A Graduation Gift

Back in high school, Cassandra was obsessed with Ferris wheels.

For her, they were big toys that gave you a slow flight over the sky, taking you all the way to breath-taking heights before bringing you back to the ground where you could recapture the wonderful experience. It seemed to her that its shape alone symbolized endless happiness.

She had wished, more than once, that she could one day take a ride on it with her beloved one, kissing and hugging him under the stars.

It might have been beautiful, but she now knew it was all but a little girl's romantic fantasy.

Rufus took a look at the Ferris wheel before looking back at Cassandra beside him. Then, as if he had read her mind, he turned and asked, "Do you want to take a ride?"

Cassandra, however, shook her head silently. The Ferris wheel did remind her of her long, cherished desire, but she didn't want to satisfy it since she hadn't found her love in the real life. She would rather not ruin the fairy tale. She would wait for the prince.

"The amusement park will be rebuilt soon, and this Ferris wheel will probably be torn down. Our company has talked to the head of the park, and if everything goes well, we may win the bid for the rebuilding," said Rufus.

Cassandra jerked her head in his direction upon hearing his words, with a?twinkle?in her?eyes.

So she might be able to redesign the park? And finally bring the Ferris wheel in her dream into reality, after so many years? She couldn't believe her luck.

Again, she stared at the glittering big toy, lost in her thoughts. The colored lights of the wheel reflected brightly in her eyes.

Not far away from them, Lionel was talking to a man with a salt-and-pepper beard while walking through the crowds.

The man was introducing the park's existing facilities and explaining ideas for future plans to Lionel, but Lionel's thoughts were far away.

He hated working overtime, but he was ordered to conduct site investigation as soon as possible since the board favored the project. He was already upset by the extra work, and the bustling scene here further annoyed him.

Not knowing what was in Lionel's mind, the man went on guiding him enthusiastically through the park. When they reached the Ferris wheel, the man stopped and pointed to this eye of the park, surrounded by neon lights.

"We plan to rebuild it into the biggest one in Asia, and move it to the centre of the park to make it a landmark," the man declared, with a hint of pride.

Lionel looked up at the Ferris wheel, which made a blaze of color against the night sky.

Just when he tried to turn away from the dazzling lights, he saw a familiar figure.

Cassandra!

person by her side was

was holding a big toy bear, standing shoulder to shoulder with Rufus. Lionel couldn't hear what they were talking about, but he saw the

looking her in the eye. He was tall and handsome, and even more so under the lights. Girls passing

a happy

his fists, his nails digging into his palms. His veins stood out on his temples. His eyes

people to investigate it several times. But he couldn't find evidence to

such an intimate manner in this place for couples, with his own eyes. This was enough evidence for him.

up to confront them, leaving the middle-aged man behind. His grim face could scarcely conceal his anger.

two doing here?" he asked

when she was suddenly snapped back to reality by an angry voice. She whipped her head

in his eyes. It looked as if he wanted to kill her.

on the contrary, appeared?unperturbed at Lionel's appearance. He merely shot him a sideways

to

suddenly realized that Rufus's answer left him with no chance to

between her and Rufus, and what they had been doing was no more than talking and looking around, she was still vexed when Lionel discovered that she got along with Rufus in private. It was embarrassing that Lionel questioned them in such a way as if they were having an affair, not to mention that the middle-aged man, who turned out to be the head of the park, was looking at the three of them with curious

show disdain for Lionel. He said nothing to answer Lionel's question. Instead, he bowed

the contract. Make it anyway you like this time. I believe the Tang family

shameless man talked to her so freely

back considering that there were others present. But he went up and deliberately pulled Cassandra into his arms, to show that she was his woman and no one else's. Then, he turned to the middle-aged man, who was still surprised and confused, "Let's call it a day, Mr. Zhang. We can talk about it some other

and met Rufus with a stern look, his lips curling into a condescending

Mr. Luo. I thank you on behalf of the Tang Group. It's an honor for us to have someone so devoted to our company, who is willing to work at this late hour, like you. But I'm sorry you will have to work alone now, for I must take my wife home right away,"

as he had finished speaking, he tightened his hand on Cassandra and forced her

looking back, Rufus stood there without speaking. But the grim look on his handsome face told the loss he felt.

sure that you won't be able to sleep alone

with terror. She could only look dejectedly over her shoulder

and sorrow. His arms fell to his sides, then he suddenly clenched his

short-lived if he couldn't change this situation. 'End it all!' A voice screamed deep

this, as soon

Lionel threw Cassandra in, and got in without releasing her wrist. He asked through clenched teeth, sporting an angry grimace, "Why are you always with Rufus? Tell me now, what did you two plan to do next if I didn't catch you in the act? It's very late, you should be at home, don't you think so?

face in pain as Lionel almost crushed her arm. Tears