n

n

nNow that Adrian is acting a little bit out of the usual character that Cassidy has come to get used to, she realizes that she probably knows him better than she thinks she does.

nHis smile is as blindingly dazzling as ever. She could even see from the corners of her eyes that it practically knocked Aira out of her senses. However, there is something amiss here - something that most people may not be able to point out.

nWhether Cassidy is seeing right or not, she is not about to continue keeping silent like this - she should really pull herself together.

n

"Indeed, this is quite a surprise. I had no idea that you were going to come as well,

" she started and held onto her cool, hoping that she did not sound like she was against the idea since she was really not - to begin with, he had more rights to accompany their nephews compared to her.

n

"So, it's true that you're coming with them. I wasn't aware. Hugo probably had his reasons for not telling anything...

" Adrian replied before looking at Hugo and giving him a smile that was meant to reassure him but made him shudder instead.

n

"We'll talk about this later, alright?

"

n

"What do you mean by 'with them', Uncle Bossman? Isn't it supposed to be 'with us' since you're coming too?

" Joshua, being the only one among them who was not that affected by this situation, chimed in a somewhat nonchalant manner.

nWhen Adrian only responds with another smile, Cassidy further understands what it is about him that is amiss. It's hard to tell what's running in his mind, so when he finally expresses his thoughts, she hasn't really seen it coming.

n

"As for that, I think I also have to ask Cassidy if she wants me on board on the trip. I understand that you are looking forward to spend this occasion with me, but I believe that you also miss your aunt. That was why you invited her too, am I right? You ought to be with her this time. We have lots of other opportunities to be together, anyway...

" Adrian reasoned out, taking them aback.

n

"I can back out if Cassidy does not want to-

"

n

"Hey, wait, hold up...!

" Cassidy abruptly cut him off and raised one of her hands.

n

"I don't have any complaint with this arrangement. So, it's alright for you to come. Your nephews want to be with you too, and besides, you are already here.

"

n

"Are you sure?

"

n

"Yeah. I'm sure.

"

nFor a moment after settling that matter, the two of them fall into silence. Their other companions only look at them back and forth, wondering what is up with the awkwardness and their sudden staring contest.

n

"Yes, indeed. This is awkward,

" Damien deadpanned, not expecting the lack of heated exchange or any of what they regarded as likely to happen.

n

"Alright. If you say so, Cassidy...

" Adrian eventually began once more before moving on to his other point of concern.

n

"By the way, are those all the luggage you have with you? Do you have everything that you need?

"

n

"Oh, right! I forgot...!

" Cassidy blurted out and started to get frantic again.

n

"I mistook the trip to be only two days and one night. Is there still time to go back and get more stuff?

"

n

"I'm afraid we'll be boarding the ship in ten minutes or so. Can you do it within that time?

"

n

"What?! No, of course not! This place is too far from ours. It took us almost an hour to get here.

"

nAs Cassidy proceeds with her orchestration of panic and distress, Adrian only stays put until he notices Hugo staring at him from behind her. He is showing him one of those looks he does best when he wants something - that doll-eyed, puppy look, that is. That can only mean one thing - he wants him to step in and offer another solution to the problem.

nIt's not that he's not about to do that, anyway.

n

"In that case, let's just get it solved as soon as we arrive at the campsite. There'll be some free time for sightseeing and tours. You can spend that time shopping instead,

" Adrian offered, catching Cassidy off guard time and again.

n

"Oh, I see! So, there'll be some stores around?

"

n

"I believe there will be.

"

n

"Well, I don't have much of a choice. I'll make do with that.

"

n

"Then, it's settled. Now, let us send your personal belongings to the luggage deposit, shall we?

"

nAlthough he said 'us' right there, he only took their baggage and went back to wherever that luggage deposit was on his own, leaving her behind with the children.

nFor the whole time, he is straight to the point and does not beat around the bush. Greetings are not drawn out, and speeches are brief and concise. There seems nothing wrong about it - except there probably is. Then again, he did try to cancel his plan to join the trip, and he did not get even a little angry at the fact that his nephews hid such an important thing from him.

nHe only went with the flow, but at the same time, he was controlled and equanimous.

n'Furthermore, his entire presence itself...' Cassidy thought to herself as she watched Adrian walk further into the crowd at a distance.

n'He appears disengaged somehow. Like there's this gap that I can't perceive well.'

n---

nThe ride on the cruise ship had not fallen short of its preconceived luxuries.

nIt's one memorable pleasure voyage for all the families that're on board.

nThe extravagant vessel blossoms on the ocean. With furling canvasses as beauteous as dancing petals, it is bluish in compliment to the sky and waves. The sails took a deep breath and advanced over the current, onward toward the sun-brightened horizon.

nIt was a sight that Cassidy had witnessed a long time ago and was now beholding once more.

n'Never been in a school's founding anniversary like this before. Is this really an institution for primary and middle schoolers? I must've underestimated the academe meant for those of high status...' was what Cassidy had been thinking the entire time, astonished by how posh of a world the children of high society had been living in.

n'It's supposed to be a school event, but I feel like this is already a high-class family outing.'

nAt the moment, she is wandering around on her own.

nDamien and Aira are looking after Joshua and Hugo as they all set off on their own tour. Adrian, on the other hand, had been nowhere in sight since they boarded the cruise ship. For he is an individual of prominence and prestige, she thinks that he is either hiding from the crowd or he is busy engaging in conversations with his acquaintances.

n

"On the other hand, here I am walking around by myself and avoiding attention like a complete outsider. What else am I supposed to do here when I don't even know nobody...?

" Cassidy groaned to herself as she walked down a hall that was a little far from the main deck.

n

"Sightseeing is fun, but there are times when I want a bit of company, too.

"

nSoon enough, she gets to find herself at another side of the cruise ship. From floral shirts to hijabs and from mixed clothing to disaster fashion, she feels like she is now standing in a place where all people of different nationalities and races gather.

n'Oh, right! We're not the only ones boarding this ship. There are travelers too.'

nOn the furthest corner is a group of tourists listening to the instructions of their tour guide while they are waving their flaglets. On the opposite side is a rowdy family. She also spots some groups of friends who are talking among themselves and a few couples who act like they have a world of their own.

n

"Now, this makes me a little jealous,

" she then deadpanned, looking somewhat out of place among the multitude of travelers.

nWhile scanning the crowd, Cassidy happened to find an elderly woman walking with her steel cane from afar. Like her, she appears to be alone. Perhaps, because of that, her attention is drawn to her. Nothing seems that important about this whole scene until an unprecedented twist of events takes place a moment later -

nAll of the sudden, a shady-looking man bumped into the old lady on purpose before sprinting away and leaving her scrambling on the wooden floor.

n

"Hey...!

" Cassidy shouted out loud at the fleeing offender while running towards the elderly woman.

n

"Talk about disrespectful! Have you got no manners?!

"

nAfter releasing a portion of her anger right there, she proceeded to turn her focus on her. She then questioned her and addressed any possible injuries - a gesture that earned her a grateful smile.

n

"I'm fine, Miss. Thank you so much,

" the old lady replied as she stood up and tapped the specks of dust on her clothes.

n

"It's nothing, Ma'am.

"

nAs Cassidy said that, she was ready to hoist her up and bring her to the medical booth. That's until the elderly woman froze out of nowhere, much to her surprise and bafflement. She then grabbed her wrist and pointed in the direction where her offender ran to.

n

"He took my wallet. It's gone!

"

n