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!"

just heard. What he believed were her

get off work tomorrow

Cassandra, to no

she closed her eyes, tears streaming down her cheeks, "it's impossible for us to be together. I mean it, Rufus. I really don't love you anymore. I can't continue to love you. I can't afford it

around, some of her tears glistened as they fell of her eyes. She then

slammed the door shut, full of bitterness, and left Rufus standing outside. She refused to open it no matter how hard he banged on the door.

against the door, Cassandra slowly sunk to the ground. She bit her hand to keep her sobs from

Open the

and banged the door desperately, not giving a damn about his priceless

I'm begging you, please talk to me! I'll do

weeping filled Rufus with dread. He ached to hold her in his arms, to reassure

just said only added more

I want?' she thought to herself, full of doubt. What she wanted was quite

a man devoted and faithful to her, with whom she could celebrate life

can you really do that, Rufus?' she cried

you, my life began to take a different direction into unknown lands. I can only feel my way into my world since it was so dark,

drawn by his

tragedy that was their romance. How could she have been so blind? Nonetheless, his constant profession of his love for her never failed to

it was just wishful thinking and naive of her

others thought of her.

calls and messages, Amanda would take Rufus away from her. Countless lonely nights, Cassandra would stare up at the empty

after time, Rufus behaved like it

his explanation, but now

suffer less and shed fewer tears

fighting

to soothe her weary heart. One neighbor popped his head out of the window and eyed the handsome man

the world

had never experienced such desparation.

into his heart. He felt his blood boiling;

his might, again to no avail. He only bruised

I'll bring it down if you don't open

the door shake. He apparently charged at it.

the next few seconds, the hinge sounded to be in too much stress. Cassandra started

so,

by the constant crying. She felt spent; her tears

response relieved him a

the little woman's weary

you rest. I'll see you