A Graduation Gift

'Tastes good? Must've been Amanda who said it.

Amanda bought this bread for him, but he turned around and gave it to me? It's ridiculous how he thinks I know nothing about this.

Rufus, you must be wallowing in satisfaction right now as two women pine for you at the same time.

What exactly am I to you?' she thought to herself.

Her trust in him was already at the brink of collapse, but because of this, it had fallen rock bottom. 'Is there any good reason, any reason at all to stay in a relationship with a man who uses what his other lover gave him to flatter me?' she wondered, apparently in a daze.

"Rufus, we're bearking up!"

Cassandra wrestled with herself before blurting it out, hear tears like torrents streaming down her cheeks.

"What's wrong with you, again?"

Rufus's smile was gone like the wind and was replaced with a look of concern when he saw her tears. A wave of panic engulfed him.

'Why is she crying? Is it because of my tardy return?

But no matter how upset she is, she has no right to break up with me because of that small slight, ' he thought and got kind of crossed.

"I remember saying that to you before, are you just using that to get back at me?"

Rufus asked, knitting his eyebrows and studying her expression, grasping for some sort of clue that would give away her true intentions.

Cassandra only shook her head, unable to say anything.

"Tell me what happened, Cassandra. Please, please talk to me,"

Rufus pleaded. He took Cassandra's arm and held it tightly. She was wracked with sobs.

His stomach did a one-eighty. He was so physically close to her, yet their hearts and feelings were so far away from each other.

He silently wished that she would stop being so stubborn and be gentle like other women. He just couldn't bear seeing her in tears.

"I don't love you anymore. We're done,"

Cassandra cried out desperately and in one swift motion, pulled her arm out of Rufus's grip.

Once upon a time she had always imagined that she would live a happy and peaceful family life with Rufus.

But the recent events had only reminded her that she was never good enough for him. They weren't fated to be with each other.

"No!"

with a snarl. He refused to believe what he had just heard. What he believed

I get off work tomorrow onwards, okay?" Don't say things like

tried comforting Cassandra, to

her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks, "it's impossible for us to be together. I mean it, Rufus. I really don't love

turned around, some of her tears glistened as

left Rufus standing outside. She refused to open it no matter how hard he banged on the

sunk to the ground. She bit her hand

the damn door!

and banged the door desperately, not giving a damn

please talk to me!

to hold

he just said only added more

herself, full of doubt. What she wanted was quite simple, but it was a simple thing that he could never give her.

and faithful to her, with whom she could celebrate life and

you really do that, Rufus?' she cried silently.

Ever since I met you, my life began to take a different direction into unknown lands. I can only feel my way into my world since

Lionel, she was absolutely enthralled by him, drawn by his magnetism and looks. He

foreshadowed the tragedy that was their romance. How could she have been so blind? Nonetheless, his constant profession of his love for her never failed to disarm her and eventually, succumb to it.

was completely devoted to her and only her, but it was just wishful thinking and naive of her to believe that. She had been so confident, but now it had all disappeared in the face of

others thought of her. But in

would take Rufus away from her. Countless lonely nights, Cassandra would stare up at the empty white ceiling

behaved like it was

and waited. She waited for his explanation, but now she was tired of

she thought she would suffer less and shed

her eyes, fighting

soothe her weary heart. One neighbor popped his head out

world is

had never experienced such desparation.

other woman could bring such chaos into his heart. He felt his blood

with all his might, again to no avail. He

it down if you don't open

finished his words when Cassandra felt the door shake. He

the hinge sounded to be in too much stress. Cassandra started to

am so tired...I am so, so tired. I

out by the constant crying. She felt

response relieved him a

heart flipped by the little

rest.