A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 197

Rufus held Cassandra in his arms as they slowly danced to the music that had long stopped in the garden.

Cassandra didn't want anyone to see them so she tried to wriggle herself free but Rufus wouldn't budge.

"Why? Don't you want me to hold you?"

Rufus raised his eyebrows. He didn't want to let her go because having her in his arms was the best feeling in the world.

"No, I just don't want anyone to see us like this,"

Cassandra said in a low voice with a hint of shyness—something Rufus immediately picked up on as the look on his face softened.

This wasn't news to Rufus—he knew exactly what Cassandra was worried about. She was worried about what people might think of her if they found out that she was seeing Rufus, Lionel's big brother, just days after divorcing Lionel. And Rufus knew all about this from the very start.

Nothing could stand in the way of their love because for Rufus, all that mattered was that he was with her.

Cassandra loved him dearly but she was careful for fear that she might lose him.

How Cassandra wished she could spend every waking moment with Rufus but she had to hold herself back. Even when she'd miss him, she would just send a sly text message to him because she didn't want to disturb him.

She did love him but she was treading on thin ice; she was so careful to not say too much or do too much. This only made Rufus's heart ache.

He took the diamond ring with him everywhere he went. That night, the moon looked especially beautiful. Rufus, as he took in this fine weather and fine music, ran a palm over his pocket as he tried to take the ring out to surprise her.

He wanted to tell her that nothing else mattered—not the people that talked about them or what not—as long as they were together. If they were together, they could surpass anything.

"Cassandra, I want to tell you something,"

Rufus said, clearing his throat and looking at Cassandra softly.

"Yes? What is it?"

Cassandra avoided his gaze.

The repulsive odor of the nearby made people feel dizzy. The sound of those insects buzzing from the hall filled the air.

It was like they were the only two people in the world. To Rufus and Cassandra, no one else was around and it was just the two of them. Cassandra could feel her heart beat quickening in her chest.

But...

"Rufus, hurry up and come in, it's starting!"

Suddenly, the sound of Amanda's high-pitched voice filled their ears. She was calling for Rufus.

"Are you done smoking yet? Hurry up! They're about to announce the spokesman!"

Amanda feigned confusion like she didn't see them so she just turned around and went back in. Meanwhile, Rufus and Cassandra both froze due to the sudden molestation.

After a few moments of silence, Cassandra finally spoke.

"Go ahead, that's business. This is a commercial ball after all,"

Cassandra said, twisting her face into almost a grimace. If she had her way, things wouldn't end up this way but it wasn't like there was anything she could do.

'Smoking? He told Amanda he went out to smoke? Why couldn't he tell Amanda he was going out to see me?' Cassandra asked herself in silence.

Well, she could be likened to a cigarette—burning herself until she's on fire. When the cigarette was burned out, all would be left was smoke and the cigarette butt. However, smoke disappeared and cigarette butts got thrown into trash eventually.

'Cassandra, you're acting stupid! He just hands you a lighter and you just take it like you can't wait to set everything on fire!" she reprimanded herself in her mind.

When he saw the look on Cassandra's face, Rufus suddenly decided against saying what he was going to say.

"Wait for me in the Garden Villa. I'll tell you then."

Then Rufus left and went back into the hall. He recalled how Amanda had told him that he was going to be the spokesman but he was done being told what to do.

Cassandra didn't move. She remained frozen under the tree just watching Rufus until he disappeared in the shadows. 'Wow, he left just like that, ' Cassandra thought to herself as a bitter smile formed on her lips.

'A man doesn't stay for a cigarette that's already been smoked.'

She lifted her long dress as she slowly made her way back to the hall.

The mayor was already on the side of the stage. He was going to announce the spokesman of the tourism district who would be accompany Amanda. He held the envelope containing the name of the spokesman in his hands—the spokesman was chosen by officials of the government via a voting system. Everyone took a collective breath waiting for the mayor to open the envelope.

As soon as he saw Amanda, Rufus went to her right away. He pulled her aside as he donned a cold look on his face.

"Stop this. I don't want to do this. I don't want to be the spokesman,"

he said through gritted teeth. Rufus, unlike Lionel, didn't like to be in the spotlight. Also, he only ever did things if he wanted to. In that, he had no plans of developing his businesses in G City.

