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?"

question caught him off-guard, her

the protection of your father. No one in the world would dare lay a finger on you,"

gaze as a sad smile

there was something else she wanted to hear from Rufus. Instead, she asked again, "How about you? Will

fabric of her skirt, her knuckles white from

like a sister

as he felt waves

'sister, ' knowing full well what it would mean. He was putting distance between them, so as

he could give her now that his heart belonged

the past days, she had been uneasy, scared, and lost, but Rufus's words

steeled herself and played along. "Can I call you

in the darkness of the car. Her heart quickened as she took in the sight of

"Sure."

was an unspoken agreement—Amanda wouldn't be trying

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

shivered at the image of the man she saw in

nightmare, a shadow with watchful eyes that followed her every movement. She knew it was absurd, but she could not shake off the

he come to this city? Shouldn't he be living an extravagant life, with wine

she had met him

missed her very much. She felt her throat lurch even with the sweetness of the words. The walls spun around her and she struggled for air. The next thing she knew, she was at the hospital after a bout of hypoxia.

skin crawled at the memory.

hateful smile, he had demanded everything from her. Not even murder could shake his composure. He could kill anyone whenever it

was as if he had no semblance of morals. The only thing that made him decide was whether he wanted something or not. He would get whatever he

abandoned her like a