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.

used to Cloris acting as she wished without any consideration for other people. Still, the desolation on Cassandra's eyes made him

believe that things will get better as she

than to Rufus. She tried hard to understand her sister, but deep

thing she kept repeating to herself was that Cloris was still very

Cloris didn't set aside her own prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra

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

house, Adrian passed her a flash disk that contained the document

counting cash. Making money was

really it? Are you serious?" Ivy asked in

impossible for her that

right

own reaction when he found

he asked his ex-girlfriend out for a cup of coffee, and there, managed to steal her keys from her purse when she excused herself to go to the lavatory. Before she could realize what had

to shut off the whole building's security system and snuck into Lionel's office without anyone noticing. Just as quickly as he got the keys, he copied the documents and

knew that Adrian

account now,"

satisfaction. It felt so good to get work done. Then, he turned

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 towards him and

just completed a very

he kissed her, his breath

his embrace. His kisses disgusted her.

I've paid you! And

on her new target now. Adrian was a

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

be shy. I know you want it. Don't you remember how you

was so fast that it felt as if it were going to jump out of

off! Adrian, don't force me to be

push him away at full strength but to no avail. Adrian was just

to me. Beat me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I like that. Show me what you've got,"

show some respect! I'm your friend's sister!" she exclaimed

to kick him but he managed to dodge them swiftly. He then pushed her to the

not just going to respect you. I will worship you as a man does

said as he let out a loud, savage laugh.

opened and a figure appeared and froze at

you doing, Adrian?" the man

hurriedly got up, wrapped her robe around her and ran to her

was something he did not expect. The interruption annoyed

mind? She's my sister! How

end and he gnashed his teeth with anger.

the other hand, barely looked at him. He calmly got to his feet

did not care much for his friend now. With the money he just received, he did not need him anymore.