A Graduation Gift

There was once an Emperor from the Tang Dynasty who asked his men to spur the flying horse at high speed to bring him lychees from miles and miles away all because his favorite concubine was very fond of them. Now, in a similar fashion, Rufus was willing to give Cassandra anything to make her happy.

"You bought this for me?"

Cassandra asked, bright-eyed and pleasantly surprised.

"Yes, and I have something very important to tell you. Actually, I bought this studio for you because I know that you don't want to stay home as a housewife. Let's face it, you love working! That said, I think it would be better for you to start your own business. That's better than working for other people. I got this for you to help you start,"

he replied as he looked at her with loving eyes.

Warmth filled Cassandra. What Rufus did was genuinely sincere and thoughtful.

On the other hand, she could not help but feel that she did not deserve such a wonderful gift.

"Okay, I know you don't want to accept it free, so how about you pay me rent? What do you think?" Rufus immediately suggested.

He definitely knew her very well. The hesitation on her face had betrayed her and Rufus knew exactly how to respond even before she could say anything.

Cassandra beamed with a smile as bright as sunshine.

"You are starting to know me very well," she remarked.

It touched her that Rufus seemed very accommodating to her personal sentiments and was willing to compromise.

"I'm very flattered. Anyway, all you have to do now is think of what you want to do with this place!" he replied with satisfaction.

The smile on her face was enough to put him at ease.

Cassandra's happiness made him feel invincible.

Cassandra cocked her head with thought. There were no ideas at the top of her head at the moment.

"You don't have to answer right now. Take your time! For now, let's find somewhere to eat," Rufus suggested.

Then, he took his coat and led Cassandra out with his arm around her shoulders. Cassandra, in turn, leaned against him as they walked to a restaurant that served Western cuisine.

In its pleasant ambiance, Rufus and Cassandra found a table and took their seats.

Not long after they did, though, Arthur and Cloris walked in.

They immediately spotted Rufus and Cassandra as they entered. Likewise, the couple saw Arthur and Cloris as well.

Cloris rolled her eyes and turned towards the opposite side of the restaurant. She, apparently, had no plans of coming over and saying hello.

With knitted eyebrows, Rufus examined Cassandra's reaction from the corner of his eyes.

"Your younger sister seems to have issues," Rufus whispered.

Still, the desolation on Cassandra's eyes made him sorry for her. She still could

that things will get better as she grows older,"

tried hard to understand her sister,

only thing she kept repeating to herself was that Cloris was still very young and that she would soon outgrow her irrational aversion towards her.

aside her own prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found

and persist. In time, she believed that Cloris would eventually accept her as

passed her a flash disk that contained the document he stole for her. Beaming

he were counting cash. Making money was

it? Are you serious?"

with suspicion. It seemed impossible for her that he would manage

ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right now. Isn't that lucky? The knife was right inside the butcher's

his face. He could still recall his own reaction when

there, managed to steal her keys from her purse when she excused herself to go to the lavatory. Before she could realize what had happened, he had them

office without

told his tale. She knew that Adrian was many things

bank account

looked at his bank statement with satisfaction. It felt so good to get work done. Then, he turned

nightgown as her long, curly hair rested softly on her shoulders. Adrian felt an itch on his heart that he could not somehow manage to scratch. Suddenly, he stepped forward, pulled Ivy

did it together. I just completed a very difficult task

her, his breath getting heavier

embrace. His

Adrian! I've paid you! And

her new target now. Adrian was a

would have preferred to never see him again, as if they did not know each other. It would be safer

on, baby. Don't be shy. I know you want it. Don't you remember how you threw

if it were going to jump

off! Adrian, don't force me to

push him away at full strength but to no

to me. Beat me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I

of a bitch! Adrian, please, show some respect! I'm your friend's sister!" she exclaimed desperately.

her legs to kick him but he managed to dodge them swiftly. He

going to respect you. I will worship you as a man does to a woman. I will give

as he let out

door opened and a figure appeared and froze

are you doing, Adrian?" the man shouted with

and pushed Adrian aside. Ivy hurriedly got up, wrapped her robe around her and ran to her bedroom.

Joel's arrival was something he did not expect. The interruption annoyed

your mind? She's my sister!

at his wit's end and he gnashed his

him. He calmly got to his feet and replied with indifference, "Your sister asked me to come over. That's the

did not care much for his friend now. With the money he just received, he did not need him anymore. He was not worth more than a piece