A Graduation Gift

Cassandra felt awful to see Rufus's convulsed expression. Edith had not only slighted Rufus while he was eating, but also failed to show basic hospitality at the dining table. This was in abrupt contradiction to how she had behaved when Arthur came for dinner the other day. But to her surprise, Rufus wasn't mad at her.

"I'll take you to visit my father this afternoon," Cassandra said affectionately, trying to distract herself from Edith's ill behavior before it got to her.

She put her hand on top of his, looking deep into his eyes with a wholesome smile.

Rufus looked back at her with a similar expression. Everything was understood, and no words of compensation were required.

Rufus didn't care about whether his meal was simple or extravagant. As long as he spent his time with Cassandra, nothing bothered him.

Edith stood alone in the kitchen as they ate. Listening to their hearty laughter and chatting, she couldn't help but peep through to the door to look at them.

And what she saw really surprised her. Rufus took Cassandra's bowl by his hands, scooped up some egg drop seaweed soup into it, placed the bowl in front of her carefully, and then put a white porcelain spoon on her plate, all in one go.

Cassandra looked at his swift movements with a sweet and admiring smile on her face, and then took the spoon to have some soup.

She didn't her hair today. A lock of it fell in front of her face as she bent low to drink from the bowl. Rufus reached out for the strands, cleaned them with a tissue and put them behind her ear.

Every movement he made was gentle and natural. He looked at Cassandra as if he was looking at a priceless gem.

For most part, she didn't even realize how lovingly he gazed at her. She was simply busy with her soup. Truth was, she was already used to the feeling of Rufus's body next to her. His touches, his smiles, his glances...everything was like home to her.

It only took a split-second for Edith's heart to be touched by the scene.

was always a sense of tension between them when they sat to have their meals together. But it was surprising how much she seemed to enjoy Rufus's

with cotton. She

her to walk out and say something to them, but she stayed there, not moving an inch.

with a weird mix of feelings. As a mother, all she wanted was for her

walked toward the kitchen. Edith was

going to visit father this afternoon. Do you want to come along?" Cassandra asked sweetly.

some tension between her

She was

with us tonight. Please prepare something good!" she said

Cassandra provocatively. Certainly, she overheard what Cassandra had

aback. She was torn and didn't know what to say.

heart stung, but she tried her best to hide the unpleasantness

Rufus and I'll go

quietly, trying to appear as

her mouth to say something, but couldn't utter anything.

the expression on her mother's face. Her mouth twisted in

go and get some ingredients!"

seen Arthur. She

go," Edith said, nodding absentmindedly.