A Graduation Gift

From inside the room, Amanda felt even more agitated than she already was with the conversation she could not help overhearing.

She hated that people gossiped behind her back. Why did she have to be in this situation?

In her irritation, she randomly took a vase from her bedside table and threw it violently against the door. After the loud clash, the voices outside finally ceased.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She had spent so much time preparing for the wedding just so she could paint a great image of herself in front of so many people.

She wanted to be the star of the show, to be admired and envied.

To her disappointment, Rufus and Cassandra didn't come.

It felt as if she punched something with all her might and suddenly realized that her target was made of a parcel of cotton instead of something more solid. Her effort ended up harming only herself instead of her opponent.

Images of Rufus and Cassandra flashed across her mind. As she pictured their loving gazes and sweet caresses on each other, her heart burned with inextinguishable jealousy.

Suddenly, the door to the make-up room opened. It was Clark. He immediately spotted the broken vase on the floor.

"What's this?" he inquired.

He apparently spotted the group of people who came out of Amanda's room with caution on their faces. This immediately gave him a hint that something went wrong so he took it upon himself to check on Amanda.

As he had expected, the pampered woman threw a tantrum and made a huge mess.

Wordlessly, she shot Clark a furious glare.

"Oh, are you angry? Come, show everyone that you're angry. What good is it doing you when you're just displaying your temper to no one but yourself?"

he said sarcastically.

This made Amanda even more infuriated. She took another item and smashed it on the floor. Normally, she was subdued and restrained when she was in front of Clark. At that moment though, she found herself so overwhelmed with her emotions that she almost forgot all the fear she had for the man in front of her.

Predictably, Clark saw her defiance. Her behavior made his face turn grim.

"Are you testing me?"

Clark said as he drew nearer to intimidate her. She merely glared back with wrath.

"I don't want to get married! I'm not going to marry you!" she shouted.

Suddenly, she wanted to take back her words the moment she said them. She doubted her impulsive remark. Besides, the marriage was a way to secure her safety. Was she really about to throw that away? She had given up on Rufus and allowed Cassandra to take him. Still, she kept suffering.

dare you

His eyes were fixed on Amanda's face now,

AM NOT GOING TO MARRY

shouted, stressing every word, showing her

attached and beautifully entangled with her hair. Pulling it out so suddenly made some strands of her hair come off

detached and

her so close that her face was only a

it seems that you've forgotten what you

said with such an ice cold voice

have pulled her out of her tantrum. She suddenly realized

"Let… Let me go…"

she tried to escape from Clark's grip, but it

you proud and firm just now? Weren't you arrogant? Why did you stop? Come

raised his voice. Amanda's entire

pure terror. At

shoved Amanda to the floor. Then, he pressed against her body with his

her was the cold floor, while on top of her was Clark.

have to keep mine now!" he said

sorry! Please don't do that to

could do to torture her. The mere thought of the possibilities scared

late! I hate people who

struggled to push him away, the more violent he

down her face. She felt as

Clark, are you

looking for Clark and was told by someone that he could be in

Forcibly suppressing her emotions, Amanda managed to muster

her; her body shivered like a falling leaf in the

now, Clark. You need

one in attendance and had been spending the whole day entertaining all the guests himself. He needed a

to commence soon. Quick!"

to push. 'What is wrong with these two? Why are they still dilly-dallying? It's almost time to

Okay! We are coming

as she pushed the body on

sneered, collected himself, and stood up.

hairdresser. I'll need some touch-up," Amanda requested.

nervous. Even without having to look at the mirror, she knew how badly she must look right now. There was no way she was going to step out of the room

hairdresser, the assistant, and the rest of the crew entered. None of them spoke. Everyone just went on doing their required tasks without as much as a comment.

bride she was before her debacle with Clark.

moment they exchanged vows, any hope of a