A Graduation Gift

Horace grew angrier when he saw the confused expression drawn on Lionel's face.
"Cassandra is not in a good shape, she's not feeling well. She must not be disturbed so that she can fully rest. So don't quarrel
with her anymore! Do you understand?" asked Horace.
Lionel creased his eyebrows in confusion after hearing his father's demands.
He examined Cassandra closely, hoping to clear his confusions. Her face was a little pale, it could be that she had been having
fevers frequently. Aside from that, she was perfectly fine. Maybe Cassandra had some disease they didn't know about.
Horace handed Lionel a medical record, the diagnostic proof of Cassandra's illness. Lionel examined and read the paper
thoroughly. However, he was still confused.
"What is the meaning of these words?"
His eyes rolled around the room inquiringly. Finally, his eyes fell upon Jill. He was expecting that he would get an explanation
from his mother.
Jill spoke with a crying voice. She explained everything to Lionel while sobbing.
After his mother's explanation was synced up, Lionel completely froze. His eyes were full of disbelief as he looked upon
Cassandra's hopeless face.
He dreaded Cassandra, but couldn't help feeling sorry for her for having such condition. On the back of his brain, a ghastlier plan
sufficed. 'So that means... the child inside Ivy's womb now would be the only grandchild of the Tang family?' he thought.
Lionel's pitiful heart towards Cassandra was replaced by joy after weighing the odds. He would be more troubled if he would
carry out his original plan. Luckily for him, Cassandra got such kind of disease. It would be great for him as if the universe was
working on his side. They only have to wait a few more months till Ivy would give birth to his baby. Then everything would be
okay, everything would work according to his plan.
"That's okay, Cassandra. Just take a good rest. Anyways, we are still young, and it would be fine with me. We can have the baby
after your disease is treated,"
Lionel pretended to comfort Cassandra, but deep inside his heart was an inexplicable joy. He rejoiced over Cassandra's misery.

Words of comfort from Lionel was all that Cassandra needed. She took the opportunity to make an innocent facial expression
and said, "Sorry, Lionel...But don't worry. I... I'll take good care of myself."
Horace felt relieved and was happy to see that they were reassuring each other.
As the evening progressed, Cassandra went to rest in the guest room. Lionel did not force her to stay with him. It seemed that
the crisis of baby-making had already passed.
The days after the news of Cassandra's disease, she went on with her usual routine and immersed herself in work.
Cassandra worked hard day and night. She was busy with all kinds of materials and design drawings. After all, this was the
biggest project she had received since she entered the Tang Group. This was a big deal for her. And she was taking it seriously,
leaving no stones unturned.
The design and the architectural layout were spearheaded by her. And she had never missed visiting the site every week to
make sure that everything was aligned according to her plans.
It was a surprise for Jenks when he saw her design proposals. He was held in disbelief at the uniqueness and beauty of the
drafts.
The architectural style was the post-modern style, which he liked a lot. Spaces were fully maximized and the exterior of the
buildings was also striking.
The interior layout was functional and practical, which did not contradict the design of the exterior.
He did not expect that Cassandra could hand him such an excellent design draft in just such a short period of time. He was more
than satisfied with Cassandra's ability, it had exceeded his expectations.
Immediately after that moment, Jenks made the decision that he would give the project to Tang Group and ordered the contract
to be drafted immediately.
Rufus, who came to meet Jenks with Cassandra, shook his hand while his handsome face beaming with sincerity, and
appreciated him for signing the deal with Tang Group.
"Please rest assured Director Tong. We will certainly attach importance to this project. We will not let you down!" Rufus assured
him.

Jenks nodded and clapped on the back of Rufu's hand.
"A youth is to be regarded with respect. When I was your age, I was far from your present bearing and ability. Keep it up! I
believe that the Tang Group will be better in the future under your lead," exclaimed Jenks.
Although he was very familiar with Lionel and did not know much about Rufus, he was beginning to like the difference he had
from his brother.
Judging from the way he did business with him, no one could deny that Rufus was way far superior to Lionel in both vison and
ability of work.
Jenks glanced a look at Cassandra who stood next to Rufus. Her eyes were tightly locked in Rufus. The smile on her face was
gentle and quiet. The sight suddenly reminded him of something.
Memories of the night when he was chatting with Cassandra under the wisteria blossoms flashed back his mind.
The cage, the freedom...and the man... Was she referring to Rufus?
Despite his age, his eyes that had seen through everything in the world had never been fuzzy. Instead, his sight was growing
clearer with each passing year. He just thought in his heart that there was something between these two people who were
standing in front of him - they seemed to be somewhat well matched.
Seated comfortably on Rufus's car, Cassandra felt a terrible sense of relief.
She rubbed her temples and triumphed at the thought that her days of hard working had not been in vain.
Rufus turned his head, issuing an invitation towards Cassandra, "Why don't we go somewhere to celebrate?"
His face was full of emotions as he looked at Cassandra. She, however, felt uncertain about what he was planning to do.
"Where do you want to go?" Cassandra asked.
Rufus turned back to focus on the road as he drove slowly. He thought for a while and said, "I'm taking you to a great place. I
promise that you have never tasted such kind of meal before," Rufus said.
Cassandra sniffed with disbelief.

