n

n

nToo caught up in her thoughts and emotions, Cassidy failed to notice that Charles and Olivia already finished talking with the owner of the flower shop.

nOnly when she saw them walking closer to the door did she realize that they were done. But instead of hiding away and pretending that she did not hear anything, she waited for them to come out. She leaned on the window beside the entrance and crossed her arms, making do with an inscrutable expression all the while.

nThen, as soon as the two of them stepped out of the flower shop, she chimed in and stole their attention.

n

"What's up, homies?

"

nOut of all the greetings that Cassidy could have said, those were the first words that she thought of telling them in a long time. They halted on their tracks and came to a still the moment they heard that. And as they turned back around, their eyes bulged wide while their mouths hanged open in utter nonplus.

n

"Ma'am Cassidy?!

"

n

"Cassidy!

"

nThey reacted in complete sync.

nCassidy remains looking enigmatic even then, not saying anything. It appears to them that she is unamused - perhaps, even displeased about something. While Charles was dumbfounded for the next seconds to come, Olivia responded the same way he did for some time until she came to a certain realization that made her brighten up all of the sudden.

nShe then scooted closer and smiled at her sister-in-law - her beaming eyes even looked like they were grinning out of pleasant surprise.

n

"Why, hello to you too, fellow homie...!

" Olivia greeted blithely, taking Cassidy and Charles aback.

n

"It's been a long while, hasn't it? I'm glad you're calling me that. I researched the meaning of that word, you see. The first time I heard that from you was two years ago. I believe it means friend. Is that it?

"

n

"Uhhhhh... Well...

" Cassidy blurted out while blinking at her surprise and incredulity.

n

"What are you trying to get at here?

"

n

"Huh? What do you mean?

"

n

"I can call anyone homie anytime I want to. I don't get what's the big deal about that.

"

n

"O-Oh, I see.

"

nOlivia slumped a little right then, somewhat looking like her mood had been dampened.

nCharles noticed how sad her smiled turned into, and so did Cassidy. From that point on, nothing but silence weighed heavily over the three of them. As they only continued standing there in front of the entrance of the flower shop, they took time to see the little changes on each other. That's until the conversation moved forward once more.

n

"Long time no see, Ma'am Cassidy...

" Charles started and smiled.

n

"To tell you the truth, we weren't really planning to get caught like this. We're more than aware that you own the restaurant across the street. But we didn't want to drop by unwelcomed. We understand that you want to start all over again.

"

n

"And you're more than aware of that because Adrian was secretly sending me flowers and making the flower shop lady cover up for him for two long years. Am I right?

" Cassidy brought up all of the sudden, catching them off guard.

n

"W-Well, ummmm... I guess you overheard our conversation, huh?

"

n

"Please, listen, Cassidy...!

" Olivia exclaimed out of nowhere, fearing that she might tell them to make Adrian stop doing it.

n

"I know we shouldn't keep secrets from you, but I swear that Adrian only means well. He wants you to be happy even if that means he has to keep himself out of the picture. It's alright for him if you'll never get to know that he's doing all of these for you. He kept saying that as long as you're happy, he'll be fine to stay in the dark. So, please, don't be mad at him-

"

n

"I'm not mad. I can't possibly be mad. And I also understand that he means well.

"

nOliva fell silent at that while Charles could not help but smile again.

nHe knew that Cassidy was going to understand, which was why he never feared the consequence of getting busted out like this. Of course, he also understood why Adrian would want to keep a secret like this from her - everything that Olivia said was the explanation. In all actuality, that is the main reason why he came to realize that his love for his wife goes deeper than anyone can ever imagine.

nCharles is not sure what Cassidy wants to happen from now on, though - whatever she decides, they'll all have to string along because it's more than certain that it's also what Adrian will do.

n

"Are you going to let the President continue to give you flowers, Ma'am...?

" Charles asked Cassidy while regarding her with a soft and gentle smile.

n

"I shall relay the message to him.

"

n---

nCassidy had no idea what was up with all the chance encounters that she kept finding herself in that day.

nFirst, there were Charles and Olivia - and now, there is Adrian. It just happened that her visit at the orphanage she'd been providing funds for had overlapped with his for the second time. She was about to meet and spend time with the children again. But then, she ended up finding him already doing the same.

n

"Sir Adrian! Come play with us too!

"

n

"Let's do tag this time, Sir Adrian!

"

n

"No, let's play hide-and-seek!

"

n

"Sir Adrian, can we hear another story later on?

"

nIt seems to her that he has really gotten so close with them as well.

nEveryone appears to be enjoying themselves - a sight that Cassidy can't keep herself from smiling at. Adrian is that good with kids, after all. This trait of his has never changed. And if there's anything else about him that did not disappear, she could tell that it would be this one -

n

"Seems like your caretakers are calling for all of you. Go and grab something to eat for now. Let's play again later.

"

nAt the call of their caretakers, he told the children to go back inside their playroom in the. They all did as he said at once. Then, as soon as he was left there on his own, she got to see a side of him that she used to see often back then.

nCassidy can see that Adrian seems lonelier than ever - a trait that never changed about him.

n