historical

Both Mia and Anthony were in a world of confusion ever since Cassidy and Adrian arrived.

Everyone back in the Millicent's residence had already been informed of what happened. News traveled either from TV reports or the houseworkers' regular doses of rumors. At the very least, they have got the gist of the seriousness of the situation. But what they don't know is that everything they have come to learn is merely the tip of the iceberg.

When Cassidy and Adrian returned, the unease was palpable.

As usual, all the maids and menservants had gathered outside of the mansion to welcome them. Though they do get a little tense every time they do this, it is different this time. That was not only because of the string of incidents that had taken place around the family, but it was also because they were starting to change their perceptions of this particular couple.

"President Millicent... Ma'am Cassidy... Thank goodness you are both safe and well," was what Mia greeted that time - her first words to them in quite a while.

"We were waiting for you. As the President ordered, we already began arranging everything," was what Anthony said in the middle of their exchange of greetings.

They could see how Cassidy reacted taken aback by that. She then shot Adrian a puzzled look to which he only spread a knowing smile in return.

From that point on, the houseworkers have begun to earn their suspicions. The air around them just seemed both light and heavy - it was bewildering. Other than that, the way they looked at each other was almost enough to tell them that something had changed.

"I really hope that you did not do something as absurd as building a remodeling of the Antarctica or getting a penguin as some domestic pet," Cassidy spat out with a flat tone.

"No, I didn't. I've done something better..." Adrian retorted with a wider smile and a pair of grinning eyes.

"Say, would you like your own aquarium in our home?"

As if that rare expression of his is not enough, he has to go and drop the revelation that the luxurious set-up that they have been working on since yesterday is actually a present for his wife.

The houseworkers are all astonished, of course.

Then again, that is not just any ordinary aquarium. It is a whole whopping conservatory that is filled with class and elegance, an expensive collection of aquatic animals, and an ocean-themed decorum. They had mistaken all that luxury for his own personal benefits only - more particularly, for therapeutic purposes, considering that he had quite a detrimental experience a few days ago.

'However, that surprise of his was not really what surprised me the most. It was Ma'am Cassidy herself...' Mia thought while she was taking in the response that Cassidy made to that.

'She didn't seem to be as pleased as anyone would have expected.'

And with this going down, they find themselves in a world of confusion since their return.

The signs are everywhere. It did not even take a week later for them to realize what was really going on. But even if they get to learn more about it, they only end up with more questions instead of answers. Along with that is yet another eternal mystery that has unfolded around this ever inscrutable couple.

"Hey, have you heard? The President has softened up!"

"I saw it, I saw it~! He kept staring at Ma'am Cassidy with that fond look of his."

"And don't even get me started with his present for her. It was all so fancy and romantic~"

"He also talks with her more often than before. He even smiles a lot too!"

"His smile is just so charming and dreamy~! He looks more dashing than ever."

"It's like a whole new side of the President. Ma'am Cassidy is so lucky~"

Mia thinks beyond what most of the houseworkers keep making a fuss over, though - and so does Anthony.

Everyone may only be trying to take more time to enjoy these changes thoroughly, which is why they don't seem to be getting the bigger picture yet. But if there is a closest description they can use in regards to the couple's present relationship, it will be the notion that their positions have reversed - the husband is doing all the romanticizing this time while the wife takes her turn to draw a line.

"Seriously, though... How did all of these happen...?" Mia had asked Anthony some days after the telltales of the Millicent's love story had spread like wildfire around the residence.

"I could barely talk with Ma'am Cassidy. Did you hear anything from President Millicent? Among us, you are the one he spends time with the most these days."

"That's because we still have that aquarium to finish - I'm in charge of overseeing its progress. I'm in the dark myself, though. All I know is that he has become busier than ever. His schedule is fully packed everyday, but he always makes time for his wife."

"Now, that isn't like the President at all. He was technically married to his work rather than his wife back then. Seemed like he really did change."

"At any rate, he is a no-good for me. I can't make him spill the beans even though I badly want him to. Try doing your thing with Ma'am Cassidy for a little while longer. She is a lot chattier than him."

"Well, the problem is that she isn't like that to us anymore. The person who keeps her company most of the time is the maid she has brought with her, Cecile."

"Cecile, huh... I do think she is familiar. Where did I see her again, I wonder?"

While they are having this conversation, they chance upon their subjects of interest all of the sudden.

Cassidy has gone out of a room with Cecile in tow - both looking somewhat serious. It was almost as if they had quite an intense exchange back there. At first glance, they appear like they have a close relationship, but for Mia and Anthony, that is no typical closeness at all. It may be somewhere close to favoritism, but once again, everything is not as it seems.

Whenever Cassidy is with Cecile, she no longer looks as innocent as they have come to know her.

"W-Wait, Ma'am...! You can't go in without the President's permission!"

Out of nowhere, a commotion from the lobby has caught everyone's attention.

Still in the upper floor, Mia and Anthony scurried to take a look at the scene. Right then, their eyes widen in surprise and their mouths gape slightly. There is just no end to these surprises at all - one thing keeps coming after another. That only adds to the heavy weight that is layering over the family for a while now.

Apparently, a fierce-looking Olivia has barged her way inside the mansion - along with an unusually disconcerted Irish.

A number of maids and menservants have tried to stop both of them, but it was already much too late once they entered the gates. Adrian had firmly ordered to keep anyone from coming in and disturbing Cassidy - that included his own relatives. He said that his wife needed all the time in the world to recuperate and be comfortable in her own home.

But then, old habits die hard.

Even when he was starting to favor his wife more than the others, everyone in that household still could not find it in themselves to prevent this kind of situation. Then again, they could only wonder how they would ever be able to avoid this if this twin started acting so out of character all of the sudden - just like their brother, they seemed to have changed.

"Please, I just want to talk with Cassidy! Even only for a short while! This won't be long!" Olivia begged them, completely contrasting how she ferociously charged in a moment ago.

"This is probably not a good time. Adrian might get angry for real if we defy his orders..." Irish tried to talk her out of it, looking so pale that she might pass out at any second.

"Also, he is not around yet. Can we just do this when he is here?"

"No, I've already wasted too much time. Before I confront Adrian, I have to do it with Cassidy first."

"Are you really sure about this?"

"I won't force you to do the same, Irish. You can just stand aside and watch if you want to."

"But, Olivia-"

Right then, Irish cuts herself off while Olivia comes to a pause.

As soon as they caught sight of Cassidy staring down at both of them from above the stairs, they found themselves snapping out of whatever it was that had them believing that things would be easy - as easy as barging inside that mansion and arguing with the houseworkers, that is. With how she is looking at them now, they realize that nothing can ever be easy when it comes to her.

Olivia and Irish realized that five years of mistreatment would never be easily forgotten nor forgiven even for someone who had lost her memories.