A Graduation Gift

The two men, equal in stature, stood scowling at each other with Cassandra in between them.

The atmosphere in the living room quickly turned hostile. Even Horace was at a loss for words. The girl who pretended to have blacked out in Rufus's arms lay still, quietly determined to carry on her performance until the very last minute.

"Oh?"

Rufus's thin lips curled into a careless half-smile, his eyes radiating nonchalance. He gave a little chuckle in response to Lionel's question.

"Cassandra," Lionel began in a stoic, dangerous voice. "Get up! You are in another man's arms right in front of your husband! Do you have any shame? Are you really that desperate to get laid?"

He seemed to have seen through Cassandra's ruse. As Lionel slanted his eyes at her, he moved to pull her out of Rufus' arms roughly.

Almost at the same time, Rufus retreated one step back, with Cassandra tucked safely in his arms. He glared at Lionel with piercing eyes, cutting him with his silent gaze. Lionel retracted his hands quickly, as if slashed by a knife.

"You think she rolled down the stairs deliberately, because she was desperate?!"

An intimidating look came over Rufus' face. They were nearly at daggers drawn. Horace had been cautiously watching the volatile exchange and now stood up in haste. He held Lionel back, who seemed to be humiliating Cassandra on purpose.

"Don't argue anymore! You had better take her to the hospital right now!"

comfortably in his arms. The car was already outside, waiting for them.

pungent smell of disinfectant pervaded the hospital.

around the room like a thief who had been caught doing wrong. She looked like she was searching for

is it? Are you

man's voice came from nearby. The very next second,

terrible pounding of her heart when she realized

is dangerous to have a man

you, for your... just

any sense. She struggled to sit up and braced herself against the headboard,

"Thank me? For what?"

on the bed. He grabbed her chin gently, nudging her closer. Their breaths seemed to mingle

the closeness. She inhaled sharply, wondering how this man could be

You don't look like you

said it like it was. He never expected to meet Cassandra again in such a

sister-in-law had lost her

silent laughter. It was confusing, but intriguing.

out and put one of his palms against the wall next to her head. Within moments, he had her caged in his arms.

tried to feign indifference even as she made an effort to control her breath. Her face flushed and her mind drew a blank once again. Fortuitously lifting her eyes, she found his dark brown gaze already upon her.