Eighteen Again: The CEO's Wife was a Delinquent

Cassidy led Adrian to her house, all the way up through it and into the balcony of her bedroom.

For tonight, she'll be the one treating him to dinner. Ever since they got back together, they agreed to take turns on planning the set-up of their dates, though he often ends up breaking that rule - he buys and does things for her whenever and wherever he wants to, apparently.

But this time, Cassidy swore that she won't let herself stay at the receiving end of Adrian's romantic gestures again. 

When he climbed the stairs up to her balcony, he saw a scene that was very familiar to him. Candles were lit around the edge of the balustrades, flower petals were scattered about, and a love song was playing in the background. A table for two was set up in the middle with a white tablecloth on and a lit candelabra at its center.

Cassidy took her seat on one of the chairs, looking all lovely in her scarlet-red evening dress that matches his semi-casual attire.

"Care to join me, Adrian?" she asked gently.

For a moment, Adrian couldn't say a thing, taking it all in. It's just that she invited him like how she used to back when she still hadn't lost her memories and would prepare candle lit dinners for him all the time.

"Cassidy, this is... You didn't have to do this," he breathed out, somewhat overwhelmed. 

"I absolutely did..." she giggled and beamed at him. 

"Can I tell you why?"

He sat across from her and gave her a small nod. From then on, all he can do is behold her in awe and wonder.

"So, ummm... For some reason, I'm a little nervous tonight..." she started a bit timidly. 

"I know you recognize what I set up here. This was what I used to do for you back then. I really loved surprising you with all these flower petals and scented candles. Even now, I think that this is how I can be more extra in displaying my love for you."

Adrian can't help but soften up even more than he already is. Despite the regrets he feels for not appreciating her hard work before, he has the will to look at the bright side of things this time. With Cassidy confessing her reasons for setting this date up, he can't possibly feel anywhere near down. 

"So, I thought to myself, you'd worked hard to make me happy these past years without me knowing that it's you all along. You're so good to me, so dear to me. That's why I want to give you what you think you no longer deserve..." she continued and smiled even more. 

"Dearest Adrian, I'll give you the same candlelight dinner for two with someone who thinks the world of you."

If Adrian had the slightest courage that he could still live without Cassidy, it died down in a heartbeat right then. 

He had no words in him that could come close to what he wanted to say. His look of love and adoration did its best to deliver his message, but he knew it was still not enough. There's nothing in this world that can ever describe how he feels right now.

Adrian could see Cassidy on pins and needles, having somehow found the courage to speak her heart to him and waiting to hear the consequences. That's when he got up from his chair, moved next to her and knelt down beside her. Only then did she realize that he's already tearing up, which caused her to hold her breath.

"Cassidy...?" he whispered a little shakily as he took her hand and put it on his chest, letting her feel his heart pounding like crazy.

"No one had ever made me feel this way before. No one. You've got me so emotional right now. This is absolutely perfect... You are perfect."

Touched by those words, Cassidy lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Adrian - and he around her. The couple then held on tightly, riding out the wave of emotions that surged through them. At the point of no return, when he felt like he had to either break the tension or start crying for good, he whispered, "And our food's getting cold."

That got both of them laughing.

She smiled down at him before she wiped the tears that pooled in his eyelids. It seems like her husband is becoming more and more of a crybaby these days. 

Eventually, the pair unloaded their take-out boxes - some lasagna for two, garlic knots, salads, and all the trimmings.

"This is really good, Adrian...!" Cassidy chirped.

"We'll have to go to that restaurant together sometime."

"I'd like that a lot..." Adrian replied.

"Though if things are starting over for us again, we ought to talk about a couple of things and make sure that we do this right. For one, will it be alright for you if we announce the current status of our relationship to the public? I don't mean let's make all the headlines together. I'm not that kind of guy and you know it. But this does carry some things with it - cameras, reporters, craziness. And I recall you no longer want any of that."

"I have considered them. And I'm still here."

"Good. I really don't want to hide you away from the world. People need to see how beautiful my wife is - in and out."

Cassidy blushed at that but just chose to grin. Adrian paused for a bit then regarded her with a playful smirk. 

"Next question. Ever seen Lady and the Tramp?" he asked before he picked up a long noodle and put one end in his mouth.

"Even if I hadn't, I still know what you're up to," she purred, playing along.

Cassidy then put the other end in her mouth. Pleased by this, Adrian began to slurp it down. With that, their lips draw closer and closer until she suddenly bit through her end just before contact, leaving him dumbfounded.

"I walked right into that one!" he laughed while she burst into giggles.

"All in good time, Adrian..." she quipped and winked at him.

"I may want it as much as you do, but if you make it that easy to mess with your head, then it's my job, you adorable dork."

"Your adorable dork~"

"Pffft...! Oh, you sure are. Anyhow, let's enjoy tonight and not rush things. We have all night."

"We certainly do. And I have you all for myself."

With the husband smitten and the wife endeared, the evening deepens.