A Graduation Gift

The morning came.

Rufus took off last night, leaving Cassandra in the arms of a restless sleep.

She opened her eyes at first light. Still too early, but it was impossible for her to go back to sleep. Cassandra lay awake in bed, waiting for the tell-tale signs of morning to rouse her from her half-asleep state. That morning at breakfast, there was still no trace of Rufus. Hadn't he returned last night?

On the table were only two people - Horace, wearing a glum expression and Jill who was her usual grumpy self. Lionel's seat remained empty, too. Cassandra had no idea where he was.

"Good morning," she greeted the older couple politely.

Neither of them responded, as if they didn't hear her. Cassandra proceeded to sit down uncomfortably, watching her motions as if fearing that the smallest movement would disturb the two. She took a glass of milk and drank it with uncharacteristic attention, as Horace and Jill continued to sit wordlessly.

After a while, the silence became too excruciating and Cassandra could not help but ask,"Where is Rufus? Haven't seen him lately?"

Jill's head shot up at her words, as if she had said something unforgivable. She looked at Cassandra, her eyes silently speaking in daggers.

For some implacable reason, Cassandra felt as if she had made an offense. She lowered her head, waiting for Jill's reproach, although it was not clear what upset her. But instead, Horace spoke, letting off a heavy sigh as he looked at Cassandra.

"He is not here. He probably won't be home for a long time," he said sorrowfully, his eyes drowning Cassandra with an unknown grief. He closed his eyes and continued,"This is all my fault."

It was rare for Horace to be in such low spirits. He seemed to be holding in something.

"What happened?" Cassandra pressed.

She had not been able to shake the feeling from last night. She had been ill-at-ease, as if something was not right.

"Don't blame yourself. That woman died of illness. You are not to blame,"

Jill, who had been quiet, said with a sour tone. Cassandra's paled at her words.

That woman? Died of illness?

Horace turned to Jill sharply and said,"You! Do not involve yourself in matters that do not concern you! Rufus is preparing his mother's funeral abroad, so he won't be home for some time. I owe him and his mother everything..."

sigh, and Jill spoke nothing more of the matter.

to claustrophobic. Cassandra's mind reeled from the

mother died. It was no wonder he acted so oddly last night.

relationship, she guessed that Rufus wouldn't take the circumstances well. It was clear, especially last night, that he was grieving. There was

you attend

moment she uttered her words, she realized

none of your business. You are NOT in a position to talk about these things!" Jill admonished, placing a fist strongly on the table.

down once more, if only to avoid the woman's eyes. 'Jill is really unreasonable. Why be jealous of a dead person?' she thought to herself,

Cassandra? I don't want to

voice, said nothing but to give Cassandra a resentful glance, her tears quivering in her eyes. She stormed upstairs, wiping

the sight of the usually callous woman's tears, Cassandra felt guilty. She didn't know it would upset her that much, and voiced out

rest of her meal looked cold and unappetizing, as if it had caught the bitterness

you could not have known..." Horace replied gently, his eyes growing distant as he continued. "Even I want

head and walking away from the table with heavy steps that echoed through the room. Cassandra watched him leave the room. His hunched shoulders made him seem

Cassandra blinked absently, a strange feeling brewing up from

At the company

change to her assistant. it was as if everything had settled back into

finished, and she

review, the design would be ready to be delivered to the

in the Tang Group. She lightened up at the prospect, leaning back on her

her thoughts unknowingly drifted, and

about Rufus again.

from last night flashed in her mind - his tired, dispirited eyes, and the silent

not even imagine the depths of

was Horace's son, with another woman, and that he had been living alone with his mother. It must be a heavy blow for him to lose the only one person he could

could clearly see that Rufus was definitely not a simple man. This time, he was willing to return to

now. Is he alright?' she wondered. Cassandra's thoughts occupied her brain. She was biting her lip subconsciously, the

knock on the door brought her