A Graduation Gift

The candlelight quivered. The charming smile across Rufus's face made her face burn.

In the warm atmosphere, Rufus's question flickered through her mind. It seemed to carry more meaning than it appeared on the surface.

As she looked at him, the candlelight was reflected in her eyes, flickering with emotion.

She lowered her eyes and tried to hide how nervous she was feeling.

Rufus chuckled shortly and decided to drop the issue. He could see she was uncomfortable discussing it.

Cassandra focused on her steak. Rufus had cooked it to perfection, medium rare with just a hint of pink on the inside. When she lifted it to her lips she found it tender and succulent. She closed her eyes in delight and savored the taste.

He knew that Cassandra's birthday happened to be on the same day as the submission date of the proposal.

Rufus had asked Victor to prepare the table beforehand, and he had even taken the time to hire a baker - not to bake the cake for him, but to teach him how to do it himself. But the steak was his crowning achievement.

It seemed that his efforts had paid off. Rufus felt himself warm at the blissful look on Cassandra's face. This kind of satisfaction was different than the one he normally felt, better than excelling in the workplace or winning a bet.

Any one who knew him well would have their jaws dropped to the floor if they came to knowledge that he had done cooking and baking for a woman.

He doubted anybody would even recognize him now that he had taken off his business suit and tied an apron around his waist. 'Imagine if they see me washing dishes!' Rufus thought to himself.

It was clear that he had not done this many times before. Unsure of how to properly wash dishes, he sometimes let the plates slip from his hand.

Leaning against the kitchen door and watching him, Cassandra wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry.

This seemed like a snapshot from the life she had always dreamed about.

She had dreamed about having a family life like this - eating together with her husband, cleaning up together afterwards, sharing the chores everyday.

When Rufus had finished, Cassandra decided to keep her promise.

"Alright, where should we watch the movie?" she asked.

She was a woman of her word, although, she had to admit, the lingering taste of the steak in her mouth might have had something to do with it.

ever had the honor of having Rufus

twinkled slyly at her

that I have a special

flashed across her face. 'Who has a cinema in their house!' she

luxurious

they had

The room itself had been especially built to maximize audio quality. This in itself must have been a ludicrously

chose a foreign romance movie from the romance section of the film library. Halfway through the film appeared a particularly touching scene, and Cassandra could

tears, Rufus glanced at her in surprise, as wondering why she was so easily

her a piece of tissue, and hesitantly stretched his

into him for a second, enjoying his warmth. Then she realized what she was doing and struggled to jolt

moving, I can guarantee you that I won't be such a gentleman," he

let herself

the woman and just couldn't keep himself from

couple on screen seemed to burn with

were watching alone, she wouldn't have so much feeling about it. However, now she was watching

as he drew her even more tightly against him.

what am

is Rufus! My husband's brother, the love of Cloris!

myself give in to temptation like

up. Rufus

with hurt and confusion at this sudden

we can't do this!" the woman shouted.

even sanity forbade it!

up, straightening his clothes out

saw that Cassandra would not be open to a relationship

badly, and coming so close to crossing the line, Cassandra would not sacrifice her

deeply to calm himself down, he stated gently, "It's quite late now.

to the door and paused, as if having thought of

you want to lock the room. You never know, I might turn into a werewolf and come to tear you apart at

to