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.

the desolation on Cassandra's eyes made him sorry for her. She still could not seem to let go

believe that things will get better

She tried hard to understand her sister, but deep down, she could not keep herself from being

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

prejudice. Eventually, Cassandra found herself accustomed to her

to stay patient and persist. In time, she believed that Cloris would eventually accept her

the document he stole for her. Beaming widely,

if he were counting cash. Making money was one of Adrian's biggest

Are you serious?" Ivy asked

she looked at Adrian with suspicion. It seemed impossible

it or not, my ex-girlfriend happens to be Lionel's secretary right now. Isn't

He could still recall his own

coffee, and there, managed to steal her keys from her purse when she excused herself to go to the lavatory. Before

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

incredulously as he told his tale. She knew that Adrian was many things but not a liar.

me your bank account now," she

transferred the 400, 000 she had promised. Adrian looked at his bank statement with satisfaction. It felt so good to get

thin robe over her 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

it together. I just completed a very difficult task for you. How about a little

murmured as he kissed her, his breath getting

struggled to escape his embrace. His

alone, Adrian! I've paid you! And we are

on her new target now. Adrian was a distraction.

to never see him again, as if they did not know each other. It would be safer too, in case anyone went snooping. When push came to shove, she definitely would not let Adrian ruin

on, baby. Don't be shy. I know you want it. Don't you remember how you threw yourself at me last time?" he said in between

it felt as if it were going to jump out of his

force me to

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

me. Curse me. Do whatever you want. I like

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

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

does to a woman. I will give you my all and you can count on

out a loud,

the door opened and a figure appeared and froze at the sight

Adrian?" the man shouted with

pushed Adrian aside. Ivy hurriedly

seated on the ground. Joel's arrival was something he did not expect. The

your mind? She's my sister! How dare you!" Joel shouted in

at his wit's end and he gnashed his teeth with

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

friend now. With the money he just received, he did not need him anymore. He was