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! I hate

with sobs as she said the

you'll find someone better in the

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

seeing you so close together. It's killing me softly. How could you be so

their voice came through the crack

where Cassandra was standing, he was apparently holding

felt desperation flood within her and almost consume her.

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

change that. 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 her

unruly child to

mean anything at all to you?" Amanda

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

thought hard about

the

both happy and regrettable for

accompanying him through the difficult trainings at the Dark

that what he said could bring closure to Amanda.

retreated a few steps slowly, then turned around and ran

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

status, identity, talent, and she was even

woman like this would be

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

she couldn't live without him. Cassandra held her chin

exit. Walking out to let the fresh

really the kind of man that you deserve for the rest of your life, Cassandra? Can't you see that he's alternating between two women?' she asked

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

the crisp and cold voice

never expected Rufus would play piano in front

around and saw that Michelle standing beside her. She had no idea why she

piano. He learned how

Cassandra would react while she herself was apparently lost in her memories with her arms

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

Cassandra, waiting for her expected

emotionless. Her eyes were empty

smile that seemed to be isolated

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

she never really got to know

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

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

right. I'll take your advice. I've come to realize that Rufus and I are truly different, and I'll leave him before

her, endure the Tang Family's abuse, and bear all the bad things that had nothing to do with