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nBeing there with Cassidy made Adrian forget about everything else.

nWhen she went and kissed him all of the sudden, he imagined seeing fireworks blooming in a dark night sky. His heart keeps drumming wilder and wilder in each passing second. He can feel butterflies flying around in his stomach, and for a moment, he thought that he was only dreaming of her again.

nNever in his life had he ever had such a reaction. Never in his life had he felt something as strong as his feelings for this very special woman. There is no doubt about it - she is his true happiness, indeed.

nEventually, Cassidy pulled away from Adrian. She then used her fingers to brush a few stray locks of hair that fell on his forehead.

n

"Happy birthday again, Adrian,

" she whispered to him before looking down, a little embarrassed.

nWith a loving smile, he grabbed both of her hands and gave them a tight squeeze. She hesitated to speak once more as she felt him staring down at her. But she knew that this was now or never - she had to say what she wanted to tell him this whole time while she still had the confidence.

nTaking a deep breath, she then tilted her head up and looked straight at him again.

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"You're a very important person to me, Adrian. I realized that I want to be with you. I don't want to be apart from you...

" Cassidy said then faltered, recalling how hard she tried to push Adrian away all these years.

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"We were both in pain, and we both lost our memories. It's very, very hard to move on from all the things that happened to us. At some points, we even thought we'd never love again. But then, it turned out that it was way too late for that. From the moment that we met, we already fell for each other - we've already loved each other. And that would never change.

"

nHe couldn't help but smile even wider at that. While still regarding her with an affectionate gaze, he started patting her head in his own special way.

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"You don't know how happy that makes me feel...

" he breathed out before leaning in and kissing her forehead.

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"I promise that no matter what happens, I'll always be with you. I'll never do anything that will make you cry again. You're my everything, Cassidy. And you're the only one I've ever wished to have.

"

nCassidy giggled a little to herself as Adrian pulled away from her.

nShe looked over to the table where he had placed her present and walked up to it. Coming up with something, she grabbed the box and opened it. With pride, she stared at the cake she baked before she called him over.

nHe silently complied and joined her there. As he stood beside her, he looked down at what she made. She beamed at him right then, preparing to brag.

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"Look, Adrian...!

" she enthused with a grin.

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"I made this cake for you. I know that I'm not good at this kind of stuff, but I still tried my best!

"

nAdrian can only wonder how someone can be so kissable like this - his wife is just too precious for her own good.

nHe did not say anything as he peered down at her creation. That's when he thought of something. He placed his finger on the frosting and took a small amount of it. She thought that he would have a taste of it, but then, he suddenly put the frosting on the tip of her nose.

nHe laughed playfully when she pouted at him.

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"I love it. Thank you...

" he told her with a somewhat brittle tone while he kissed the frosting off of her nose, looking so overwhelmed with joy.

n

"It looks beautiful. I really am happy right now.

"

nHer eyes widens a little at the look he is making - he seems like he is about to cry again.

nCassidy wanted Adrian to enjoy this day until the end. She's not sure if there's a reason behind his tears other than the overflowing happiness he's feeling, but she wants to be certain that he'll be smiling when this evening comes to a close.

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"Hey, Cassidy...?

" he called after a moment of silence, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him before leaning the side of his face on top of her head.

n

"Did Asher know you're gonna be here?

"

n

"Well...

" she trailed off and put her hands behind her back.

n

"I didn't necessarily tell him nor Bryan that I was going to be here with you. They'd ask a million question before they let me step a foot out of the door. I told them that I was going to the orphanage. That was enough to let me go.

"

n

"Man, you haven't really changed. Still the sneaky one as always, huh?

"

n

"This time is your fault, though.

"

n

"So, I'm the bad influence?

"

n

"Yep!

"

n

"Well, since you're already here, why don't we go out somewhere?

"

nCassidy had a hard time understanding why everything about Adrian made her heart flutter.

nShe would look at him and feel this tingling sensation running throughout her body. She would hear his voice and feel like she was melting. Even though he had his flaws, she couldn't help but see him as perfect on that very moment.

nBack then, Cassidy never thought she'd develop such strong feelings for a guy like Adrian. Then again, there were times when she doubted she'd ever love at all, especially when her parents died. After all the traumatic experiences that she went through, she believed that pains and sufferings were all that awaited her.

nAdrian proved Cassidy wrong, though. He showed her how to love and how it was to be loved. Even though they turned away from each other at different points, fate did not break them apart for good. Then again, those who were truly destined were often the ones who received the worst from destiny itself.

nThis time around, though, Cassidy wouldn't let anything get in between her and Adrian.

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"Go with you somewhere...?

" she asked and thought about it for a moment until she noticed how anxious he looked.

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"Sure, why not? I don't mind as long as I'm with you.

"

nHearing Cassidy say that, Adrian can't help but brighten up and smile a dazzling smile. She almost forgot that he could actually get excited like this as well. Seeing him beam all brightly alone makes her want to do the same.

n

"Alright, then. Let's go.

"

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