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 She had been more withdrawn and kept to herself, not contacting even her closest friends.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!

weren't for me, you would have still been doing what

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

hers. In an instant, it was as if a dam had broken inside

to him, pressing her lips softly to his and finding comfort in his warmth.

throat at the touch of her

are tempting me, Cassandra," he warned between breaths. His arms were around her at once,

comfort her, but it seemed that it would

pulled herself back after some moments. Her eyes were pools of sadness, and Rufus felt as

idea what you

her—not even a second now that this woman had made

him a smile instead. It was a rueful yet shockingly tempting smile, adding to her enchantment. She then burrowed deeper into the warmth of Rufus's arms.

was nothing else that Rufus could do but acquiesce. He was at this woman's mercy. He bent his head and closed the gap between them, kissing her gently until embers blazed

******

had thrown herself at him like that. What was

chuckled. Red dusted her cheeks and she deliberately looked away from