Willingly
1664 Words
In a quiet café, Sara Hart stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her gaze fixed on the scene outside the window.
Ella Duvall, sitting across from her, couldn’t stop asking questions. “Sara, what happened last night? Did Adrian Blake drive you home? How do you even know him?”
Sara Hart glanced at her friend, now full of gossip, completely unlike the heartbroken girl from the previous night. “You’re over it already?”
Ella Duvall waved her hand dismissively. “Yeah, I figured it out. He’s just a scumbag. I’ve got money, I’ve got looks—why should I waste my tears on someone like that? He’s not worth it. But right now, I’m way more interested in your story.”
“You know Adrian Blake? The Adrian Blake!?” Ella Duvall’s eyes sparkled.
“Is it really that big of a deal?”
“Of course it is! Everyone in North Capital knows who he is—one of the hardest men to approach in all four major families. Some say he’s cold and distant, while others…” Ella Duvall leaned in, lowering her voice. “Some say he doesn’t like women.”
Sara Hart chuckled softly. “Rumors like that are just gossip. You can’t believe everything people say.”
“So, you *do* know him well?” Ella Duvall wasn’t letting the topic drop.
Sara Hart looked at her, her tone serious. “Tang Tang, what I’m about to say might shock you, but you’re my best friend, and I don’t want to keep it from you.”
Seeing Sara Hart’s expression, Ella Duvall dropped her teasing attitude and sat up straight.
“I’m married.”
“What?”
Those two words hit Ella Duvall like a bolt of lightning, making her forget all about keeping her expression in check. She practically shouted, drawing curious glances from the other patrons in the café.
Lowering her voice, Ella Duvall said, “You’re joking, right? How could you possibly be married? To who…”
Suddenly, Ella Duvall froze, her eyes widening as she stared at Sara Hart in disbelief. “It can’t be… the person I’m thinking of?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Ella Duvall was utterly speechless, needing a moment to process the bombshell. “Give me a second to digest this.”
This was all too much to take in within one day.
“When did this happen?”
“About a month ago.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I wasn’t planning to tell anyone, honestly. But since we ran into each other last night, there’s no point in hiding it anymore.” Sara Hart looked down, her dark, curled lashes fluttering slightly.
“Tang Tang, I didn’t want to lie to you, but I need you to keep this a secret. I don’t want anyone to know.”
Ella Duvall, who had been bursting with questions, suddenly fell silent. Seeing the look on Sara Hart’s face, she knew there had to be more to the story.
“Sara, I just need to ask you one thing. Did you do this willingly?”
Sara Hart’s heart warmed at the concern in Ella Duvall’s eyes. “Yes, I did.”
If she hadn’t wanted to, no one could have forced her. On the contrary, even if she knew it would be a dead end, she would still push forward. She had to—otherwise, she could never truly move on.
Ella Duvall hesitated for a moment. “And now, how are things between you two?”
“To him, I’m just a stranger. Can you imagine suddenly being told to marry someone you’ve never even met? It’s not easy for him either.”
“And you…” Ella Duvall trailed off, her worry for Sara Hart evident in her voice.
“I’m fine,Ella. Don’t worry about me.” Sara Hart smiled gently. “Really.”
Ella Duvall had a million more questions swirling in her head—why did she marry Adrian Blake? Why did Adrian Blake agree? Did Sara Hart like him?—but she could sense that Sara Hart wasn’t ready to talk about it. So, she didn’t push.
“Alright, just remember, no matter what happens, I’m always here for you.”
Ella Duvall wasn’t usually the sentimental type, and Sara Hart’s smile widened a little. “I know.”
Before they could say anything else, Sara Hart’s phone rang.
She glanced at the screen—it was an unfamiliar number. “Hello?”
“Grandma wants us to come home for dinner. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up,” Adrian Blake’s cold voice came from the other end of the line.
Sara Hart blinked in surprise, then quickly gave him the address of the café.
After hanging up, Ella Duvall noticed the dazed look on her face and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Adrian Blake said he’s coming to pick me up. We’re having dinner at his family home.”
Ella Duvall’s eyes widened again. “Then you’d better get going. Call me if anything happens.”
