A Graduation Gift

A heavy silence permeated the elevator. Cassandra glanced at the redness spreading over Rufus' hand, and felt her heart squeeze in pain.

She tried to keep the tears in her eyes from running down her face.

"Rufus… You… You asshole!"

The words burst from her. She struggled to get her emotions under control, barely noticing that her fingernails were dug into her palms. Her voice trembled with emotion.

Her reaction made Rufus's face soften.

He looked away from her, wanting to conceal the swirl of emotions in his nebulous eyes.

Each droplet of tears that escaped from her eyes splashed straight onto his heart.

His heart became heavier and heavier.

As soon as the lift doors opened, Cassandra rushed out. After a second Rufus realized that she was heading not toward the carpark, but towards the exit.

While he stood there stunned, Cassandra disappeared into the heavy rain.

He dashed to the main gate, but Cassandra was nowhere to be seen.

The swirling sky above him, was dark as ink. A traffic light stood out in the storm, a beacon in the night.

He stood for a second, and then spun back toward the carpark. Climbed into his car, he sped out of the building right away.

The car seared through the thundering weather; the wipers screeching hopelessly against the downpour. He peered through the rain, barely able to see the road. He had no idea how he would find Cassandra.

But Rufus was determined. Slowly, he circled around the block, driving back and forth for some time before finally spotting a bedraggled woman at the corner of the street.

She was huddled under a ledge outside of a darkened shop. The ledge barely kept the rain from her, with water lashing at her on either side.

As he parked the car and leapt out of the door, he saw her sitting on haunches and staring blankly at the rain.

He ripped his coat off and covered her with it.

He crouched down and put his arms around her, almost flinching as he felt how cold and drenched she was.

"What were you thinking? Do you know how severe this typhoon is?"

to keep the anger and fear out of his voice. The rain streamed across his face, and the wind ripped the words from out of

that she had heard him. The tears streaming out of her eyes mingled with the rain pouring

of the moment. She was almost knocked flat by the storm, but her need to escape pushed her forward.

in her eyes and mouth and entwining around

and heavy, and the cold had seeped

She needed to get away from Rufus, but she had nowhere to run in

a way forward. And she

fell to her knees. When she lifted her hands she found them covered in dirt and mud,

turning, and her body was trembling so much that she could barely stand.

of the carpark nor realized how dangerous this weather would be. In desperation she ran to find some kind of shelter. This was

the rain, but why did the

he saw the frightened

you to tidy yourself up," the

than just cry more tears. Her eyes looked empty and

out a hand to wipe the water from her face, and nearly drew back in shock

happened to you? I'm with you. Don't worry. It's okay," the man tried

never seen her look so much like a corpse, and the lifelessness in her

him, he tried to use his body to shelter her from the

her stir a little, and her eyes looked momentarily

that he couldn't waste another second asking her how she was feeling.

under her arms, lifting her gently and cradling her head against his chest. He brought her carefully to the passenger seat of his car, buckled her in and brushed some of the hair out of her face. He wished he had a blanket to give her. He drove to his house, as fast

place a secret from his family, spending nights here at times

tidy and well-maintained. Cassandra wondered why Rufus would have such a secret

had dried on Cassandra's face, but her body still trembled

come out of the hospital, and feared that her time in the rain would

rain like that? What, not even a typhoon could stop you

in the gentle

move, he respectfully helped her peel off her ruined clothing, and lowered her into the hot bath.

she gradually stopped quivering and began to come to her senses.

had just... 'Oh no...' she thought, 'not

over

the mirrors steamed up in the room, a blush rose

last, she spoke softly, "I can do

her head back to look at the man behind

the little woman didn't firmly resist. He would definitely take the chance

were many women who would love this kind of treatment from him, but he would only do this for