A Graduation Gift
Chapter 29 A Long Embrace
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..."
another rueful sigh, and Jill spoke nothing
mind
mother died. It was no wonder he acted so oddly
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 Cassandra's chest as she
will you
The moment she uttered her words, she realized her mistake. Jill was glaring at her. Cassandra could almost
you that you are Lionel's wife. Why are you so concerned with that? This is none of your business. You are NOT in a position to talk about these things!" Jill admonished, placing a fist strongly on
really unreasonable. Why
were startled when Horace burst out exclaiming,"Why are you yelling at Cassandra? I don't
a resentful glance, her tears quivering in her eyes. She stormed upstairs, wiping
felt guilty. She didn't know it would upset her that much, and voiced out an apology,"Dad, I'm sorry. I
her plate. Even the rest of her meal looked cold and unappetizing,
replied gently, his eyes growing distant as he continued. "Even I want to see her one more time, but Rufus
steps that echoed through the room.
Cassandra blinked absently, a
At the company
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 else
Rufus had given her was almost finished, and she completed the rest that
was his approval. After his review, the
project in the Tang Group. She lightened up
drifted, and she found
Rufus again.
mind - his tired, dispirited eyes, and the silent desperation when he held her in his arms. A frown subconsciously appeared
not even imagine the depths
and that he had been living alone with his mother. It must be a
that Rufus was
she wondered. Cassandra's thoughts occupied her brain. She was biting her
door brought her
About A Graduation Gift - Chapter 29 A Long Embrace
A Graduation Gift is the best current series of the author Anna17. With the below Chapter 29 A Long Embrace content will make us lost in the world of love and hatred interchangeably, despite all the tricks to achieve the goal without any concern for the other half, and then regret. late. Please read chapter Chapter 29 A Long Embrace and update the next chapters of this series at novelebook.com