A Graduation Gift

Amidst the sound of jet engines roaring overhead coupled with the pleasant voice of the airport intercom announcing the next
flight, Cassandra bid Lyndsy farewell.
Cassandra wanted so badly to go with her, but Lyndsy refused, insisting that she should go alone. Given the circumstances,
Cassandra had no choice but respect her decision.
Fortunately, Rufus had already arranged for the best doctor and medical care that money could buy, so Cassandra believed
everything would be alright.
"Lyndsy, I'm always here whenever you have a problem,"
Cassandra said. A strange gut feeling made her uneasy, she choked back her words as she repeatedly asked Lyndsy if she
would be okay.
"Cassandra, don't say that you'll wait for me, okay? Go and work at the TY Group since Stella had already gone there. I'm
worried about you because you're the only one working at the office now,"
Lyndsy held Cassandra's hand firmly and consoled her. She felt utterly sad seeing Cassandra's concerned look.
"Stop overthinking. You're still my boss unless you call a press conference and tell everyone that you're leaving the industry
forever!"
Cassandra refused to let Lyndsy get too stressed. The most important thing right now was for her to acclimate herself to the
treatment.
Lyndsy's body turned rigid for a moment, but soon went back to normal, and a smile formed on her lips.
"I'm so lucky to have known you, Cassandra. You're the best girl I have ever met! You're generous, kindhearted, strong,
independent and above all, responsible..."
Cassandra interjected before she could finish, "Wait, wait, stop. Lyndsy, you're my boss. Why would you flatter me like that?
More of that and I might just turn arrogant!"
Cassandra teased Lyndsy with a lighthearted smile, but she was actually deeply touched.
She felt that Lyndsy understood her on a personal level. Their mutual trust for each other relieved her.

"Cassandra, please, please take care of yourself. Always aim for your own happiness!"
Without warning, Lyndsy reached out and embraced Cassandra tightly as she whispered into her ear.
"Don't worry, Lyndsy, I will. You be well, and brave the treatment. Don't ever falter,"
Cassandra replied as she returned the embrace and stroked her back softly. She felt a twinge of sadness in her heart.
She felt extremely guilty because she still hadn't figured out who set Lyndsy up.
The two girls were actually bidding farewell as if they would never see each other again. This made Cassandra feel utterly
empty.
When they went their separate ways, she felt a little lost, wandering about not knowing where to go exactly.
Cassandra got lost in the thought, pondering on what to do with Lyndy's things. She then decided that she would move them out
of the office. They had signed the leasing contract to a man who worked under Rufus, technically, the office belonged to Rufus.
So she would be giving back the key to him.
The moment she was about to book for a ride-share, a familiar black sedan pulled up slowly in front of her.
The car window sunk, and Lionel's head stuck out of the window with a big, fat smile on his face.
"Cassandra, what a coincidence! I'm actually here to see someone off as well. Where are you headed? I can give you a ride,"
Lionel said with an innocent smile. In truth, he had followed her all the way to the airport.
"Thanks, Lionel. But I can book my own ride,"
Cassandra said without looking at him. Her face turned grim, and she stepped aside. She wanted nothing to do with him.
When she was set up by him in the past, Rufus didn't go into the details, but she definitely smelled something fishy. All the more
reason why she refused to be with Lionel alone. This would also attract unwanted attention and eventually, gossip.
"Don't be a stranger! There's nothing wrong if you treat me like a friend. Your fear of Rufus suspecting is gravely unfounded."
Lionel wanted a reaction out of Cassandra. Of course, Cassandra wasn't the same young, naive girl anymore. She just smiled at
him.

