n

n

nAs the doorbell announces someone's presence outside, Cassidy drops her mischievous idea for a moment and blinks in puzzlement.

nShe doesn't know what time it is already, but if it's still early in the morning like what she's thinking, getting a visitor is a little odd. At least for someone like her who's always been the bored and lonely lady of the house, having a guest is somewhat unusual, especially at this hour.

n

"That's the doorbell, right?

" Adrian groaned with a frown, finally stirring awake from his sleep.

n

"How come you heard that but not what I kept saying earlier...?

" Cassidy deadpanned before scooting away and shoving him.

n

"Now that you're awake, can you let me go already-

"

n

"Let's leave it for five more minutes.

"

nAs he grumbled those words underneath his breath, he pulls her back in his chest again despite her will. He then tightens his hold around her waist before nuzzling his nose deeper in her hair.

nShe lets out a loud and exasperated sigh at this, already feeling beyond bewildered. Just when she thought that they'd finally gone back to their normal relationship, he ended up acting a lot chummier than last night - or at least, compared to those moments she could still recall.

n

"If you're messing around with me, then you're so gonna get my fist,

" Cassidy taunted and huffed against his chest with her brows scrunched together in vex.

n

"Why the bad mood so early in the morning?

" Adrian retorted while he had his eyes closed, sounding a little groggy.

n

"As far as I remember, you're not drunk like me. There's no other reason why you're doing all this nonsense-

"

n

"Shhhhh...

"

nHe then shushed and cut her off in hope to get some silence within their remaining minutes together. He knew who's at the door right now, so he's also aware of how long his absence was gonna be today. Though she reacted miffed like he thought he would, he couldn't help but want to cuddle her more.

nInitially, he didn't intend to sleep with her like this since he knew she wouldn't like it. But then, stroking her smooth, dark locks and beholding her sleeping face for a good portion of the night had ended up to be more than enough for him to lose in his desires.

nCassidy was just so adorable when she's in her sound slumber. Adrian even thought that her small snores were cute. Enticed and drawn, he then found himself already joining her on the sofa before he knew it.

nRight now as well, when he catches a glimpse of her beautiful face first thing in the morning, he can't control his urges. It's such a pleasing early greeting even though she's pissed off. Then again, feeling her warm body alone and her presence so close are more than elating for him.

nAdrian does think that all these sound so not like him and that he's falling faster than he has initially braced himself for, but perhaps, this is what he gets for failing to admire his wife for five whole years. He realized that Cassidy deserved all the admiration and pampering she should've earned long before, which is probably why things are escalating this quick for him.

nWith all those in mind, he just continues to cage her dainty figure in his arms.

n

"Seriously, bossman, you should move now...

" Cassidy flatly muttered, straight-faced.

n

"Otherwise, I'm gonna wet this sofa.

"

nAt that, Adrian finally lets go.

nHaving not much choice, he bolts right up and sits on the side without saying any word. She only keeps shooting a deadpan look at him as she does the same, wondering if she has to say something that embarrassing every single time he's acting this unreasonably stubborn.

n

"Go upstairs and use the bath in your bedroom. Get changed as well. I'll be letting the people outside in,

" he said while sleepily rubbing his eyes.

n

"Oh, okay...

" she simply replied as she stood up from the sofa.

n

"Who are they, by the way?

"

n

"My brother, Charles and some others.

"

n

"Charlie's here?!

"

nAs she blurted this out a little too ecstatically to his liking, he frowns and narrows his gaze at her. This gets her blinking in surprise and confusion, not sure what's up with his sudden silence.

n

"On second thought, just go and stay in your room until I'm done,

" Adrian ordered sternly before rising on his feet and starting to make his way to the door.

n

"Huh...? What's with that? As if I'll stay put!

" Cassidy huffed with her arms crossed.

nWhen he didn't respond, she just turned around and stormed all the way up to her bedroom. She does need to get changed since she looks likes a mess. Even without looking at the mirror, she can tell that her hair is all over the place.

nWhile Cassidy goes ahead and does as she is told, Adrian is already by the door and meeting everyone outside.

nHe opens it up and finds Edward and Charles first. Behind them is a group of men wearing casual attires - just like what he has ordered. These people should be in their uniforms since they're here for work, but he requests for them not to do so in order to keep their arrival from being noticed by outsiders.

n

"You said eight in the morning, Adrian. Sharp even...

" Edward chimed in while regarding him from head to toe.

n

"But while everyone here is already set, you look like you just got out of bed. Quite an unusual sight, I must say.

"

n

"Good morning to you too, Edward,

" Adrian deadpanned, not really up for an overview of how he looked at the moment.

n

"Did something happen? You look like you did not sleep at all.

"

n

"It's nothing serious. Rather than that, you ought to go inside for now. I'll call the maids to prepare breakfast if you guys still haven't had one.

"

nWith that, Adrian led everyone to the lounge. The living room is still a bit messy right now - something that he silently hoped they did not notice when they walked past through it.

nMuch to his surprise, though, a certain someone still managed to see through that.

n

"Good morning, President...

" Charles suddenly called out as he walked beside him.

n

"If you don't mind me asking, is everything alright last night? Ma'am Cassidy seemed to have gotten quite drunk. I apologize for letting her end up in such a state.

"

n

"It's fine, Charles. Nothing serious happened...

" Adrian trailed off, assuring him.

n

"Besides, it's also kind of my fault that she got that drunk. I didn't get to tell you two about her low tolerance beforehand.

"

n

"But you weren't there when we started drinking, so it's understandable. In the first place, I should've gotten your permission first.

"

nAdrian didn't respond to that.

nHe doesn't really want to correct Charles about him not being there earlier than the time when he showed up before them. That would only get him explaining something he's not willing to disclose.

n

"At any rate, Charles isn't only my secretary, but he's also my long-time companion. I trust him to do what's proper,

" Adrian thought silently as he stole a knowing glance at the man beside him.

nWith this big of a mansion, it takes a moment later before he and the others eventually reach the lounge.

nAfter everyone settles down in the room well-lit by the morning light that's leaking from the windows, they all continue on with their exchange. Right then, a middle-aged man with dark grey hair and hazel brown eyes speaks up first, offering his hand to the homeowner for a handshake.

n

"Good day, President Millicent. My name is Ray, and I'm the leader of this private investigation team. We are pleased to offer our services to you,

" the man greeted with deference while he returned the handshake.

n

"Nice to meet you too, Sir Ray. I believe my secretary has already sent the initial details last night,

" Adrian replied solemnly.

n

"Indeed, we received it, Sir. As of now, we're ready to discuss the process before proceeding with the investigation.

"

n

"Good to hear.

"

nAs always, Charles does his job in such a flawlessly fast pace. Adrian had only laid down the plans to him last night along with Edward's aid, but he was quick on his feet and was able to hire this private investigation team in just a day - rather, within twelve hours only.

nAs much as Adrian wants to have at least a day of rest after everything that had happened, he knew he couldn't. He needs to start the investigation about the bombing incidents and all the mysterious happenings around Cassidy as soon as possible.

n

"Well, there's that, but... I'll have to be away until late in the afternoon today. Since it's impossible to have her spend time with the others for the meantime, she will have to be all by herself. I really should've brought Mia or the other maids she's close with,

" he pondered quietly, looking deep in thought.

nIf it wasn't for what Cassidy mentioned last night about living in a lonely, castle-like prison, Adrian would probably be not thinking about something like looking for some temporary playmates for this wife of his.

n