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?"

Rufus. Her sudden question caught him off-guard,

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

dropped her gaze as a sad smile fell

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

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

a sister to me. I will protect

comforted her as he felt waves of grief flow from her.

it would mean. He was putting distance

It was the only thing he could give

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

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

him again. His elegant profile was prominent even in the darkness 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

"Sure."

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

he know 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 ears. Even as it put distance between them, it left no room for questions or excuses if she asked him to stay with her as

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

shadow with watchful eyes that followed her every movement. She knew it was absurd, but she

he be living an extravagant life, with wine and women to fill

this, she had met him twice in G City.

a cocktail party, he had Arthur send a message, saying that he 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

at the

murder could shake his composure. He could kill anyone whenever it would please

was whether he wanted something or not. He would get whatever he liked, whichever way

abandoned her like a piece of