A Graduation Gift

Cassandra hadn't slept in her princess bed in a long time, but the sheets still smelled of her lost childhood. She looked around
her former room. Nothing had changed. The teddy bear at the foot of the bed, the wind chime twinkling above the windowsill, the
numerous photographs on the wall that captured her adolescence...Everything remained the same. She stood dully, reminiscing
on her past. She had so many memories attached to this bedroom and her house.
Just then, there was a sharp knock on the door.
"Cassandra, I'm done taking my bath. Can I come in?" Cloris exclaimed, interrupting Cassandra's long-lost memories.
Cassandra snapped back to reality and turned around to open the door. Cloris came in wearing a bathrobe, her face breaking
into a wide grin. Once inside, she changed into her pajamas.
She was pretty and had a perfect hour-glass figure that obviously attracted attention. People, including most women, simply
couldn't tear their eyes off her when she walked into a room.
Her smooth, creamy white skin contrasted sharply against her black PJs, giving a strong visual effect. Cassandra made a sound
halfway between a gasp and a sigh as she stared at her little sister. Cloris had grown up to be quite a stunner. She was as
beautiful and graceful as a swan.
"Cloris, you are just so lovely. Nobody can take their eyes off you."
Cassandra's praise came from the bottom of her heart, and her sister gave her a soft smile in return. Cloris moved closer to
Cassandra and embraced her, breathing in deeply. She leaned back and looked at her.
"Cassandra, may I ask you a question?"
Cloris asked. A mild blush stained her cheeks. Cassandra's heart jolted. She already knew what Cloris was going to ask, but she
smiled and nodded anyway, "Sure."
Cloris pulled her sister's arm shyly and the two of them sat on the bed. She opened and shut her mouth repeatedly, too nervous
to say anything. After a moment's silence, she finally blurted, "Does Rufus have a girlfriend?"
Just as Cassandra had expected, Cloris was curious about Rufus. She had seen her sneaking glances at him downstairs.
Cassandra's heart sank to the bottom of her stomach and she swallowed visibly. Her throat had turned dry.
"I don't know. Probably not. I haven't heard that he has one,"

Cassandra answered softly and lowered her eyes, avoiding her sister's inquiring gaze.
"Really? That's awesome."
Cloris grinned widely, clearly overjoyed. She hugged Cassandra around the neck and then kissed her on the cheek, unable to
contain her excitement.
Cassandra stared at her lovely sister, wondering if Rufus liked simple and innocent girls like Cloris. Perhaps he would. If they
were to be together, Cassandra would have to watch from the sidelines.
"Cassandra, I like Rufus a lot. Can you help me win him over?"
Cloris asked after a while once she had reigned in her excitement.
"Huh? I don't know how I'd do that."
Cassandra glanced at Cloris from the corner of her eyes, deeply embarrassed. It was the first time someone had asked her to
play matchmaker. Besides, she had feelings for Rufus. How could she help her sister win his heart?
Cloris squinted her eyes, her brain churning. Suddenly, an idea presented itself to her. Her bright eyes lit up with delight as she
gazed at her sister.
"Cassandra, you'll go back to the Tang mansion tomorrow, right?"
Cassandra nodded in silence and trepidation, wondering what Cloris had in mind.
"Can I go with you and stay there for some time? It's my summer vacation right now. I get bored at home, and I would rather
spend some time with you."
Cloris pulled at Cassandra's wrist, looking at her with imploring eyes.
It was probably the first time in many years that the two sisters were being so intimate. Cassandra's feelings towards her family
hardly went deep, but the girl sitting in front of her was, after all, her sister. She couldn't say no to her request for spending some
time together.
"If you want, sure."

