Days passed and eventually, the much-awaited beach outing finally arrived.

At least for Cassidy, it would only be a trip that she'd spend by herself. She's already expecting that she'll be alone for the most part, especially since she highly doubts that she's a welcomed participant of this so-called family gathering of theirs. ​​

With that said, Cassidy laid out a plan beforehand - attend the birthday party but only for the sake of the celebrant, leave her gift somewhere around the venue, then zoom out of there with the speed of lightning.

"That way, they won't even be able to see my face! I'd also get to spend more time at the beach...!" she enthused with an ecstatic grin as she walked all the way out of the mansion, her travelling bags in tow.

"Though it would probably feel lonely."

Then, she slumped.

In the end, the more is still the merrier for someone like Cassidy. She'd prefer to have at least one companion since even on the way to the resort, she'd be all on her own. Her husband or anyone for that matter won't be coming with her, after all.

But even then, she just chooses to bear with the forlorn atmosphere that will tag along in this trip. She'd rather be truly alone than stick with a group of people who only makes her feel lonely.

With all these in mind, Cassidy finally got outside of the mansion, meeting up with the head housemaid and butler who'd be seeing her off.

"Ma'am Cassidy, it's about time you get here," Mia greeted with a stern gaze, displeased by how much of a slow poke their mistress could be.

"Your service is waiting, Ma'am. Please, come this way," Anthony chimed in politely to which she replied by patting his back appreciatively.

"Good, good! Thank you, Anthony my dude-"

"Ma'am, mind your manners," the head maid then cut her off, shooting her a pointed gaze.

"R-Right, sure."

Not up to idea of getting drilled holes on by Mia's sharp-edged stare, Cassidy just pipes it down and goes ahead to where the vehicle is. But then, as soon as she laid eyes on the extravagant white limousine, she couldn't help but gasp loudly in astonishment, taking both the maid and the butler aback. In the end, she really can't pipe it down.

"Is this really what I'm going to ride on?! How cool!" she chirped in awe and pleasant surprise.

"Umm... No, Ma'am..." the butler corrected hesitantly before pointing at a different direction.

"That one is what you're going to use according to the Madam."

Then, she blinked.

It just happened that what Anthony is pointing at now is a simple black hatchback car that appears a bit old. As much as Cassidy doesn't want to comment on this since she knows she's already fortunate enough to be getting a free ride, she still can't believe that this is what Gertrude has lent to her.

After all, they're filthy rich and have tons of luxurious vehicles out there. Her mother-in-law is just clearly mocking her by sending an old-looking car.

And mockery - so does what Mia and Anthony think as well.

While their mistress may not know this yet, they're well aware of the fact that not only did Gertrude send a cheap, rental car on purpose, but she also didn't give her any bodyguards or attendants. Every member of the Millicent's has at least three of those. As for Cassidy, though, all she has is her driver.

"Anyway, this is comfy enough!" she then enthused out of nowhere, pulling herself together before proceeding to make her way to the car's direction.

"Will you be going now, Ma'am?" Mia asked, earning a nod from her.

"Yeah! Thanks for assisting me, guys!"

"Have a safe and wonderful trip, Ma'am Cassidy," Anthony bid with a grin and a small wave.

"Oh, sure I will! I also promise I'll bring you some souvenirs! Look forward to them!"

Much to the head maid and butler's silent delight and relief, their mistress is such an unfussy and levelheaded person who's easy to satisfy even through the smallest things.

With smiles on their faces, the three of them bid goodbyes for the last time before Cassidy finally enters the car. After the driver finishes putting all her luggages in the compartment, they eventually proceed on their way.

"Yes, indeed, this is comfy enough..." Cassidy mused out loud, leaning on her seat and resting both of her arms on the back of her head in a relaxed manner.

"We'll be there by night, and it's still morning. I can take some hours to sleep for the meantime."

Yet a moment later, she ends up not getting a wink of sleep at all.

It just happened that the car suddenly came to a halt in the middle of the road. The driver had received a call that seemed to be ordering him to step the brakes for a moment. At that, she only waits in silence and lets him deal with the situation.

That's until the door beside her opened all of the sudden, making Cassidy jump in nonplus.

"H-Huh...?! Why are you here?!" she then exclaimed in evident flummox, her eyes growing as wider as saucers the second she met an all-too familiar face.

"Ughhh... Keep it down, will you?"

Adrian hops inside the passenger seat all of the sudden, already looking miffed even though they just met after a few days of not seeing each other.

With a baffled look splattered across her face, Cassidy just chooses to wait for him to settle down beside her before trying to shoot her mouth off again. But then, she gets cut off once more as soon as the car resumes to drive away, giving her the impression that he's indeed there to keep her company.

"Why do you look so surprised? Am I not allowed to ride on my own car...?" Adrian trailed off with his arms crossed, looking at his puzzled wife through the corners of his narrowed eyes.

"Speaking of, I don't recall buying this car at all. Why in the world are we riding on something like this? And where are your attendants and bodyguards? Why do you seem to be travelling on your own-"

"Wait, wait, slow down, bossman..." Cassidy cut in before heaving an exhausted sigh, still finding it hard to let his unexpected arrival register completely in her head.

"If there's anyone who needs some answering here, it will be me. Why on earth are you here, bossman?"

Seeing Cassidy lift a skeptical and incredulous eyebrow, Adrian only falls silent for a second and tries to put his clutter of thoughts in order - looking as if he himself has no idea why he's there.