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?"

much but was just curious about his work

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

to deal with the bout of sudden work, but she was glad for his company. His presence soothed her anxieties so she could easily redound to

together. He pointed out her shortcomings, informed her what kind of documents needed to be rejected, and which files

told, if the documents were really so urgent, Rufus could have sent someone from the Design Department to bring these to her. It was quite unnecessary for

wants to find an excuse to visit me

worried her lip. The possibility excited her, but then she figured that it was just a figment of her overindulgent imagination and

with which he spoke to

he made them

obvious to Cassandra how enamored Cloris was. Every time her eyes flicked over to him, her gaze turned glassy, as if

everyone. So she tried

You know she is majoring in Administrative Management. Why

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

Rufus, beamed at her sister's suggestion. She

determine what she was thinking, but she only smiled

the document and marked something

a great job. Cloris can learn a

regularly heard people say her name, but it never made her as shy as it did coming

and the roll of his tongue when he said it was tantalizing

her cheeks was a telltale sign of her delight.

I promise... I promise I will do my best to learn from Leo! I won't disappoint you!" Cloris flashed him her white teeth in a coy smile.

her, and Cloris felt like she was intoxicated on her favorite

out a breath of relief.

her sigh and sensed the emotion

like she was glad to finally be getting rid of

had noticed that Cloris liked him, but the only reason he was nice

had other plans for her.

company didn't mean that she could relax. It was imperative that she make extra efforts to win the admiration of her colleagues. She needed to be in their

group. Unlike him, however, Cassandra was a newbie. She had no one

in the future so she could manage

than a random stranger, and Cassandra would be

best he could. Help her in gaining the necessary experience to flourish in the company, and help her solve

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

hospital, her so-called husband didn't show up