A Graduation Gift

Moonlight poured through the windows of the ward, shrouding Cassandra in an unabating silver glow. Her eyes were shut tight as she drifted into dreams.

Rufus's lips couldn't help but curve up in a soft smile as he looked down at her. She looked peaceful. The only time Cassandra was not on her guard was when she was sleeping.

It was actually quite interesting to tease her on purpose. It amused him to see her ears go red and her mouth twist into a scowl when he provoked her shamelessly.

But watching her while she slept was fascinating too. He felt himself being drawn to her serene face.

It would undoubtedly be even more comforting to hold her in his arms as sleep took over both of them.

Looking back, Rufus was not sure when it all started. When did spending time with her become his favorite past-time?

When dawn came, he took his leave. Cassandra was still in deep sleep, a result of the drugs injecting through her IV drip.

Before stepping out, he bent down and kissed her on the forehead. His gaze held bottomless depths of sincere affection.

Cassandra woke up soon after Rufus left.

She realized that she had dreamed of him again.

At first, she had been sucked into a recurring nightmare. She remembered feeling like she was drowning and unable to come to the surface while her lungs burned from the lack of air. Someone had finally pulled her up and relieved her of the torment.

That someone had been Rufus.

She shook her head in an attempt to forget the dream.

'Cassandra, what the hell? You promised yourself you would never think of him again. How could you dream about him? What's wrong with you?'

she said to herself with frustration and shame, then tossed right back into bed.

Nevertheless, she couldn't help thinking of his beautiful eyebrows, his deep-set eyes, his straight nose which gave on to his captivating lips...

She groaned out loud, 'Why couldn't I just get him out of my mind?

The last three days, Cloris had been keeping Cassandra company. That way, she also made sure she met Rufus at least once a day.

She found it strange that he was in her sister's room every single time she arrived. He was always reading out Tang documents or case projects though, so she turned a blind eye.

"Rufus, my sister hasn't healed completely yet. She shouldn't be working so soon. What's the hurry?"

him too much but was just

a clipped, formal voice, totally unlike his casual manner with Cassandra, "It's not easy to be the manager of the Design Department. People take notice of your every action and decision. If she doesn't work hard enough and people get to know that she is Horace Tang's daughter-in-law, it

work, but she was glad for his company. His presence soothed

pointed out her shortcomings, informed her what kind of

Rufus could have sent someone from the Design Department to bring these to her. It was quite unnecessary for him to personally come

wants to find an excuse to visit

figured that it was just a figment of her overindulgent imagination and grew

way with which he spoke to Cloris, his tone like the

talked to someone, he made them

Cloris was. Every time her eyes flicked over to him, her gaze turned glassy, as if she was bewitched by his very presence. The more time

sensible to help Cloris get together with Rufus. It would be the best for everyone. So she tried her best to help, even though the idea left

in Administrative Management. Why not let her be

hand. Being Leo's assistant would mean that Cloris will have more

Rufus, beamed at her sister's suggestion. She blew her a kiss in impulse, her face

glanced at Cassandra calculatingly, trying to determine what she was thinking, but she only smiled at

his gaze to the document and marked something important with his

Leo does a great job. Cloris can learn

made her as shy as it did coming from Rufus's soft

lilt in his tone and the roll of his tongue when he said it

rose on her cheeks was a telltale sign of her delight.

my best to learn from Leo! I won't disappoint you!" Cloris flashed him her

like she was intoxicated on her favorite

let out a breath of

sigh and sensed the emotion

was glad

but the only reason he was

he had other plans

mean that she could relax.

the experience of running a big group. Unlike him, however, Cassandra was a newbie. She had no

in the future so she could manage her sister's

more dedicated to her than a random stranger, and Cassandra would be able to gain a footing

stand by Cassandra and help her the best he could. Help her in gaining the necessary experience to flourish in the company, and help her solve any problems she encountered.

her own. She didn't want to rely on others. He understood that about her. He wanted to train her so well that

days Cassandra was admitted in the hospital, her so-called husband didn't show up even