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.

body that felt so hot just now after her wearisome activities, was

hold Rufus's hand so naturally?

Why did he frown at me?' she asked

blankly stared at the

woman poked her head out of the door

wave at Cassandra, she sent a flying kiss, and then shut the door.

so silly on the inside.

even gave me a flying kiss to bid farewell and

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

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. Her legs sprinted as if she was

it? Otherwise, why are my tears

tangled through her hair as

and onto her lips. 'That's salty, ' she thought.

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

ran, until she lost track of time. It was only when she couldn't catch her breath anymore that she slowed her steps

only thing beyond the

as she watched the sun disappear bit by

see. You have waited from dawn till night. What you actually saw was not

bad that this is only a wishful thinking on your part, ' she

smile graced her lips as she

the most promising young man in G City's real estate industry.

could have anything he desired. That was the man Rufus was. How

love. How could she fall into the trap of a man who just occasionally cared for her? Was it because she

idiot!' she berated

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 place to go. How was he going

are you

turned around in search of the sudden voice that called out

she surprisingly felt like a little deer caught by a

Dylon happen to be around every

Dylon with a heavy set of photography equipment in his

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

no idea how to explain to Dylon why she was there alone. As much as she wanted to vent

the sunset!" the ardent lover of photography

infectious delight seemed to have driven some

bar!" Cassandra suggested out of

got the better of her. If she was drunk, she could

head from behind the curtain of