A Graduation Gift

"Cassandra, when I can finally settle all the things that I've come here to accomplish, I'm gonna take you away from here, away from this wretched city. We'll go to any country of your choosing, anywhere you fancy, and then we'll settle down there, wherever that may be, so we could live happily and forget all of the things that happened here. Will you come with me?"

Rufus wrapped his arm around her shoulders and touched the back of her head to push her against his chest.

His powerful heartbeat brought music to her ears. It was unflinching yet soothing at the same time.

Cassandra broke into tears at once and they even got into Rufus's clothes.

Those words had brought music to her ears, and the picture he was painting just felt so real and so enticing. But Cassandra had already been through a lot during their time together. She wasn't sure whether it would be right to give him a chance again or not.

"Please stop crying. I swear I'm gonna make you happy every single day."

Rufus could feel that her shoulders were trembling, so he lifted his hand, caressed her cheek, and wiped off her tears dry.

Then he sealed her lips with his and kissed her passionately, unable to hold it in. Everything bad that had happened seemed to have gotten washed away the second their lips touched, all that was left were their hearts beating like a drum.

If she was being completely honest, the kiss managed to get rid of some of her worries, and so, Cassandra basked in Rufus's warmth, feeling quite relieved. She could tell that her heart was beginning to ease up and beat steadily.

right now? Are you waiting for Amanda's full recovery?" Cassandra just couldn't keep it in.

time soon or at all, could that also mean that it was possible for Rufus to keep going along with their stupid act for

wouldn't even have any opportunities to get married to each other. Would they have

deep breath, Rufus's heart pounded hard beneath his chest. Cassandra could feel it thumping so loud as though it had been

I have to ask you to be strong, and I'll find a way to get out of this mess soon enough. I don't want you to be having any senseless ideas. You're the one I want, the only one. I

days, so Rufus deduced that Lionel wasn't able to hold on the business.

a lifetime slip away—a chance to get back at his father, to lay waste to his company, to destroy everything he held dear, and most of all, to ruin

in his arms. Despite the fact that she absolutely had no clue as to what was really going on inside that mind of his, she could tell that something was

me that you loved me and how much you wanted to spend the rest of your life together with me, so why couldn't you stop keeping any secrets from me from here on out? If you insist on keeping me in the dark, the two of us being together forever...I don't

Rufus away from her a little, Cassandra looked straight into his eyes, furrowing her eyebrows.

for your own good, Cassandra! Please trust me on

didn't want her to get caught up in what was about to come. He was thinking that it would be best for

to be frank with you! If you don't start talking now, then I'm gonna make sure this would be the last time the two of us would meet. You won't ever see me again! If I'm completely being honest, I think Clark and I would make a great pair. I

blurting out those words, trying to get a rise out of him, and hoping that maybe he would change

the slightest clue what that man is capable of doing! He's already a lost cause! And now

astonishment, Rufus grabbed hold of her arms without warning. Everything happened