A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 201

Amanda had already seen the doctor and medication had been applied. She lay on the bed in a private ward, wondering if someone would visit her. Her dad had phoned and would be with her in the morning.

She lay motionless on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Her thoughts wondered to a different time. Her life was full of hope, love and direction. There were so many prospects. Why couldn't she find love again? She was a young, naturally beautiful woman. She had long thick cascading black hair and a rounded face with dimples that pieced her olive complexion. Her height was average, but her body was not. Huge eyes reminded you of pools of milk chocolate.

Rufus knew it was nothing serious with her as she was already awake the moment he came in. He motioned by tapping on the door and went to her bedside.

"How are you feeling now?" Rufus asked with a calm voice, still showing no emotions on his perfect face.

His concern for Amanda was purely courteous and out of deep respect for Charlie. Cassandra was all he thought about—he just wanted to go back to her and put his arms around the little woman. She was completely different from Amanda. An image of her sad and hurt face reappeared in his mind, stabbing him on the heart.

His voice brought Amanda back to the present. She rolled her large brown eyes to look at the person who stood in front of her.

Amanda stared into his face. She couldn't let him go yet. Tears were running down her cheeks. This was the man for her. There wasn't anyone else who could compare. She wanted no one else. She wouldn't let up until he was hers again.

Rufus had seen Amanda crying before. She had cried hysterically; he had always turned a blind eye to her. Now, she was crying silently which caught him off guard and made him wonder if anything went wrong.

"What happened?" Rufus asked, concerned.

He narrowed his eyebrows, waiting for her reply.

"Why do you like Cassandra the way you do? She was your sister-in-law, do you like a divorced woman?" Amanda asked in a hurt tone.

Her voice was hoarse and cracked as she spoke. She stared into his eyes searching for answers.

"I like her because she is Cassandra. It has nothing to do with anything else," Rufus said bluntly.

He had changed to a softer tone now, but it was still clear and firm.

"What do you like about her?"

Amanda continued to quiz, looking at his expression. His eyes lit up and warm softness crept in at the thought of Cassandra. The sudden changes on his good-looking face filled her eyes and shattered her heart.

Rufus looked questionably at Amanda. He used to be in love with this once unsophisticated woman. That was then, and he was in love with Cassandra now.

For Amanda however, this wasn't the case. She had never stopped loving Rufus and trying to win him back. 'Cassandra is a very unusual woman, one of a kind, ' Rufus thought.

"I admire her strength, determination, passion and zeal for life. She is kind and generous, with so much love to give. I love her daring, her stubbornness, and her tolerance. There is such a depth to her and her values of family and life are inspiring..."

Rufus's eyes gleamed as he remembered everything about Cassandra, 'What an amazing woman she is.'

Amanda watched Rufus's soft expression, her lips trembling and more tears welling up in her eyes.

'Rufus, ' she thought to herself, 'Why do you like her so much? You have fallen head over heels in love, haven't you? You have explained a perfect woman!

You lavish her with compliments. Why is she so flawless and perfect in your heart?'

Rufus couldn't stop talking and thinking about Cassandra's many virtues. He drew back looking at Amanda and sighed gently.

"She's a complete package and she's completely different from the rest. Why all the questions Amanda?" Rufus asked.

Yes, Cassandra was indeed different from others.

Everyone thought she married Lionel for money, but no one knew about her struggle, suffering, pain and helplessness in that marriage.

Everyone thought that she emptied Lionel's bank account, and profited by her divorce. Rufus knew that she didn't buy a vehicle. Although it was inconvenient, she used public transport or take the taxi to work, to avoid suspicion. She never used the company cars for private purposes and had set an example for many employees.

Everyone thought that she dated Rufus for his position and finances, but it was he who kept her to stay with him, not that she was reluctant to leave.

Everyone thought that she was obsessed with fame and fortune, but only he knew the whole truth behind it. In the face of criticism and bad publicity, she had never complained to him or asked for his help.

If there were an animal to compare her to, it would be the hedgehog, a remarkable animal known for its prickly spines. She would curl into a spiky ball like the little creature when in danger to keep herself from harm rather than come to him for help.

Her company encountered many difficulties, but she never asked for favors or finance or any kind of help. Rufus had offered to help when he heard about the problems, but she always turned him down.