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..."

and Jill spoke nothing more of the

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

wonder he acted so oddly

guessed that Rufus wouldn't take the circumstances well. It was clear, especially last night, that he was grieving. There was a tight squeeze in Cassandra's

you attend the

to think her words over. The moment she uttered her words, she realized

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

Why be jealous of a dead person?' she

Horace burst out exclaiming,"Why are you yelling at Cassandra? I don't want to hear you speak of Rufus that way ever again,

in his voice, said nothing but to give Cassandra a resentful glance, her

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

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

gently, his eyes growing distant as he continued. "Even I want

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 him seem much smaller

on the table, Cassandra blinked absently, a strange feeling brewing

At the company

even mentioned a word about the seemingly abrupt change to her assistant. it was as if everything had settled

her was almost finished, and

needed was his approval. After his review, the

design satisfactory, it would mark the successful completion of her first project in the Tang

thoughts unknowingly drifted, and

about Rufus

and the silent desperation when he held her in his arms. A frown subconsciously appeared

not even imagine the depths of his sorrow.

what little she knew about him consisted mostly 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

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

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

knock on the door brought her back to reality.