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.

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

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

you'll find someone better in the

girl, especially if she was

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

as their voice came through the

and from where Cassandra was standing, he was apparently holding

flood within her

and all she could hear was a constant ringing in her ears.

already together. Nothing can 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 obsession

looked like a helpless, unruly child

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

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

eyebrows knitted as he thought hard about what

was the best

happy and regrettable for

him through the difficult trainings at the Dark Night Group.

could bring closure to Amanda. So whenever she thought of her first love in the future,

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

the time he spent with Amanda was the best of his life? Amanda must've been

talent, and she was even as pretty as a fairy that could only be found in

be perfect in everyone's

must be merely just a responsibility that he

was preposterous of him to think that she couldn't live without him. Cassandra held her

hotel exit. Walking out to let the fresh air hit her, Cassandra woke up from her daze and took

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

you want you

crisp and cold voice

Rufus would play piano in front of everyone

no idea why she was there or if she was waiting

touched the keys of the piano. He learned how to play

react while she herself was apparently lost in

are regretting that they should have fought hard for themselves. I guess that the older you are, the more you miss

now fully fixated on Cassandra, waiting for her expected reaction.

eyes were empty

faint smile that seemed

even taught him how to play

she never really got to know Rufus, which made her feel so

no matter how deeply you love

a head-splitting migraine as she took a deep breath. The air was cold and brought fresh air to her lungs. She got a grip on her emotions since she didn't

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

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