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.

doing this? You're hurting me!

sobs as she said the words,

I'm sure you'll find someone better in

idea how to calm a girl, especially

softly. How could you be so evil? What's

their voice came through the crack

to the door, and from where Cassandra was standing, he was apparently holding Amanda tightly

within her and almost

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

and I are already together. Nothing can change that. She's my girlfriend and I need to take care of her! That's what a boyfriend

helpless, unruly child to

what about me? Don't I mean anything at all to you?" Amanda asked

his eyes, her eyes bloodshot from the tears, waiting with

as he thought hard about what to

was the best moments I

were both happy and regrettable for everyone.

accompanying him through the difficult trainings

Rufus hoped that what he said could bring closure to Amanda. So whenever she thought of her first love in the future,

She retreated a few steps slowly, then

that the time he spent with Amanda was the best of his life? Amanda must've been perfect in Rufus's eyes.

in the world—her status, identity, talent, and she was even as pretty as a fairy that could only

a woman like this would be perfect

that was his true feeling, I 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 was unable to smile for

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

life, Cassandra? Can't you see that he's alternating between two women?' she asked herself

you sure that he can give you want you want? Do you even

were disturbed by the crisp and

would play piano in front of everyone tonight! What a

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

piano. He learned how to play when he and Amanda were

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

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

Cassandra, waiting for

emotionless. Her eyes were empty and tranquil.

then cracked a faint smile that seemed to be

even taught him how to play the piano.

got to know Rufus, which made her feel so defeated.

on people's hearts; no matter how deeply you love later in your life, it can never compare

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

realize that Rufus and

to clear the rumors around her, endure the Tang Family's abuse, and bear all the bad things