Lionel moved his car closer to Cassandra, to keep chatting with her.
"Look, Cassandra. I can't count on Rufus right now. I have an extremely important bid right now that the Tang Group is ready to
win. As you know, the design aspect has always been our weakness, so I was hoping to get some consultation from you, and
maybe you can give some input on our current design,"
Lionel said with a serious tone, all levity gone from his face.
It worked. Cassandra turned her head towards Lionel. This sparked joy in his heart.
"Cassandra, how about we get some coffee somewhere and go over this. I have the documents with me. I'm asking you this
because I think of you as a friend. I know you can't stand idly by and watch Tang Group miss this huge opportunity and
eventually hit a dead end, right?"
Lionel said. He had put everything into this bid, to conquer or to die.
Cassandra, fidgeted for a moment, torn between going straight home or helping Lionel.
She couldn't persuade Rufus to breath life onto the Tang Group, so her only way to help was this.
"I'll take a separate car. Your car can follow mine,"
Cassandra said. Her hand reached out to hail a passing cab. She still wouldn't want to be alone with Lionel in privacy.
Lionel conceded and just shrugged. He then drove after her towards a nearby coffee shop.
It was quiet and less frequented by people. Nothing could possibly go wrong here.
Cassandra took a firm seat, and reached over the table to take the bidding documents from Lionel's hands and carefully
skimmed towards the design.
"Not bad at all this time. I get the feeling that it's both practical and beautiful, never sacrificing form nor function. It still needs
some highlights though, so it can really stand out. I'll tell you about possible modifications when I have some ideas,"
Cassandra said. She gave back the bidding documents and promptly stood up to leave. Lionel stopped her by grabbing her arm.
"Cassandra, you... you're just leaving like that?"

Lionel asked, his mouth agape. 'Just like that, huh? Without even really talking to me?' he thought.
"I need a few days to get inspiration. I remember every detail of the design. I'll polish it on my own at home,"
Cassandra answered quickly, shaking off Lionel's hand. His mere touch made her extremely uneasy.
"Cassandra, sit down please. I still have more to discuss,"
Lionel begged as his eyes darkened for a moment. He wasn't just here for the design.
Cassandra turned towards Lionel, thought for a moment, then sat down.
"So, what is it?"
Cassandra asked. She thought Lionel had something more important to tell her other than the design documents, but she really
had no idea...
"Cassandra, come back. Come back to the Tang Group. After all, Lyndsy's studio is gone,"
Lionel pleaded, looking at Cassandra straight in the eye. Designing was indeed the weak link for the Tang Group. If Cassandra
could come back, they'd definitely come out on top.
Cassandra let out a sigh, "We've talked about this. I won't go back."
She frowned, thinking, 'Why wouldn't he just give it a rest?'
"But you said you won't come back unless Lyndsy's studio is gone..."
Cassandra stopped him before he could finish his sentence.
"That's true. The studio is gone, but that doesn't automatically mean I'm going back. I still have other choices. That's just it. Now
if you may excuse me, I've got other things to do,"
Cassandra said as she was standing up, preparing to leave, which irritated Lionel to no end.
"What do you mean, Cassandra? Are you taking me for a fool?"
Lionel said, his face contorting to anger.

"Me? Playing you? What did I do?"
Cassandra looked at Lionel quizzically.
"You've said that you would, but now you won't admit it. I even went to the trouble of..."
Suddenly Lionel realized something and stopped in his tracks.
Cassandra went rigid as she was overtly sensitive about this.
"What trouble?"
Cassandra asked, looking at Lionel with confusion; while Lionel coughed and pretended to be choking on something.
"No... It's nothing. You can leave now. I... I need to go back to the office. I left some unfinished business..."
Lionel was completely incoherent, mumbling about something. He couldn't take back what he just said.
"Lionel, did you have something to do with Lyndsy's accident?" Cassandra asked straight up.
She had always had her doubts about Lionel, which were growing stronger and stronger. Now it was too big to ignore.
"No! No! How can it ever be related to me?"
Lionel denied vehemently. His eyes were turning frantic and he couldn't even look at Cassandra in the eyes.
She knew Lionel well, even though she never got along well with him.
Lionel only wanted her back at the Tang Group, but she had declared her condition of never going back unless Lyndsy's studio
was gone. He did what had to be done for the good of the company.
Cassandra's hands started to quiver when she thought of this.
"Lionel, answer me. Did you do it or not?"