A Graduation Gift

Rufus had hardly entered the room when Amanda suddenly threw herself against his chest, too impatient to wait.

"You're finally here, Rufus!" she exclaimed while hugging Rufus tightly, her eyes closed and mouth curled into a happy smile.

Her face was scarlet all over.

"What's wrong with you? Are you okay? Hold on, I'm calling a doctor for you!" Rufus added his eyebrows furrowed in concern.

He managed to grab Amanda's arms and pushed away a bit.

He noticed that there was something wrong with her, but couldn't find out exactly what.

As far as he observed, Amanda was standing right in front of him, alive and kicking, which was weird that she didn't feel very well at the same time.

"Rufus, my heart is hurting…it's broken…" Amanda murmured.

Her eyes started to tear up as she looked at him pleadingly.

Her heart was in pain as if a sword stabbed it, when she saw how Cassandra and Rufus looked at each other's eyes so lovingly moments ago.

"Stop this, Amanda. I love Cassandra and she loves me. We'll get married soon," Rufus patiently explained.

The finality in his voice only added more pain to Amanda's wounded heart. She gasped to catch her breath.

"Why not me, Rufus? I don't see what's so special about her! It should've been me!"

Amanda refused to back down and accept his explanation. Tears were streaming down her cheeks at this point.

"She's so special to me, Amanda. You're a great girl, but I love her now and I just can't see a life without her. Don't you understand?"

Rufus knew that he needed to end this now, and if he showed the slightest note of hesitation, it would only make matters worse. Amanda had to accept the truth, that Rufus had no spare love for any other woman, only Cassandra.

"Rufus, I can't bring myself to listen to you right now. You know I'm ailing right now. Can't you at least pretend to make me feel better?"

Amanda raised her head a little to look into Rufus's eyes. Her mouth forced a sad smile.

"No, Amanda. This ends now. I won't lie to you even if you're sick,"

Rufus responded harshly. Deep in his heart, he was reluctant to admit the truth to her now, since she wasn't all that well; however his mind told him that he'd better end her expectations for her to move forward.

At that same moment, along the corridor, Cassandra was walking towards the room where Rufus and Amanda were in, which was at the end of the hallway. The soft carpet on the floor absorbed the sounds of her footsteps.

She passed one room after another.

After a few minutes, the room was finally in front of her. She could hear a conversation on the other side.

Two people were talking, one was Rufus and the other was apparently Amanda.

you doing this? You're hurting

as she said the words, which was

sorry, Amanda. I'm sure you'll find someone

girl, especially if she

killing me softly. How could you be so

came through the crack of the slightly ajar

the door, and from where Cassandra

felt desperation flood within her and almost

suddenly a blur, and all she could hear was a constant ringing in

take care of her! That's what a boyfriend does. Since she's with me, I won't let her down!" Rufus

unruly child to him now.

mean anything at all to

her eyes bloodshot from the tears,

as he thought hard about what to say so

the best moments

both happy and regrettable for

was bittersweet, accompanying him through the difficult trainings at the Dark Night Group.

bright, but didn't last long. Rufus hoped that what he said could bring closure to Amanda. So whenever she thought of her

held her breath outside. What Rufus said stunned her. She retreated a few steps slowly, then turned around and ran

was the best of his life? Amanda must've been perfect in Rufus's eyes.

and she was even as pretty as a fairy that could only be found in fairy

this would be perfect in

merely just a responsibility that

him to think that she couldn't live without him. Cassandra held her chin high,

until she reached the hotel exit. Walking out to let the fresh air hit her, Cassandra woke up

really the kind of man that you deserve for the rest of your life, Cassandra? Can't you

that he can give you want you want? Do

by the crisp and

in front of everyone tonight! What a pleasant

that Michelle standing beside her. She had no idea why she was there or if she was

touched the keys of the piano. He learned how

head in a sidelong glance to see how Cassandra would react while she herself was apparently lost in her

they should have fought hard for themselves. I guess that the older you are, the more you miss the youthful days. Being the first love

Cassandra, waiting for her expected

Cassandra was emotionless. Her eyes were empty and tranquil.

a faint smile that seemed to be

pieces suddenly fit. Amanda was Rufus's first love and she even taught him how to play the piano. What happened between them these days all

realized that she never really got to know Rufus, which made

no matter how deeply you love later in your life, it can never compare with the first love. It'll haunt

a head-splitting migraine as she took a deep breath. The air was cold and brought fresh air to her lungs. She got a grip on her emotions since she didn't want Michelle to see

I've come to realize that Rufus and I are truly different,

clear the rumors around her, endure the Tang Family's abuse, and bear all the bad things that had nothing to do