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.

say something, but nothing came out of his mouth. Just then, he started walking towards the backyard. Hastily, he got into his car, determined

Ke, allow me to drive

offered again, clueless. He looked at

gentle like this when they were together? Why was it that this woman made Rufus act

emotions overwhelmed her. She couldn't bear

hers alone. They belonged together. He was the most handsome and intelligent person she had ever come across in her life, and no one made her feel like this. Whoever this

nodded her head at Victor and got

text read: Help me check in on a person. Her name is

away, Dylon drove smoothly before he stopped at a red light. Cassandra lifted her head casually and

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

about a concert that was to happen in the famous theatre in G city during the Lantern

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

a flawless smile, looking very classy and confident. Her

must be a pianist, sitting on a stool in front of the

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

under the list of

language spoke of her dignity and confidence. Cassandra

"Amanda Ke…"

name softly, as

him how much she missed him. Cassandra remembered thinking how

Cassandra was living a dream, a dream in which she and Rufus had fallen in love. But it seemed like now it was time to

biggest bar in G city. The valet guy parked

moment they got in. Cassandra hastily walked to the counter, already ordering several kinds

the counter, smiling at her ordering her drinks. "Cassandra,

simply wanted to have

Let's get drunk and

it entirely in a

hoot, clapping their hands together. A woman drinking whiskey like that was sure

open in amazement. He had never seen anyone

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

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

how beautiful she looked as her cheeks blushed. All

aren't you… drinking with