A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 150

For Cassandra, it was her worst fear no matter when Rufus said these vague jokes, even when others were around. She felt all her blood rushing to her cheeks as she blushed. It seemed like the temperature in the car went up because of what Rufus had just said.

"Rufus, why don't we stop by the supermarket later? Spring Festival is coming so I'm going to stock up on some items in case they raise the price during the holiday."

It suddenly occurred to her that the refrigerator at their home was empty. As a woman, Cassandra naturally wanted to take care of the household and the grocery shopping.

"Raise the price? Don't worry, your husband can afford the extra cost!"

It was very rare to see Rufus tell a joke as he always remained silent and cold. But it seemed he turned into a normal husband who would flirt with his wife whenever he was with Cassandra.

"Wait, don't you rush to call yourself my husband. I haven't authorized you yet,"

Cassandra snorted, pretending to be annoyed but deep inside she was giddy and happy.

It seemed that Cassandra was like a warm ray of sunshine pouring into Rufus's world, melting his ice-like exterior day by day. It surprised her a lot that he turned out to be an ordinary person of flesh and blood who'd joke and tease her, care for her, and help her even before she knew she needed it. At work, Rufus was a "get-things-done" type of boss, so it was easy to forget how considerate and caring he could be.

It seemed that... she got to know him better and better.

The self-proclaimed husband pulled up in front of the biggest supermarket in G City. Cassandra and Rufus walked inside with a shopping trolley.

This was the first time they shopped together. Rufus was in charge of the trolley and Cassandra walked beside him, looking around to spot the items they needed. She asked Rufus for advice from time to time.

It looked like they were a married couple, doing their regular shopping. Cassandra felt happy at that moment.

The two of them, both good-looking and seemingly a perfect match for each other, were eye candy to everyone else. There were people looking at them with envy all the time.

"Do you feel like having some hairtail? How about I cook fried hairtail for dinner?"

It seemed like Cassandra was asking Rufus for his advice, but the domineering wife had already tossed the pack of fish in their trolley before the husband could even answer.

"Stewed celery and lily bulbs is good. I'll get some."

She picked up another packet.

It wasn't until the trolley was almost full that the busy wife remembered to ask Rufus what he wanted to buy.

"What do you want for dinner? Well, forget it..."

Cassandra blushed when she saw the sly smile on Rufus's face.

Bending down, he whispered into Cassandra's ear. He was going to say the three words when she suddenly covered her ears and ran away.

She knew very well what he was going to say—"I want you."

As they approached the check-out counter, Cassandra pulled out her purse before Rufus could and paid the bill. Rufus's face hardened upon seeing this.

Because of the crowd around them, he held back his temper. When they got to the car and everything was in the trunk, Rufus said, "I am going to pay the bills from now on. You don't have to."

It shamed the proud man to see his woman paying the bill herself.

"We can go Dutch. You can pay the bill next time,"

Cassandra said with a stubborn look. She is not yielding to his demands and stuck in her own ways.

"Go dutch? No, I'll pay for everything from now on!"

Rufus pulled a long face and wanted to take over all future expenses. It seemed that Cassandra's suggestion put him on the verge of losing his temper.

Cassandra nodded in agreement and didn't say anything else.

Rufus knew Cassandra was a stubborn person, but to his surprise, her self-esteem was way higher than expected.

Some women enjoyed the moment when their partners bought them things. And they used those gifts to show off how happy they were. But Cassandra was different, she wanted to show that she was equal to Rufus in all aspects. She wanted to become a tree next to him, not the one shadowed by him.

When they got back home, Cassandra washed her hands and began to prepare the food. Rufus leaned on the kitchen door with his arms folded and enjoyed the scene as Cassandra bustled around in the kitchen. His affectionate gaze almost melted her.

It was such a joyful moment and Cassandra hoped time would stop at that moment. She wished that her life could be simple and peaceful like this at all times.

At the mansion of the Tangs

Ivy was now brought back home. She was still quite weak and Jill ordered the servants to prepare a nutritious meal for her.

"Aunt Jill...Please, you don't have to worry about me. I feel a lot better now."

Ivy tried to sound very considerate and put on guilty look as if she felt like she was a huge burden to Jill.

