n

n

nAs soon as Cassidy arrived at the orphanage, she was greeted by the caretakers and got toured around the place.

nEveryone was grateful and overjoyed to have received the bouquets from her. They seemed to have appreciated them as much as she did. Seeing how the adults reacted, she became eager to see how the children would respond to them.

nBut then, for some reason, Cassidy had not seen a single one of them ever since she came.

n

"Oh, the children? They are with our other guest right now, Ma'am Eleanor. I sincerely apologize for not informing you beforehand since this is kind of a last-minute visit. But if you like, you can join them as well,

" was what the headmistress of the orphanage explained to her after she asked about the orphans.

nThere is really nothing wrong about having another guest apart from her, though. In fact, she finds it a good thing that they have someone else funding and providing for them. Perhaps, that explains why their building appears to be having an ongoing renovation.

n

"If you don't mind me asking, who's this other donor?

" she inquired on their way to the playroom where everybody was at the moment.

n

"He is a well-known and affluent personality. I believe you will be able to tell who he is once you see him,

" the headmistress answered with a knowing smile, putting on some suspense.

nCassidy thinks that having a wealthy figure backing their finances is even better, but what she doesn't know is that she is in for a rude awakening.

nThey were still treading the narrow hallway that led to the playroom when they heard fits of laughter, lots of talking and a husky, masculine voice standing out among the little noises. A children's book is being read - it seems like they are being told a story. From that alone, she could tell that the orphans were enjoying the company.

nBut then, the more she closes in, the more she feels a strong sense of familiarization.

nAnd when she finally reached the doorway of the playroom, she realized what that feeling was all about.

n

"Alright, kids. Settle down and listen closely. This will be the last one, but don't worry, I will be coming back with more as I've always promised.

"

nIt was Adrian all along.

nThunderstruck, Cassidy only froze on the spot and fell quiet.

nShe was not expecting any of these at all - not the presence of her husband, the fact that he was the other donor, the impression that the children were fond of him, and this entire scene itself. Going by their conversation, he had been here even before she decided to come to this place, and he had already formed a close relationship with them.

nHe is sitting on a chair at the front with a book in hand. The children are on the floor, attentively listening to his story. The way he smiles at them is kind, gentle and sincere. It's almost as if he himself is enjoying their company as well.

nIt's a rare look on him - one that draws and compels

n

"It's Mr. Adrian Millicent, Ma'am Eleanor. He's been coming here for months now, and according to what I've heard, this is not the only charity home he's been helping. He formed an institution that's engaged in relief of those in need and raises funds for several charities,

" the headmistress told her while she stayed speechless and uncertain of what to do.

nCassidy then looks at her and tries to see if she has an idea that she is related to Adrian more closely than she thinks. However, she appears to be clueless as she only continues to talk about his remarkable achievements and commendable deeds. She was most probably unaware because she used her maiden name and hid her true identity.

n'In that case... Perhaps, Adrian doesn't know about me, either...?' Cassidy wondered in silence and gave another glance to where Adrian was.

n'Should I come in? I'm not sure if I'm prepared for this, and I don't know what to expect from him. It's been two years since we last saw each other, after all. I don't know how he is now-'

n

"Seems like storytelling time is over. You may go in now, Ma'am Eleanor...

" the headmistress chimed in once more, stealing back her attention.

n

"Oh, wait, let me introduce you to Mr. Millicent first. Then, the kids.

"

nBefore she could even respond to this, she already went inside and left her there at the hallway.

nWith that, Cassidy is struck stunned again. She can't seriously be planning to introduce a wife to her husband - not like she is aware, though.

nAt this point, Cassidy thinks of fleeing and avoiding Adrian, but that will only make it look like she is making a big deal about such a small thing. To begin with, she is not even certain if she still needs to run away. It's been a couple of years of no contact, anyway. Things were bound to change, including the way he would act towards her -

nOr even the way he sees her.

n'Okay, okay. Calm down. There's no reason to be a coward. I myself have changed - he would too, of course...' she reassured herself and took a deep breath before making her way inside the playroom.

n'Let's keep our cool and be done with it.'

nYet Adrian was no longer there the moment Cassidy stepped right in.

nDumbfounded, she looked around the room again but saw that he was really nowhere to be found. The children are only talking among themselves at that point, and some of the caretakers have come to instruct them to head out. That's when the headmistress approached her again.

n

"I'm very sorry, Ma'am Eleanor. Mr. Millicent already departed. It seems like he is in a hurry to leave for work,

" she said with an apologetic expression.

n

"O-Oh, I see...

" she trailed off and cast down her gaze, hiding how taken aback she was.

n

"He must have been really busy.

"

n

"Indeed. It's not short of a surprise since he's a CEO and everything. But even then, he made time for the kids. He really is a nice man.

"

nCassidy tried to believe and understand that, but for some unknown reason, she felt like there was more to it - perhaps, Adrian was the one avoiding her.

n---

n

"Uncle Bossman, you're spacing out again.

"

nAt that call, Adrian had been spared from zeroing in on his thoughts.

nDinner has already been served before he knew it. From the side, Damien is looking at him with concern and curiosity in his gaze. Edward, on the other hand, is in the middle of reminding Joshua and Hugo about table manners - time and again.

nTonight, the five of them have gathered in his mansion to have dinner.

nIt's just like before. They would spend the evening together every once in a while, but considering all that had happened in their family, they have apparently decreased in number. Unlike back then, their mother or their sisters would not be joining them - it had been years now since they did not. It was what really marked their fall-out.

n

"Did something happen at work? You don't seem well,

" Damien inquired and pored over his expression, looking genuinely concerned.

n

"Thanks for worrying, Damien. I'm alright. Just got a lot of things to think about,

" Adrian reassured him with a smile.

n

"Don't push yourself too hard again, Uncle Bossman. Dad already took Grandmother's place in the company. You don't have to carry all the burdens alone.

"

nIt seems like this nephew of his has really gotten used to encouraging him - sometimes, he wonders who's the adult here and who's the child. But if anything, he is deeply appreciative of the gesture. He can never express his gratitude enough.

n

"Ummm... Hugo...

" Joshua suddenly called out to his brother, a bit hesitant.

n

"Your cellphone. I can hear it. It's ringing-

"

n

"Oh, you're right!

" Hugo blurted out in surprise before reaching in his pocket to take his phone out.

n

"Don't even think about it, young man. We're in the middle of dinner. It's rude to use your phone while we're eating...

" Edward chided and sighed, earning a dismayed look from his son.

n

"To begin with, I didn't give you a cellphone on your birthday to-

"

n

"I don't have a text buddy nor a pen pal, Daddy! I swear I don't give my number to just anyone! Not even my schoolmates!

"

n

"Then, who is calling you now, Hugo...?

" Adrian questioned, joining in their conversation.

n

"Is it urgent? It kept on ringing.

"

nHugo stiffens at that, thinking that this is not really a good time to be having this call.

nHe already saw who was calling, but he could not possibly answer it in front of everyone like this. Nobody even knew that this certain someone had exchanged contact numbers with him - and nobody really should, he thought. This is a secret he promised to keep.

nStill, it frustrates Hugo. He had been waiting for this call for days, and he was more than thrilled to be finally receiving it. But now, he might have to decline it.

n

"Well, are you gonna answer that or what?

" Joshua prodded on.

n

"Who is it, by the way?

" Damien joined in.

nNow, all of their attention is on Hugo, making him start to sweatdrop and fidget on his seat.

n