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.

headed directly toward the sofa, and casually lay on

that you'll be standing in a sea of cameras and flashes of light in that fancy dress? Please

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

performance had utterly taken her breath away, Cassandra was aware that

Cassandra! Do I really have to put on an act even if it's just you and me? Please

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

wait a second. Cassandra, your voice

sofa in an instant, Lyndsy intently stared at Cassandra with her eyes dilating, glistening, and full of

you really think so? Now that you mention it,

her neck, Cassandra came to the realization that indeed she hadn't noticed her throat feeling so dry in the past few days.

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

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 way she worded it.

unpleasant voice? However, since it was just Lyndsy being Lyndsy, Cassandra was able to

because I have been feeling good, and it helped

hold it in, so she smiled like a Cheshire cat while they were talking. Lyndsy, on the other hand, squinted her eyes out

that made you feel good? Could you be

her attention on her, not blinking her eyes,