n

n

nAfter returning from their three-day trip, Cassidy goes straight back to work.

nAlthough there was no rush for her to do so, she could not afford to rest. That was because her mind would always wander off to that time she had with Adrian when they were stranded in the middle of the woods. Whenever she had nothing to do, she would recall that rainy night - how he kept her warm despite the cold, how he said all those sugary words, how he touched her on her sweet spots, and how he pleasured her to the point she forgot everything else.

nOnly when she notices that she is heating up will she realize that she has already been too caught up in her flashback.

n

"Ughhhh... Here we go again...

" Cassidy grumbled underneath her breath the moment she felt herself blushing for the thousandth time since that evening.

n

"I can't seriously be thinking about that thing again. On broad daylight even! I really need to get a grip-

"

n

"Thinking about what?

"

nThen, she screeched.

nShe jolted in surprise when Bryan chimed in and appeared out of nowhere. Her heart seemed to rise all the way up to her lungs at that moment. He was also taken aback by how she suddenly screamed at his face. As a result, the two of them ended up scaring the living daylights out of each other.

n

"B-Bryan...! You surprised me!

" Cassidy blurted out after realizing that it was only him.

n

"Yeah, I can see that...

" Bryan deadpanned and raised a brow at her.

n

"You have been stalling around here in the counter for almost an hour. Are you trying to take my job away? Am I gonna get fired? And are you not supposed to be doing something else right now?

"

n

"Huh? I am? What something?

"

n

"Like meeting the flower shop lady next door and paying for the flowers you gave to the orphanage you visited-

"

n

"Oh, right! I forgot!

"

nAnd with that, as usual, Cassidy finds herself scrambling around the diner and setting off in a haste.

n---

nThe errand is easy to carry out.

nCassidy only needs to go inside the flower shop, have a conversation with the ever generous and thoughtful owner, and pay for the bouquets she bought the other day. But then, something as simple as that took a complicated turn when the unprecedented happened. Not only did she not see this coming, but she also ended up losing sight of her plan because of this.

nApparently, Cassidy saw Charles and Olivia inside the flower shop - which she had to take note was just across her restaurant.

n

"Oh, it's Charlie and Ofelia...

" she absentmindedly thought out loud with a listless expression, still unable to get the whole scene.

n

"Wait, Charlie and Ofelia?!

"

nAs soon as it completely registered in her head, she immediately backed out and hid behind the door of the flower shop.

nShe was about to enter when she spotted the two of them standing in front of the counter and talking with the owner. Seeing them together at this kind of place was something she did not once imagine. What's more, they're in their casual clothes, which probably means they're not working today.

n'Wait a darn minute. They're together? Alone? In their casual outfits? At a flower shop?' Cassidy tried to internalize, looking dumbfounded all the while.

nNow, that is quite intriguing.

nHer curiosity is piqued.

nThinking of sneaking, she decided to eavesdrop on their conversation with the owner instead of going inside like what she initially planned. Though there was nothing wrong with catching them going out together, especially since Charles was literally the secretary of Olivia's brother, anyone who would happen to see them would think that they were a couple. They did seem to be closer than before, and though the space between them was decorous, they appeared to be getting along better.

n

"Oh, how interesting, indeed~

" Cassidy cooed to herself as she continued to observe them from behind.

nAt first, she still had the audacity to fool around like that. Yet as soon as she heard what they were talking about, she could no longer find it in herself to make fun of the situation.

n

"Thank you so much for coming here all the time, Sir Charles. I admire your diligence - and the devotion of your boss as well! To think that he would keep sending flowers to his wife for two whole years without taking credits for it even once...

" the flower shop owner said with a beaming smile and a lighthearted laugh.

n

"Our beloved Cassie is always pleased and delighted whenever she receives the bouquets. She even insisted on paying for them more than once. But of course, I couldn't let her. I do hope that your boss can see how happy she looks every time she sees the flowers he sends.

"

nCassidy is speechless and unmoving through it all.

nShe does not know how exactly she will react to what she has just discovered. Shocked is not even the best word to describe how she feels at that moment - perhaps, no words can.

nThen again, two years seem to be quite a long time for someone to stay this oblivious. She had no idea at all - and though she did wonder where all those flowers were really coming from, she was convinced that it was only an act of good will from the flower shop lady. There was nothing more to it. And never did she think that it could be from that certain someone.

n'The heck is that guy thinking...?' she then began to ponder in silence as she remained in her stunned state.

n'Keeping it a secret for two years? Not taking credits? Really, Adrian? What are you thinking? You don't have to go that far. I already said every hurtful word I could say to you. I thought you've already settled down. Just what is this?'

nAlthough Cassidy may be saying all of that, she already knew the answer - like what Adrian said, he would never be able to move on from her.

n