A Graduation Gift

"Mother, please don't. Whatever it might be that Rufus is doing right now has nothing to do with me anymore. I stopped caring a long time ago."

Deep in her heart, she was so hesitant to tell her mother about the conversation she had with Rufus. She knew full well that her mother would lose her mind and judge her if she found out about their meeting.

"Fine then. I'll keep my nose out of it. But you have to admit, Clark is such a great guy no matter how you look at it. He gave you a comfortable place to stay in, and he took care of everything for you. He even went through lengths like confronting Rufus to get an explanation because it might have an impact on your reputation. As your mother, I would like to encourage you to stop looking back and move on with your life. Just give him a chance to prove himself to you!"

Having a hard time holding it in, Edith began to persuade her daughter. She had been blabbering so much that Cassandra felt like she couldn't breathe.

It was as if her mother was even more worked up than she was. From the way Edith saw things, Clark was a man who was more than capable of taking good care of her daughter and keeping her safe from harm, while Rufus, on the other hand, paled in comparison.

"Mother, please calm yourself down! Yes, I may be going out with Clark now. But those things take time. I'll make my decision once I get to know him better. It's already late. Why don't you just go back to sleep?"

Stretching out her hands, Cassandra pushed her mother back into her bedroom. She just had enough of her mother's incessant talking.

Afterward, she headed back to her own bedroom as well. She got on the bed and sprawled on her back. A smile instantly crept on her face when she indulged herself in reminiscence and remembered how Rufus told her he was sorry, her heart overflowing with so much tenderness.

Up until midnight, all she did was stare right at the ceiling. All of a sudden, the sound of someone playing the piano brought music to her ears. Fairy tale! She must have heard this song more than a thousand times already, but it still brought butterflies in her stomach every single time.

Tossing and turning a little, she was finally able to peacefully fall asleep with a smile on her face.

of days later, inside Cassandra's office, Lyndsy flung the door open, headed directly toward the sofa, and casually lay on it

you forgotten that you'll be standing in a sea of cameras and flashes

words due to Lyndsy's conduct. Far from the distinctive air of elegance and sophistication, Lyndsy

had utterly taken her breath away, Cassandra was aware that even Lindsy was

I really have to put on an act

drowning in her busy work, before she could take some time to rest, she would first need to show up for the press conference of her upcoming film. The mere thought of the harsh questions the press might've prepared was plenty enough to give

Cassandra, your

up from the sofa in an instant, Lyndsy intently stared at Cassandra with her

that you mention

hadn't noticed her throat feeling

course, I am! Your voice sounded quite awful when I saw you ten days ago! Well, if I'm being honest, your voice actually sounded akin to that of a dying goat. But

been a straightforward kind of person, always speaking her mind. But even though Cassandra had already somewhat gotten used to it from the time they spent together, she was still a bit agitated with the

the heck did Lyndsy hear such an unpleasant voice? However, since it was just Lyndsy being Lyndsy, Cassandra was able

been feeling good, and it

were talking. Lyndsy, on the other hand, squinted her eyes out of curiosity, intrigued with what she just

could be it! So, what was it that made you feel good? Could you be in love? Let me in on this,

attention on her, not blinking her eyes, with a cunning smile embedded on her