A Graduation Gift

The desk shuddered as a phone's ringtone for an incoming text message rang out. Cassandra, who was buried in her work, stared at the phone for a split-second, sighed, and then picked it up in a fluid motion. It was Stella.

She unlocked it with her fingerprint and read the message, "Hi, honey. It's a bright and lovely day. I've got a date with yoga!"

The text drew a faint smile from Cassandra. Stella was such an optimistic and not to mention, energetic person. Cassandra felt drawn to her, like she was this huge magnet. She just couldn't control herself with Stella, and wanted to approach her and befriend her.

Having such a cheery friend was like bathing under the sun on warm winter afternoon. It was comfortable as hell.

Cassandra glanced at the desk clock and saw that it was time to get off work, but she was still double checking the design layouts meticulously. She wanted to make sure all her outputs were topnotch quality when she turned them over to the clients.

After a couple of hours, she was done. She felt relief wash over her as she yawned and stretched her tired bones.

When she was about to leave, her phone rang. Cassandra's eyes lit up. She answered the call and heard a familiar baritone from the other end of the line.

"I know you haven't eaten yet since you're probably on overtime. Meet me at the parking lot. I'll treat you to dinner."

It was Rufus, as Cassandra had expected. He was the only senior executive who would work overtime in the Tang Group.

"It's really late. I just want to go home and get some rest."

She was excited, but she thought it was better to politely refuse.

Rufus seemed to ignore this. He only sounded more determined.

"I will see you in a couple of minutes."

Bossy as always, this was Rufus. He just went on ahead and hung up before Cassandra could say anything.

The continuous beep from the other end of the line startled Cassandra. She put down the phone, caught in a dilemma whether to meet Rufus or not. Then her stomach grumbled like a dog about to bite.

'Calm down, Cassandra. It's just two people eating food.' Cassandra repeated to herself, biting her lip.

A few minutes later, in the Tang Group parking complex, Cassandra saw Rufus beckoning to her. He was sitting comfortable in the driver's seat of a matte black Rolls-Royce.

"Well, where are we going to get some food?"

She slid into the car as she asked Rufus, her cheeks flushed.

Rufus just smiled at her and started the engine. The car roared to life.

"You'll know when we get there," he replied in a mysterious tone.

If it had the approval of Rufus, the restaurant had to be grand and beautiful, and the dishes had to be world-class quality. Neither of these two elements were dispensable when it came to dining for Rufus.

was given that these

took a gander at the place. It was grand as

surprised her the most, it was the fact that they were the only two guests at the restaurant. Rufus booked the whole joint! Mellow piano music echoed through the high ceiling. It

in a vivid dream. Rufus and her were having a candlelight dinner. The piano, the wine,

was all

started to well up. She wanted to forget about Lionel, Ivy, and everything else.

finished dinner, Cassandra looked a bit upset. Rufus could tell from her melancholic eyes. His brows

to go check it out? Our company is investing in a new construction

beamed at Rufus. She had been worried about one particular design lately and some much-needed insipiration

the car and sped forward. The strong V12 engine

Rufus seemed to understand

in front of a huge amusement park entrance. Cassandra rolled down her window

Neon lights reflected on every surface and the crowd was bustling with commerce and leisure. Children and teenagers were screaming onboard the thrill rides.

Cassandra's hand and they went in. He stood out since he was

the park, all of Cassandra's sadness and disappointment disappeared. Seeing Rufus all serious,

Cassandra's concern. But he listened anyway and took

You look so much younger with just

squinted for a more examining look at Rufus. He was so handsome, like a prince who came straight out of a fairy tale. No longer stood out though, he could fit right in

the two of them burst into laughter, not

Cassandra's eyes seemed to light up. Rufus noticed and

Cassandra sat down next to Rufus and buckled up. She also held the handrail tightly, nervous and thrilled at the same time.

can always hold my hand if you

whispered as he leaned closer to her ears. She was taken aback and a chill went down her spine. She looked at Rufus and smiled. It always made her feel

and made Cassandra dizzy. She screamed as the boat went higher and higher. They were

after the ride was over, Cassandra was wobbly and tried her best to keep her balance. She turned to Rufus to see how he was doing. To her surprise, he was completely fine, as if he didn't ride the ship at all. She was impressed by how tough he was. But she teased, "Stop pretending to be cool. You can throw up if

to withstand those kinds of situations. The ride was a breeze for him. Even

the design and construction dynamics of the other rides. When they passed by the various game stalls, an enthusiastic vendor

Five rounds in the

game in every amusement park. Hit a corresponding circle with a number and you

the prize on the topshelf, and saw a stuffed bear which was as big as a person. She realized that she needed to shoot number 10 to get

want the

rare sight to see her behave like

four times to no avail, the

poor attempts, stepped forward and took the gun. He held the gun in an expert grip, aimed and pulled the trigger in a fluid motion.

as well

shot number 10! With the last bullet ball!

was as small as a