Falling for the Goddess

I'll Sleep on the Couch

After dinner, Sara Hart helped Grandma Blake take a stroll through the garden.

The jasmine flowers were in full bloom, their soft white petals scattered among the fresh green leaves. Some were fully open, while others were still buds, delicate and dewy. The air was filled with their gentle fragrance.

Grandma Blake looked fondly at the flowers, a trace of nostalgia in her eyes. “So many years have passed, yet the flowers still smell the same.”

“Their leaves are as bright as emeralds, their blossoms pure and understated,” Sara Hart murmured as she gazed at the flowers. The jasmine's fresh, elegant scent was calming, and for a moment, all of her worries seemed to melt away.

Grandma Blake held Sara Hart’s hand, smiling warmly. “You’re such a good girl, but I fear Adrian’s cold nature might cause you some grievance.”

Sara Hart squeezed her hand back, her touch gentle and reassuring. Grandma Blake’s hands were warm and dry, evoking a sense of closeness. “Grandma, I’m not troubled at all. In fact, I should be thanking you.”

“You sweet child.”

They continued their stroll around the garden until the sky darkened and a cool breeze began to blow. Only then did they return inside.

“Sara Hart,” Grandma Blake called as she settled down, “Adrian’s room is at the end of the hall upstairs. I’ve had your clothes put in the wardrobe. You should go up and rest.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

After Sara Hart left, Grandma Blake sat on the edge of her bed, a flicker of doubt crossing her face as she turned to Alice Miller. “Alice, do you think I’m pushing Adrian too hard?”

Alice Miller had been Grandma Blake’s attendant for years, ever since Adrian Blake was a child. She had never married and had no children, dedicating her life to caring for the Blake family. Having watched Adrian Blake grow up, she understood his temperament well.

“Please don’t blame yourself, ma’am. You’re doing this for their own good. If you didn’t step in, they might go months without even seeing each other. How could a marriage work like that?”

Alice Miller smiled gently. “Young Mistress seems like a kind girl. I believe Master Yu will see her good qualities in time.”

Grandma Blake sighed softly. “I hope you’re right.”

Upstairs, Sara Hart stood outside Adrian Blake’s room for a long time, hesitating. She took a deep breath and finally gathered the courage to knock.

There was no response.

She knocked again, but still, no sound came from inside. Noticing that the door was slightly ajar, she gently pushed it open.

The light was on, and the sound of running water came from the bathroom. Adrian Blake was in the shower. Sara Hart’s cheeks flushed at the thought.

This was her first time stepping into Adrian Blake’s room, and although she didn’t want to touch his things, her curiosity got the better of her. She stood in place, observing the space.

The room was dominated by shades of black, white, and gray, but here and there were traces of his younger years—evidence that the space had grown with him. The room was large, with a solid wooden desk, and behind it, a bookshelf filled with various academic texts and thick volumes.

On the desk, a silver laptop was still open.

Sara Hart only glanced at it before turning her attention to the bookshelf. Among the foreign titles, one book stood out: a collection of poems by Borges. She reached for it, flipping through the pages. The book was well-worn, with some passages underlined in a strong, sharp hand - Adrian Blake’s handwriting. She was so engrossed in reading that she didn’t notice the water had stopped.

Adrian Blake emerged from the bathroom and saw her standing by his desk, holding the book. There was a serene quality about her, as though she naturally belonged in that quiet, book-filled space.

Hearing movement, Sara Hart looked up to see Adrian Blake watching her. Startled, she reflexively gripped the book tighter and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch your things. I just…”

“It’s fine.”

Adrian Blake responded casually as he walked over. He was dressed in black silk loungewear, his damp hair falling over his forehead. At that moment, he seemed less cold and distant than usual.

He walked to the desk and reopened his laptop, focusing on his work.

“Do you still have work to do?” Sara Hart asked.

“Mm,” Adrian Blake responded, already lost in the data on the screen.

Sara Hart carefully placed the book back on the shelf, not wanting to disturb him any further.

When she opened the wardrobe, she found several dresses and new clothes, all still with their tags attached. Among them was a silk nightgown, just like Grandma had said.

She took the nightgown and went into the bathroom. The steam from Adrian Blake’s shower still lingered in the air, fogging the mirror and leaving droplets of water trailing down its surface.

Though she knew nothing would happen between them, this was the first time she and Adrian Blake were alone together. Her heart raced as she turned on the shower, wondering how she should handle the rest of the night.

After showering, Sara Hart took her time drying off. She had grabbed a nightgown without checking it first, and now she realized it was a white silk slip with thin straps that seemed delicate enough to break with a light tug. The hem was trimmed with lace, giving it a seductive edge.

Sara Hart knew what Grandma was trying to do, but this outfit felt inappropriate for where things stood between her and Adrian Blake. She debated changing into something else, but Adrian Blake was outside, and she certainly couldn’t ask him to get her another outfit.

Sighing, she decided it was better than walking out in just a towel. She slipped into the nightgown and hesitantly opened the bathroom door, peeking out to see if Adrian Blake was still at the desk.

To her relief, he was no longer there.

Sara Hart exhaled, stepping out and making her way to the wardrobe to find something more appropriate to wear. But just as she reached the door, she turned and found herself face-to-face with Adrian Blake.

He had just taken a blanket from the wardrobe, but now his eyes were fixed on her. His gaze darkened as it lingered on her.

Sara Hart had just showered, and her skin still glowed with warmth, her face flushed a soft pink. Her damp hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing the delicate collarbones peeking out from her gown. The thin straps and form-fitting material hugged her body in a way that made her feel exposed.

Under his intense gaze, Sara Hart’s embarrassment grew, her toes curling against the cold floor.

Adrian Blake quickly looked away, a flicker of irritation passing through him. During the day, she’d played the part of the sweet, innocent girl in front of his grandmother, but now she seemed to be showing a different side. Unfortunately for her, he wasn’t interested.

Without a word, Adrian Blake strode past her, blanket in hand. Sara Hart stepped aside to let him pass. After he left, she rifled through the wardrobe, but every nightgown in there seemed more revealing than the last. The one she had on was probably the most modest.

With a sigh, she pulled on a cardigan to cover herself.

When she finished getting ready, she found that Adrian Blake had already made up the couch. Although she hadn’t expected them to sleep together, his distant demeanor still left a heavy feeling in her chest.

“I’ll sleep on the couch,” Sara Hart offered. With his tall frame, it would be uncomfortable for him to sleep there.

Adrian Blake raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her suggestion.

Just as he was about to respond, a knock came at the door.

Adrian Blake opened it to find Aunt Miller standing there with two glasses of milk. She smiled kindly. “The old lady wanted me to check in and see if the Young Mistress needed anything.”

Sara Hart walked over, her voice soft and polite. “Thank you, Grandma, and thank you, Aunt Miller. I’m fine. I don’t need anything.”

“Good,” Aunt Miller said, handing them the milk. Her eyes briefly swept over the room, landing on the couch, where Adrian Blake had laid out his blanket.

She turned to Adrian Blake with a motherly smile. “The old lady also wanted me to remind you that she’ll accompany you and the Young Mistress to the villa tomorrow.”

Adrian Blake paused for a moment before replying softly, “Alright.”

“Well then, the two of you should get some rest,” Aunt Miller said before heading downstairs.

Adrian Blake shut the door, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the glass of milk. He knew that Grandma had sent Aunt Miller to check on their situation.

“Let’s get some sleep.”