A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was frozen inside and out, as though a bucket of icy water had been poured right over her head and chilled her to the bone.

Cloris's cutting words were like daggers to her heart, the pain spreading all through her body.

Rufus had been standing aside trying not to interfere in the sisterly fight. But as he saw Cloris get more and more defensive, he decided to step in.

"What do you mean, Cloris? What did Cassandra do to make you hate her so badly?" he asked, astonished at how quickly their argument had escalated.

Rufus had sensed that Cloris had been skirting around the real issue and he was curious to know what she was hiding.

But this was neither the time nor the place for Cloris to dive into it. After all, she wasn't about to destroy her reputation in front of so many strangers.

"You have no right to know!"

Cloris rolled her eyes, dismissing Rufus's incredulous questions.

"Then, who does have the right to know?"

Rufus persisted, his eyes fixed upon Cloris's stone-cold face.

"It doesn't matter. Not you, anyways," Cloris retorted.

She pushed him aside, dashing towards the door to the restaurant. Arthur hurried to pay the bill and rushed out after her.

same spot. Her hands were clenched into tight balls, her lips

the wake of her sister's insults. She

were only getting started, Joel tried to slowly remove himself from

who got you

asked coldly. He'd never trusted Joel, and the guy always seemed to find himself

to get to the door. Tiny beads of sweat were forming on his forehead and his shirt was starting

my question before

go so easily and he stepped in front of Joel, blocking his way

him had planned to rape Cassandra before, and besides, he stole her design and sold it to someone else later. Thus, he needed to get things straightened before Joel would do something to hurt her

you but would you please let me go. I have to be somewhere,"

hide the fear in his eyes. It was Rufus who had caught him for stealing Cassandra's design. But since he was long gone from

you sure that you've never done anything to offend

It amused him that this man stood before him pretending to be innocent, one

about. While he didn't offend Rufus directly, the same could not be said

started to drip off from his forehead. His chest was constricted as he held

come to the restaurant had already left. She didn't want any part of whatever situation that was unfolding. Joel was left alone, helpless.

going. If I see you out in public ever again, I'll send you right back to prison without so much as blinking my eyes. Look into my eyes and know that I'm serious.

too well that Joel was Ivy's younger brother and with Ivy seeing Clark recently, these siblings were causing trouble

past Rufus with a speed as quick as lightening and disappeared out the