"I can't! They're already about to announce it. It's already done!"

Amanda said, taken aback.

"Yes, you can. You're the one that started this whole thing. You most certainly can make mayor cancel this! Or I'll go on that stage and you know what I am going to do!"

Rufus suddenly exerted himself as he held her wrist. Amanda changed her expression. She was writhing as he tightened his grip on her wrist. The look on her face changed.

Amanda was a pianist so her biggest assets were her two hands. She couldn't believe it when Rufus tried to hurt her hand but she knew that now was not the time to test his patience.

"Let go and I'll go talk to the mayor."

Deep inside, Amanda was hurt. She couldn't believe Rufus was acting like this when all she wanted was the best for him.

However, the look on Rufus's face made Amanda shrink in fear. She knew his temper and if she went on any longer, he would break her hand in just a snap.

Rufus roughly dropped Amanda's hand and scowled at her. As she was rubbing her wrist, Amanda spotted Cassandra in a corner watching them.

She decided to change her plan—she reached out and grabbed Rufus's arm.

"Rufus, come with me please and tell the mayor yourself. It's the same thing,"

Amanda said, changing her expression. She looked absolutely ravishing under this light and with that bright smile of hers. Her voice was sweet like an angel.

To Cassandra, however, Amanda was nothing but a spoiled brat.

Rufus was standing with his back to Cassandra so she could only see Amanda's face. They were walking towards the mayor with Amanda dragging Rufus's arm. As they glided across the hall, she wore a beautiful smile and they looked gorgeous as a couple.

Suddenly, Cassandra found her gasping for air. She retreated far enough that she was now standing in front of the buffet table. She tried to extend her hand in the pretense of grabbing a glass of water.

But then, a woman walked over and reached out to take the last glass of water. She lifted it to her lips and took a sip.

Cassandra's hand had frozen mid-air momentarily before she realized what was going on.

"Cassandra. you look good. Word on the block is you've got about every other project in town."

On Ivy's lips was a light smile playing but her eyes betrayed its sincerity.

Cassandra knew that Ivy was purposely taunting her so she bit her lips close and acted like she hadn't heard her.

If Cassandra was being frank, she really didn't know what she truly felt about Ivy.

She partly hated Ivy because Ivy had already tricked her once by accusing her of something she didn't do. Fortunately, that was how Cassandra was able to divorce Lionel. She also had some pity for Ivy too.

There had to be another reason or otherwise Ivy never would've made her own baby disappear. However, it was still pretty obvious that Ivy was once trying to replace her in the Tang family.

Cassandra could not, for the life of her, understand how a woman could just spend her life leeching onto a man. 'I could never do that, ' Cassandra thought to herself.

Cassandra always had faith in herself and she knew that to get the life she wanted, she had to be strong and independent.

That was why she never accepted any of Rufus's offers to help. Instead, she spent her energy working to help herself.

"Thanks for your concern. Yes, Qin Group is quite busy nowadays,"

Cassandra replied politely then turned around to leave. She never had enough patience to deal with Ivy for very long because she could see how fake Ivy was being to her. And she didn't want to start a fight or anything.

Whenever she recalled how Ivy threw herself down the stairs, Cassandra still felt disgusted. She didn't know what stupid and insane idea this woman had up her sleeve this time. Either way, she didn't want to get involved anymore.

Rufus and Amanda made their way towards the mayor. Amanda wore a beautiful smile on her face.

"Excuse me, mayor. I need to talk to you."

Since Charlie was in excellent terms with the mayor, all of the other government officials respected Amanda.

"What can I do for you, Miss Ke?"

The mayor asked, looking at Amanda intently.

"So here's the thing. Rufus thinks he hasn't stayed in G City long enough to qualify as a spokesman so... he was hoping you could give the title to someone else,"

Amanda said light-heartedly but she made sure her tone was final and conclusive.

The mayor seemed shocked. He looked at Amanda then at Rufus, then stifled a chuckle.

"Miss Ke, although you recommended Mr. Luo and we took that in consideration. Ultimately, the spokesman was still decided by the votes. To be honest, even I don't know whose name is in this envelope,"

the mayor lifted his hand to wave the envelope in front of them, on his face was a kind smile.