A Graduation Gift

The exquisite gown was sure to catch everyone's attention. Cassandra was as calm as ever, looking at the mirror. Her beauty was breathtaking.

She politely nodded her head to the designer.

"Michelle, thank you so much. May I get my tailored dress?"

Michelle nodded in acknowledgment. She pointed to one of the inner rooms proudly.

"It's there in that room. Try it out and see."

Then she looked at Cloris, mildly curious.

"You are... ?"

Cassandra was about to introduce her sister to Michelle, but before she had a chance, Cloris extended her hand and introduced herself, "Nice to meet you, Michelle. My name is Cloris. I am the younger sister of Cassandra!"

To her surprise, Michelle didn't shake her hand. She just nodded, acknowledging Cloris in a half-hearted manner.

Cloris pulled her hand back in embarrassment. She was dreaming of connecting with this famous designer but got a flat-out rejection. She couldn't believe it, having been the center of attention all her life.

Cassandra had heard about how proud Michelle was. Now she had witnessed it in person. This side of Michelle was really unique from other people.

'If Rufus hadn't asked the favor from Michelle to customize my dress, I might have not even been able to see her.

But... How did Rufus get to know about Michelle?' Cassandra wondered.

Pulling herself back from the reverie, she spoke to break the awkward silence, "Cloris had heard about you a long time ago. She is an admirer of you! I have brought her to ask a favor from you. Could you help her select a gown to the wine party next week?"

Cassandra glanced at the luxuriant dresses hanging in the room, beaming with adoration.

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to wear a dress designed by you," she added.

Michelle looked at Cassandra from head to toe, then at Cloris, paused for a short while, and turned to retrieve a dress.

tailored one, it would take at least one month. It's impossible to make it this soon. So I will select one from my collection. This one should suit her style," Michelle explained,

lace strips decorating the waist and the chest. It was both tidy

"Try it out first.

and dashed to the fitting room.

that mean the dress specially tailored for me was ordered at least

for her. Cassandra couldn't

the room she first gestured to Cassandra. With anticipation in her eyes, she

Rufus give Michelle my measurements? How

big hands which knew every part of her body. 'Could he measure out my sizes with bare hands?' Suddenly she went red at the thought. 'Gosh, how could I think of such a thing?' She blamed herself

finished dressing and was checking how the dress

Cloris could hardly believe her eyes.

gown was deep blue like the ocean. It was covered with a thin voile, as if it

diamonds that looked like pearls floating on the ocean. a sight that only could be found in a

resting smoothly on her fair shoulders, covered under a voile. The translucency

Michelle was happy with her own design. As an experienced designer, all she needed was just one glance to judge the fitness of the dress. She commented, "It fits you well.

However, when she saw

feigned smile, she praised Cassandra, forcing sincerity, "Cassandra,

at the compliment and whispered into Cassandra's ear,

inspect the gown, which looked like the dress of a fairy-tale princess. The face of Rufus surfaced in

see me in this fantastic dress!'

and whispered into her ear, "Just now, before they left, I

moment and regained her

she ordered coolly.

walked away. An ironic

soon be in great trouble, ' Michelle warned Cloris in her

to each other, the sisters went back to their own rooms. The moment Cassandra stepped into the room, she was pushed against

"Are you satisfied with the special dress I ordered

In the dark, Rufus'

you. It's really beautiful," she stuttered.

notice anything wrong with the her. It was his quaint way of protecting her self-esteem. But she was still blushing and her heart was racing.