A Graduation Gift

The world went pitch black as Cassandra gingerly closed her eyes, then the colors of her surroundings burst out when she opened them again. She had imagined her encounter with Rufus countless times just several hours before now. Finally, she was a free person—she could come to see him without being judged and it wouldn't be against her morals either.

Maybe, while she slept, Rufus would silently go to her bedside and kiss her gently on the face. The tenderness would awaken her from her sleepy form and she would open her eyes in delight. Their eyes would meet at the first beam of sunshine, and they would smile at each other.

Or, she would welcome his arrival while she basked under the warmest sunlight at noon. They would embrace each other so tight and step on their shadows as if burying all their miseries in the past.

Or again, he would find her at dusk, where the entire sky would be a wistful red. His eyes would be attractively dark brown like always, and he would whisper to her the sweetest words from his heart…

In all the scenes that she had envisioned, there were only two of them. What she had wished for, was the life between only the two of them.

Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that when they came across each other again, there were three of them—and ironically, she seemed to be the outsider.

Her eyes scanned down her own body—dark stains were smeared on her clothes, and her hands still holding the spade she used for digging were muddy.

Beads of sweat trickled down from her forehead. Her clothes were glued to her back, and she could almost hear the sound of the fabric rubbing against her skin when she started to move.

This definitely wasn't an ideal encounter.

There by the porch stood Rufus and a proud, gorgeous woman by his side. Her eyes didn't intend to hide her boiling contempt for Cassandra.

A frown marred Rufus's face. The beautiful woman had asked a question, but her voice was drowned in his thoughts. He didn't respond, as he seemed to be quite confused with what he saw in front of him.

"Cassandra, what are you doing here?" he asked in doubt.

His voice wasn't gentle; his expression wasn't tender; he didn't even intend to give her a warm hug. It was a totally different scene from her dream.

He was even holding the hand of another woman. Cassandra didn't know how to respond, but she managed to squeeze out a few words.

"I…I'm just planting some flowers..." Silence hung like a heavy curtain in the air.

Awkwardness crept through her skin as if she was the intruder who had broken into this property and even dug an ugly hole in the yard without the owner's consent.

"Isn't it cold outside? Come in," he said.

When the words came out of his lips, his brows were still creased, and then he walked into the room.

The woman beside him followed suit, and Cassandra was left outside petrified like a statue.

Suddenly, the woman in red whipped her head around and shot Cassandra a meaningful glance. A huge smile was plastered on her face—it was a smile that meant triumph and victory.

Her lips curved into a willful smile in silence; then she turned her beautiful, arrogant head back and followed Rufus's footsteps.

A gust of the night breeze kissed Cassandra's skin, making it quiver with goosebumps.

after her wearisome activities, was now like it was the coldest thing

woman? Why is she able to hold

not excited to see me? Why did he frown at me?' she asked herself.

blankly stared at the half-closed

door was abruptly pushed open. The woman poked her head out of the door

a hand to wave at Cassandra, she sent a flying kiss, and

felt so silly on the

to me. She even gave me a flying kiss to bid farewell and asked me

I thought I have settle down here, but it turned out that I've occupied someone else's place, ' Cassandra

gate of the yard, then she glanced at the faint yellow sky. The sullen sun was setting behind the thick gloomy clouds, just like her mood. In a flash, she turned around and ran.

blowing fast, isn't it? Otherwise, why are my tears

tangled through her hair as

and onto her lips. 'That's salty,

not familiar to her. Rufus's villa was located near the suburb and was surrounded by the

just ran and ran, until she lost track of time. It was only

sky and as far as she could see, the only thing beyond the woods was the orange sun. It radiated a dim glow which painted the entire horizon of its color

stiff body stood still as she watched the sun disappear bit by bit into the horizon. Soon enough, darkness fell.

night. What you actually saw was not Rufus whom you

only a wishful thinking on your part, ' she

as she grinned at her silliness and

Tang Group's CEO, Horace Tang's son, the most promising

he could have anything he desired. That was the man Rufus was. How could she innocently believe that he was

princes to love. How could she fall into the trap of a man who just occasionally cared for her?

an idiot!'

lonely in the darkness of the woods, she recalled that Rufus had said that he would give her a home so that she wouldn't have to wander around in search for a shelter. However, right now in the dark night, she had no

are

of the

recognized the familiar voice, she surprisingly felt like a

Dylon happen to be around every time when she was

turned around and there she saw Dylon with a heavy set of photography equipment in his arms. He stared at her in

for an answer. "I…I am just here for the sunset," she sputtered.

there alone. As much as she wanted to vent her feelings to someone, she didn't even know where to start

here for the sunset!" the ardent lover of

and its infectious delight seemed to have driven some coldness

Cassandra suggested out of the blue.

her. If she was drunk, she could forget all about the sorrows, miseries, and the agonies in her

curtain of her hair and looked pleadingly at