A Graduation Gift

For Cassandra, Rufus's accusation of her was akin to standing naked in the middle of a freezing winter.

Dylon opened his mouth to explain but Cassandra chimed in right away. She had a huge smile on her face as she reached out and took his arm.

"Well, didn't you disappear after taking a call from some woman? Isn't that the same?"

Cassandra questioned Rufus and looked straight into his eyes boldly. It seemed like she was trying to provoke him but deep inside, she felt nothing but sadness.

Was he implying she couldn't wait to throw herself into another man's arms? Did Rufus see her as a slut?

All of the sweet words Rufus had once whispered in her ear meant nothing to her now.

Dylon was frozen because so many things had happened in the last few days from people assuming he was Lyndsy's boyfriend to being used by Cassandra as a shield.

Rufus narrowed his eyes and looked back into Cassandra's eyes. She was glaring at him.

Cassandra felt her legs weaken but she didn't give in—she managed to power through as she stared Rufus down.

In her heart, Cassandra tried to make herself feel better by cheering herself on, 'No one can defeat you, Cassandra! Don't give in now!'

She felt a lump in her throat. How she wished she could cry it all out but she held her tears back. She raised her chin and glared at Rufus.

"It's not what you think,"

Rufus said and looked at Cassandra, knowing very well she was just being stubborn and defiant. He didn't have much patience left.

While it was true that Amanda had called him, Rufus had refused Amanda and he only left to see Charlie. He simply chose not to tell Cassandra for fear that she might get upset.

He preferred Cassandra to know nothing. As long as she stayed beside him, she would be happy and satisfied, wouldn't she?

"So what's it like? I believe what I see; and what I saw was you went out after you answered the phone,"

Cassandra grimaced. Actions spoke louder than words, right?

"What about what I just saw now? Is there any truth to that?"

Rufus found Cassandra's smile unpleasant. His heart prickled as if a dagger was stabbing it.

"Yes, Rufus, what you just saw is the truth. Since you're lying to me, I don't see any reason why we should still be talking. Now if you'll excuse us, there's something I need to discuss with Dylon."

Then Cassandra took Dylon's arm, looped hers around it and walked past Rufus.

so surprised that she almost dropped her sunglasses.

could Cassandra humiliate Rufus in public like

his temples bulged. Jasper was filled with apprehension how Rufus would respond,

go, Rufus. We

were outside the club. When they arrived at the gate, Rufus immediately threw

of

on his face. His eyes were gleaming as if he was

could you embarrass Cassandra in

what Rufus said to Cassandra was

but when it came

so he spoke those words without even

to you but she

patted him gently as

alike. They would never let their pride down to talk to one another when they were fighting. It would take them a long time

call her name

as your friends, we hope you can take a

somewhere else.

Come on. It's just a

said as she filled the glass with more wine. Her face was starting to redden.

you know what? I admire you!

asked to win the dress at the auction as a gift to Cassandra. At that time, she was already curious about Cassandra especially with what Rufus did. And here she was now, drinking wine with Cassandra! It was all

me to explain it for you? I can

unanimated Cassandra was, Dylon just wanted to make this

you don't have to. We have many other things we need to worry

and gave

Neither Cassandra nor Rufus ever mentioned it but now it was creeping

together was too short for them to know each that well or Cassandra just didn't know

past

to Rufus, he would just clam up and change the topic. He

he been doing overseas all these years? What happened to him? Who did he meet? What was his relationship with Amanda? Cassandra knew none of the answers to these questions.

to Lionel;

from her by not talking to her! What a joke! That was absolutely

exchanged glances, both of them not knowing how to

seemingly surrounded by a cloud of darkness that

early tomorrow and go to A City

wasn't feeling all too well about what happened either. He barely ate anything despite being served with so much delicious