“Alright.”
Adrian Blake arrived quickly, and after saying goodbye to Ella Duvall, Sara Hart got into his car.
Sitting in the passenger seat, she buckled her seatbelt and stole a few cautious glances at Adrian Blake. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, clearly coming straight from work.
Every time she was alone with him, Sara Hart never knew what to say. She knew a lot about him, but bringing it up might make her seem calculated. Talking about herself? He probably wouldn’t be interested.
Caught up in her thoughts, she didn’t realize they had already arrived at the Blake family’s old estate until Adrian Blake reminded her.
“We’re here.”
“Oh, right.” Sara Hart quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out of the car.
Hearing the sound of the car, Grandma Blake came out with the help of a servant, her face lighting up with a warm smile. “Sara, Adrian, you’re here!”
“Grandma, you shouldn’t be out in the wind,” Adrian Blake said, stepping forward to support her.
“I’m not that frail yet,” Grandma Blake replied, gently patting his hand. Then, she waved Sara Hart over. “Sara, come here!”
Sara Hart hurried over to take the other side.
“You’ve gotten thinner since I last saw you! I’ve had the kitchen prepare some soup for you - drink plenty of it to nourish yourself.”
“Thank you, Grandma,” Sara Hart replied obediently, helping her inside.
Adrian Blake, silent and distant, kept his eyes lowered as they walked.
The old Blake family house was quiet, with only grandma living there. Adrian Blake would visit occasionally, but his work kept him busy, so his visits were infrequent.
At dinner, grandma sat at the head of the table, with Adrian Blake and Sara Hart sitting across from each other. Neither of them was talkative, and only grandma would occasionally ask a question, to which Sara Hart would answer politely.
“This is black-bone chicken soup. Make sure you both have some,” grandma said, gesturing to the steaming pot.
“Thank you, grandma,” Sara Hart replied with a smile.
As grandma’s gaze shifted between them, she suddenly said, “Why don’t you two stay here tonight?”
Sara Hart froze, instinctively looking at Adrian Blake to gauge his reaction.
He was in the middle of sipping his soup, his long, elegant fingers holding the white porcelain bowl. His thumb and forefinger gripped the spoon, his knuckles slightly prominent.
Hearing grandma’s suggestion, Adrian Blake paused. He swallowed the soup, slowly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, and finally looked at his grandmother.
“grandma, I have a lot of work left to do at the office. I’ll need to go back tonight.”
Grandma Blake’s smile faded slightly, her expression tinged with sadness. She placed her bowl down on the table with a soft clink and said quietly, “I’m getting old. I don’t know how much time I have left. Can’t you just stay for one night?”
Adrian Blake pressed his lips together, his eyes downcast, but grandma’s gaze bore into him, waiting for an answer.
“Don’t say that, grandma. You’ll get better.”
Grandma Blake didn’t respond.
After a long pause, Adrian Blake relented. “I’ll stay here tonight.”
Grandma Blake’s expression softened, and she continued, “Yesterday, I sent Aunt Wang to deliver food to the villa, but no one was there. Not a single sign that anyone’s living there. Have you two never gone back?”
Adrian Blake glanced at Sara Hart, surprised. She hadn’t been staying at the villa?
Sara Hart quickly explained, “Grandma, the villa is far from my school, so it’s not convenient for me to commute. I’ve been staying near campus.”
“And you?” Grandma turned to Adrian Blake. “Are you still living in your apartment in the south of the city?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Grandma sighed deeply. “It’s been almost a month since you two got married. One of you lives near the school, the other at the office. If I hadn’t called you home today, would you two even see each other?”
“Starting tomorrow, I want you both to move back into the villa. I’ll have Aunt Wang come by to help you settle in.”
“Grandma…”
Just as Adrian Blake was about to protest, Grandma Blake was seized by a fit of coughing. Aunt Wang rushed over with her medicine, gently rubbing her back as she urged Adrian Blake, “Young Master, just listen to the old lady.”
Adrian Blake looked at his grandmother, whose health was clearly deteriorating. She couldn’t handle any more stress or emotional strain. His expression darkened as he replied, “Alright. We’ll do as you say.”
- Writer