"Ivy...You have gone through a lot. It's my responsibility to take good care of you,"

Jill said as she sat beside the bed and tucked Ivy in.

Ivy lowered her head and remained silent. A sad expression dominated her face.

Jill gave a big sigh and began to comfort her.

"Cheer up, you are still young and healthy. It's easy to get pregnant again. Get some rest so you can recover your strength. Besides, Lionel's hands are full at the moment. We'll talk about your wedding later,"

Jill said as she tried to sound causal. She then waited for Ivy's response.

Instead, Ivy's eyes gleamed with anger for a minute.

She thought she could successfully marry Lionel as soon as Cassandra was out of the picture. But now Jill said to talk about the wedding later. Later!? If not now, when!?

She sacrificed her own child to win this battle and succeeded as the other woman was nowhere to be seen in the Tang family. But, still, Jill wanted to discuss her wedding later. In no way could Ivy accept this.

"Okay, I will get well as soon as possible,"

Ivy said, trying not to show any of the anger inside her mind. As long as her biggest rival was out of the way, she could work out a long term plan.

Lionel came home very late and was totally wasted, reeking of alcohol.

"What is wrong with you? Get yourself washed up!"

Ivy said with a frown as she looked at the drunk Lionel with disgust.

The Tang Group had been awarded several projects lately and Lionel took charge of two of them. So he probably had to socialize with clients that night.

Lionel ignored what Ivy commanded and walked gingerly towards her. He then wrapped his arms around her shoulder.

"I... I love you..."

Lionel released a loud belch and murmured something under his breath.

Ivy struggled to break free from his clutch but failed. She sighed and surrendered to whatever he was doing.

"Do you know... When did I fell in love with you?"

Even though he was very drunk as he spoke, Ivy could still make out what he was talking about.

'This jerk drank a lot and began to reminisce in the past, ' Ivy thought to herself.

"Tell me, when did you fall in love with me?"

Ivy echoed, as she tried to calm him down.

"It...it was when the first time I saw you!"

Lionel laughed. It seemed he felt really proud and happy with his answer.

With that, Ivy started to think back about the time they first met.

She'd taken notice of Lionel way before they actually met. He was the only son of Horace, chairman of the Tang Group.

He used to win all the basketball leagues among the universities and had so many followers. Lionel was very popular back then.

It was well-known that Lionel of the D University was good looking and came from a rich family. His groupies, those girls, wouldn't stop chasing after him. Lionel was young and very defiant at that time.

How could Ivy miss the opportunity to meet such a great man?

Ivy's tough childhood turned her into a mature and shrewd girl at a very young age. But she went to a different school from Lionel. How could she get in touch with him?

Some girls came to him with their love letters, chocolates and other types of snacks. They all tried different ways and tactics but no one even got Lionel's attention.

But again, Ivy was different and she used a different approach.

She paid off some gangsters and luked along Lionel's way home every night.

One day in a dark and narrow lane, some gangsters were bullying a vulnerable girl. The girl tried to break free from them, she screamed and her clothes were torn apart.

Lionel was tall and physically strong as he exercised regularly. He would not miss his chance to play a hero.

He fought off all the gangsters and turned to the poor Ivy who was huddling in the corner like a scared animal. It made him felt like he had to protect her.

Ivy got on her feet by pulling herself up using the wall as she trembled uncontrollably. The buttons of her shirt were ripped off and the tattered top exposed her ample bosom. Lionel felt his blood roar in his ears and he looked away.

The startled girl asked carefully if Lionel could take her home. Lionel nodded in agreement at her with a reddened face and placed his coat on her.

Lionel remained downstairs for a long time after taking Ivy to her dorm.

After that, he kept asking Ivy out for different reasons. Ivy won his heart with her innocence and kindness.

That was the best memory between them. Even though she approached Lionel because of his money, Ivy really did love him. But then he got married and everything changed.

"Lionel, let me help you get in the shower."

Ivy softened up as she recalled the happy moments between them. It made her heart ache to see Lionel this drunk.

But, the next sentence Lionel blurted out left her dumbfounded.

"I fell in love with you the day your parents brought you to my home!"