A Graduation Gift

Cassandra and Maggie left the company and drove to the A City together.

While inside the car, Maggie kept on trying to call her uncle. In spite of several tries, she kept on getting the busy signal. This left her frustrated and irritated. Cassandra noticed the worry on Maggie's face.

"Don't look so troubled. The cell is not turned off at least, be glad. This could be due to the poor signal. It is normal since A city has been severely affected by the earthquake. They must still be working on restoring signals,"

Cassandra tried to soothe her.

"Thank you for coming with me, Manager Qin!"

Gratitude was evident in Maggie's eyes. She had no idea what would have happened if Cassandra hadn't been kind to her. This wonderful woman granted her the permission to leave work midway and then also drove her to the A City. It wasn't easy to find such a helpful and understanding boss hence Maggie was completely touched.

"If you really want to thank me then just take a good rest at the back. Then you will have enough energy to find your uncle when we get there, alright?"

Cassandra replied, smiling. She looked at Maggie's reflection in the rear-view mirror to check whether she was resting.

Listening to her words, Maggie finally leaned back in the seat. Cassandra breathed a sigh of relief and retrieved her eyes from Maggie.

The closer they reached to the A City, the more congested it became.

Cassandra noticed that the road was cluttered with several vehicles moving here and there. Some were delivering relief goods; some were rescue teams of volunteers; and some were here also in search of people like Cassandra and Maggie.

It usually took a six-hour drive to reach A City but today it took longer because of the commotion.

It was already pitch dark when Cassandra finally stopped the car. She parked the car and observed the surroundings. She noticed that it was a small township, and there was no inn here. Due to this, they decided they had to spend the night inside the car. When silence was about to fall, Maggie began to speak.

"My uncle loves me as much as a birth father would love his child. He would make it a point to bring me everything that he gets for his kid, my cousin. In fact, he never ever made me feel left out."

Speaking of her uncle, Maggie had a lump in her throat.

"Hey Maggie, don't get sentimental. Your uncle is going to be alright!"

Cassandra comforted her. At this point, Vernon flashed through her mind. She thought about the treatment she received from him. In spite of being her birth father, Vernon couldn't even give her the love that Maggie's uncle showered her with. 'Or is it because there is something wrong with me?' Cassandra couldn't help thinking.

Her thoughts went back to the summer vacation when she was in the second year of junior school. She remembered the day so vividly like it was yesterday.

Cassandra was fully prepared for that day for it was Vernon's Birthday. Etched in her mind was an idea to make a birthday cake, thanks to her culinary class in school. She had bought all the ingredients in advance, hoping to surprise her father.

As all the family members were taking a nap at noon, she tiptoed into the kitchen and began to fly about in order to work on her surprise cake.

Cream, flour, milk... Cassandra followed the recipe in her memory and made a sponge cake batter successfully. She was about to open the oven to put it in when she heard a little voice.

Cloris, dishevelled and sleepy-eyed,

you

sweet voice.

I am making a birthday cake for Dad. I wanna

lips, motioning for her sister not to talk

blinked. For a moment or two, a big glee was on her face.

cake for dad, then what should

walked over and stood by Cassandra. Eagerly she waited

a gleam of excitement lit up Cassadra's eyes as an idea

often cooks it for him. How about

high praises for her mother's extraordinary cuisine skills sprung into Cloris's mind. And she was tempted to make a fried-egg for him.

Let's cook some fried-eggs and

the door of the refrigerator. In her

eggs into the bowl. I will teach you how

Cloris before she

Cassandra carefully waited as she stood near the oven. The sponge cake mixture was in her arms. Just when she was about to open the oven,

"Aaaah!! ... ..."

house. Cassandra whipped around and the sight made her drop the cake pan. It fell on the ground and the cake

on the gas stove managed to catch on fire. The kitchen was smoky from the whoosh of

of a sudden. Vernon and Edith rushed inside wanting to know the

there was a big distance between them and

with fear. Vernon patted her back to soothe her. All

was going

in a harsh tone.

talk much to each other. But as she heard his furious tone, Cassandra started to shudder with fear. She dropped her

given up the hope to get an answer from Cassandra and

how did the

he had used a gentle voice. He brought his arm forward and

me to fry egg..." she replied before

face as he saw Cloris's tears streak down her little cheeks.

you let your sister touch the gas stove? I cannot believe you asked her to do such a dangerous thing! Do you consider her as your sister

eyebrows indicating how

the kitchen anymore, okay? Come on poppet, daddy will take

hand and took Cloris's hand before

Edith walked towards Cassandra and let

to the kitchen. She is still a little child. You have no idea how heartbroken we would