A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 166

Cassandra blinked her eyes repeatedly. In this bewildered state, she looked like a beautiful doll.

By looking into her enchanting eyes, Rufus felt his heart soften.

'Well, she is definitely a silly woman. She drenched herself in the rain because she wanted to ensure her flowers were safe!' Rufus thought and laughed at the hilarity of it.

"If you are so fond of flowers, I will ask someone to plant you a whole garden of them. That way you can enjoy them to your heart's content,"

Rufus offered in a compassionate voice. As he waited for her response, he tucked her hair behind her ears. It was dripping with water.

The warm water showered Cassandra and filled the air with clouds of steam.

"No, no flowers. If possible, could you plant two Chinese parasol trees?"

Cassandra's eyes lit up. She looked at Rufus, hoping he would give her an affirmative reply.

"So you want to have Chinese parasol tree? But why? Chinese parasol trees are often surrounded by phoenixes. Are you trying to attract phoenixes?" Phoenix, in ancient mythology, was a kind of bird that preferred to settle down on Chinese parasol trees. And its presence insinuated confession of love.

Its symbolic meaning suddenly dawned on Rufus. He raised his eyebrows at Cassandra suspiciously.

Hearing his absurd suggestion, Cassandra shook her head and grinned.

"No way, I had no idea about that. I asked for them because they look lovely. When summer arrives, it would be amazing to sit under the shade. Anyway, I need just two of them,"

Cassandra replied to Rufus in a convincing tone. She shook his arms, acting like a spoiled child begging for his consent.

Rufus's eyes trailed down and Cassandra noticed a spark in them. Watching his gaze, she blushed a little.

"Hey, what are you looking at!" she screamed.

Rufus burst into laughter.

"You know what I am looking at," he retorted back.

He came forward and gave her a long kiss. Cassandra tried to catch her breath when Rufus finally let go of her. And Rufus observed her with his tender eyes. He could tell that Cassandra had savored that kiss.

He stood up and handed out a towel to Cassandra before he turned to leave.

"Sweating is good for you. Now you won't fall sick," he added with a smirk and closed the door shut.

Rufus's words left Cassandra stupefied. It became apparent that he had kissed her to stop her from falling sick.

However, she had thoroughly relished that kiss hence she couldn't help feeling stupid. 'What is wrong with me!' she shrieked internally.

Her face had turned crimson and she buried it into the towel. The warmth in her heart was equivalent to the steam in the bathroom.

Hours passed but the rain showed no sign of ceasing. The television and network were all reporting about the pouring rain.

Almost all streets were flooded. Cassandra was confined in this mansion. She couldn't go anywhere.

"Well, we're literally living in an ocean-view house now."

Cassandra sighed as she looked at the streets through the window. Suddenly, Rufus held her from behind.

"Stop looking outside, there is no way we can go outside. How about we do some exercise to release our pressure?" Rufus proposed with a wink.

"What pressure? I don't have any pressure! Go ahead and do it on your own, Rufus. Leave me alone, please,"

Cassandra rejected Rufus's offer. She didn't understand why Rufus was so energetic all the time.

"You don't have any pressure?"

Rufus squinted. He was putting his hands on her waist. But now, he loosed his hands and leaned on her shoulders with his weight.

"Come on, Rufus… You're so heavy!"

Cassandra screeched and tried to thrust him away.

"Now, do you feel the pressure? I do, I can feel it Cassandra. Come on, let's do something to relax ourselves."

"You...you are such a jerk!" the little woman argued back bashfully.

Rufus and Cassandra spent their whole day in the mansion.

Rufus followed Cassandra everywhere. No matter where Cassandra went, he would make it a point to be around her. Even when she was cooking in the kitchen, he stood by the door and admired her.

"Stop posing. Come inside and help me."

Rufus was speechless when he heard her invitation. He peeped and noticed that she had finished cutting the cabbage. At the moment, she was beginning to make salad.

"Don't you think it's a perfect idea that men work outside home whereas women take in charge of the housework? It is going to be my responsibility to take care of the family. You, on the other hand, will have the liberty to relax and stay young..."

Rufus faltered in his speech. With the mention of future, he began to picture it in his head.

"Excuse me? I can work too. In case you forgot, I have a job, okay? Why don't you stay home and let me be the breadwinner?" she asked bringing him back from his reverie.

