A Graduation Gift

Walking her way to the hotel restaurant, Amanda instructed the manager to deliver Charlie's meals as soon as possible and then made her way back to the presidential suite. Right when she came to the door, she overheard her father's words as he talked to Rufus. "Didn't you and Amanda get together?"

With that, she pushed the door open without any hesitation. Amanda announced to her father with a firm voice that she had decided to be with Rufus.

Amanda's sudden proclamation surprised Rufus. Actually, he knew that Amanda still liked him after what had happened between them. But being a gentleman as he was, he was not willing to reject her straight away right in front of her father, and he knew it would break her heart.

Rufus himself had also been hurt by love once and got lost without knowing what to do after Amanda broke up with him. Still, he cherished the good memories of the past with Amanda. She was so beautiful and innocent when they were together and he wanted it to stay that way on his mind; thus he didn't want to hurt her now.

In fact, Rufus had already figured out her intentions when she suddenly changed the repertoire after the break at her concert.

Later, she announced that she would like to set up a piano school in G City. She even drafted a contract and asked Rufus to sign it. Thus, it led Rufus to conclude that the purpose of her visit to G City must have something to do with him.

Time had passed and people changed. Rufus didn't love Amanda anymore. Instead, his heart beat only for Cassandra.

Although Cassandra was not as famous and successful as Amanda, and her family was not as glorious as Amanda's, Rufus was deeply in love with Cassandra since the day he met her. She was so special and different from everyone else.

The reason why he liked Amanda before was just that she was truly a beautiful girl when they were both young. But his feelings for Cassandra was totally different. As a man, he just wanted her and be with her for the rest of his life.

If he were to choose between Cassandra and Amanda, he sure would settle with Cassandra, the one he loved and cherished the most.

"Amanda, have I ever told you that I already have a girlfriend?"

Rufus looked at Amanda and tried to state in a low voice because he was afraid of how she would react. However, it seemed that Amanda didn't care about Rufus's rejection at all.

"Girlfriend? Why does that matter? She doesn't deserve you at all!"

Amanda exclaimed with a confident expression. Obviously, she didn't think Cassandra was even at par to compete with her.

'She had a divorced and her father is now in prison. What's worse was that her company was at stake. She's nothing to me!

I am the youngest female pianist who had won numerous awards in the world so far. There are a lot of men who sought after me and I can just choose one to be my boyfriend. However, I only love Rufus and I believe that he is bound to be my man sooner or later. I will surely beat Cassandra!' Amanda thought while eyeing Rufus interestingly.

"Amanda, love is never about matching. It's about whether you can afford it or not. Its sharing one's soul to another," Rufus countered.

For Rufus, Amanda was still the proud little girl she was years ago. It seemed that she had not changed a bit, still simple yet capricious.

Rufus, on the other hand, had grown up and was now very mature. His childishness faded gradually and it was replaced with professionalism and integrity, which made him handle things with ease.

you still mad at me for breaking up with

suddenly filled with tears, and the sad expression on her face made Rufus felt sorry for her.

in an effort to avoid her

is just a small city and it's not the right place where you can fulfill

to leave as he finished his words, but Amanda rushed up to him in a hurry

no longer the skinny boy he used to be. Instead, he had become a

Amanda couldn't help crying every time she thought of the break-up with Rufus

where you were born and I know that you want to stay in your hometown. Then I'd love to be with you and stay with

Rufus's relentless rejections had

was frustrated when he saw his

forced you to break up with Rufus, you would never have to

filled with guilt. The tears on his daughter's face were just like needles piercing through and hurting

took Amanda's hands off his waist and turned to hold her shoulders. He wiped the

coupled anymore. If you still treat me as your friend, then I'd be quite willing to help you when you need me. But if you want to be my woman, I have to say sorry because that would be impossible. I

Charlie, and bowed deeply and respectfully to him again. Then he walked towards the

Amanda was crying

to support her daughter. His eyes were full of

want to be with you, you should go back with me. Aren't you going

daughter was always her dad's sweetheart, and Amanda's tears pained Charlie a lot that his heart even felt

What... What merits does she have? Why would Rufus prefer

she even twitched to catch her

girl. Listen to me. You are the best and that bitch is no match for you. There's no need to compete with her! Don't stoop down to

on the sofa. He was once a proud and tough leading character in the Dark Night Group; but now he was an ordinary

want Rufus, and... Nothing else

and cried harder with her shoulders trembling.

all right. Dad will help you. Dad will

caressed her daughter's trembling shoulder with a broken

Are you really going

but she was no longer

his words were effective and then he continued to assure Amanda,"Yes! I promise! I'll help you earn Rufus's attention.

as his daughter would be happy, he would do anything even the

Deal! You cannot go breaking