A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 141

The wind was chilly at night, making Rufus shiver. Suddenly, it occurred to him Cassandra wasn't wearing a jacket earlier that day when he saw her. She might be feeling warm while working in the garden. But where could she be right now?

He worried that she would catch a cold or fever since she was only wearing a flimsy blouse with a knee-length skirt.

She had just been nursed back to health and was finally getting better. The idea of her falling sick again worried Rufus.

Presently, he stood outside the gate with Amanda, waiting for Victor. Amanda could tell Rufus was distracted. She already assumed it was about Cassandra without even asking him. She couldn't believe Rufus would concern himself so much about other women. Amanda remembered when they were dating back then, he was always too cool. It was rare to see him behave like this, so on edge.

Amanda had never been able to forget Rufus since she had left him. They were, after all, each other's first love and he was such an outstanding man. The breakup had scarred her emotionally and she kept thinking of him for years thereafter.

The situation was such that she was forced to breakup with him because of the pressure from her family—her father didn't approve of Rufus. She had tried to revolt against him in the beginning but it was no use. Her father won at last, leaving her no choice but to break up with Rufus.

She still remembered the look on Rufus's face when she told him she couldn't be with him anymore. His eyes were a strange combination of intense fury and sadness. She remembered him clenching his fists, pursing his lips. He didn't utter a single word.

He didn't ask her for an explanation, didn't beg her to stay. He was still Rufus, composed as always, even in the face of such shocking news. To her surprise, he turned around, walking away with determination and leaving her alone in a void.

She told herself if Rufus turned around or even so much as halted, she would run to him. To hell with her father, her family, the world, this was the man she loved!

But as it turned out, he didn't stop, not even for a second. Eventually his figure disappearing in the mist.

Tears started to flow down her eyes and in no time, turned to howls. She fell down to her knees, crying as if there was nothing left for her in the world anymore. She knew then she could never forget what they had, and surely now, years later, she still remembered every single thing from then.

But now, Rufus was a changed man. His composure was gone. He had finally allowed himself to show his vulnerable side to someone. He had begun to show warmth, care, concern and worry.

Rufus's mind was still wandering and was only brought back to the current moment by a car that whooshed by them.

The car looked very familiar to Rufus. This was the same car Dylon and Cassandra had gotten into that night after they had dinner together. Rufus had ended up following them, feeling angry and betrayed.

And sure enough, they were together again. He could make out Cassandra's silhouette in the passenger seat. He was sure, it was her.

For a moment, Rufus forgot to breath.

'Why is Cassandra with that man again? What is the relationship between them?' Rufus's head exploded with a hundred questions, his heart beating fast.

"Miss Ke, where are are going?"

Victor finally arrived. He opened the door for Amanda but she stood still, pouting. Her eyes were stuck to Rufus's obviously distracted face. She kept looking at him in the hope that he would offer to drive her.

Rufus didn't notice her expecting gaze at all. He opened his mouth, gasping. Amanda's heart raced thinking he would say something, but nothing came out of his mouth. Just then, he started walking towards the backyard. Hastily, he got into his car, determined to catch up with Dylon's car.

"Miss Ke, allow me to drive you home,"

Victor offered again, clueless. He looked at her eyes brimming up with tears.

Amanda suddenly felt depressed. Why hadn't Rufus been gentle like this when they were together? Why was it that this woman made Rufus act so impulsively?

The emotions overwhelmed her. She couldn't bear to see this.

She truly believed Rufus was hers and hers alone. They belonged together. He was the most handsome and intelligent person she had ever come across in her life, and no one made her feel like this. Whoever this other woman was, she couldn't let her tear them apart.

Amanda nodded her head at Victor and got into the car, immediately texting someone.

This was what the text read: Help me check in on a person. Her name is Cassandra Qin. Give me as much information as possible.

A few miles away, Dylon drove smoothly before he stopped at a red light. Cassandra lifted her head casually and what she saw in front of her eyes had her dumbfounded.

On the other side of the road was a huge billboard, mounted at the side of a building. Many lamps threw light on it. It was very eye-catching.

It was about a concert that was to happen in the famous theatre in G city during the Lantern Festival.

The billboard was painted fully in white and red, looking completely stunning and mesmerizing under the glow of the warm, yellow lights.

There was the image of an elegant woman, wearing a red gown. She flashed a flawless smile, looking very classy and confident. Her arms were almost muscular but had smooth skin.

Ah ha! She must be a pianist, sitting on a stool in front of the white grand piano.

