A Graduation Gift

Rufus held Cassandra's hand and strode toward the stage, taking her along.

Looking at the two of them approaching, the crowd automatically cleared a path for them.

Amanda's face dulled, her lips pressed together. 'Why would Rufus bring Cassandra up here? What is he up to?' she wondered bitterly.

A hint of nervousness flashed through Lionel's eyes. Rufus's actions had perplexed him.

Cassandra, on the other hand, was in a daze. Even when they reached the stage, she still hadn't recollected her senses.

"Let Cassandra, Amanda and I perform together for this show!"

Rufus announced, taking the microphone. Then, he turned the speaker off and whispered to Cassandra, "Sing something. Anything is fine. I'll play the accompaniment music for you."

He turned the mic back on, fixing it on the stand and adjusting its height for Cassandra. He gave her an encouraging smile and a pat on her shoulder before he walked to the piano and took a seat.

Everyone in the room was shocked! The love triangle in the rumour was now on the stage, ready to perform together. What was this supposed to mean?

Some wondered if this was one of Rufus's business strategy to gain fame by becoming the hot topic all over the news.

Most of the crowd was curiously drawn to Cassandra, who, on the other hand, had no idea about what she was supposed to do. She had simply been dragged onto the stage, mindlessly, and then, asked to sing!

Even though part of her was pretty confident about her singing skills; truth was, she had never sung in front of so many people. The most she did was sometimes to hum and sing to herself in solitude.

Once, Rufus had joked saying she sang so well that she could even release an album of her own. Of course, she rejected the idea right away. She didn't want to become a publicly scrutinised singer. All she wanted was to work at her desk, drawing her sketches.

She found herself most relaxed working with the pen and the paper in silence, or making use of the design applications on the computer. It was almost meditative for her.

But in the moment, Cassandra had no chance to retreat. The mic was right in front of her, and hundreds of people were waiting for her to give them a performance. If she flinched, wouldn't she be viewed as a coward by the others in the industry?

What would they think of her—the head of the Qin Group wasn't even willing to sing a song at the charity dinner?

She couldn't let this happen!

'Never mind, just give it all!' she said to herself.

She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, preparing herself.

The crowd went quiet, all their eyes fixed on Cassandra.

"In that misty morning when I saw your smiling face.

You only looked at me and I was yours.

But when I turned around, you were nowhere to be seen.

had walked away and closed the

I see

will the sky start to

the stars start

will I know that

Tale.' Her voice was smooth and clear, like a nightingale. Every note, every tune, every syllable came

of forced fanciness in her voice, no impure sounds. One could confidently say she sang

gentle stream of piano music filled

ever meet you in the sunshine, and when we

I ever hold you in the moonlight...Did we make every minute last another day...

December night, I gave my heart to you. And by the summer you

older and the stars will start

memories and

I see you

will the sky

the stars start

know

mic out from the stand and walked toward the piano. Rufus couldn't play the piano as spectacularly as Amanda, but his adept way of playing was enough to accomplish a successful duet, and satisfy the crowd.

Cassandra's flowing voice as he raised his head and gazed at her,

their eyes met in the air midways and played with

eyed them, completely sidelined.

that misty morning, I saw your smiling

the last verse softly. Her voice reverberated in the hall before it gradually trailed

music gradually dissolved in the

still held each other's gaze.

her into his

bluntly a public display of affection. Amanda's eyes dripped of jealousy looking at them so close

astonished too. They could never have imagined Rufus to have the audacity to bring Cassandra on the

owned the stage. Amanda

people who pitied Amanda and found Rufus' actions inappropriate, but it seemed that anything was allowed in the name of love—they were awed by the love between Rufus and Cassandra, and didn't notice how embarrassed Amanda was. The audience applauded, marking a perfect end to the

piano.

was the last. She thought she would perform with Rufus in

Cassandra, or rather, grabbing her hand and bringing her

they didn't care about Amanda at all. All the guests were discussing about the couple, completely

could she accept

the stage as her face blushed. She murmured to

could you make me sing without any prior information! What if I had messed

lips and the glow on her was alluring. Under the sparkling yellow light, she looked enchantingly beautiful.

messed

his love-filled

move they made. She couldn't stand to see them being all lovey-dovey, standing so close