Eighteen Again: The CEO's Wife was a Delinquent
Chapter 263 - How Things Should Have Always Been

This is how things should have always been.

Starting the morning with some freshly-cooked breakfast, spending time together without worrying about anything else, getting kisses and cuddles whenever they want to – a perfectly normal life with Cassidy. Since what seems like forever, Adrian has hoped to be with her like this.

"I don't need food to survive…" he whispered in her ear as he cornered her against the kitchen sink, getting closer and closer until they were only inches apart. 

"The only thing I need is you. You're the one and only reason I'm breathing right now. You are the reason why I'm motivated to become a better person. I want to spend the rest of my days with you. I want to grow old with you, Cassidy."

"A-Adrian…" she stammered out, blushing fiercely, and tried to look away, but he held her chin firmly, his half-lidded eyes locked in her wide ones. 

"J-Just eat already. We're going to take too long if you don't hurry up. I mean, you already overslept. Don't make things worse."

"Well, I can't help it. I just can't resist you. It's too much." 

Cassidy blushed harder at this, totally not expecting that he would get so enamored this early. Adrian simply smirked down at her while he pressed his forehead against hers. 

"I can't believe that you're actually here with me - in my arms. I know I don't deserve this much happiness, but you know what? I don't care anymore…" he continued, voice low and smoky, and she swore her heart burst out right then.

"I want to be here like this with you. You're the only person who can make me feel this way. You do know that, right?"

Cassidy was going to speak, but Adrian didn't let her. 

He drew closer and smashed his lips against hers, craving. His arms wrapped themselves around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She was taken aback for a brief moment, but she eventually melted into the kiss and returned it. 

Cassidy is the only one who can make him feel that way. There was no doubt about it. She is the only one Adrian loves – the only one who deserves to have his last name. 

And she was right. Everything, their love, their troubles, their trials, their break-up, their sadness, everything had happened in a flash. It was not normal at all, but it was okay. They are both breathing, they are both happy, and they both love each other. So, it didn't matter if the whole world turned against them. They want to live together, and nothing is going to stop them from achieving that.

No matter what, Adrian would keep his word – this time around, he's going to treat her better. He doesn't want Cassidy to be torn away from him, so he is determined to meet the conditions that he has imposed on himself.

"I promise… I promise I'll take care of you…" he muttered against her lips - in between kisses, but she was too intoxicated to make out the words.

"I'll protect you. I won't let any harm come to you again." 

All Adrian needs is Cassidy - the woman in his arms, the woman who made his head spin in thousands of circles. She made him whole, she made him feel complete, and she made him human. 

He continues to kiss her – passionately, heatedly. He then slows down as he slips his hand under her shirt. She gasped in surprise, but he didn't let her pull apart. Not now.

Indeed, this is the way things should've always been. Change was inevitable, but he was sure that they would be able to make it through everything. She is more than his strength, after all - she is the air he needs to breathe. 

Adrian deepens their kiss, inviting himself in. Cassidy doesn't seem to oppose.

Nothing could be possibly better than spending the morning with her like this. She will always be with him from now on - from sunrise to sunset. He would finally be able to protect her, and he would finally be able to provide that care that she has always deserved. She would never need anything because he would be there to provide her everything.

This time around, Adrian will never let Cassidy go.

---

Days later, the couple replaces themselves in the main headquarters of Millicent Inc.

Edward had asked for them to come. Since he had agreed to become Adrian's temporary replacement until they finished settling in, he had to discuss a few business-related matters with him.

At the moment, Cassidy is having tea with Charles at their office's lounge. 

"So, how are you and the President doing, Ma'am? Have you two been acting nice?" he asked her out of nowhere, catching her off guard. 

She can feel her face flushing a little, which causes him some laughter. Pouting, she averts her gaze to evade his. Still, he goes on to ask, "Seriously, though. How're you doing? How's it like to live with him again? And it's only the two of you this time."

"How is it like?" Cassidy repeated before she turned to glance at Adrian who was still talking with Edward at the other side of the office. 

He was saying something to Edward, but it seemed that he had already seen her blushing around Charles. Now, he doesn't look too happy anymore. 

"What's it like to live with Adrian again? Well, he's too lazy to get up in the morning sometimes, so I have to pull him out the bed. He often gets hungry, so I have to be cooking something, though, to be fair, he does cook for me, too – or at least, he tries. He's a mess when he's cleaning, and he's always bothering me. He makes fun of me when I do something wrong or when I want to go to sleep early…" she rambled on then trailed off as a small smile spread on her face.

"Even so, he always takes care of me. He carries me to bed when I fall asleep randomly, and he buys me all sorts of gifts whenever he gets the chance. He takes me out to dinner, to the movies, to the park. He also doesn't let me do anything on my own. He walks and drives me everywhere - to the groceries, to my restaurant, to Aira's school. He's always telling me how much he loves me and how lucky he is to be with me. Overall, it's been pretty fun. I really love being with him."

Charles smiles, glad to hear all of that.

Cassidy was about to say something again, but they suddenly noticed a shadow hovering over them. They turned around to replace Adrian standing behind them. He gave Charles a glare, which made him quickly stand up. He nervously smiled at him, unconsciously putting his hands up as if telling him that he had them to himself the whole time.

"Oh, President, you're done? I was just talking with Ma'am Cassidy," Charles started, backing away. 

"Right, I see.. Thanks for keeping Cassidy some company," Adrian said coolly.