Although she was not a gourmet, she was a person who fancied good food. It was not long since she came back to G City, but
she knew perfectly well where to go for good food in the city.
"You'll win if you can find something that I haven't eaten before!"
Rufus smiled. He was getting excited and his eyes were as bright as the twinkling stars.
"That's easy! If I really did find you a good place you haven't been before, how about you accompany me for one night, as a
prize?"
Cassandra's face turned red at his words. She wasn't expecting that.
"No way! You are such a rogue!" Cassandra scolded.
Rufus' smile was evil. He knew that Cassandra was a shy and aloof woman. He was surprised that she had taken his words the
other way around.
"Well, what do you think we can do for one night?" Rufus asked teasingly.
Cassandra really wanted to beat Rufus with the documents in her hand. He was acting odd tonight, different from the cold man
that he was on usual days. How could he tease her like that? But... She was surprised why she was not even mad at his jokes.
'Forget it, today I'm just in a good mood. Just let he be," Cassandra thought in her heart.
Unexpectedly, the car stopped. The next thing Cassandra knew was they were in front of Rufus's private villa.
"Have you invited a chef to prepare dinner in your house?" asked Cassandra.
She got off the car with curiosity. She remembered that Rufus had mentioned to her once that he rarely lived in this villa. The
housekeepers would only come to clean the house once a week. Cassandra assumed that he didn't bother hiring a chef to stay
at the villa.
Rufus didn't answer her question. She did not dare to look at him as his eyes were still beaming with joy. They were so alluring
that she was afraid of being sucked into them as they were filled with temptations.
Entering the villa, there were no lights in the hall. On the table, aligned were tiny lighted candles, which looked particularly warm
and cozy.

Rufus held Cassandra's hand, pulling gently to the seat.
"Just sit here and I'll be back soon," Rufus said.
Cassandra followed the sight of Rufus's back as it disappeared in the dark. She felt uneasy being left alone.
'What the hell is he doing?' she thought.
In her mind, she imagined many bloody cases of being murdered in the dark like in the movies.
Cassandra could not help the cold shivers from running down her spine. Did Rufus really want to do something to hurt her
because of their daily quarrels?
She could no longer hold on to her sanity. Just when she was about to get up to leave, a candle suddenly lit up from the edge of
the room.
Then, two, three...
The candles lit up one after another and slowly reflected the face of the man in the dark.
He looked flawless and charming under the candlelight.
Rufus carefully lit the candles until all the candles on the cake were lighted. Then with one swift motion, he gently pushed the
cake cart towards Cassandra.
With the sincerest expression on his face and his low and gentle voice, he greeted her, "Cassandra, happy birthday!"
Cassandra opened her mouth in surprise, not knowing what kind of expression she should show or what to say.
Today was her birthday. But no one remembered it except Rufus. She, herself, almost forgot her natal day.
Altogether, there were 22 candles on the cake. The soft glow of the candles brightened their hearts. It lightened Rufus smiling
face while Cassandra couldn't help her tears from falling.
Tears trickled down from her beautiful eyes. Her nose suddenly turned red and her heart melted with gratitude.
"Thank you so much, Rufus."

Cassandra was overjoyed. Today was a good day for her. She successfully led Jenks to sign with Tang Group. And now, she
was celebrating her birthday with a birthday cake. Although there were only the two of them and not so many people were
present to congratulate her, she still felt very glad.
The busy work made her forget her birthday. But how did Rufus know that?
"Silly girl, why are you crying? There is nothing to cry about. Come on, make your wish!" said Rufus in a big smile.
Cassandra nodded tearfully. She closed her eyes and started making wishes on her mind.
Rufus's eyes turned deep as he looked on her innocent face. Under the candlelight, she glowed so beautifully, exuding a
luminescent radiance that attracted Rufus even more.
The flickering candle was like his unsteady heartbeats. He was curious about what she had wished for and whether it had
anything to do with him.
Cassandra slowly opened her eyes and blew out the candles.
Rufus made the dinner himself. He prepared the steaks and opened a bottle of wine he had treasured for years.
The rich fragrance of the dark red wine was enticing as Rufus poured some into their wine glasses.
"Rufus, cheers! Thank you for the surprise!"
Cassandra boldly lifted the glass and drank all the wine in one big gulp. Rufus burst out laughing.
"How could you drink the wine like water? Do you always act like that? No wonder you were so drunk the night when we were in
Rome."
Hearing him mentioning about that night, her mind went back to the moment when they were entangled together. She did not
know if it was because of the wine or the memories between them, her face turned red.
Rufus was satisfied to see her speechless.
He tasted the wine triflingly and asked, "Aren't you going to say something about my wine?"