A Graduation Gift

"Since I have become an actress, you all have always cared about me and supported me, and I really appreciate it," she began
in the video. "What's more, my family and friends have always been by my side, looking after me, and offering words of comfort
and encouragement even after the accident. I cannot describe how grateful I am. I will never be able to return your kindness,"
Lyndsy paused for a moment before continuing, her voice turning more serious. "However, I know that I'm an actress, and I take
pride in my job. I know that my profession exists to show the beautiful side of things, which I'm afraid that I may fail to do in the
future. And so I have decided," she paused again, her face conflicted. "My dear friends, I know it's sudden, but please forgive
me. I will be leaving the entertainment industry from this day. I will always be thankful for the chance I was given, but even good
things must come to an end, and I'm afraid that this is where I stop. Thank you all for being with me this whole time. Good-bye."
With that, the screen had cut to black, but Cassandra's eyes remained glued to her screen, as if waiting for something else.
The video was short, but it had caused quite a sensation. There was an outpouring of comments from the viewers.
Cassandra was stunned. It took her quite a while to come back to her senses.
'Now it made sense why Lyndsy wouldn't let me go along when she left," she thought bitterly. 'She must have already made up
her mind at that time."
Come to think of it, Lyndsy must have fallen into depression after finishing that movie. The outgoing, care-free movie star was
gone, and it was as if there was only a shell where the real Lyndsy had used to be. She had been more withdrawn and kept to
herself, not contacting even her closest friends. Cassandra had first thought that it was because she needed time and space to
recover from the accident. How could she have missed it? There was nothing she could do now. There was nothing she had
done for her from the very beginning but gave her trouble, and now Lyndsy had quit something she spent her life doing.
Cassandra's throat tightened as she thought of the fact that Lyndsy had kept it from her till the end.
'Did you really just say that you're sorry, Lyndsy?'
Cassandra thought, as tears gathered in her eyelids.
'Why would anyone blame you for this, Lyndsy? I should have been the one begging for your forgiveness!' Cassandra's heart
bled in anguish as her tears flowed. 'It was all my fault!
If it weren't for me, you would have still been doing what you love. I'm so sorry.'
She curled into herself, putting her arms around herself as she heaved, almost swallowed whole in her grief. Just as she felt
herself succumbing, a familiar voice called out to her, "I knew you would be here."

She looked up to Rufus's dark and tender eyes. A pair of eyes filled with tenderness met hers. In an instant, it was as if a dam
had broken inside her. She let go of her tears freely and
she ran to him, pressing her lips softly to his and finding comfort in his warmth.
Rufus's breath caught in his throat at the touch of her soft lips.
"You are tempting me, Cassandra," he warned between breaths. His arms were around her at once, caressing the contours of
her body.
He did not come here for this. He had wanted to control his emotions and comfort her, but it seemed that it would be impossible
when she was yielding to him like this.
The kiss was brief and gentle, and Cassandra pulled herself back after some moments. Her eyes were pools of sadness, and
Rufus felt as if he was drowning in the sorrow of her gaze. How could it be that she looked beautiful even in her sorrow?
"Do you have an idea what you are doing?"
he murmured, feeling unable to take his eyes off her—not even a second now that this woman had made him aroused.
Cassandra said nothing but gave him a smile instead. It was a rueful yet shockingly tempting smile, adding to her enchantment.
She then burrowed deeper into the warmth of Rufus's arms.
There was nothing else that Rufus could do but acquiesce. He was at this woman's mercy. He bent his head and closed the gap
between them, kissing her gently until embers blazed and there was a trail of fire that followed every caress. Surrendering to the
heat, they shared their breaths as they lost themselves in each other.
******
Cassandra was blushing and avoiding his gaze. She couldn't believe that she had thrown herself at him like that. What was the
matter with her?
Rufus picked up quickly on her embarrassment and chuckled. Red dusted her cheeks and she deliberately looked away from
him.
He chuckled at the sight. Putting his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her closer to him.

"I've seen the news about Lyndsy, too," he said, wanting to resolve the feelings that he knew were eating her up. "It was her own
decision to quit. Just let it go, love," he murmured comfortingly.
He came straight to her upon hearing the news, knowing that she would not take it well. The image of her excitedly telling him
her ideas about Lyndsy's career flashed in his mind. He knew that her smile would be gone the moment Lyndsy announced her
decision to quit.
He could understand how she must be feeling. There was only disappointment waiting when one's best efforts amounted to
nothing in the end. As he thought, he found her looking defeated, her head hanging limply over her shoulders and her arms
around herself. The sight of her like that pained him deeply. He wanted nothing more at that moment than to take her hurt away.
But Rufus did not completely understand. It took one look and Cassandra knew that he did not truly know what was paining her.
It was not Lyndsy's decision to quit that anguished her so much. She would have supported her if it was truly something she had
personally decided on. But she knew that it was not completely the case.
It was her fault. The thought gnawed at her insides, tearing at every fiber of her being. 'The popular and shining Lyndsy, who had
been noted as the most promising actress in the country, fell victim to my own circumstances. I dragged her there. I took her
future. And yet here I am, safe and unscathed when she has to give up the thing she loves the most, ' Cassandra's thoughts
echoed, haunting every corner of her mind. There was nothing but guilt inside her.
Cassandra's silence only pained Rufus even more. He knew there were things she was not telling him—things that were still
weighing heavily in her mind. But he held back from asking. If she wanted to, she would be the one telling him, even without his
questions.
So instead, he offered her his own comfort and told her of what he had secretly done. He buried his face in her neck and said
softly, "I've bought this place, Cassandra, and now I give it to you as a gift. Use it in any way you like, okay?"