n

n

nAdrian is drowning in a sea of emotions right now.

nEver since Cassidy started singing and playing the guitar as if strumming his heartstrings along with it, he remained torn between approaching her and staying put there like a lovesick fool. He badly wanted to go up to that stage, pull her in his arms, and take her home with him. There were so many things that he wanted to do at that moment, but he refrained himself and chose to settle with his original plan -

nTo watch her from a distance, that is.

nAdrian was not sure if Cassidy was only trolling them when she said she was going to serenade them, though. He was expecting a love song, but it ended up to be not like that at all. It's a freaking break-up song - some bittersweet music for the broken hearts and loveless souls.

nAnd knowing that it is most likely dedicated to her douche of a husband, Adrian finds himself guilty as charged. So, instead of a serenade, it turned out to be one silent torture to him.

n

"She's good, ain't she?

"

nAt that, Adrian turns away from Cassidy looks at Bryan for a moment.

nLittle did he know that the bartender had been observing him for some time now. As much as he didn't want to sound like some creep, he could tell that anyone who'd get to see his expression would be drawn to him as well - no doubt, he's got the look of someone in love.

n

"Cassie does more than charm everybody with her singing, though. She helped a lot in building this whole place. Such a hardworking, down-to-earth woman...

" Bryan started with a smile, feeling like sharing a thing or two about his subject of interest.

n

"But don't go hitting on her later, okay? She's already got a hubby.

"

n

"Hubby...? You mean... a husband?

" Adrian asked with a quizzical look.

n

"Yeah. Never heard anything else past that, though. So, I myself kinda doubt that.

"

n

"Is she from around here?

"

n

"Little is known about her personal life, but if you're that interested, why don't you start by reading some magazines?

"

n

"Magazines? Why?

"

n

"She's a rising model. You can see her at some-

"

n

"Wait, what?!

"

nCaught off guard by that accidental discovery, Adrian suddenly staggered and nearly fell off of his seat. With a pair of saucer-like eyes, he then blinks at Bryan in disbelief while he only smiles in return. He didn't seem to be messing around - to begin with, he couldn't see any reason for him to mess around.

n'A model? Why did Charles say nothing about this? Was he also not aware? But that's not possible.'

nAnd with that, Adrian was left puzzling over a lot of questions - time and again. But in the end, he just decided to ask Bryan where he could buy those magazines.

n

"That's your third bottle now. You going for more?

" Bryan inquired, a little taken aback by how much of a heavy drinker he was.

n

"Yeah. Still could use a few more,

" Adrian replied without looking, already back to pouring his whole attention on Cassidy.

n

"Oh, man... I told you not to hit on her. But you seem to have it so bad already.

"

nAdrian only laughed as he grabbed another glass of beer.

nHe drank it a bit slower this time. That's when an image of his wife's smiling face appeared in his head. It pained him to think of such a sight - to think that he couldn't be with her anymore. But most of all, it pained him to think that he had taken something that precious for granted.

nHis laugh faded away with that thought. Adrian then finished the beer in his hand and went to grab another one before gulping it down in one go.

nHe wanted to talk with her. He wanted to apologize again. He wanted another chance with her. He didn't want to let her go. He didn't want any of what happened.

nThen, before Adrian knew it, a battle between his head and heart broke out. With the effect of the alcohol taking over him, he soon began making last-minute arrangements in his plan.

nCassidy has finished singing and is now saying something to her audience, but Adrian couldn't make out the words. He felt so out of this world to listen, and he wanted to hold her so badly that it was killing him.

nWith that in mind, he held himself up on the table and tried to stand up. It was difficult for him since he felt like the floor was spinning.

n

"Are you alright, Sir? You're going now...?

" Bryan chimed in, reacting more surprised to see him paying triple the amount of his expenses.

n

"Holy... This is the highest tip I've ever had.

"

n

"Thanks. I'll be fine...

" Adrian trailed off with a sloppy smirk, looking like he finally lost it.

n

"I'll go see my wife now.

"

n---

nCassidy bid everyone farewell at the backstage before heading out of that place.

nShe was so sure there would be nothing greeting her in that alley that she almost had a heart attack when she opened the door. There, she found an all-too-familiar face standing before her and leaning on the wall with his hands in his pockets.

nCassidy gasped in shock, her eyes widening at the sight of her husband.

nAdrian appears kind of pale and lightheaded, but as soon as he sees her, his spirits seem to have been revived.

n

"Cassidy! You finally let me talk to you!

"

nHe was about to push himself in, but before he could do so, she pushed him out and closed the door behind her. There's something wrong with him. She can't figure out what.

nNo matter what it was, she only continued pushing him away even though it killed her to touch him. She doesn't want him to be there. Even after three months, it still hurts her to see him again. She still wasn't ready to confront him since she simply didn't have the strength to put up a fight.

nOnce they were out on the sidewalk, Adrian spun around to look at Cassidy, nearly losing his balance in the process.

n

"Cassidy! What's yo' problem!? I came all this way here just to see you! I wanna see you...

" he began before taking a step closer to her and placing his hand on her cheek.

n

"Did ya' know how prettyyyyy you are?

"

nFor a second, Cassidy only blinks at Adrian in puzzlement - he is totally acting out of character. She then angrily moved his hand away from her face.

n

"Leave me alone already! I don't want to see you! What part of leave me alone did you not understand?! Just leave, okay?! There's nothing for you to do here! Everything is over and done with! Just go home!

" she bolted out without thinking.

n

"Nope. Nope. Nope,

" he protested while he shook his head back and forth like a child.

nWith that, Adrian grabbed her shoulders and leaned a little closer to her. When he spoke, Cassidy noticed the strong smell of alcohol coming from his mouth, which completely threw her off guard.

n

"I ain't gonna go home without you! I wanna be with you, Cassidy! Please, Cassidy! Don't do this to meeee! I love you so much. So, so, so much! Why don't you understand that?

" he whined and grumbled and moaned - he was really out of it.

n

"You've been drinking, you idiot,

" she told him sadly as she pushed him away again.

nThat is probably the reason why he is saying all that nonsense. He probably doesn't even know half the stuff he is saying, and he probably isn't that serious with his words.

n

"Go home, Adrian. If Asher and the others catch you here, they might kill you without a second thought. Just leave. You're making things worse.

"

nHe was not listening to her since he was silently singing her name to himself. When he noticed her staring at him, he smiled and grabbed her by the waist. She tries to free herself, but even when he is under the influence of the alcohol, he is still really strong.

n

"Cassidy...?

" he started once more before he paused to stare at her as if admiring her - as if she was his world.

n

"Let's have sex, Cassidy.

"

n

"You're being stupid, Adrian!

" she responded in an instant, pushing him as hard as she could.

nThough Cassidy did not intend to, her push sent Adrian falling to the ground. He had such a heavy fall that he couldn't even keep himself up. She can't help but pity him as she looks down at him. As he struggled to stand himself up, she fought the urge to help him.

nCassidy then finds herself wondering if Adrian has gotten drunk because of her. To begin with, she was entirely unaware that he was there - he said that he went all this way to see her. She shook that thought away, her heart aching from pain and sadness. It hurts her so much to be close to him.

nCassidy doesn't want to look at him - she doesn't want to be near him, and she especially doesn't want to go back loving him.

n