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 me! I

was wracked with sobs as she said the words, which was enough for Cassandra

Amanda. I'm sure you'll find someone better in

how to calm a girl, especially if she was wailing right in front of

softly. How could

their voice came through the crack of the slightly ajar door.

and from where Cassandra

flood within her and almost consume

a blur, and all she could hear was a constant ringing in her ears. Their words were a distant

That's what a boyfriend does. Since she's with me, I won't let her down!" Rufus tried hard to talk Amanda out of her obsession with

a helpless, unruly child to

about me? Don't I mean anything at all to

deep into his eyes, her eyes bloodshot from the tears, waiting

hard about what

with you was the best moments

happy and regrettable

accompanying him through the difficult trainings at the Dark

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

breath outside. What Rufus said stunned her. She retreated a

the best

had everything in the world—her status, identity, talent, and she was even as pretty as a fairy

be perfect in

must be merely just a responsibility that he needed taking

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

the hotel exit. Walking out to let the fresh air hit her, Cassandra woke up from her daze and took

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

you want you

were disturbed by the crisp and cold voice of a

in front of everyone tonight!

had no idea why she was there or if she was waiting for her.

of the piano. He learned how to

to see how Cassandra would react while she herself was

broke up because of Amanda's father, and I bet the both of them are regretting that they should have fought hard for themselves. I guess that the older you are, the more

on Cassandra, waiting for her

Her eyes were

a faint smile that seemed to be isolated from her

how to play the

know Rufus,

is the best thing that could happen to anyone. It's engraved on people's hearts; no matter how deeply you love later in your life,

took a deep breath. The air was cold and brought fresh air to her lungs. She got a grip on her emotions

think you're right. I'll take your advice. I've come to realize that Rufus and I are truly different, and I'll leave him before things get way

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