A Graduation Gift

The wind was chilly at night, making Rufus shiver. Suddenly, it occurred to him Cassandra wasn't wearing a jacket earlier that day when he saw her. She might be feeling warm while working in the garden. But where could she be right now?

He worried that she would catch a cold or fever since she was only wearing a flimsy blouse with a knee-length skirt.

She had just been nursed back to health and was finally getting better. The idea of her falling sick again worried Rufus.

Presently, he stood outside the gate with Amanda, waiting for Victor. Amanda could tell Rufus was distracted. She already assumed it was about Cassandra without even asking him. She couldn't believe Rufus would concern himself so much about other women. Amanda remembered when they were dating back then, he was always too cool. It was rare to see him behave like this, so on edge.

Amanda had never been able to forget Rufus since she had left him. They were, after all, each other's first love and he was such an outstanding man. The breakup had scarred her emotionally and she kept thinking of him for years thereafter.

The situation was such that she was forced to breakup with him because of the pressure from her family—her father didn't approve of Rufus. She had tried to revolt against him in the beginning but it was no use. Her father won at last, leaving her no choice but to break up with Rufus.

She still remembered the look on Rufus's face when she told him she couldn't be with him anymore. His eyes were a strange combination of intense fury and sadness. She remembered him clenching his fists, pursing his lips. He didn't utter a single word.

He didn't ask her for an explanation, didn't beg her to stay. He was still Rufus, composed as always, even in the face of such shocking news. To her surprise, he turned around, walking away with determination and leaving her alone in a void.

She told herself if Rufus turned around or even so much as halted, she would run to him. To hell with her father, her family, the world, this was the man she loved!

But as it turned out, he didn't stop, not even for a second. Eventually his figure disappearing in the mist.

Tears started to flow down her eyes and in no time, turned to howls. She fell down to her knees, crying as if there was nothing left for her in the world anymore. She knew then she could never forget what they had, and surely now, years later, she still remembered every single thing from then.

But now, Rufus was a changed man. His composure was gone. He had finally allowed himself to show his vulnerable side to someone. He had begun to show warmth, care, concern and worry.

Rufus's mind was still wandering and was only brought back to the current moment by a car that whooshed by them.

The car looked very familiar to Rufus. This was the same car Dylon and Cassandra had gotten into that night after they had dinner together. Rufus had ended up following them, feeling angry and betrayed.

And sure enough, they were together again. He could make out Cassandra's silhouette in the passenger seat. He was sure, it was her.

For a moment, Rufus forgot to breath.

'Why is Cassandra with that man again? What is the relationship between them?' Rufus's head exploded with a hundred questions, his heart beating fast.

"Miss Ke, where are are going?"

Victor finally arrived. He opened the door for Amanda but she stood still, pouting. Her eyes were stuck to Rufus's obviously distracted face. She kept looking at him in the hope that he would offer to drive her.

raced thinking he would say something, but nothing came out of

me to drive you

looked at her

suddenly felt depressed. Why hadn't Rufus been gentle like this when they were together?

emotions overwhelmed her. She couldn't bear to

handsome and intelligent person she had ever come across in her life, and no one made her feel like this. Whoever this

got into the car, immediately texting someone.

was what the text read: Help me check in on a person.

Cassandra lifted her head casually and what she saw in front of her eyes had

of the road was a huge billboard, mounted at the side of a building. Many

in the famous theatre in G city during

in white and red, looking completely stunning and mesmerizing under the glow

the image of an elegant woman, wearing a red gown. She flashed a flawless smile, looking very classy and confident. Her

ha! She must be a pianist, sitting on a stool in front of the white grand

went like this, "A must-visit concert performed by the world-famous pianist, Amanda Ke. Let the music

it. In the top right corner, under

beautiful, gorgeous and headstrong. Her body language spoke of her dignity and confidence.

"Amanda Ke…"

softly, as it finally

arm before, telling him how much she missed him. Cassandra remembered thinking how good they looked together, natural and sweet,

out Cassandra was living a dream, a dream in which she and Rufus had fallen in

biggest bar in G city. The valet guy parked their car as they

walked to the counter, already ordering several kinds of drinks from the

leaned on the counter, smiling at her ordering her

wanted

Dylon. Let's get drunk and have some

it entirely in a single

together. A woman

open in amazement. He had never seen anyone

she finished the second drink. But then she felt good, a warm feeling trickling down her chest. All her thoughts

thing', she thought. Indeed, for a person who needed to get rid of their sadness and trouble,

burst into laughter. Dylon noticed how beautiful she looked as her

you… drinking with