Cassandra turned around and talked back, waving her knife at Rufus.

"You? The breadwinner? I'm afraid you won't be able to support the family. I hate to admit but I am spender. Your money won't be enough for me,"

Rufus teased her.

"Spender? I am sorry, you will have to adjust to a life eating just plain rice and buns. That is the only luxury we can afford."

Cassandra poured the salad dressing to the glass bowl and stirred the fruits and vegetable she just made.

Rufus burst into laughter. 'Eating just plain rice and buns? Seriously? I am the president of the TY Group…' he thought with pride.

But Cassandra didn't know his status yet.

While they were at it, Rufus had a sudden urge to spill it.

In Cassandra's eyes, Rufus was an overseas returnee who had once studied and worked abroad. When he graduated, he came back to take over his father's business. And that was all Cassandra knew about him. As for his true identity, she knew nothing.

'If ever she finds it out, will she blame me for keeping it a secret?' he wondered.

Worry consumed him and he decided to change the topic. "How good are you at cooking? Have you cooked for anyone before?"

Rufus asked feigning a smile.

Hearing his question, Cassandra stayed still for a few seconds. Her stiffness didn't go unnoticed by him. Rufus thought he made a mistake by asking this question.

"I once attempted to bake for my father on his birthday. But it turned out to be a disaster. My stupidity almost burned down the kitchen. Since then I have cooked for no one."

Cassandra wasn't so cheerful as she was a few seconds ago. She became sad and her earlier enthusiasm disappeared.

Just the memory of her family was enough to make her despondent. 'If the Qin family caused her so much misery then why is she so hellbent on helping them?' Rufus thought curiously.

He was well aware about everything she had done to save Vernon's company. She even sold her own car. Now he couldn't fathom what it was all for.

The Qin family didn't give her any sweet memories. Unlike Cloris, Cassandra wasn't very liked at home. And yet she spared no effort in protecting her family. Her generosity was beyond his understanding.

Every time Rufus thought about his mother who stayed in the hospital for ten years, his hatred towards Horace grew stronger. But Cassandra… she was different from the rest. She held no grudges against anyone.

Cassandra brought the salad to the table and smiled at Rufus.

In a soft voice, she asked, "Would you mind helping me? Just bring the steak to the table. Look at me, I am multi talented. I'm graceful in the drawing room and skillful in the kitchen as well. Besides, I can manage a company effortlessly. Aren't you proud of me? Tell me you consider yourself lucky to have me around!"

Having prepared these dishes, Cassandra seemed self assured at her own ability.

Rufus went to bring the dishes as she ordered. Surprisingly, he didn't object or come back with a cocky remark.

In truth, he agreed with her. He was indeed very lucky to have Cassandra with him. However, he didn't know how long their relationship would last.

It was dark outside. Cassandra and Rufus drank some wine together.

"Remember the last time we had steak here? You were the one who cooked. But today, I made it for you. How wonderful this is! What are you waiting for? Please taste it," Cassandra ordered impatiently.

Internally, she was waiting for his compliment.

Rufus took a bite and it truly lived up to his expectation. She had done a wonderful job and he gave her his compliments generously.

"Wow, it tastes delicious. My wife is indeed a master chef!"

After he paid this compliment, silence filled the air.

Cassandra was surprised to hear herself being referred to as his wife. She felt embarrassed and shook her head immediately.

"Don't call me that...It feels a little strange…"

It wasn't that Cassandra didn't like it. It was just that this word was completely novel to her. In spite of being married, Lionel had never addressed her as his wife.

It was hard to tell where they stood in their relationship now. They weren't married and it sort of felt akward being called this way.

Rufus was surprised too. Maybe it was the atmosphere that prompted him to call her that. Moreover, he and Cassandra had spent a great day together. They slept together, cooked together and now shared a great dinner together, just like a normal married couple. So it came out of his mouth naturally.

Instantly, an idea popped into his mind. Rufus remembered the diamond ring. He realized now was the perfect time for him to propose her.

He kept the ring in his pocket so that he could use it when the perfect opportunity flared up.

Slowly, Rufus dug into his pocket and felt his fingertips touch the box. A smile appeared on his face when he was pulling it out of his pocket.

With a soft smile, he said, "Cassandra Qin, I might have to start calling you that from now on."