A Graduation Gift

"Since I have become an actress, you all have always cared about me and supported me, and I really appreciate it," she began in the video. "What's more, my family and friends have always been by my side, looking after me, and offering words of comfort and encouragement even after the accident. I cannot describe how grateful I am. I will never be able to return your kindness," Lyndsy paused for a moment before continuing, her voice turning more serious. "However, I know that I'm an actress, and I take pride in my job. I know that my profession exists to show the beautiful side of things, which I'm afraid that I may fail to do in the future. And so I have decided," she paused again, her face conflicted. "My dear friends, I know it's sudden, but please forgive me. I will be leaving the entertainment industry from this day. I will always be thankful for the chance I was given, but even good things must come to an end, and I'm afraid that this is where I stop. Thank you all for being with me this whole time. Good-bye." With that, the screen had cut to black, but Cassandra's eyes remained glued to her screen, as if waiting for something else.

The video was short, but it had caused quite a sensation. There was an outpouring of comments from the viewers.

Cassandra was stunned. It took her quite a while to come back to her senses.

'Now it made sense why Lyndsy wouldn't let me go along when she left," she thought bitterly. 'She must have already made up her mind at that time."

Come to think of it, Lyndsy must have fallen into depression after finishing that movie. The outgoing, care-free movie star was gone, and it was as if there was only a shell where the real Lyndsy had used to be. She had been more withdrawn and kept to herself, not contacting even her closest friends. Cassandra had first thought that it was because she needed time and space to recover from the accident. How could she have missed it? There was nothing she could do now. There was nothing she had done for her from the very beginning but gave her trouble, and now Lyndsy had quit something she spent her life doing.

Cassandra's throat tightened as she thought of the fact that Lyndsy had kept it from her till the end.

'Did you really just say that you're sorry, Lyndsy?'

Cassandra thought, as tears gathered in her eyelids.

'Why would anyone blame you for this, Lyndsy? I should have been the one begging for your forgiveness!' Cassandra's heart bled in anguish as her tears flowed. 'It was all my fault!

you would have still been doing

her arms around herself as she heaved, almost swallowed whole in her grief. Just as she felt herself succumbing, a familiar voice called out to her, "I

Rufus's dark and tender eyes. A pair of eyes filled with tenderness met hers. In an instant, it was as if a dam had broken inside her. She let go of her tears

to his and finding comfort in

caught in his throat at the touch of her soft lips.

he warned between breaths. His arms

wanted to control his emotions and comfort her, but it seemed that it would be impossible when she was yielding to him like

Cassandra pulled herself back after some moments. Her eyes were pools of sadness, and Rufus felt as if he was drowning in the sorrow of her gaze. How could it be

an idea what

to take his eyes off her—not even a second now that this woman had

but gave him a smile instead. It was a rueful yet shockingly tempting smile, adding to her enchantment. She then burrowed deeper into

her gently until embers blazed and there was a trail of fire that followed every caress. Surrendering to the heat, they shared

******

avoiding his gaze. She couldn't believe that she had thrown herself at him like that. What was the

her embarrassment and chuckled. Red dusted her cheeks