A Graduation Gift

Rufus was stricken with grief. There was absolutely no way for him to find out what had happened to Cassandra after she left, and he knew she wouldn't want to talk about it.

He already had an inkling anyway. Someone as stubborn as Cassandra would never tell.

"I'll arrange a place for your mother where Clark won't be able to reach. But please, Cassandra. Take better care of yourself,"

he responded, hugging Cassandra as tight as he could in a futile effort to merge them into one.

"I will. Even if it's for you, I'll take better care of myself!"

Cassandra promised. Her clear, smooth face glowed against the moonlight.

Rufus slowly reached down and met his lips with hers. The kiss was light, but filled with tenderness and adoration. The moonlight cascaded past the window and shone on their figures, gracefully silhouetting their frames.

In Cassandra's office, Lyndsy frowned at the sight of Cassandra's desk. Documents and scraps of paper were piled and scattered all over it.

"Cassandra, Cassandra. How could you let this happen to you?" Lyndsy muttered to herself.

Dissatisfied, she turned to her agent.

"Miss Qin is a manager. Keeping track of the paperwork isn't part of her work description. It is actually your responsibility. Why are you making Cassandra do your work?"

Lyndsy spat annoyingly.

"Lyndsy, don't get mad. I asked her to leave them to me because I wanted to go over the scripts. I was afraid that your agent wouldn't be able to handle all of these,"

Cassandra quipped, hurriedly entering the office to defend Lyndsy's agent. Lyndsy had a point: paperwork wasn't part of her job description, the agent was just trying to spite her. But she didn't want to trouble Lyndsy at all.

"But this is ridiculous! You're already burdened with so much work. This is extra!" Lyndsy sighed. "Don't worry, Cassandra. When the year ends, I'll give you a thick, red envelope for your bonus!"

she said, pinching her nose as she tried to relieve her tension. Lyndsy deeply appreciated Cassandra and valued her work ethic about managing her studio. If it weren't for Cassandra's supervision, the studio wouldn't have been as efficient as it was today.

"Lyndsy, don't worry about it. I've told you. It's okay. You gave me the job when I really needed it. I just hope you can still allow me to keep the studio in order,"

Cassandra replied as she grinned from ear to ear. Wherever she worked, be it as Tang Group's architectural manager or Lyndsy's studio manager, she had only always wished to excellently perform in her work.

"Fine," Lyndsy sighed again, closing her eyes before quickly opening them back, suddenly remembering a thought. "By the way, TY Entertainment's movie shoot is going to start soon. Both of us will be pretty busy in the coming weeks, but I swear to you, once this is over, I'll give you your well-deserved vacation leave,"

Lyndsy said confidently. She was fully aware that Cassandra was always swamped with work, and she had sworn to herself to return the favor. She only wished that there was someone that could keep up with Cassandra's excellent work ethic just so they could share her burden.

an apologetic look before excusing

easily imagine Stella's flailing figure as she spoke to her over the phone. "Remember Joel? The guy who stole your sketches! He's back in Tang Group! Seriously! What the fuck right? It's so fucking infuriating that I lost all interest in working here. I can't stay here any longer. I can't stay while Lionel is leading us headfirst into the shit hole.

sounding incredibly upset. A chill ran through Cassandra's spine upon hearing

back? Shouldn't he still be in

the company

knows what on earth Lionel's been thinking! He himself demanded for Joel to come back to work for the company. Lionel even assigned him to my department. What's worse, he came back with an even higher paycheck! It

could feel how

you want to drop by my office so we could talk later?"

to see Stella once again. She knew she would be able to calm her friend

The entire time, Lyndsy was inside in the office, trying to hide the fact that she was eavesdropping. Stella's voice rang angrily past through Cassandra's phone so that she could hear fragments of Stella's aggravated voice.

her listening in. She let out a light, embarrassed chuckle.

whose eyebrows were furrowed

have to

conservatively, not wanting to involve Lyndsy more into the discussion. Lyndsy, after all, was a

did she

prodded. Cassandra could feel how interested Lyndsy was with Stella's situation. She figured Lyndsy was also using this time

was the department head of Public Relations

much. She was still busy trying to organize her thoughts and plans

with your tasks. If this lady is your friend, she must be willing enough to work with you, no? She could help you! I'll

stone. Cassandra would have an assistant to keep up with her,

dumbfounded by the sudden proposal. Her lips parted in an attempt to speak, but the words never

into Cassandra's office. Cassandra and Lyndsy's eyes darted towards the door, and while Stella

my god,

the sight of the movie star. Whatever annoyance she

it's really you! I've only seen you on screen. I can't believe it's

drooling at

chuckled from all the sudden attention.

friend is so...interesting. Would you

as she beamed her pearly white teeth at

incredibly serious woman who was even stricter whenever she worked. She knew when to draw the line between work and leisure, though she often went

of Lyndsy or two versions of Stella. Their personalities were exactly alike. "Ah, yes. Lyndsy,

Lyndsy held her hand out and Stella eagerly took her hand with both of hers,

hottest superstar, world-renowned actress, and

looked like she was being

instantly seemed to click. Cassandra felt like she