignificant.

Sara stood quietly, taking it all in. As she breathed in the fresh mountain air, it felt like her chest expanded along with the scenery, her mind clearing, her worries lightening. She suddenly turned to Ethan, her lips curling into a soft smile, her eyes bright. “Thank you.”

Ethan blinked, taken aback by her sincere gratitude.

He looked at her, standing amidst the embrace of the green hills, her long, dark hair gently swaying in the breeze. She looked serene, her face framed by the wisps of hair that fluttered against her cheeks. Her eyelashes fluttered too, like the wings of a butterfly about to take flight.

For a moment, Ethan’s heart skipped a beat.

Coughing to hide his momentary fluster, he turned away, trying to act nonchalant. “Hey, it’s no big deal.”

He too gazed at the expansive view, the smile on his face growing wider.

Sara wasn’t the type to stay in a negative headspace for too long. Once she had a chance to let out her emotions, she quickly adjusted herself.

Problems could be solved, and life would always move forward.

“Were you really that scared back there?” Ethan suddenly turned back to her, leaning in with a teasing grin.

Sara quickly averted her gaze, remembering the fear she’d felt. “Yes.”

“Don’t worry. When I’m driving, nothing bad will happen. I’m an excellent driver.” He started, but then paused, seeing her wary expression. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, “By the way, you said thank you. How do you plan to repay me?”

Sara blinked, looking at him in disbelief, her dark eyes widening.

Was he serious? She appreciated his help, but she wasn’t naive.

"One favor," he said, grinning. “Just one. No need for a meal. Promise me one thing.”

Sara Hart frowned, immediately on guard. A vague promise like that? No way.

Seeing her hesitation, Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax. I won’t ask you to do anything crazy. No crimes, nothing illegal or unethical. Just something simple. I swear you can do it.”

Sara bit her lip, thinking it over. She didn’t like owing people favors, and Ethan had helped her out - twice now.

Ethan leaned lazily against the railing, his playful expression fading into one of mild disappointment. “Forget it. I don’t like forcing people into things.”

“Alright.” Sara’s quiet voice overlapped his, stopping him in his tracks.

"But it has to be something within reason. Nothing excessive,” she clarified, narrowing her eyes.

Ethan’s smile returned, brighter than before. “Deal. And trust me, you can definitely handle it.”

---

At Blake Corporation, Adrian Blake stood in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window, his tall figure straight and poised. His white dress shirt was perfectly tailored, not a wrinkle in sight, with the top button fastened, giving him an air of composed elegance and restraint.

One hand held his phone to his ear, his gaze fixed outside, though his expression was distant, his mind elsewhere.

Whatever was being said on the other end of the call, it brought a small change in his voice. He responded softly, “Understood, Grandma. I’ll be home early tonight.”

After ending the call, Adrian Blake remained at the window for a moment longer, before dialing the office line. “Charlie, come in.”

A few seconds later, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Charlie Scott, Adrian Blake’s assistant, entered, his demeanor calm and professional. He had been working with Adrian since he’d graduated, and over the years had proven to be steady and reliable.

“Mr. Blake, what can I do for you?” Charlie Scott asked.

“Do I have anything scheduled this weekend?” Adrian asked.

“Nothing as of now. But you do have a meeting in M Country on Monday, so we’ll need to leave Sunday afternoon,” Charlie Scott replied.

Adrian paused, nodding. “Alright. That’s fine.”

“I’ll be leaving the office early today. Contact me if anything urgent comes up.”

With that, Adrian grabbed the jacket draped over his chair and walked out of the office.

For reasons he didn’t quite understand, Adrian found himself driving towards Beicheng University. As he pulled out his phone, it rang in his hand - it was Lucas Graves.

“Hey, Adrian, I’m off today. Want to grab dinner?”

Adrian’s slender fingers gripped the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. “Not tonight. Grandma’s expecting us for dinner at the estate.”

Lucas’s quick mind caught onto the word “us.” “You mean the two of you?”

“Mm,” Adrian affirmed, though he didn’t elaborate.

“You heading home now?” Lucas asked, his tone playful.

“I need to pick up Sara first,” Adrian replied, though that part he kept to himself.

“Can I join? It’s been a while since I’ve seen your grandma. I kind of miss her,” Lucas teased.

After a brief pause, Adrian agreed. Lucas had a way with his grandmother, always managing to cheer her up.

“Alright.”

“Great! I’ll meet you at your office!” Lucas chirped happily.

“I’m not at the office,” Adrian said, his voice neutral.

---

Lucas arrived at North Capital University just as Adrian’s low-profile yet luxurious Maybach pulled up. Wasting no time, he hopped into the car.

“Aren’t you driving?” Adrian asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

“I figured it’d be easier to ride with you. Besides, it’s my day off - I deserve to relax,” Lucas laughed.

In truth, he knew Adrian was there to pick up Sara, and he couldn’t resist the chance to observe the couple up close. After all, how often did you get to witness Adrian’s married life in action?

Adrian was about to call Sara when Lucas’s eyes widened. “Adrian, look! Is that your wife?”

Following his gaze, Adrian’s eyes landed on Sara, who had just stepped out of a dark blue Koenigsegg. The driver’s face was obscured, but the unmistakable flash of silver-gray hair caught his attention.

Sara said something to the driver, smiling as she waved goodbye.

Lucas cautiously glanced at Adrian, whose face remained impassive, but his eyes had darkened, his expression hardening as he stared at the scene before him.