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.

why are you doing this? You're hurting me! I hate

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

Amanda. I'm sure you'll find

no idea how to calm a girl, especially if she was wailing right in

It's killing me softly. How

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

from where Cassandra was standing, he was apparently holding

her

front of her was suddenly a blur, and all she could hear was a constant ringing in her ears. Their words

She's my girlfriend and I need 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

helpless, unruly child to

about me? Don't I mean anything at

from

eyebrows knitted as he thought hard about what to

was the best moments I ever

loves were both happy and regrettable for everyone.

bittersweet, accompanying him through the difficult trainings at the Dark Night

long. Rufus hoped that what he said could bring closure to Amanda. So whenever she thought

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

the

even as pretty

be perfect

his true feeling, I must be merely just a responsibility

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

hotel exit. Walking out to let

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

can give you want you want? Do you

were disturbed by the crisp and cold voice of a woman.

expected Rufus would play piano in

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

the piano. He learned how to play when he and Amanda were lovers. She was his

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

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 of

fully fixated on Cassandra, waiting for her

eyes

that seemed to be isolated from her eyes.

and she even taught him how to play the piano. What happened between them these days

to know Rufus, which made her feel so defeated.

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

cold and brought fresh air to her lungs. She got a grip on her emotions since she didn't

Rufus and I are truly different, and I'll leave him before things get

bring him lots of troubles. Rufus had to clear the rumors around her, endure the Tang Family's abuse, and bear all the