A Graduation Gift

The frown on his face did not relax, and the muscles of his mouth grew, if anything, tenser, as he had already guessed the reason behind her unexpected visit.

Evidently, Amanda had already known about his short visit to Cassandra's office and she had showed up at his door to unburden her soul. However, Rufus wasn't aware of this just yet.

"Rufus, You haven't forgotten Cassandra, have you?"

Amanda's voice trembled. Her breath came so hard that Rufus could hear its suspiration where he stood.

"So, you know that I went to see her, right?"

Rufus was as sharp as a tack. Hardly anything could slip past his sharp mind without being noticed and Amanda's thoughts were of no exception.

'Now that she's here to talk to me about this matter, I might as well tell her everything I've got in my mind.' Rufus wanted to take advantage of this opportunity that had presented itself to him.

"Amanda, you know exactly what happened that night. And I don't think it was a coincidence that your father came into that room the next morning to witness the scene first-hand. You orchestrated all of that, didn't you?"

As he peered into her pretty face, he thought to himself, 'She is not as innocent as she tries to appear. She didn't hesitate to drug me with a philter just so she could become my woman.'

"Rufus, you can't make such baseless accusations about me just because you don't want to be with me!"

'Of course, I am not going to admit it. If I were foolish enough to admit to something like that, I wouldn't have any chance to become his girlfriend.' Amanda's flawless facade masked her private guilt.

"Yeah, well. If you say so, Amanda. I'm clearly aware of what you're capable of, thinking now."

His bitter frown transformed itself into a sneer smile and then a contemptuous one.

"I stayed with you for one whole month because of your illness, but I don't think I can hide my real thoughts to spend the rest of my life with you. The fact that I love Cassandra can't be changed. Someday you will meet a person who will love and cherish you, but that person is not me. I hope that one day you will understand me, Amanda."

into his face again. Even just uttering Cassandra's name could change

could you be so cruel? You won't even

spilled over onto her cheeks leaving a tight and dry feeling. Amanda felt her chest tighten into a knot like a cramp and a quiet rage formed inside.

"Amanda, I'm so sorry."

in her head; so rather than keeping silent, he told her the truth. Even if he

and drove away. Glancing at her helplessly, Rufus turned back and

her walls came tumbling down. Blinking lashes heavy with tears blurred her vision. Every word that came out of Rufus's mouth lingered in her ears,

"I love Cassandra..."

everything in my life just to be with you, but

pulled over to the side

I pray that you rot in hell! I curse you die alone in agony! You

on the other end of the line was subjecting her to. She

sorry, but... who is

Cassandra wasn't expecting to

how I felt when Rufus told me that he still loved you. But mark my words, Cassandra, don't be so complacent. Nothing good can come from

gasping wails echoed, as she sobbed unceasingly,

of the line, Cassandra slowly recovered from her own

Rufus must have told her the truth about how he felt

skin like dew on spring grass. She could even feel it radiating and soothing her

she felt pretty bad, Cassandra was ready to accept the earful she had just received from Amanda, because she

out a radiant and loving smile of relief. She wanted to laugh, but she resisted the urge to do so.

if she were a gleeful little bird flapping its wings, ready to fly out of the cage and

meantime, Rufus had just received a piece of news that