A Graduation Gift

Ivy, on the other hand, walked inside and closed the door behind her. She headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower. She stood under the warm water, closing her eyes and running her hands over herself obsessively.

Adrian was young and aggressive, and he had been persistent. And Ivy wasn't seeing anyone in particular. She had no good reason to refuse him.

Adrian's young body was like a perfectly ripe fruit, firm and supple, and ready for the taking. It was as if she returned to her youth every time they were together.

Many years ago, when she was a young girl, she held the attention of all men around her, and played with them to her heart's content. But she was not getting any younger as time continued to pass.

Her appearance hadn't changed much over the years, but Ivy knew that she no longer possessed any of the pure, unsullied charm younger women had about them. She knew it better than anyone else, as every day only took away what remained of her luster. And as if to add salt to her wounds, Clark had never shown any interest in her. She was getting older the way pearls changed its colors until it became an unsightly yellow.

Ivy smiled bitterly to herself as she turned the heat higher. The water had turned from warm to hot, and her skin flushed from the temperature. It was only at these times that Ivy felt she was young again, her skin rosy and soft. She let herself linger with the comfort of the illusion.

The taxi pulled to a stop in front of a bar. Adrian stepped out and headed inside, ordering his usual drink. The alcohol arrived quickly, and he took a long, cold swig of the amber liquid.

"Adrian! You're looking good these days!"

A man came over and gave him a small salute. For the past days, Adrian was loose with money, and now the people around were almost certain he had found a rich mistress.

of money, I'll definitely remember you,

a hand to the bartender, he ordered the man

recite flatteries which rang clear in Adrian's ears and lightened his mood. They went on until midnight

His mouth curled into a

useful as wet matches. He remembered how she had begged for him,

play him for

was no Lionel.

want information on a man called

as he spoke, but darkness loomed in his eyes like the clouds of

who had worked for Cassandra before, and Cassandra had been to A City after the earthquake because of the girl.

all but kissed his feet the last time they met. Despite this, he did not

He had sensed it, the traitorous streak underneath the pretty face. Ivy was like a ticking time bomb—sooner or later, she would explode. Clark smiled to

This went on for some time. His days were the same as yesterday, going out at night and returning in the morning. All throughout his seeming surplus of energy, he never once stopped to question why he never felt tired. Attributing the change to his mood, he embraced the extra kick he felt every night. By the time he finally recognized his

his words. The man crouched over him and continued, "Go to the police and tell them what Ivy Luo has ordered you to do." As if to make