n

n

nAdrian didn't really mean to.

nHe didn't mean to bring up something like having sex in their first meeting in a long while. He didn't mean to be such an ass over and over again. He didn't mean to be as stupid as a pleasure-deprived, simple-minded fool. He didn't want to be so desperate too.

nBut when he told her how much he loves her, all of it are true. He means everything he has said, and he hopes he has gotten through her even just for a little bit.

n

"Get up, Adrian,

" Cassidy said before she leaned down next to Adrian, concerned that he might end up getting crashed over by a vehicle if he continued lying there on the street.

nShe then places his arm over her neck to try to help him stand up. He appears to be getting paler and paler in each passing moment. She is almost sure that the cold air is making him feel worse.

n

"Let's have you sit here for now. Pull yourself together already,

" she told him as she guided him to a nearby bench.

nAdrian looks so happy by such a simple gesture that Cassidy finds it hard to believe. Having him so close makes her heart pound so loudly that she wonders if he can hear it. She hates having this reaction to him since she is supposed to be putting her distance. Perhaps, old habits really die hard - she did love him for half a decade.

n

"You are such a sweet little cinnamon roll, my love. Despite how stubborn you are, you are as kind as an angel~

" Adrian cooed out of nowhere, taking her aback.

n

"If you say something like that one more time, I swear I'll let you drop dead...

" Cassidy hissed, blushing a little from embarrassment despite being unsure of what to really feel about that.

n

"I'm not doing this because I want to, dummy. If the others come and find you lying around here, they will really kill you without a doubt, especially if they see you in this condition. So, just shut up and don't say another damn word.

"

n

"So, you do care about me? That makes me happy to know.

"

nAs he said that, she began to wonder how he found her in the first place. He even knew she was going to use the exit at the backstage. She didn't bother asking him, though.

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"You know what, Cassidy? I want to be with you forever and ever and ever. You should be my wife again,

" he continued to ramble, wishing for this moment to last longer.

n

"Shut up already...

" she muttered with a frown - if only he knew how much his words pained her.

n

"You don't know what you're saying. You're absolutely insane.

"

n

"One day, I'm gonna make you my wife again. And then, we're gonna live beside a beach. You've always liked the ocean, right? We'll start over again, settle down and all, and have as many kids as we want. We'll have our own family. Isn't that lovely...? It sure does sound lovely.

"

nHe nodded as he stared at her with so much love, longing and admiration. At this point, she could already feel her face burning up.

n

"Cassidy, you are sooooo pretty.

"

nSighing, Cassidy just decided to ignore Adrian since there was probably nothing in the world that could zip his mouth. But still, she really needs to go now - not only because she has another work to attend to, but also because staying with him and watching him for a minute longer will make her want to help him more.

n

"I said pull yourself together - not act like a crazy buffoon,

" she chided and scowled.

n

"Crazy? Oh, yeah, yeah... I am...

" he trailed off before flashing her a sloppy grin.

n

"Crazy in love with you, that is.

"

n

"Ughhhh... You're so out of your head, Adrian Millicent.

"

n

"Blame it all to the beautiful lady named Cassidy Millicent.

"

n

"It'll be 'Cassidy Eleanor' soon if you really don't shut up.

"

nAnd alas, he did.

nShe almost laughed a little when he dropped his playful expression almost instantly. It was as if a gun had been pointed straight at his head, threatening him like how the real deal would. Seeing that reaction of his, she kind of figures out that he can still think properly after all. He will probably be fine if she leaves.

n

"Anyway, I'll be going now. Don't drive home while you're at that state...

" Cassidy said and stepped away, earning a somewhat petrified look from him.

n

"There's a nearby motel around here-

"

n

"W-Wait. Y-You're really leaving now...?

" Adrian stuttered, reaching out to hold her hand.

n

"C-Can we like... Can we talk for a little while longer?

"

nHearing him beg with that fearful expression, she can't help but stiffen.

nShe can't allow him to do this anymore. She can't continue seeing that pleading look on his face. She can't let him get to her. She can't loosen her hold on her resolve and back out.

nAnd with those in mind, she lets her stubbornness take the lead once more.

n

"No, we can't.

"

nSparing Adrian one last glance, Cassidy then finally walks away and goes to call for a taxicab. He can only slump on his seat and heave a defeated sigh, thinking that this is how far he can go for now. His plan is already ruined - he can't let himself mess it up even more. He neither followed Charles nor Irish at all.

nWhen a taxicab pulled in before her, she didn't even bid him goodbye nor spare another look. She just headed in and sat on the passenger's seat as if he wasn't there. He was dying inside when he was watching the whole thing - perhaps, he is really as good as nothing to her now.

nThen, as soon as the vehicle left, it started to rain.

n

"Wow. Great,

" Adrian only sighed again, though he still did not move from his seat.

nAs if matching his mood, the sky began to cry all of the sudden. Even then, he just lets himself get soaked by the downpour, too weak and exhausted to even lift a finger. He doesn't care anymore. As he continues sitting around there, all he can really think about is her.

n

"That idiot... Why isn't he leaving yet? It's already pouring,

" Cassidy thought out loud as soon as she spotted Adrian on the rear-view mirror of the taxicab she was riding on.

nShe can't believe that he's making her feel guilty like this, though she highly doubts he does since she knows that he will never do such a thing. Still, whether he is doing this on purpose or not, she can't keep herself from feeling bad. Knowing his current condition, she understands that he's still not in his right thinking as well.

nConcerned that he might get sick at this rate, Cassidy took out her cellphone from her purse and called for someone.

nAll the while, Adrian only remains there, looking like a homeless guy - a pathetically pitiful, stray soul. He tried to make the rain wash away even a bit of his pain and agony, but of course, it did not work. And so, he just stooped his head low, cried a little, and continued moping around.

n

"Young gentleman, that is not good for your health.

"

nRight then, Adrian looked up in surprise.

nIt was Bryan.

nThe bartender from earlier is now looking down at him with an umbrella in hand. He is shielding him from the rain using it, looking both worried and dumbfounded all the while. Before he could say something, he already beat him to it and explained himself.

n

"I'm not hitting on you, alright? Don't fret...

" Bryan quipped with a small smile.

n

"It's Cassie. She called me just now, asking me to go out here and get you an umbrella.

"

nAdrian couldn't talk for a moment.

nHe couldn't understand Cassidy at all.

nOne moment she was pushing him away, and then on the next, she would be doing this kind of thing. Yet at the same time, it was not really that hard to understand. He already knows that it is simply because she is that kind-hearted. She has always been this nice and selfless.

nAnd that never-changing kindness of hers might be the end of him.

n'And yet, what am I doing acting like some crazy buffoon like she said...?' Adrian then found himself thinking, crying even harder despite his will.

n'Irish was right - I've got to stop this and think of another way. I couldn't force myself on her like this. There has to be another way. There has to be. And this time around, I shouldn't do it half-assed. I should stick to the plan.'

nWhile he regrets not following his sister's love advice, he does end up steeling his resolve for real. He just probably acted out of the plan because of how much he missed her - and that damn alcohol too. He should stop drinking already. It wouldn't solve anything.

n'My, my... Will you look at that? How can a man be this handsome?'

nDuring the whole time Adrian was having his drama, Bryan only kept watching his crying face in silence, feeling like he was seeing the most jaw-dropping, stunning human masterpiece that was ever created.

n