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..."

Jill spoke nothing more of the

this time, the atmosphere turned from uncomfortable to claustrophobic. Cassandra's mind reeled from the realizations, and somehow, a

was no wonder he

she 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

you attend the

over. The moment she uttered her words, she realized her mistake. Jill was glaring at her. Cassandra could almost feel herself burned by her angry

"May I remind you that you are Lionel's wife. Why are you so concerned with that? This is none of your business. You

to avoid the woman's eyes. 'Jill is really unreasonable. Why be jealous of a dead person?' she thought

I don't

but to give Cassandra a resentful glance, her tears quivering in her

it would upset her that much, and voiced out an apology,"Dad, I'm sorry.

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

distant as he continued. "Even I want to see her one more time, but Rufus wouldn't

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

Cassandra blinked absently, a strange feeling brewing up

At the company

to her

given her was almost finished, and

his approval. After his review, the design would be

the successful completion of her first project in the Tang

unknowingly drifted, and she

Rufus

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

the depths of his sorrow.

the Tang's house, what little she knew about him consisted mostly of that he was Horace's son, with another woman, and that he had been

first glance, he appeared to be lazy and evil, like he cared about nothing, but Cassandra could clearly see that Rufus

wondered. Cassandra's thoughts occupied her brain. She was biting her lip subconsciously, the delicate lines of her face drawn into confusion and

knock on the door brought her back