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

was wracked with sobs as she said the

sorry, Amanda. I'm sure you'll find someone better in

no idea how to calm a girl, especially if she was wailing right in front of

How could you be so evil? What's wrong with loving me?" Amanda

still as their voice came through the

with his back to the door, and from where Cassandra was standing, he was apparently holding

felt desperation flood within her and

hear was a constant ringing in her ears. Their words were

need to take care of her! That's what a boyfriend does. Since she's with

like a helpless, unruly

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

her eyes bloodshot from

eyebrows knitted as he thought hard about what to say so she would

with you was the best moments

happy

the difficult trainings at

what he said could bring closure to Amanda. So whenever she thought of her first love in the

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

was the best of his life?

she was even as pretty as a fairy

would be perfect

merely just a responsibility that he needed taking

him to think that she couldn't live

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

really the kind of man that you deserve for the rest of your life, Cassandra? Can't

give you

crisp and cold voice of

Rufus would play piano in

had no idea why she was there or if

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

react while she herself was apparently lost in her memories with her

hard for themselves. I guess that the older you are, the more you miss the youthful

Cassandra, waiting for her expected reaction.

was emotionless. Her eyes were empty and

that seemed

fit. Amanda was Rufus's first love and she even taught him how to play the piano. What happened between them these days all made sense

to know Rufus, which made

first love is the best thing that could happen to anyone. It's engraved on people's hearts; no matter how deeply you love later in your life, it can never compare with the first love. It'll haunt you

air to her lungs. She got a

advice. I've come to realize that Rufus and I are

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