A Graduation Gift

A sudden hush fell over the hubbub of th crowd. One could almost hear a pin drop within the dead silence.

All eyes were fixed at the three people at the center of the issue in question, mouths gaping in shock. Flashes of the cameras halted and hands holding the microphones hung awkwardly suspended in midair even as the media's gaze scrutinized their every movement, looking for signs that would give any secrets away. However, their eyes failed to penetrate their expressions, especially Lyndsy's, as she was wearing huge sunglasses. Thankfully, it served as a good cover up. Nobody would be able to tell her shock beneath the dark shades of the lenses despite the practiced smile on her face.

The next thing Casssandra knew was the sensation of Dylon's arms wrapping around her waist and drawing her closer.

His words and actions were like tranquilizers injecting into the veins of the excited crowd. No one had uttered a word since his declaration. The situation seemed too sudden to completely sink in. Feet were planted into the road in this stupefied silence.

It was Lyndsy who recovered first. She took her sunglasses off, and flashed a big smile to the crowd that had gathered around them.

"I believe the misunderstanding has been cleared up now. As you have just heard, I was having dinner with two of my friends the other day, and I have no idea why it was only me and my male friend on the photos. Camera angles, maybe? I'm sure you would know better than me," she remarked cheerfully, although the implication rang loud and clear to everyone. Either that, or the photos were framed! She chose to leave this last part out. Judging from the reluctant gazes of the reporters, she knew they understood the bite in her seemingly harmless words. "Please give my friends privacy. They're not celebrities, and this is harrassment. The next time this happens, you can be sure that we would take action," she ended, emphasizing the last sentence in a strong and clear voice.

After her words, Lyndsy flashed her billion-dollar smile again. Its warmth had a startling contrast to the coldness in her eyes as she gave an once-over to the reporters in front of her.

Cassandra's mind had completely shut down as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

'Girlfriend? What were you thinking, Dylon? You should have discussed with me first! Or maybe even given me a hint at least, ' she thought to herself as she struggled to untangle her thoughts.

Gradually, all the media and the paparazzi came to their senses and looked at one another in dumb silence and disbelief.

They had been tailing Lyndsy for the past days to dig up some more dirt. When the news of her dating blew up on the internet, they were sure that they hit the jackpot; and they watched her more closely than ever, knowing it was only a matter of time before a juicy secret revealed itself to them.

The man who snapped a photo at the cafe was one of them. They had sent him to take the pictures of Lyndsy and her so-called boyfriend, but to their surprise, it seemed that they had completely missed the mark.

Dylon's earlier declaration that Cassandra was his girlfriend, not Lyndsy, had left them speechless. The scenario had not crossed their minds. What now? They would look like fools who made a great fuss over nothing. They thought they were digging for gold, which turned out to be useless rocks in the end.

Seeing that his words had taken the journalists by surprise and confusion, Dylon felt his irritation dissipate, replaced by a certain mischief. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

He bent his head and 'kissed' Cassandra on her forehead. His lips did not touch her skin—he merely hovered above her long enough to give them the illusion. He knew that it would confirm his words.

Then he turned to the crowd and smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief. After what they put him through, he felt a distorted sense of satisfaction. He would play them to the end. He was entitled to that much.

"Lyndsy was having dinner with us the other night, so please stop making stories up from unknown and unreliable sources. It hurt both my girlfriend and Lyndsy, and it won't bring you anything but court cases. However, I admire your hard work. You people from the media really have it hard, don't you? I respect your dedication," he paused to keep himself from smirking at his words. "The milk tea and cakes here are wonderful. Please help yourself with them. I'll pick up the tab for this one. Have a good day!" he finished.

Dylon waved a hand to the waiters, instructing them to make a head count of the people there and leaving some cash in their hands.

After that, he took Cassandra's hand and led her out of the cafe.

crowd of journalists automatically parted to give way to three of them.

smile on her face, and said, as if adding insult to injury, "See you later, everyone! I'm going back to work now. Please take care!" she said in a honey sweet

they disappeared,

Are they making fun of us? This is unreal!" one of them said, ruffling his

like they had been thoroughly

Did you see the expression on his face when he kissed his girlfriend?" another one responded in an

so in front of cameras.

material to write about after this!" a

everyone was reminded of their purpose for

in the issue, there

they were sure of was getting an earful from they supervisors,

with drinks and delicious cakes on trays. They handed them

once. The earlier cursing was replaced with nothing but praises. "That

and good-looking too! He could totally be a model

the sentiment. He was wearing a scowl and left his food untouched. The man who took the photos earlier was mottled red and with

things, that son of a bitch even wins them over. What the hell!' he thought angrily. 'I've taken their money to throw

on a non-existent relationship. I need to find something else quickly.' His

hint of viciousness showed up in his eyes, coupled with the coldness of his

of Cassandra's hand once they got to a quiet place,

too far and this was the only thing I could think of to get us out of that mess," he said with an apologetic

almost felt sorry

rid of them," she replied, trying to

relief of finally getting away from the reporters and the flash of their cameras that he he

person to put her into such an awkward position. Something tugged at her chest when she remembered his proud declaration. There was something else that bothered her, and it had nothing to do with the kiss,

shaken out of her thoughts when Lyndsy grabbed her, and after making sure no one was around, she embraced her tightly and kissed her on her forehead.

You're a life saver!" she exclaimed

the dispirited air she had around her earlier. Cassandra let out a sigh of relief as she felt her mood lighten with Lyndsy's brightness. Despite the half-truth of it, she knew she made the right choice to stay silent when Dylon declared her as his girlfriend. She

she turned to Dylon and Cassandra and laughed again. "Thanks to both of you, this whole mess

in case. He looked around them to check once again, and said, "Don't holler till you're out of the woods. I can't believe the questions they asked earlier were so aggressive. I don't think they're going to stop here. It's better to be cautious." Then as an afterthought, he added, "You'd better pay more attention with your

a taste of how persistent the paparazzi and the media could be, and he could only imagine what it was like for famous stars to deal with them on

relationship that I have, but thanks to both of you, that plan has bitten the dust, and they have nothing left on me. I seriously doubt that after today, they'll have anything else," Lyndsy said

her head and shoulders high, her eyes clear and determined, as

even a soft chuckle escaped him. Lyndsy was the reigning queen of the acting industry, but she came across as naive sometimes for someone of her stature and experience. He felt as