Not far from the dance floor, in a dim corner, Riley clutched a nearly untouched glass of red wine, his eyes fixed on the fiery, dazzling figure on the dance floor.
The word "heartbroken" was written all over his face, and he looked completely dejected.
Darius, having just escaped from his own elders, saw his friend staring blankly with a wine glass and nudged him with his elbow. "Riley, you're so captivated by your goddess you can't even look away? Are you in a trance?"
Riley didn't answer, just let out a heavy sigh.
He lifted the glass and drained the red wine in one go, the taste bitter on his tongue. A gloomy cloud seemed to settle over him.
Darius had never seen his friend look so defeated. He snatched the empty glass from his hand and slung an arm around his neck. "Riley, did you find out your goddess is Ghost Doctor and suddenly feel you're not worthy of her?"
After all, one was a world-renowned doctor who could snatch people from the clutches of death itself, while the other was a thoroughgoing playboy. They were indeed polar opposites.
"Then again, with a title like Ghost Doctor, no one would feel worthy standing in front of her," Trevor chimed in, seeing Riley's continued silence. He clapped Riley on the shoulder. "Riley, don't lose heart.....”
"If you put it that way..." Darius stared at the dancing couple on the floor. "Mr. Blackwood and Ghost Doctor actually look... pretty good together."
Trevor nudged Darius, about to tell him to shut up, but when his gaze followed Darius's to the two people on the dance floor, the words got stuck in his throat.
He swallowed hard and turned to Darius, utterly shocked. "Wait... isn't Mr. Blackwood gay? Since when does he let women get close to him? They're so close they're practically hugging! This this... they actually look really good together."
He had barely finished his sentence when Darius nudged him again.
The two looked at each other, then simultaneously turned to the even more crestfallen and dejected Riley.
Darius scratched the back of his head. "Uh, Riley... I'm just saying, maybe we should find a new goddess? That's Mr. Blackwood. You're not thinking of becoming his love rival, are you?"
That image...
It was too terrifying to even contemplate.
The two of them watched Riley cautiously.
Normally, if he heard them say such things, he would have jumped up and punched them both.
But Riley just sighed heavily again.
"What does it matter if I'm worthy or...
not? It's not like she was ever going to be mine anyway."
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Darius and Trevor were stunned. “Riley, no way. Are you really giving up just like that? That's not like you!"
Their Riley was as stubborn as a bull. He would never admit defeat so easily. Had he already given up?
“Riley, didn't you say you were going to chase your goddess to the ends of the earth?"
Suddenly, a heavy lump formed in
Riley's throat, and a wave of raw grief washed over him. His eyes turned red, and his voice cracked with emotion." don't want to give up've weer alive for twenty years
and this is the first time I've ever felt this way about a woman But I... I haven't even had a chance to properly talk to her, I just found out her name, I haven't even had a chance to show her my good side, I..."