Chapter 190 - Substitute Guardians

In the end, Asher and Irish got to find Cassidy and Adrian at last. 

There was a moment when everyone was exhilarated and relieved, but after that, there was only awkwardness - that kind of awkward in which those who're once in war against one another found themselves in the same place at the same time. And with that, only silence filled that awkwardness throughout the whole ride. 

While Adrian had no idea that Asher was actually together with Irish, Cassidy were not aware that both of them were even somewhere around there. Because of how unexpected all of these were, no one managed to prepare a thing to say. 

Fortunately, the kids soon appeared in the picture and saved the day - they rushed all the way to meet Cassidy and Adrian as soon as they arrived at the resort. 

"Big sister! I thought I lost you!" Aira cried out while she clutched onto her side.

"I'm glad you're safe, Aunty! I'm really, really glad!" Hugo wailed as he did the same onto her other side. 

"Calm down, you two. I'm fine. No need to bawl your eyes out..." Cassidy tried to reassure them while patting their heads. 

"And don't say something like that again, Aira."

"Aren't you hurt in any way, Aunt?" Joshua chimed in. 

"We can cancel our plans for today if you're not feeling well. We'll just see through the sports competitions without you," Damien seconded.

"You'll join a family day without your family? That can't be! Don't worry about me! I said I'm fine! We can carry on with our plans."

Despite her words, the children don't look convinced.

They even appear somewhat guilty and remorseful of what happened, which gave her the impression that they were probably blaming themselves for the incident. In reality, she's the one who's supposed to be at fault here for not looking at where she's stepping on. 

"Seriously, guys..." Cassidy then breathed out and smiled down at them.

"I'm alright. Nothing bad happened to me. No injuries or whatsoever."

"Then, what about you, Sir Adrian...?" Aira asked and turned to their other companion, catching his attention. 

"Are you alright too? Thank you for looking after my big sister, by the way. She can be a clumsy scatterbrain sometimes-"

"Hey, who you're calling what now?"

"It's true, big sis."

"Thanks for your concern, Aira. I'm alright..." Adrian said with a small smile, making his nephews heave a relieved sigh.

"Oh, but... Come to think of it, Cassidy was burning up at one point last night."

"Aunty was...?!" Hugo bolted out and clutched tighter onto his aunt.

"You lied to us, Aunty! How could you?! You said you're okay, but you're actually feverish!"

"Now that you said that, I recalled that it was raining really hard. Could it be a cold?" Joshua wondered out loud with his head tilted quizzically.

"That's no good. You should rest some more," Damien ordered with a stern tone. 

Cassidy is at a loss for a moment there. 

She thought that Adrian wanted to continue spending the rest of this occasion with the children. Now, he just practically ruined it. But then, he could have only remembered that and was concerned for her. He does look like he is contemplating about their agreement. 

Right then, however, she realized one thing - she couldn't recall anything about having a fever. 

"I-I don't really remember going down with a cold or anything like that, though I did feel..." Cassidy trailed off and had a sudden recollection of a particular memory - that one with Adrian doing all those sinful things to her body, that is. 

"I did feel very hot."

Then, she blushed.

She didn't meant to say that out loud. And she made it worse by combusting on the spot. She shouldn't think about such things at this time, especially with the kids around."

"See? I told you..." Adrian added and smiled at Cassidy, already getting what was making her heat up out of nowhere. 

"You were very hot."

She wanted to scold him at that very second, but she realized that he could only be referring to what he said about her burning up - not the one she was thinking of.

He did appear like he was teasing her, though. There's that knowing look in his gaze. Nevertheless, she herself is being naughty. She should really snap out of this.

"Since you two admitted it, you're no longer allowed to join us...!" Hugo then declared all of the sudden, taking everyone aback. 

"And don't worry! We're not gonna go there by ourselves! I've got an idea!"

"And that is?" Joshua blurted out from the side.

"Let's get Uncle Asher and Aunt Irish to join us instead! They'll be their replacement-"

"What?!"

Apparently, the children already knew that they paid a visit. Hugo, in particular, was aware that they had been eavesdropping on their conversation the entire time. That's why he came up with the idea to have them as their substitute guardians. 

"Wait a second here, Shade the Fourth...!" Asher started as he stomped his way to Hugo and gave him a piece of his mind. 

"You're not expecting me to play house with you now - and with that mountain beast of a lady even!"

Irish didn't strike back to that. For the first time, she didn't retort to his mockery. 

And that's because she's too caught up in her own thoughts. Though she's also opposed to the idea of playing house with a jerk like him, she realized that this could be another golden opportunity for her dearest brother to make a move. If they agree on this, the two of them will be left alone together again. 

'And I bet Adrian also made use of the time he was alone with Cassidy back in the cabin...' Irish thought while grinning to herself in amus.e.m.e.nt.

'I know those blushing faces, you amateurs. And just by hearing this whole 'hot and feverish' cover-up, I already had an idea.'