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n

nAira's sleepover at Damien's had enlightened Cassidy of their present relationship.

nShe and Adrian had been with Edward at another part of the mansion that evening. While she was dismayed that she couldn't spend time with Hugo and Joshua again since they're at Olivia's residence at that moment, she still had a good time discussing their big brother and her little sister's dynamic as a couple.

n

"Still, I'm worried they're progressing too quickly. You know teens these days. They're too eager to try… different things,

" was what Edward mentioned at one point during their conversation.

n

"Oh, I wouldn't be too worried about it. I'm sure that those kids know what they're doing. They're smart. Besides, it's a good thing that we're letting them take as many opportunities as they can to be with each other,

" was what Adrian replied to him at that time, and Cassidy could not help but feel proud of him.

nShe knew where he's coming from when he brought that up - she knew that he's seeing both of themselves in their shoes.

nWhen they were still at Damien and Aira's age, most of the adults around them were always getting in the way. Even as they grew up, they continued to try to pull them apart from each other. To name a few, there's Gertrude who's against their relationship from the very beginning, and there's Grisham who'd do anything to end it.

nEven so, she's determined to make sure that history won't repeat itself.

nAira and Damien would love each other normally. They would not go through the same thing that Cassidy and Adrian had experienced all those times.

n

"Speaking of, where's that guy again…?

" she found herself asking out loud when she finished taking a shower and stepped out of the bathroom to see that her husband was not around.

n

"Hmmm… Don't tell me he's still working.

"

nThe thing is, Adrian continues to help Edward in settling down in his temporary position as the acting CEO of Millicent Inc. There's still some time left before he goes abroad with Cassidy, so he's using a considerable portion of that time to finish the necessary adjustments.

n

"He has a bad habit of overworking himself. Even when we're already out of the country, I doubt he'll learn to quit it.

"

nWith that, Cassidy decided to go to Adrian's study room.

nHe was not expecting that she was still up, and he sure was clueless as he reacted quite surprised the moment she appeared before him. Her arrival was so sudden that he nearly messed up his signature on the document he working on.

n

"Adrian! Bed! Now!

"

nDespite his reaction to that, she did not give him any time to protest and just went ahead to drag him out of his study room.

nHe did try to reason with her for the first few minutes, but after telling him that she would sleep on a different bed for a whole week if he did not listen, he immediately changed his mind. She already planned this ahead. Yet, much to her dismay, he stayed stubborn and childish even when they finally reached their bedroom.

nSleep was really not in his mind yet.

n

"Come on, dear. It's time for bed,

" she started as she settled down beside him.

n

"But I'm not tired,

" he huffed, still looking forward to chatting the night away with her.

n

"I know, but you need to rest. You had a long day. No doubt you've been using that pretty head of yours non-stop.

"

n

"Quite bossy today, I see.

"

n

"Say what you want.

"

nThe heat in the bedroom was kind of making Adrian a little drowsy, though. He yawns discreetly while Cassidy instructs him to lay on his designated side of the bed.

nRolling his eyes, he just complies and lies down.

n

"Now, I'm being babied,

" he deadpanned when his wife covered him with their blanket.

n

"Just stop thinking and sleep,

" she gently chided, taking the pillow and comforter next and setting them on their side.

nAdrian watches her that whole time, smiling fondly in secret. After Cassidy is done, she settles herself in once more and puts the light off.

n

"Can't I sleep at midnight, boss?

" he sighed, still wide awake despite her efforts.

n

"No,

" she firmly said, not letting him have it.

n

"But I'm only going to fall asleep at that time, anyway.

"

n

"And if you go to bed at twelve, you'll fall asleep at two.

"

n

"But I'm bored-

"

n

"Go to sleep, Adrian Millicent.

"

nAt that, he groans and turns lazily to lay on his back. He then stares at the ceiling for the next seconds to come. That didn't go unnoticed to her even though it's already dark out.

n

"You're not sleeping,

" Cassidy murmured, pouting.

n

"I'm just thinking,

" Adrian murmured back.

n

"You always do. What are you thinking about now?

"

n

"It's just that… I wouldn't be able to meet you if I did not sneak out and spy on Grandmother that day. It did bring forth a lot of troubles, but it was all worth it. That was my first time going against my family, you know.

"

n

"You're saying you're glad that you rebelled?

"

n

"Can't deny that I'm indeed in my rebellious phase back then. Did not regret it, though.

"

n

"Well, I do wish that you did it much earlier than that.

"

nThat's when Adrian turns his head to the side and finds Cassidy smiling at him.

nHer gaze is warm and soft. Just by looking at it, he feels like he is being caressed. Everything about her is comforting, after all.

n

"What do you mean?

" he asked, puzzled by her statement.

n

"You could have done so many things during your childhood. When you became a teenager, you were already working too hard. Now that you're an adult, you're still struggling so much. I just hope that you've got yourself a normal childhood at the very least,

" she confessed, earning a surprised expression from him which soon turned into an endeared one.

n

"That's fine with me. Even though I admit I have quite a lonely past, I still have a very bright future - with you by my side.

"

nLooking all smitten, he cups one side of her face and pulls her closer to him. He then dives in and catches her lips while caressing her cheek ever so tenderly. She leans in and deepens it, making him the happiest man alive all over again.

nFor a moment, they continue to make out in bed until both of them eventually fall asleep.

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