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.

hurting me!

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

Amanda. I'm sure you'll

girl, especially if she was wailing right

so close together. It's killing me softly. How

voice came through

stood with his back to the door, and from where Cassandra was standing, he was apparently holding Amanda tightly in

flood within her and

hear was a constant ringing in her ears. Their

to take care of her! 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

unruly child

Don't I mean anything at all

deep into his eyes, her eyes bloodshot from the tears, waiting with bated breath for his

eyebrows knitted as he thought hard about what to say so she would stop.

was the best moments

were both happy and regrettable for

the difficult

that what he said could bring closure to Amanda.

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

he spent with Amanda was the best of

talent, and she was even as pretty as a

woman like this would be perfect in everyone's

true feeling, I must be merely just a responsibility that he needed taking care of, '

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

let the fresh air hit her, Cassandra

you deserve for the rest of your life, Cassandra? Can't you see that he's alternating between

give you want you want? Do you

by the crisp and cold voice of

piano in front of

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

the keys of the piano. He learned how to play when he and Amanda were lovers.

while she herself was apparently lost in her memories with her arms folded across her

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 you miss the youthful days. Being the first love is like being on top

fully fixated on Cassandra,

was emotionless. Her eyes

then cracked a faint smile that seemed to

even taught him how to play the piano. What happened between them these days all made

to know Rufus,

happen to anyone. It's engraved on people's hearts; no matter how deeply you love later in your life, it

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

I've come to realize that Rufus and I are truly different, and I'll leave him before

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