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 bewildered. Lyndsy was so surprised that she almost dropped her sunglasses.

could Cassandra humiliate Rufus in public

apprehension how Rufus would respond, so he

go, Rufus. We should go

were outside the club. When they arrived at the gate,

at the sound of

look on his face. His eyes were gleaming as if he was planning something that

in front of so many

felt what Rufus said to

but when it came to Cassandra, he just turned into a different

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

explained to you but she didn't. Both

and patted

were so much alike. They would never let their pride down to talk to one another when they

to call her name to get her attentiontried since she was

as your friends, we hope you can take a

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

Come on. It's just a

glass with more

you! You won this

to Cassandra. At that time, she was already curious about Cassandra especially with what Rufus did. And here she was now, drinking

to explain it for you? I can go talk

how unanimated Cassandra was, Dylon just wanted to make this

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

shook her head and gave a

mentioned it but now it

to know each that well or Cassandra just didn't know much about

about Cassandra and her past because she had told him everything.

clam up and change the topic. He never

did he meet? What was his relationship with Amanda? Cassandra knew none of the answers to these questions. She

they had to solve was Cassandra's marriage to Lionel; but now the

hid them from her by not talking

them not knowing how to deal

cloud of darkness that kept other people

to A City with the medical team. Let's call it

all too well about what happened either. He barely ate