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..."

rueful sigh, and Jill spoke nothing more

time, the atmosphere turned from uncomfortable to claustrophobic. Cassandra's mind reeled

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

especially last night, that he was grieving. There was a tight squeeze in Cassandra's chest as she remembered his lost

you

moment she uttered her words, she realized her mistake. Jill was glaring at her.

you so concerned with that? This is none of your business. You are

looked down once more, if only to avoid the woman's eyes. 'Jill is really unreasonable. Why be jealous of a

at Cassandra? I don't want to hear you

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

didn't know it would upset her that much, and voiced out an apology,"Dad, I'm

back to the food on her plate. Even the rest of her meal looked cold and unappetizing, as if it had caught the bitterness of that

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

stood up, slowly shaking his 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

blinked absently, a strange feeling brewing

At the company

going over their tasks. It seemed as everyone was blissfully unaware of the events that transpired last night. No one even mentioned a word about the seemingly abrupt change to her assistant.

assignment Rufus had given her was almost finished, and she completed the rest

was his approval. After his review, the design would be ready to be delivered

found the design satisfactory, it would mark the successful completion of her first project in the Tang Group. She lightened up at

her thoughts unknowingly drifted, and she found

Rufus

flashed in her mind - his tired, dispirited eyes, and the silent desperation when he held her in his

imagine the depths of his sorrow.

of that he 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

see that Rufus

Is he alright?' she wondered. Cassandra's thoughts occupied her brain. She was

knock on the door brought her