A Graduation Gift

Rufus and Amanda's earlier exchange came back to her. He sounded so gentle as he reassured her over the phone.

Thoughts began to swirl inside her head. She had been in love with Rufus for so long, and at times, he seemed to be so affectionate.

But it was not only to her. Both she and Amanda occupied a space in his heart.

The clock ticked rhythmically inside the office, the sound creeping thickly through the walls. Cassandra closed her eyes against the piercing pain that came with every heartbeat. When a heart got tired, even love became a burden.

"Amanda, why are you standing there in the cold?"

From afar, Rufus saw Amanda's figure in the doorway, her thin skirt fluttering against the wind.

She was sick, but she still stood in a draught.

Rufus pulled Amanda into the car and drove to the hospital.

"Where does it hurt? Is it your disease?" he asked.

When he found out about her condition, Rufus took it upon himself to learn more about the disease. From what he found out, her condition couldn't be cured; even the latest medical advancements could only control it.

Amanda nodded absentmindedly, her face blank.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain? Hold on. We'll be in the hospital soon."

Rufus felt himself toward Amanda's sorry state. She was lethargic and listless, like a dry leaf swaying in the autumn wind. It was no use denying their history. She was the girl who made him know what love felt like; although they had parted ways, they spent wonderful times together. He would always have a certain fondness for her, and he felt sympathy pour out from him as she suffered severely from an incurable illness.

"Rufus, if someone wants to hurt me, will you protect me?"

to Rufus. Her sudden question caught him off-guard,

of your father. No one in the world would

sad smile fell on her

wanted to hear from Rufus. Instead, she asked again,

on her lap were now twisting the fabric of her skirt, her knuckles white from the tightness of

sister to me. I

waves of grief flow from her.

' knowing full well what it would mean. He was putting distance between

kindness. It was the only thing he could give her now

Rufus put his attention back to driving, he didn't catch the subtle shifts in Amanda's expression. For the past days, she had been uneasy, scared,

and played along. "Can I call you 'brother'

heart quickened as she took in the sight of him. At that moment, she could swear with certainty that no one

"Sure."

'brother' was an unspoken agreement—Amanda wouldn't be trying to go back to the time when they were lovers.

than met the ears. Even as it put distance between them, it left no room

at the back of her mind. Amanda shivered at the image of

followed her every movement. She knew it was absurd, but she could not shake off the feeling that she was being

Shouldn't he be living an extravagant life, with wine and women to fill the hours of

him twice in

lurch even with the sweetness of the words. The walls spun around her and she struggled for air. The next

skin crawled at the

he had demanded everything from her. Not even murder could shake his composure. He

had no semblance of morals. The only thing that made him decide was whether he wanted

even abandoned her like