A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was startled, as were all the people around her.

The baby slept soundly, as if nothing had happened, oblivious to the act of motherhood by which he was saved. Somehow, the mother had squatted with him in her arms, protecting him against the falling boulders with her own body.

Cassandra's mouth fell open in horror, surprise, gratefulness. All at once, these emotions were so hard to process that her hands started to tremble.

Something seemed to cross her mind abruptly but only for an instant. She couldn't hold on to it no matter how hard she tried.

The mother had protected her baby, keeping all the dangers at bay. This truly, was the power of love and love alone.

Dylon snapped to his senses, still recovering from the shock of what had just happened. He sprung forward to test the blood pressure and pulse of the baby, then carried him to the ambulance which had just arrived at the scene. Standing by the ambulance, he saw the father of the baby, wailing helplessly, knelt down on his knees.

Cassandra didn't know what to look at, the destruction or the distancing of loved ones. She felt solemn, stirred and numbed by the misery around her.

Naturally, the night was disturbing. Cassandra lay in Rufus's arms, snuggling against his chest. Her eyes were stuck to the wall, as if it was a canvas on which was playing all images from the events of the day that she couldn't get out of her head. She didn't realize but she was now mumbling. Rufus arched his neck to hear her better but he couldn't make out any proper words.

Soon, thereafter, she fell asleep. Sleep was equally appalling. She dreamed of a strange woman, holding a baby in her arms, crying in horror, looking right into her eyes.

"Don't come closer!" Cassandra yelled, alarmed. "Stop!" Louder, this time.

She could not make out their faces. They might as well have been made out of sand sifting through the wind.

All Cassandra saw was the woman clutching her baby, as if she was holding the most valuable treasure that ever existed. The most disturbing thing was the hostility and hatred with which she stared at Cassandra.

Cassandra felt tremendously sad and helpless. The sadness hit her oddly, making her desperate to ask for an explanation. Why did the woman hate her so much? She wanted to ask, yell, shriek but no sound came out of her wide open mouth.

The dream tortured her the entire night, coming and going in flashes, like memory left behind by terrible things. She was grateful to have been woken up by some noises in the morning.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Rufus lying next to her, looking straight at her. There were concerns and a sweet sense of care in his eyes.

"Did you have a nightmare last night? I know you didn't sleep well."

Rufus initiated an exchange, hoping she would release some of her stress and anxiety. He brushed his hand across her cheek, then held her by her bare shoulder.

"It's nothing. It's just...because of whatever happened yesterday."

meant or whether it was a premonition for something. She didn't want to talk about it. One, describing

is really weak right now. You won't be able

as soon as possible and spend some time

short of hands. We don't know how many people are still trapped underground. How can I leave at such a crucial

of hesitation. It didn't matter how she felt. The

boisterous with people and activities were now carpeted with rubble,

he pulled

strong headed for the things she believed in and

that followed, Cassandra kept working with the rescuers. Rufus stood by them unconditionally,

emergency supplies to distribute in the disaster-struck areas,

just a few days, Cassandra became one of the toughest volunteer in the crew. She didn't talk much and only spent her

many reliable solutions for the rescue which not only were less time-consuming but also improved the overall security.

teams gradually withdrew. Only some special search-and-rescue

she quit from rescue and went back to G City

Cassandra finally

to the sun-lit, off-white walls, Cassandra felt like she was back to

know next time you plan to

his arms, as she buried her head in his chest. A strange mix of feelings oozed in his heart as he recalled how hard

to the task at hand. But as soon as they got back to the villa, Rufus realized how scared he was of

"Hmm..."

sound and snuggled further into him,

a hell-like battlefield. But she was wrong. The happy time

Jill paced right and left, comfortable and relaxed.

Rufus was on a business trip, being the man she was

mood when he came back from the hospital. In fact, he seemed much more depressed

ill. She kept trying to encourage him every now and then, but it never worked. He looked as still as a stone carved into a sculpture.

better way to deal with his frustrations. All he could do was heave a sigh and confront him directly when Lionel approached him, "Lionel, why didn't you take those projects? How could you let Dawn Star Group get ahead of us? I already told you it's like eating a cake. If someone eats more, you will naturally have

much he relied on him for the smooth running of the

Dawn Star Group's tactical moves had won them several project contracts right under Tang

do if they had bigger and better moves? Now, they have the economic strength to begin several projects in parallel. We can't

was innocent. Sometimes, he didn't know how to

to contact the investor. You go handle the situation, now that Rufus is not here. Don't make any troubles, understood? Please take this seriously," Horace replied, irritated