A Graduation Gift

The Tang family was like a cage, despite all the opulence around. To Cassandra, it was a coop from which she longed for an escape.

For four years, since she got married to Lionel, her dreams had began to die a slow, painful death. Patiently, she prayed and hoped for a turn-around in her marriage. But all the time, Lionel gave her the cold shoulder, moving away from her with each passing day, until there was an irreconcilable rift between them. How she now wished for an escape from this unfulfilling, oppressive marriage! But what were her chances of ever falling in love with a man again?

Right now, only under the soft moonlight and the gentle night wind could Cassandra tell the strange old man what she had buried deep in her heart all this time. She just needed someone to talk to, and this man was the perfect chance to let out the struggles bottled up in her heart. She couldn't talk to her parents or her sister about her problems, let alone they too were in a hard place at the moment, and were emotionally and financially drained.

"Adding to them yet another burden would break them down completely. That's not something I'd do to my parents. For all the sacrifices they've made for me. They deserve better. Right now, I should be the one supporting them,"

Cassandra said with a blank look on her face. She gazed into the distance, eyes unreadable. It seemed that her mind had flown back to the summer of the year when she just graduated from high school. The argument between her parents, the tears of her mother, and her disappointment. They all came rushing back to her in an instant.

For the sake of the Qin family, she accepted the arranged marriage with Lionel. It was forced on her by the family. Putting up resistance, she had cried, cursed and even tried to escape this horrible fate. But in the end, she just couldn't see her mother suffer. She had compromised and agreed to this nightmare of a marriage.

"I also realize that there are things in life that I just can't change. So I think that I should be content with what I have right now and focus on the good side of my life. But..."

Cassandra trailed off. She had agreed to this marriage for the sake of her family, that was true. But it didn't mean that she would give up on her dreams. That was why she was determined to finish her studies in Rome, and graduated with first class honors.

"But fate again played a cruel joke on me, letting me meet a person that I shouldn't have met. And one thing led to another..."

she said, thinking back to the cruise before she returned home. When she lifted up her head, she locked eyes with Rufus, and felt something in her heart stir.

Under the influence of alcohol, in the heat of the moment, the two of them got tangled with each other, and shared a passionate night together. The night was unforgettable. Whenever Cassandra thought of the fateful night, she had a bittersweet feeling in her heart. On one hand, she was happy that she could spend a night with the man she liked; but on the other hand, knowing that Rufus and Lionel were brothers, she felt bad that they could never be together for real.

That fling would end in Rome, so she had thought. Little had she expected that she'd see Rufus again. What was more, she even found out that he was her brother-in-law. Now, their relationship was complicated. She had no idea where the two of them stood. She liked Rufus, and this was something she couldn't lie to herself about. But she also knew that they would never have a future together, as long as she was married to his half brother.

The Qin family put their hope on her. They really depended on her. Besides, Horace was also fond of her, and believed in her potentials. All these expectations put so much pressure on her. Cassandra just wanted to leave all this behind and fly away from here.

When she woke up in the hospital and saw Rufus, she almost couldn't tell whether it was the reality or just a dream. Was she losing her mind? Her head was in a spin!

Ever since she came back from abroad, she had come to the hospital a few times. Accidents just kept happening to her. And every time it happened, Rufus was always there to save her.

No, Rufus was everywhere. The more she wanted to keep her distance from this man, the more she seemed to be attached to him. It looked like their lives were tangled together in some mysterious, inseparable ways, that she could never escape.

An inner hunch told her to get away from that man if she didn't want get into trouble, but she just couldn't fool herself. Her heart, body and soul always betrayed her. Every part of her wanted that man. A strong, irresistible desire for him, his love and all that he was.

Whenever he came close to her, she just lost control over herself. The charm and appeal of his presence became necessary like the very air she breathed.

When Cassandra was carried away in her reverie, the old man studied her. There was a deep frown on her face, and clearly her mind was somewhere else. It seemed that she had a lot on her plate.

"If I were half as brave as your son, I would have left here already. I want to break free from this cage that I am in right now and live a free life. But sadly, I am not that brave,"

said, sounding so dejected. She just had too many things to consider. If she left her family behind, they'd suffer for her decision; but if she stayed, she'd continue suffering in silence. Either way, it was a

lives

away her tears using the back of her left hand, before raising her head

also had your impulsive moments when you were at your son's age. And I bet that you also had quarrels with your family. Maybe your son is at that stage where he just wants to do whatever suits his fancy and is just simply having the time of

the old man. He seemed lost in his thoughts. In pain and at a

parents could not force on their kids. Especially, he knew it was futile for parents to imagine they could choose spouses for their sons and daughters. Love was not something to be forced on anyone. And the old man knew only too well from his own marital problems. It was not until his late 40s that he broke free from the

son at long last, in his later life,

was bright and showed promise in many things. The only problem was

by reasoning in Cassandra's line, the old man saw a younger version

everything will make perfect sense. In fact the old man wondered why he

course. It just wasn't worth it, trying to force

his face, he couldn't help but admire

down and saw her wristband. The hospital used wristbands for patient identification. The name on hers took him by

closer. It was clearly written out

surprise in his eyes

a lot better after talking to you. Thank you.

old man appreciated and nodded with

oppressive coop now, that is your marriage. There are many positive things around you that you can choose to focus on, instead of dwelling on the negatives. As well, you are young, beautiful and intelligent. All

his words, Cassandra smiled, tilting her head to look at him. Her eyes sparkled under the meticulously

is a golden cage after all, and maybe I don't even want

night, his laughter was loud enough to draw the attention of the

o'clock. You should get back and rest,"

the old man, he was startled. Out of respect, he bowed at once and politely greeted,"Good

place. Director Tong? 'How is that possible?' she wondered. Judging

services and every corner of the

man she had been talking to just happened to be the director of it. It

to the old man in deference to his

back and rest. It was nice

nodded at her with a

she got in the room, she got on the bed and hid herself under

in the hospital. But much to her surprise, he was the director. 'Why would he want to spend so

been admitted here for two reasons. First, the Tangs' family doctor, Dr. Jason, worked here. Second, Horace was good friends with the director here.

many things to the director because she thought that he was just a stranger. And all she said was true. Would he guess something about her? Would he go digging for more info on

these, Cassandra's hands tightened into tight fists. She had revealed

my Gosh, what have I done? How could I be this silly? I let my

Rufus. That was a close shave. It made her pulse race. If she had given even the slightest hint about the affair, her