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nCassidy had a hard time pretending to be asleep when Adrian was saying all those sweet-nothings and riddling kisses all over her face.

nShe was already combusting on the spot, but thanks to her fever, she managed not to get seen through. Her current condition had a use, after all. Now, she only hoped that the loud thumping in her chest went unnoticed - nor the unsteady breathing that she kept letting out the whole time.

n'Gosh...! How can a man smell so good?! That alone was already bad for my heart. What more if I opened my eyes and saw what he was doing to me...?!' Cassidy bolted out inside her head, still having an internal panic.

n'I know that pretending like this is pretty childish of me too, especially since he really isn't doing anything wrong. But still, I don't think I can face him now.'

nIf Adrian knows that she is already awake, she is certain that the first thing they will talk about is what happened last night. She is afraid that she is still not ready to do anything about it. Then again, she hasn't even registered everything in. It will take a while for the entire truth to sink in.

nNot to mention, she doesn't want to deal with such a heavy matter in this hazy state. She might end up saying something she doesn't mean, and she really can't afford to add anything to her headaches.

nCassidy wants to take small steps for now - to confront everything little by little. That's why she wants to continue keeping it all to herself for at least a day longer.

n'Tomorrow... I promise I'll deal with it as soon as tomorrow comes... For now, I need to rest,' she thought while panting a little too heavily for someone who was supposed to be asleep.

n

"Done acting now, Cassie?

"

nThen, she froze.

nAt that all-too-familiar voice, she finds herself coming to a still for a moment. She then tried to figure out if she heard right or she was only hallucinating. That is until she suddenly feels something warm and soft hitting the tip of her nose.

nBaffled, she finally opens her eyes - only to come face-to-face with a certain childhood friend of hers.

n

"A-Asher?!

" Cassidy blurted out in complete shock.

nAt the moment, Asher is staring down at her with his face so close that there is nothing but a small gap between them. Only then did she realize how handsome he had actually gotten over the years - the devilish kind of handsome, that is. His mischievous smirk makes him appear so even more.

n

"Good morning, sleeping beauty...

" Asher greeted with a low, smoky tone.

n

"Or should I say, good evening?

"

n

"H-Huh? It's night already...?

" Cassidy asked in surprise and puzzlement.

n

"More importantly, how did you get in here? Why are you here? When exactly did you come? Why are you so close-

"

n

"Woah, chill out, lady. One by one, okay? We've got all the time in the world.

"

n

"R-Right, sorry... Did Adrian let you in?

"

n

"Of course not. He's talking with ol' man Gilmore right now. Know him? He's the reason why I was able to sneak in even with the tight security.

"

n

"Wait, what?

"

n

"I'm still hiding from Charlie and Ray, you know. You can't expect me to expose myself to Shade.

"

nShe hadn't even heard the whole story yet, but she already felt like going back to sleep.

nWhile she remained looking all befuddled, he backed away and settled down on the side of the bed. That's when she got a better look at what he was wearing - he was disguised as a nurse.

n

"I snuck in while pretending to be a nurse. Your doctor is an acquaintance of our group - used to be an ally of our allies. I would have known that you lost your memories had I learned that he was your doctor back then. It's good that I still got to find out about it even though it's only recently. He's now covering for me,

" Asher explained before shrugging nonchalantly.

n

"Oh, that's quite a surprise...

" Cassidy trailed off with her eyes wide and mouth agape.

n

"But I thought we're going to meet up in a few more weeks. Why did you show up today?

"

n

"Why...? Gilmore called me in the middle of the night, telling me that you had been sent here. I got very worried. Can't I worry about you?

"

nFor a second there, she saw how his gaze somehow flickered. He probably thinks that his presence is unwelcomed, which she admits is kind of unlike him. Whether he is welcomed or not, he is the type of guy who always does what he wants without feeling guilty.

n

"That's not what I'm trying to say. I'm just concerned that you might get busted out or something. Of course, I'm glad that you visited,

" she reassured him.

n

"Say, what was going on between you and Shade? Gilmore said that it was strange that you just straight up fainted without any warning. Did something happen?

