n

n

nJust as Irish promised, she left together with Olivia and Edward after she finished giving Adrian her love advice.

nIt turned out that it was actually their eldest brother whom she mainly decided to visit there - not him. That explained why the three of them were together. She confessed that she was only messing around when she said she went there to see him and poke her nose in his business.

n

"Or so she said. You do know Irish, right? From now on, she will most probably use me as an excuse to see you again...

" was what Edward told Adrian before they left his office that time.

n

"Hopefully, your doors will still be open for us, Adrian.

"

nEven Charles was somewhat impressed by the love advice that Irish gave. There is no underlying tone or hidden agenda behind her words. She was advising him with a pure and genuine intention, completely disregarding their strife and falling-out for a moment.

nIt seems to Charles that Adrian has still taken the gesture with a grain of salt. To him, their familial discord had left a permanent mark on their relationship. He can't blame him for thinking so, though. His persisting resentment and inconceivable ire are understandable.

n

"But in any case, I think it'll do you good to follow Ma'am Irish on this one. She's a woman, and she's got tons of experiences. What she said also kind of made sense to me,

" was what Charles said back then as a way to second what Irish advised.

nAnd so, Adrian decided to do as he was told.

n

"Well, yeah, you can still pursue her. But at the same time, do what you do best - stay anonymous. Don't let her know that it's you,

" was basically what the love advice all about.

nWith that, he took a day off on that weekend and went to where his wife was working at. Of course, he did this all while in disguise. He put on a hoodie and a cap, dressing up like how he did way back before. The image he went after was the one that she called 'gloomy' and 'depressing' in the past - not because he was trying to attract her attention in a different way, but because that was the only look he knew how to use aside from being 'neat' and 'tidy'.

nAt any rate, Adrian can't afford getting caught if he doesn't want to displease Cassidy.

n---

nAfter an hour of driving out of the city, Adrian finally reached the sports bar where Cassidy was said to be working at.

nHe had to admit that it was far. The place is actually located a little beyond the borders of the urban area. That in itself already tells about her seriousness - his wife really wants to get away from him as far as possible.

nAdrian entered the bar without any particular expectation aside from it being tailored to a specific clientele and having screens all around to televise the latest sports events. He was quite relieved when he found it filled by a somewhat refined and couth crowd - no dudes looking as if they had killed people on the streets nor rebels who were always in for some hole-in-the-wall bar fights like in those old movies.

n

"Welcome, dear gentleman! You appear to be new around here...

" greeted the bartender when Adrian took a spot at the bar counter.

n

"But then again, we ourselves are new in this area. I hope you enjoy your time here. The name's Bryan, by the way.

"

nBryan is a dark-skinned man around his forty's - featuring a keen pair of amber irises and well-groomed black hair. For a second, some sort of recognition struck both of them, but Adrian immediately turned away and looked in another direction. To further avoid suspicion, he ordered some alcohol and pretended to be the guest he was expected to be.

nHe sat on the stool at the furthest corner of the bar counter, trying to hide his presence as much as he could. For a while, he only scanned around the place, searching for a certain redhead but to no avail. He waited and waited - for almost an hour even. As long as he doesn't get even a small glimpse of the person he went there for, he's determined not to leave.

nThat's all until someone at the stage in front starts announcing something.

n

"Ladies and gentlemen, here's what we've all been waiting for! Let's all now welcome our ever beloved entertainer for tonight!

"

nRight then, the crowd begins to cheer and applaud in greeting to the performer.

nAs soon as her staggering beauty graces the stage, Adrian can't help but fall all over again. After three months of missing her, it will already be more than worth it to see a glimpse of her. But now, she is standing right there in front of him, looking like a goddess who descended heaven in her pristine white dress.

n

"Good evening, everyone. I hope you're all having a good time...

" Cassidy greeted everyone in the audience who was both silenced by her striking presence and delighted by her much-awaited appearance.

n

"So, as usual, I have prepared something for you guys.

"

n

"Is this another rock and roll concert, Cassie?!

" someone from the crowd shouted, making her and the others laugh.

n

"I believe we've already had that several times in a row. You ought to take a break from all that head-banging if you don't wanna lose more brain cells. Tonight, let's play it cool. I'll be serenading instead.

"

nAt that, some of them whistle while others give another round of applause.

nCassidy went ahead and took out a guitar before sitting on the chair that was placed in the middle of the platform. Adrian is taken by pleasant surprise at this. The music has not even started yet, but he already can't help but admire her in all her stunning and heavenly glory.

nThat's all he can do at this point, anyway.

n

"This one's a love song, by the way. Please, don't sleep on me or make fun of me, guys...

" Cassidy kid around, earning a lighthearted laugh from her audience.

n

"And I'd like to dedicate this to someone who'd never be able to hear it.

"

nThose last words came out as nothing but a whisper, but Adrian was able to catch on. His eyes widen a little while his figure goes still at that very moment. He hasn't even gotten over the surprise that he felt from that when he already found himself getting swept away by the sweetest and most angelic voice he has ever heard.

nAs Cassidy begins to sing, Adrian feels like he can live in that moment forever.

n