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.

felt so hot just now after her wearisome activities, was now like it was the

Why is she able to hold Rufus's hand so naturally? Why didn't

to see me? Why

blankly stared at the half-closed door in a

abruptly pushed open. The woman poked her head out of

Cassandra, she sent a flying kiss, and then shut

felt so silly on the inside.

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

look so stupid! I thought I have settle down here, but it turned out that I've occupied someone else's place, ' Cassandra ridiculed herself.

She went back until she reached the gate of the yard, then she glanced at the faint yellow sky. The sullen sun was

why are my tears even blown out?' Cassandra wondered.

wind beat her face and tangled through her hair as she

tears streamed down her face and onto

her. Rufus's villa was located near the suburb and was surrounded by

It was only when she couldn't catch

looked up at the 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 before it fell completely behind

stood still as she watched the sun disappear bit by bit into the horizon.

What you actually saw was not Rufus whom you have desired, nor

a wishful thinking on your

her lips as she grinned

most promising young man in G City's real estate industry. Everyone had heard of his name.

he could have

girls who dreamt of princes to love. How could she fall into the trap of a man who just occasionally

idiot!' she berated

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

are

around in search of the sudden voice that called

felt like a little

be around every time when she was

around and there she saw Dylon with a heavy set of photography equipment in

eyes darted from left to right as she fumbled for an answer. "I…I am just here for the sunset," she sputtered.

much as she wanted to vent her feelings to someone, she didn't even know where to start so she just found herself a simple

here for the

as usual, and its infectious delight seemed to have driven some coldness away.

the bar!" Cassandra suggested out

she was drunk,

head from behind the curtain of her hair and looked