A Graduation Gift

A white Bentley sped on the road, its tires gliding smoothly over the pavement. The woman in the front passenger seat rolled down the window and closed her eyes, a blissful expression on her face. She breathed in deeply, a big smile lighting up her features. She was filled with anticipation, and her heart pounded rhythmically in her chest as the engine hummed.

"Someone's in a good mood,"

Rufus said lightly, his eyes crinkling as he sat behind the wheel. He glanced at the woman beside him, and then turned his attention back to the road.

Cassandra's smile grew wider at his remark. She turned to him, her face almost gleaming with joy.

"Of course. Finally, I'm on my way home. It's been a long time," she replied cheerfully and drew a long breath. "I can hardly wait."

Since her return from Rome, she had only seen her mother, Edith, once. After four years of separation, it was nowhere near enough. She hadn't gone back to visit her family for many years, and even if that place held no good memories, a significant part of her past stayed there, in the house where she grew up.

The smile on Rufus' lips vanished as he listened to her. He gripped the steering wheel and drove on, falling back on instinct as thoughts swirled inside his head. Home. What an obscure concept. To the likes of him, home was a luxury.

'No, it was once a luxury, ' he corrected himself silently, fighting off the bitter taste the word left in his mouth. Now he didn't need it at all.

He had no need for it after the only person he could call his family was already gone. When his mother died, she took with her all the warmth he had ever known in his life. Now, he was truly orphaned. Alone, and homeless.

"You don't look well. Are you all right?" He was pulled back from his gloomy musings by Cassandra's voice.

She kept staring at him, concern written all over her face, as if she was waiting for an answer from him. After the party, the two seemed to have an unspoken understanding, as if they had known each other better.

Cassandra's heart beat faster at the thought. Rufus found himself unable to break off from the deep pools of Cassandra's eyes. Holding her gaze, he caught a glimpse of the red light and hurriedly slammed the brakes to stop the car in time.

He let out a relieved breath. Cassandra was surprised at the jolt. Her concern grew as she wondered whether Rufus was alright.

"Brother, is everything okay?"

Cassandra asked again, moving close to Rufus. Rufus's profile filled her eyes as she turned to him. He was breathing a little harshly, and then he turned his head to meet her gaze and brought his hand to her cheek.

Cassandra was a little startled at the touch of his fingers. "What are you doing, brother? Are you sure everything is alright?" she repeated.

The space between them was gradually disappearing as Rufus found himself, for the thousandth time that day, staring into her clear, bright eyes.

just call me?" he

"Brother,"

Cassandra said again.

The hand on her face pressed more firmly as he

again, his

wrong?" Cassandra said. Rufus was her brother-in-law, wasn't he? Why

her eyes, only to hear him say, "Remember, I don't like you calling me

with satisfaction at Cassandra's face. Then, he dropped his hand and placed them back on the steering wheel, driving on with a wicked smile on his face.

Nothing happened!

her seat, breathless, after Rufus had released her. She almost thought he

hand. Gosh, what was she thinking? Why did she expect Rufus

and threw a quick glace at Cassandra. Just a moment earlier she was practically gleaming with happiness, and now she was sitting

me," she told him off, hiding her embarrassment in her dismissive tone. "What? You've never seen a beautiful woman before? Am I that pretty to

She glued her eyes to the other side of the window and let the air cool her

was comfortable. Rufus had the same feeling whenever he stayed with Cassandra. He let himself be wrapped in the feelings of comfort as they drove on in a cozy and warm silence.

evening, Lionel finally returned

fro while calling her name insistently. What happened at the celebration party had become

voice boomed in the hallway. "You have got a

shouted, purple with rage. Part of him wanted to give him a beating.

the sight of his father. "Father,

asked in a controlled

had called for her more than a few times and she dared not answer.

Cassandra?" his father retorted sarcastically. "And do you even remember that you are married? You bring shame

He knew his son as well as he knew the back of his own hand, and this knowledge worried him. To his great relief, a good woman appeared, and he took matters into his own hands to marry his son to someone who

had failed to see even this. He was

son finally came back, and the first thing you

bowl of hot ginseng soup from the kitchen and walked

be tired. Come and have some soup. I made it

on the tea table. There was a stark contrast between how Jill and Horace treated Lionel. In