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

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

mother died. It was no wonder

the circumstances well. It was clear, especially last

will you attend

over. The moment she uttered her words, she

none of your business. You are NOT in

eyes. 'Jill is really unreasonable. Why be jealous of a dead person?' she thought to herself, but wisely kept her

at Cassandra? I don't want to hear you

nothing but to give Cassandra a resentful glance, her tears

sight of the usually callous woman's tears, Cassandra felt guilty. She didn't know it would upset her that much, and voiced out an apology,"Dad, I'm sorry. I had

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

growing distant as he continued. "Even I want to see her one more

echoed through the room. Cassandra watched him

absently, a strange feeling brewing

At the company

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. it was as if everything had settled back into its old flow, and as usual, there was plenty of work to be done and deadlines to beat. The buzz of the activity calmed her as Cassandra effortlessly melded with everyone

almost finished, and she completed the rest that day.

his review, the design would

mark the successful completion of her first project in the

unknowingly drifted,

Rufus

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

the

that he had been living alone with his mother. It must be

but Cassandra could clearly see that Rufus was definitely not a simple man. This time, he was

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

abrupt knock on the door brought