" he inquired all of the sudden, making her jolt a little in surprise.

n

"Oh, ummm... T-There is indeed... a lot.

"

n

"Care to tell me?

"

nCassidy sees no reason to hide the fact that Adrian also lost his memories - along with the context of that event, but she is still a bit hesitant. Her fever isn't going anywhere if her head starts aching again once she recalls all of it out loud. However, Asher has the right to know as soon as possible, considering that this whole thing has greatly affected their lives. She needs to tell him.

nWith that in mind, Cassidy went and confessed everything that Adrian revealed to her last night.

nAsher wasn't any less disconcerted than her when he heard it. Disbelief and perplexity struck him several times, but in the end, he settled with heaving a deep sigh of exhaustion. He looks overwhelmed.

n

"That freaking, suicidal bastard... So, that's how it is...

" he hissed underneath his breath while ruffling his hair.

n

"Did he tell you anything more than that? Just the past events? What about now? What is he doing about it?

"

n

"I was going to ask more, but I already fainted before I knew it...

" she muttered with a sigh.

n

"Why're you asking? Did you learn something from your secret operations thingy? You have been hunting down Grisham Donovan's accomplices, haven't you?

"

n

"Yeah, well...

"

nAsher falters and looks away.

nOf course, he knows what Adrian has been doing lately.

nHe's the reason why they can't find any more of their targets, after all - and that's because he keeps beating them to it. Apparently, there has been a string of abductions around certain individuals that they happen to be targeting as well. They did not really get to find out about it until they managed to capture one recently and learned that this was indeed happening.

nIt seems like Adrian has already made his decision to go against his family and the Millicent Inc.

n'If Cassie learned that Shade was more than willing to leave all those things behind and fight against everyone for her sake, would she change her mind and refuse to leave him...?' Asher pondered quietly, casting down his gaze.

n'She is not that forgiving and indecisive, but she has a soft and kind heart. What's more, she has loved him. As much as I didn't want to accept it, she truly did.'

nBefore they parted ways weeks ago, Cassidy had told him what she could remember for the past five years - about how she had loved Adrian despite the abuse of his relatives. If she didn't insist, he would've never let her go back there after learning that.

nHe's aware that her choice to leave the household is not really that set in stone despite what she thinks, though. She said that she wanted to break free and live for herself from now on, but there was still a possibility that they would eventually find a way to set their relationship straight and begin a new life with only the two of them in it.

nNow, if Cassidy learns how much Adrian has been struggling to start anew with her, that possibility might really happen.

n'No. I can't let that happen. Five years are enough, Shade. You've had your chances even though you lost your memories. If you genuinely loved her, you would have recalled her...' Asher firmly thought before looking back at Cassidy.

n'Before Cassie changes her mind, I have to snatch her away.'

nWith that, he spreads an innocent-looking smile, hiding that intention of his behind it. He then starts convincing her to flee with him tonight while reasoning out the danger of staying in the Millicent household for any while longer, considering that Grisham can literally walk right in and end her life on the spot.

nThough Cassidy did not think of that possibility before, she thought that it was actually quite probable - Irish and Olivia's unannounced visit yesterday was proof. Still, she couldn't help but think that everything was escalating too suddenly.

n

"You know well that I can't leave just like that, Asher. Besides, I haven't earned enough yet,

" Cassidy protested, bemused by his sudden suggestion.

n

"If you're worried about the security, I already got it handled. We're leaving through the window. Some of my companions are waiting outside. As for your earnings, you don't have to finish everything. Just be done with those that don't require you to stay beside Shade or something...

" Asher reasoned out before leaning closer to her out of nowhere, catching her off guard.

n

"You don't have to continue shouldering all the burdens on your own. I'm here now, am I not?

"

nTorn between finding solace in his reassurance and opposing the idea, Cassidy found herself in a tight position.

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