The slogan in the billboard went like this, "A must-visit concert performed by the world-famous pianist, Amanda Ke. Let the music take you away."

Her eyes moved all over it. In the top right corner, under the list of sponsors she saw the logo of TY Group.

Her eyes flipped back to the woman. She was so beautiful, gorgeous and headstrong. Her body language spoke of her dignity and confidence. Cassandra was sure people would simply fall in love with her.

"Amanda Ke…"

Cassandra read the name softly, as it finally hit her.

It was her, the very woman who had held Rufus's arm before, telling him how much she missed him. Cassandra remembered thinking how good they looked together, natural and sweet, like a perfect couple.

It turned out Cassandra was living a dream, a dream in which she and Rufus had fallen in love. But it seemed like now it was time to wake up.

They headed on, soon coming to a halt in front of the biggest bar in G city. The valet guy parked their car as they walked towards the entrance.

Utter noise hit their ears the moment they got in. Cassandra hastily walked to the counter, already ordering several kinds of drinks from the menu.

Dylon leaned on the counter, smiling at her ordering her drinks. "Cassandra, do you plan to get drunk?"

He thought she simply wanted to have fun.

"Yes, Dylon. Let's get drunk and have some fun tonight!"

Cassandra raised the wine glass, chugging it entirely in a single go.

The men around her started to hoot, clapping their hands together. A woman drinking whiskey like that was sure to attract some attention.

Dylon looked at Cassandra with his mouth open in amazement. He had never seen anyone drink like this! And definitely not whiskey!

The alcohol already got Cassandra by the time she finished the second drink. But then she felt good, a warm feeling trickling down her chest. All her thoughts were just background noise now.

'Alcohol is a good thing', she thought. Indeed, for a person who needed to get rid of their sadness and trouble, it was a good thing.

So amazed by her own thought, she burst into laughter. Dylon noticed how beautiful she looked as her cheeks blushed. All the men around were looking at her too.

"Dylon, aren't you… drinking with me?"

Cassandra patted on Dylon's shoulders, tilting her head, disappointed.

"Of course I am! Let's get drunk tonight!"

Looking at her loosing herself like that, he didn't feel like being left behind. Immediately, he reached for a shot.

But his alcohol tolerance was much better than Cassandra's. By the time he put down the glass, Cassandra had almost fallen from her chair.

"Oh my gosh, Cassandra. You can't drink! Why didn't you tell me?"

Dylon felt regretful. If he knew she couldn't drink at all, he would never have brought her to a bar. Well, there she was, drunk already.

He held her arm to provide some support. Right then, a tall man showed by their side. He pulled Dylon back, grabbing him by his shoulder and lifted Cassandra up, flinging her on his own shoulder and walked straight out of the bar without uttering a single word.

Dylon was in shock. He stood up immediately and followed him, soon finding out it was Rufus.

Rufus was very angry. How could Cassandra go to a bar and get drunk with another man!

He had followed them to the bar. As soon as he walked in, he spotted Cassandra chugging a drink. She couldn't even sit properly after 2 shots of whiskey!

Rufus saw how the men around her were looking at her body.

He couldn't take it anymore and decided to get her out of this place. Now, he felt Dylon's hand on his shoulder.

"Mr. Luo, I don't think it is appropriate for you to carry your sister-in-law like this."

Rufus flashed his angry eyes at him. Dylon could see how angry he was. But for Cassandra's reputation, he gathered his courage to stop Rufus.

'Sister-in-Law?' Rufus squinted at the thought. It seemed like Dylon didn't know Cassandra and Lionel had already gotten divorced.

He realized that at least he knew this before Dylon did! That thought relieved him, somehow as a proof of him being closer to Cassandra than Dylon.

"Go ask your father what really happened to the Tang family."

Rufus himself had learnt about the incident on the way to the bar. He knew it had to be Ivy who had gotten Cassandra into this situation. As he thought more and more about this, he felt sorry that she had gotten kicked out of the Tang family mansion and had to take all the blame by herself. He felt frustrated at not knowing how to reduce her misery.

After saying that, he just ignored Dylon and walked out of the bar carrying Cassandra on his shoulder. He laid her down on the backseat of the car and drove directly to his mansion.

Even lying down, Cassandra felt dizzy. She couldn't tell where she was. The smell around her was familiar. For a while, she kept trying to recollect everything and then suddenly, she opened her eyes wide, sitting up.

Rufus! It smelled like Rufus. She murmured, "Rufus! Rufus!"