Chapter 173 - Nicknames and Games

Cassidy is still hugging Hugo and patting Joshua on the head when she notices the look that Asher is giving her the whole time.

He appears to be not pleased, which she guesses is because of what they have agreed on back then. She made a promise that she would not be in contact with any member of the Millicent family - something she swore more to herself than to anyone else. He was the one who helped her get out of their radar, and he made sure that she would never be bothered again. 

At that time, Cassidy was only desperate to move on and start anew. For that, she had disregarded even the good things she left behind, including these nephews of hers who have held her dear.

'He's probably thinking that I've kept this a secret from him. In reality, I've just reunited with them today. How distrustful of you, Asher...' Cassidy brooded and sighed, wondering how overprotective he could be. 

'Right now, though, I've got to focus more on my dearest darling nephews. Explanations can wait.'

She then returned the look that Asher was giving her with a serious one of her own. And with that, they started a telepathic exchange - with her telling him to back off in the meantime, and him telling her that he is never going to let her off the hook.

"By the way, Aunty..." Hugo chimed in all of the sudden, pulling away from the embrace and turning around to point at Asher. 

"This gentleman in black - he helped us find your restaurant. We got lost since big brother only knew where you live and not where you work. Who he is to you, by the way?"

'Gentleman... in black...?' Cassidy repeated in her head and blinked at him in bafflement.

'Oh, Asher's wearing his biker outfit. It's good that Hugo seems to be no longer afraid of people in black.' 

"Whaddya think...?" Asher asked Hugo with a smirk, taking him aback. 

"Who do you think am I to her, Shade the Fourth?" 

"Shade the what?" Joshua blurted out, dumbfounded.

"His name is Hugo, Sir..." Damien corrected, oblivious as to what he was getting at. 

"And also, I'm Damien. The other one is Joshua. We're all brothers. It's a bit late, but it's nice to meet you." 

"Yeah, yeah. Nice to meet you too, little Shades."

Cassidy only groans at Asher exasperatedly, thinking that they are not even Adrian's children.

But at least, he is m.a.t.u.r.ed enough to put aside the interrogation and save it for tomorrow, though he is childish enough to mess around with them by giving them those nicknames. For the entire time, her nephews had no idea why they were being called like that. They also remained bewildered as to what their relationship really was.

Despite it all, their video game night carries on as planned.

Joshua and Hugo try to get to know Aira more as well. They would tease Damien from time to time by busting him out and telling her that he used to talk about her a lot. Cassidy found it endearing, and while she already suspected that there's something going on between the two, she didn't expect that his younger brothers would be aware too. 

"Hey, Shade the Third...!" Asher suddenly called out to Joshua, beckoning him over.

"I heard from Shade the Second that you're good at gaming! Wanna go for a round?"

"Shade the Second? You mean... Damien...?" Joshua thought out loud before choosing to just shrug it off and play along.

"Oh, okay. Sure, Uncle."

"Wait, what? Who're you calling Uncle?"

"You look like an uncle to me."

"Well, alright. Since you're calling Cassie your aunt, might as well get called an uncle."

For the hundredth time that night, all Cassidy can do is sigh at how Asher is really trying to poke fun on her nephews. But he appears to be getting along with them somehow - that's what matters. Then again, the boys are too interesting, cute and adorable to be not treated this way.   

With them here, she feels like she can just settle with watching them having fun for the entire evening. 

"Hey, Aunty..." Hugo called from behind out of nowhere, grabbing her attention.

"I've got something for you."

"Oh, what is it...?" Cassidy asked and turned around to find him handing her an envelope.

"Hugo, this is?"

"An invitation. What's inside is a flyer from our school. We'll be having our annual family day this week. There will be sports games, team-building and many more!"

She takes the envelope and opens it to see a piece of paper. When she pulls it out and reads it, she eventually realizes what he is trying to imply here. In surprise and disbelief, she then looks back at him to which he only smiles in return.

"I've been wanting to invite Aunty for years now. I want you to attend our family day. Daddy might not make it because of work again. His secretaries are the ones who used to attend in his stead most of the time," Hugo confessed a bit bashfully, giving her his signature puppy look on purpose to further persuade her.

"I see. Thank you for the invitation, Hugo..." Cassidy replied and tried to stay calm, struggling to hide how torn she was between accepting and turning it down.

"Can I give you my answer tomorrow?"

"Sure! I'll wait for it!"

"Oh, and also... I'll just give you my contact number. That way, we can keep in touch."

She is relieved that he has not taken offense at her hesitation. It's just that she really can't decide right now, and it's all too sudden. Accepting his invitation might draw her closer to the Millicent's once more - and pique a certain someone's attention in the process. While she does want to spend time with the three of them, she still can't lower her guard down.

"Thanks for considering, Aunty!"