A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was not his first woman. Put it more frankly, she was only one in a countless list, including a random fling here and there or a one-night stand once in a while. It was hopeless to hang on to him.

Tonight, in the faint light and the dappled shade her stunning beauty still shined through. That captivated him. Like they did the first time when they met, he ached to get her laid again.

But upon her cold and heartless words, his heart convulsed in an instant.

To recover from her smothering words he took a deep breath, reflected for a moment, and told himself to ignore his hurt feelings.

With intense eyes, he watched her face, and sensed a distance between them. It was a deep, dark rift that separated their souls and emotions, even while she stood right in front of him. How awful!

"Sorry to say this, Cassandra, but you are doomed to lose!" he declared, without blinking.

Believing that the headstrong woman could never escape, he fixed his gaze on her, trying to read her mind. The insolence in his voice was unmistakable.

But Cassandra didn't mind him. She simply brushed him off with a mocking smile.

"Well, whether I will win or lose, it is not up to you," she said nonchalantly.

"At least by now, you have been on a losing streak, haven't you?"

Rufus retorted.

Intentionally, he wanted to get on her nerves.

Never had Lionel treated her with respect, Cassandra's love and respect for him had fizzled out along the line. Now, she didn't even give a damn. The only inspiration she had in this particular case were the interests of the Qins - her family.

"Whatever you think or do can't change anything. I've already made up my mind and I'm OK, without your advice!"

Cassandra stood her ground.

Frustrated by her stubbornness, Rufus heaved a sigh and thought for a moment before reaching out a hand to stroke her cheek.

"It is quite late, go to sleep!" he suggested.

would be his next move. Their rivalry was was here to stay and it was only sensible for Cassandra to keep a watchful eye, if

man I keep fantasizing over is my husband's elder stepbrother. That's

no doubt, her marriage to Lionel was just a trade-off. Her life had been set and it would not be wise to allow this man into her life. She began to fear for her family, and

danger, Cassandra went back to her room in haste, trotting all the way. By the time she got to the room, her pulse was racing and

who was fast asleep on the bed, like a delicate and

not to disrupt her delicate, adorable sister on whom she dotted, Cassandra tiptoed around to her side of the bed and quietly climbed into her quilt. Although Cloris was younger by three years, all along, they had looked more like twins. But now, gazing at her sister, Cassandra realized that three year gap had somewhat aged her. 'Is

the meantime, Cloris was mumbling something in her dream, "Rufus..." The rest of her sentence was unintelligible.

the naive girls. As long as they have someone on their

was no need to trouble her mind over such petty issues, especially when it concerned her sister. Soon, she drifted

his fingers. His dark brown eyes looked all the more obscure

family residence, Cassandra and Lionel rode in the same car. In her parents' presence, she didn't think it was right to upset them when she could as

the same car with Rufus, who cleverly hid his emotions behind a dark

at her every

won't let you make

should I waste my time on pleasing one girl, when I have the whole world at

sneered in silence, cutting a spiteful

walked around to open the door for Cloris on the other side. Like a perfect gentleman, he stood aside and kept one hand on the upper part of the door as if blocking the car roof, in case Cloris hit her head.

that kind gesture, Cloris's face lit with a sweet ear to ear smile, you'd think she was a teenage girl in love. Even Lionel couldn't help but notice her elation and hot

wouldn't appreciate such beauty? Wasn't how it worked all the time? The girl with brains and great looks always got all the

into her open hands with a

look much younger!" For the day, Jill had chosen a purple nightingale occasion dress and jacket. She looked

met. That was before Cassandra went abroad, and when Cloris was still

into a beautiful, graceful lady, whose warmth made Jill feel much

a little of small talk, Jill turned around to greet Cassandra, whom she had caught a glimpse of while she was still

Cloris! So much adorable than those who are ignorant and say one thing and

be under the weather. "Hi mom.

to stay as unflappable as possible, she lifted her

missed her. I guess we have a lot to catch up

walked over and stood next to her. Feigning deep affection, he held on her left hand and interrupted, "You have been sleeping all the way,