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,

someone threatening you? You have the protection of your father. No one in the world would

dropped her gaze as a sad smile fell on her lips.

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

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

a sister to me. I will

waves of grief flow from her.

let himself linger on the word 'sister, ' knowing full well what it would mean. He was putting distance between them, so as

was the only thing he could give her now that his heart belonged to

in Amanda's expression. For the past days, she had been uneasy, scared, and lost,

played along. "Can I call you

of the car. Her heart quickened as she took in the sight of him. At that moment, she could swear with certainty that no one but he could make her

"Sure."

her calling him 'brother' was an unspoken agreement—Amanda wouldn't be trying to go back to the

that Amanda thought differently. The word put a distance between them, true, but it was a necessary setback. There was more to the word 'brother' than met the

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

every movement. She knew it was absurd, but she could not shake off the

an extravagant life, with wine and women to fill the hours

met him twice

her very much. She felt her throat lurch even with the sweetness of the words. The walls spun around her and she struggled for

skin crawled at the

from her. Not even murder could shake his composure. He could kill anyone whenever

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

her like a