If the enemies ended up with ten points and the team got fifteen points, it wasn't just a good game - it was a great game.

Cassidy and Olivia were able to beat their opponents in volleyball. It was mainly because Edward had only been forced to take Asher's place as Irish's partner.

And unfortunately for him, he's not really that athletic. The only reason why he agreed was that his sons insisted that he go and play for a bit. He wouldn't have accepted had he known that he'd go against his sister-in-law, though. She could probably crush anyone in any sport. Now, he ends up showing such an uncool side to the kids.

"Couldn't you have held back a little, Cassidy..?" Adrian commented, a bit proud and amused nonetheless.

"You just blasted Edward's ego back there."

"Well, he's not the only one who wants to look cool in front of Hugo and the others.." Cassidy quipped, smiling.

"That aside, wanna go for another swim, Adrian?"

"Hmmm.. I would rather not burn my skin more."

"So, you're not? Is it really because you're afraid of sunburns or afraid of water?"

"You do recall that I'd gotten in the water with you earlier, right?"historical

"Floating is quite different from swimming, you know."

Once he heard her taunting tone, he knew it was something he couldn't help but bite. She isn't the only one who has a competitive streak here.

"Is that a challenge, love?" he asked, smirking.

"Perhaps~?" she cooed, placing her finger under her chin.

"Was playing volleyball not enough to tire you out?"

"Not really. I'd say it only got me even more fired up."

"Playful as always, I see."

"Why? Don't you like the challenge? You scared or something?"

He immediately chased her when she started to run away.

With that, they're back in the water. But this time, there are more people around. Some of them watch the couple in a bit of awe, thinking that they look perfect together. Others are a bit too open with their feelings, looking all envious of their good chemistry and lovely relationship.

It wasn't too long before Cassidy finally surrendered. She let herself be tackled and slumped on the shore by Adrian.

"Gotcha!" her husband declared triumphantly, but his grasp wasn't tight enough to keep her from slipping away.

"Oh no, you don't!" she giggled as she met the waves and swam further, causing him let out a small whine.

"Cassidyyy!"

"Catch me if you can!"

He sure will. Flashing his devilish grin, he went after his wife and surged past the waves. She squealed in surprise when she realized that he was already gaining on her. He chuckled to himself, finding a new thrill in chasing after her like this.

It only took three minutes before Adrian finally caught Cassidy.

---

At the moment, Cassidy is loving the way the gentle ocean breeze strokes her hair.

She had undone her ponytail so she could dry her hair with the wind. After she and Adrian had been found by Damien and the others, they were indirectly forced to come back with them. Now, she is sitting under the canopy next to Asher while the kids are busy having an argument with Edward.

Apparently, the children wanted to play volleyball, and he just happened to be the weakest possible opponent among the adults, so they were asking him to go with them.

Snickering at them, Cassidy grabbed her ice cream sundae. Adrian had bought it for her a couple of minutes ago – since they didn't get to finish the first one earlier.

She placed a scoop of ice cream in her mouth, letting the rich flavor dissolve in her tongue. As she silently ate, she continued to scan the beach until she spotted Bryan and Irish trying to teach Aira how to swim.

Cassidy could tell that she wasn't having a swell time at all. Aira would swallow big gulps of salty water whenever she tried to swim on her own.

She would've joined them, but she didn't really feel like going back in the water. She was already in the process of drying herself up, and she didn't want to give up her moment of peace just to go for a swim again. She was done with that for the day.

Cassidy took a deep breath, closing her eyes. Sitting there on the beach in the middle of the afternoon made her feel so relaxed. Still, something seems wrong with Asher.

Ever since that day began, she noticed her childhood friend acting a little strange. He wasn't talking to her at all even though they were sitting right next to each other.

Asher would also wear a long face and every now and then. Cassidy could even hear him sighing.

She wondered what was wrong with him. He had been quite upbeat and cheerful earlier. She even heard from Charles that he had challenged him and Adrian to a swimming duel.

'What could have possibly happened? What could have caused him to feel kinda down all of a sudden?'

Cassidy stares and stares while Asher simply leans back.

She placed another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth. Then, she finally considered talking to him.

"Hey, Asher..?" she called out to him, hoping that she had at least grabbed some of his attention.

"What's wrong? You seem a bit down. Did something happen?"

It took a bit while for him to respond. When he finally did, he didn't say anything back to her. Instead, he just gave her a small smile and shook his head slowly. Then, he continued to stare off into space.

She tried to look at what he was staring at, but she couldn't see anything in particular. Trying to erase the awkward silence that was starting to form, she decided to steer away to another topic.

If Asher is truly feeling down, it's already obvious that he isn't going to tell Cassidy.

"Isn't it such a pretty day? I don't think there has been a day like this in the city - at least not yet, anyway."

When she received nothing but silence, she let out a sigh of her own. She shouldn't have expected much.

Ever since she started living with her husband again, she hardly paid him a visit at all. They no longer spend time together as much as before. She couldn't necessarily call him her best friend anymore. However, she still cares about him - a whole lot.

And Cassidy wanted to do something to see Asher smiling again.