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.

was so surprised that

Rufus in public like

with apprehension how Rufus would respond, so he led Rufus out of the

We

by Jasper until they were outside the club. When they arrived at the gate, Rufus immediately threw a punch at the

flinched at the sound of Rufus punching

had a cold look on his face. His

too impulsive. How could you embarrass Cassandra in front of so

He felt what Rufus said to Cassandra was

when it came to Cassandra, he just turned into

to Dylon just made him jealous, so he spoke those words without even thinking

explained to you but she didn't. Both of you

patted him

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

Cassandra, in the room, kept her head down. Lyndsy had to call her name to get her attentiontried since she was so

to him. Dylon, as your friends, we hope you can take a good

mind was obviously somewhere else. She didn't know what to

Cassandra. Come on. It's just a fight, nothing

filled the glass with more wine. Her

you! You won this round, you're

to win the dress at the auction as a gift to Cassandra. At that time, she was already curious about Cassandra especially with

me to explain it for you? I can go talk

just wanted to make this whole thing go away for her.

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

shook her head and

mentioned it but now it was creeping up

know each

past because she

clam up and change the topic. He never talked about his past with

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.

problem they had to solve was Cassandra's marriage to Lionel; but now the problem was settled, their trust issues started to surface.

didn't know anything about Rufus's past or his secrets. He purposely hid them from her by not talking to her! What a joke! That was

both of them not knowing how to deal with or comfort

surrounded by a cloud of darkness that kept other

to get up early tomorrow and go to A City with the medical team. Let's call it a

too well about what happened either. He barely ate anything despite being