A Graduation Gift

With time, Cassandra had gotten used to Lionel's rude attitude and his constant ridicule.

So, as the little woman took the documents, she swiftly walked out of the room without bothering to take another glance at Lionel. She completely ignored his presence.

Glaring at Cassandra's back as she left, he could do nothing but to curse in fury. From the moment he took over at the helm of the company, he had gravitated towards a reign of terror. No one could challenge his word, and he made employees scamper at his command. He was only a few steps from a completely irrational despot, who would ruin the company if he was not axed sooner than later. Here, he was like an emperor. However, this little, gutsy woman stubbornly refused to toe the line. It was driving him mad.

"Damn! You will regret it!"

Lionel ground his teeth as he watched her walking away.

The spacious office was fitted with crystal-clear floor to ceiling windows that allowed a panoramic view of the outside. After she returned to her own office, she concentrated on her work. She was getting so deeply immersed that she forgot about the time, until it was already dark outside.

"Manager Qin, it's time to go home," a man's voice gently reminded.

It was Joel, paying a courtesy call on his boss before getting off work.

In the mean time, Cassandra was still working on the design. It was half-way through, and innovative ideas were freely flowing. Afraid that her insipiration might be gone, she wanted to go on. After all, ideas didn't come easy, and as an artiste, she knew how to seize the moment.

"You go ahead. I will be done after I finish my drawing," she replied, without taking her eyes off the drawing.

It struck Joel as odd that his new boss - a woman, was such a workaholic. By experience, working overtime was a quality he had come to associate only with men. But this woman was proving him wrong. When she ignored his reminder, Joel stood there, awed by her diligence. After a moment, he nodded in admiration and quietly left.

Then, darkness fell.

Anticipating that she might work late into the night, Cassandra called her father-in-law so they wouldn't expect her to come home early. Horace, though surprised to hear that Cassandra was so keen to work, was impressed with her attitude.

wall, ticked quietly. Architectural wonders across the city's skyline put on spectacular displays of various shades of light that lent an enchanting feel to the otherwise dark night. Under the bright light of the office, Cassandra put all her energy into her sketch. She was too absorbed in her work to take note of anything else; she

Qin, you are

of her reverie. Squinting,

the the strain of sitting in

it. Then she took a glimpse at the wall clock.

having dinner with my friends nearby. Then I thought you might still be

answered. Then he handed the package of food to Cassandra with one hand, and

that Cassandra didn't notice anything odd about him. She eyed her assistant with appreciation and happily took the food he had bought for her. His kindness was so unexpected and timely. 'It's so nice of him to bring me dinner, though this is only the

you, Joel," Cassandra thanked the

smile, she reached for the cup of coffee he brought together with the

watched her gobble the coffee, his eyes darted around the room, furtively checking if

Joel secretly dropped something into the

started to feel a burning sensation in the gut. The air-conditioner was functioning and she could feel it spew a steady stream of cool air. Why did she suddenly feel so hot?

Qin, what's happening?

as he was drawing even

keep her eyes open. Touching her head with

burning

voice. Everything around her was quickly turning foggy. Unable to continue to support herself, she leaned back to the high back seat behind, beads of sweat forming over her face.

Can I give you a massage to calm your nerves down a

his cheek, and without waiting for her consent, he moved behind Cassandra,

was the atmosphere he wanted. As he was about to start his next move, the phone on the table suddenly rang,