Cassandra finally understood why her family spoiled Cloris so much. Even Vernon, who was usually serious and impersonal,
was fond of her. She did have a charm about her that people were drawn to. Nobody could refuse her.
Perhaps it would be for the best if Cassandra brought Rufus and Cloris together. Then she'd be forced to forget her memories of
him. All the moments that she kept close to her heart would fade away like forgotten dreams, as if they never happened.
It would be a perfect ending.
At the thought, Cassandra allowed herself a wry smile.
"Thank you, sis. I love you so much."
Cloris beamed, even more delighted now that she had her sister's consent. She threw herself back on the bed and rolled,
giggling happily.
Cloris's excitement reasserted Cassandra's decision to bring Rufus and her sister together.
It might be the best way to put an end to her relationship with him. As for her marriage with Lionel, it might signal a new
beginning.
But what about that kiss? What about that irresistible kiss in the garden not long ago? Cassandra frowned, feeling like she had
swallowed something bitter. Perhaps...Perhaps, she truly felt something for Rufus.
That feeling made her feel reckless. It scared her. She did not want to break her own heart.
Cassandra shook her head. She could not go on feeling like this. She had to put an end to it.
Just then, her phone, which she had put aside, started ringing. Cloris stopped rolling on the bed and watched Cassandra pick up
her phone.
"Is it from your husband? You two are so in love. I know those media reports are baseless and only written by people looking to
gossip. You have a good relationship with Lionel. People are just jealous,"
Cloris said, already assuming that the call was from Lionel. With a sly smile, she cocked an eyebrow in Cassandra's direction.
Cassandra shot her a smile in reply. She picked up her phone and walked into the bathroom.

Closing the door cautiously, she made sure that the call couldn't be heard from the outside. She stared at the flickering name on
the screen in a daze.
It was late. Why was Rufus calling her?
The phone kept ringing. Cassandra unknowingly bit her lower lip and finally pressed the answer key.
"What took you so long?"
Rufus asked her once she picked up the call, a hint of frustration seeping into his voice. He seldom lost his temper. Cassandra
grimaced and wondered what had happened.
"It's late. What's the matter? Why did you call me?"
Cassandra whispered softly. Her eyebrows snapped together. Cloris was just outside. What if she heard them?
"Open the window,"
the man on the other end of the phone said, the deep timbre of his voice as intoxicating as ever. It made her heartbeat
accelerate and her stomach flutter with butterflies.
"Well, I'm in the bathroom."
Cassandra was even more curious now. With a quick look around the bathroom, she walked over to the window.
"Open it,"
Rufus continued. He already seemed to know where Cassandra was.
Cassandra was puzzled. She pushed the glass pane up and looked down.
A gentle breeze flew in through the window, making her hair dance. She saw a tall and handsome man standing under the street
lamp below. The golden light elongated his shadow and cast his figure in stark relief. Rufus stood alone on the street, holding the
phone in his hand as he raised his head. His obsidian eyes were locked on Cassandra who stood two floors above, looking down
at him.
Cassandra's heartbeat pounded in her ears. She inhaled deeply and opened her mouth, but said nothing.

"Come down,"
Rufus said through the phone in a gentle voice. It felt like they had been looking at each other forever. His voice lured her in like
magic.
"What did you just say?"
Cassandra blinked. She felt like she was in a dream. What game was he playing?
"Cassandra, come down,"
Rufus raised his voice, still looking at her intensely. The voice stirred up something deep in her. What was he doing?
"It's late,"
Cassandra repeated firmly, her heart racing uncontrollably even as she listened to the voice of reason in her head. This was her
parents' house, and she was married. She couldn't do anything improper.
"I have something to tell you. Come down."
Rufus ignored her reluctance and hung up the phone. He put his hands in the pockets of his trousers and leaned against the
lamp pole, waiting for her patiently. His eyes were deep pools of black, looking at Cassandra with desire and tempting her.
Cassandra closed the window and turned her back to it as she took a deep, shaky breath. Why was she so nervous? Why was
her heart racing a mile a minute? Her hand that held the phone had sweat running down it.
"I have something to tell you."
The words echoed in Cassandra's ears. She shut her eyes, uncertain whether she should go down or not...