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..."

heaved another rueful sigh, and Jill spoke nothing

Cassandra's mind reeled from the realizations, and

no wonder he acted so oddly last night.

guessed that Rufus wouldn't take the circumstances well. It was clear, especially last night,

will you attend the

she realized her mistake. Jill was glaring at her. Cassandra could almost feel herself burned by her angry stare.

concerned with that? This is none

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

yelling at Cassandra? I don't want to hear you speak of Rufus that way

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

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

rest of her meal looked cold and unappetizing, as if it

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

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

table, Cassandra blinked absently, a strange

At the company

usual, and the halls were filled with footsteps and murmurs of employees 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. 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

assignment Rufus had given her was almost finished,

his review, the design would be ready

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

her thoughts unknowingly drifted, and she

Rufus

last night flashed in her mind - his tired, dispirited eyes, and the silent desperation when he held her in his arms. A frown

the depths of his sorrow.

house, 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

he appeared to be lazy and evil, like he cared about nothing, but Cassandra could clearly see that Rufus was definitely not a simple man. This

her brain. She was biting her lip subconsciously, the delicate lines of her face drawn

abrupt knock on the door