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

as she said the words, which was enough

sure you'll

idea how to calm a girl, especially

together. It's killing me softly. How could you be so evil? What's wrong with loving

through the crack

back to the door, and from where Cassandra was standing, he

flood within her and almost consume

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

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

helpless, unruly child to him

mean anything at

his eyes, her eyes bloodshot from the tears, waiting

as he thought hard about what

the best

happy and regrettable for

him through the difficult trainings

bring

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

say that the time he spent with Amanda was the best of his life? Amanda

and she was even as pretty as

would be perfect in everyone's eyes

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

couldn't live without him.

on autopilot until she reached the hotel exit. Walking out to let the fresh air hit

rest of your life, Cassandra? Can't you see that he's alternating between two women?' she asked herself in her thoughts.

can give you want you

crisp and cold voice

in front of everyone

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

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

how Cassandra would react while she herself was apparently lost in her

for themselves. I guess that the older you are, the more you miss the youthful days. Being the first love is like being

fixated on Cassandra, waiting

eyes were

cracked a faint smile that seemed to be isolated

and she even taught him how to

she never really got to know Rufus,

engraved on people's hearts; no matter how deeply you love later in

was cold and brought fresh air to her lungs. She got a grip on her

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

to clear the rumors around her, endure the Tang Family's