A Graduation Gift

This was perhaps the first time that Cassandra was dreaming during an afternoon nap. She'd fallen asleep in a distorted position in the office chair.

Time flew fast in her dream. Seasons changed in seconds. One second it was summer; then, autumn; next instance, winter. As she stood there looking at the leaves and light change around her, a shadow accompanied her. She recognized it to be Rufus, standing next to her, through the tumultuous changes.

The spring flowers were beautiful and so were the fallen autumn leaves. The winter snow glistened so beautifully it stunned her.

She looked at Rufus through flying hair in front of her eyes, grabbed his hand and walked in the snow. Their heads were covered in gently falling snow, making it look like they had grey hair. It looked like they were a couple grown old together. Dreams often, were considered to a method of wish fulfilment.

Cassandra always believed the idea of two people in love growing together was the most beautiful and romantic thing in the world. She had always imagined to be with someone who she could share this with. Before she could enjoy that imagined reality in her dream, Stella entered the office.

Cassandra opened her eyes, perturbed by the slight sound of the door closing behind Stella. She had always been a light sleeper and woke up very easily. She raised her head and saw Stella looking down at her.

"Oh... Stella. What's the matter?"

On finding it was her best friend who had entered the room, Cassandra let down her guard, slid back in her chair and rested her head on the desk again. She was still sleepy.

"Whose is this from?"

Stella asked, waving a white paper card at her, confused.

Cassandra got alert the moment she saw the card. Her eyes widened in surprise and panic took hold of her for a second.

"Oh, I have no idea. Maybe someone dropped it unintentionally,"

Cassandra said, taking the card from her and throwing it in the trash bin under her desk. There was still a slight hint of panic on her face.

Stella had always been a careless person. But Cassandra's unnatural behavior was so obvious that even she found it strange. She could tell when her friend was nervous or trying to hide something.

As Stella glanced around the office, her eyes landed on a round trace of water on Cassandra's desk, It looked like something had been placed on the desk, which left some water behind.

The size of the circle looked quite familiar. It looked exactly like the size of the container Stella had seen in the trash can!

Stella furrowed her eyebrows, recalling how nervous Victor was when she ran into him and how Cassandra had a similar reaction. Something was surely going on between those two. Or was it a mere coincidence?

Stella had always sensed Victor treated Cassandra specially. One time, he would even put lumps of sugar in her coffee himself.

And today, as per Stella's instinct, he'd bought lunch for Cassandra.

surprising was he had even tried to destroy the evidence

be that Victor had feelings for

which was why Cassandra got all nervous about it? Was she

so elegant, like a girl's. She hadn't expected that but then again there

staring at Cassandra with squinting, complicated eyes. She

she said, gently biting her lower lip.

order to warn her. What she was doing was very dangerous. As a friend, it was Stella's

"A talk... About what?"

serious face made her stomach drop.

wanted to talk to

took a step back, fetched a chair and sat beside Cassandra, reaching out for her hand. She put it in her lap, looking

But the most important thing is

seemed like she really was worried for her and was

"Stella... I..."

a loss for words. She didn't now how to respond. It definitely

why she would refer to it as a mistake, Cassandra

to explain anything. I know you and understand what could be the reason for it. Everyone in the Tang group knows what kind of man Lionel is. Ever since that video of him making out with that other woman has come out, everyone has started to see the real side of him and that he is in the wrong. He isn't a faithful husband at all.

had come out at the victory banquet, shocking everyone.

opera at times. She'd never expected to witness such a big drama. And she couldn't even imagine

man he is. I just don't want to talk

said to Stella with a bitter smile on her face. She had made some big mistakes in the past, and she was willing to face the consequences. When she thought of Ivy who was pregnant with her husband's child and staying in Tang family's house under the same roof with her, she felt like a big loser. Even at the beginning of this marriage when she had already expected to be unhappy, she hadn't thought things will get twisted to

the reason for the crack in their relationship. And now, even though she was Lionel's legal wife, she still felt like

about Lionel either. All I'm trying to tell you is Victor is a really nice man. He is the kind of man who doesn't talk much

all the good points about Victor. She was trying so hard that Cassandra's confused face escaped her

nowhere. Whatever they were talking about had

are you talking about?

interrupted Stella, staring at her

Lionel anymore and want to pursuit your own happiness, you should divorce him first and then get together with Victor. That's the right thing to do. If you are with Victor without divorcing Lionel, you will come off as a cheater.

somberly. Her grip

please tell me first. I am on your side, no matter who it is. I will do everything in my power

Cassandra together, a bitter feeling crept up in her heart. She was her best friend, and would be happy and gladly

own emotions. She could sacrifice her own happiness

let out a