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! I hate you!" Amanda

as she said the words, which was enough

I'm sure you'll find someone better in

to calm a girl, especially if she was wailing right

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

incredibly still as their voice came through the crack of

from where Cassandra

desperation flood within her and almost consume

and all she could hear was a constant ringing in her

what a boyfriend does. Since she's

like a helpless, unruly child to him

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

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

as he thought hard about what to say so she would

the

both happy

difficult trainings at the

their relationship burned bright, but didn't last long. Rufus hoped that what he said could bring closure to Amanda. So whenever she thought of her first

breath outside. What Rufus said stunned her. She retreated a

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

world—her status, identity, talent, and she was even as pretty as a

like this would be perfect in everyone's eyes as well.

a responsibility that he needed taking care of, ' Cassandra thought.

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

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

that you deserve for the rest of your life, Cassandra?

give you

were disturbed by the crisp and cold voice of a

would play piano in front of

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

piano. He learned how

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

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 a unclimbable hill that not everyone can

on Cassandra, waiting for her expected

eyes were empty

seemed to be isolated from

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

that she never really got to know Rufus, which

matter how deeply you love later in your life, it can

air 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

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

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