A Graduation Gift

A faint, shadowy smile passed through Clark's lips. 'You foolish woman, ' he thought to himself darkly. 'To think that you would stoop this low to take revenge on Rufus. How pathetic.'

"Whatever you want. I will send the invitation to Rufus myself. He will see with his own eyes how happy you are on our wedding day,"

he promised readily in front of Charlie even as his heart was filled with contempt for Amanda.

When Clark left, Charlie turned to Amanda and urged her to return to her bedroom.

"It's late. You should go and rest. You should take care of yourself, especially now that you're pregnant." Standing up, he continued, "I'm going back to the headquarters to prepare for your wedding. Clark's hands are too full to attend to the matters of the group. I have to do whatever I can to help him."

Now that Clark was going to be his son-in-law, Charlie had begun to look out for him more. After all, he would be part of the family in just a short time now.

It was something that went exactly as Clark had planned. Charlie would be a useful piece in this little game he was playing. If he won him over to his side, Rufus would be left with no allies. And when the perfect timing came, he would strike, and Rufus would be left helpless. He was brimming with excitement at the thought of Rufus's downfall, but for now, he had to be patient.

Charlie hurriedly left after only a short stay. Amanda silently followed her father's receding figure with her eyes, biting her tongue against the words that wanted to come out.

Charlie arrived in anger, but now watching his light steps, Amanda knew that he was feeling none of his earlier animosity, all due to her decision.

A tugging feeling crept through Amanda's chest. Was it the right decision?

She began to shiver despite the heat in the room.

The coldness seeped to her bones, racking her frame with shivers. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. She felt more isolated than ever. No one knew that she was forcing herself to do something she didn't want to. She was all alone.

"The walls should be painted with vibrant colors. Green and yellow would work the best."

"I want a relaxing feel to the room, and the furnishings should be both modern and practical."

...

Cassandra described her design concept in detail to Rufus, taking down notes and sketching initial plans from time to time. Rufus listened to her attentively, delighting in the way her eyes gleamed as she spoke animatedly and explained her ideas. Like this, he could watch her all day.

Cassandra's hands were steady as she drew her vision for the new studio. She wanted everything to be perfect.

Just then, the doorbell rang, halting Cassandra's words. Rufus smiled at her and said, "We have a guest. I'll go see who it is."

He stood up and went out of the study to check the monitor.

His mood instantly soured at the face on the screen. Clark was standing outside the door, waiting for his hosts.

After a short moment, the man seemed to have sensed Rufus's gaze from the other side. He smiled at the monitor, but his eyes darkened with coldness.

Rufus watched him with an equally cold stare and pressed a button to let him in.

"Rufus, who's that?"

voice called out from the study, thawing

"Clark."

but at the mention of

Why was

have an appointment with him?" Cassandra asked, keeping

was the only reason she could

what he wants,"

it. Clark was standing at the door, still smiling. For a moment, neither of them spoke, ice meeting with frost wordlessly as the two men leveled each other with their

a windy, snowy night, and the chill only seemed to be magnified by the two men's silent encounter. Cassandra shivered as the door opened, but it was not entirely from the wind.

door halfway, so as to prevent the chill from coming in the

them. "I can't believe you've forgotten common courtesy, Rufus. Do

cheek. The false smile never left

the crap. What do

in no mood for Clark's

and taking a step back, Clark made a show of being hurt. "How you wound me. We have known

was, he might have believed his show of sincerity. But

are you

get straight to

took out a red envelope from

he said slowly, drawing out the words and watching Rufus's face closely.

it. Rufus was taken off guard by his words, but he

We'll be there,"

nothing more. He knew Clark came to see how he would react, and there was no way he was

undoubtedly looking for any semblance of change in his expression. Then, after a moment, Clark withdrew

turned round, Clark's face

Let's see how calm you would be at the wedding, ' he cursed silently, promising to make Rufus

eyes as he walked away, and

room was a comforting change from the chill outside. As Rufus entered, Cassandra was quick to notice the red envelope in his hands. She was

"What is it?"

asked, setting the tray down.

Amanda's wedding

said indifferently as he threw the

on the table, to

Clark and

anything more from her shock. Why were they getting married?

marry," he shrugged. "Although, I don't know why she chose Clark.

bit her lip thoughtfully as she tried to take in the

down on the sofa. Rufus turned on the TV and watched the news. Cassandra snuggled up to him in silence.

you think it's strange? I was with Clark for some time, and even then, I hadn't been able to completely understand him. He says one

muttered under her breath, her voice laced with