A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 139

The world went pitch black as Cassandra gingerly closed her eyes, then the colors of her surroundings burst out when she opened them again. She had imagined her encounter with Rufus countless times just several hours before now. Finally, she was a free person—she could come to see him without being judged and it wouldn't be against her morals either.

Maybe, while she slept, Rufus would silently go to her bedside and kiss her gently on the face. The tenderness would awaken her from her sleepy form and she would open her eyes in delight. Their eyes would meet at the first beam of sunshine, and they would smile at each other.

Or, she would welcome his arrival while she basked under the warmest sunlight at noon. They would embrace each other so tight and step on their shadows as if burying all their miseries in the past.

Or again, he would find her at dusk, where the entire sky would be a wistful red. His eyes would be attractively dark brown like always, and he would whisper to her the sweetest words from his heart…

In all the scenes that she had envisioned, there were only two of them. What she had wished for, was the life between only the two of them.

Never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined that when they came across each other again, there were three of them—and ironically, she seemed to be the outsider.

Her eyes scanned down her own body—dark stains were smeared on her clothes, and her hands still holding the spade she used for digging were muddy.

Beads of sweat trickled down from her forehead. Her clothes were glued to her back, and she could almost hear the sound of the fabric rubbing against her skin when she started to move.

This definitely wasn't an ideal encounter.

There by the porch stood Rufus and a proud, gorgeous woman by his side. Her eyes didn't intend to hide her boiling contempt for Cassandra.

A frown marred Rufus's face. The beautiful woman had asked a question, but her voice was drowned in his thoughts. He didn't respond, as he seemed to be quite confused with what he saw in front of him.

"Cassandra, what are you doing here?" he asked in doubt.

His voice wasn't gentle; his expression wasn't tender; he didn't even intend to give her a warm hug. It was a totally different scene from her dream.

He was even holding the hand of another woman. Cassandra didn't know how to respond, but she managed to squeeze out a few words.

"I…I'm just planting some flowers..." Silence hung like a heavy curtain in the air.

Awkwardness crept through her skin as if she was the intruder who had broken into this property and even dug an ugly hole in the yard without the owner's consent.

"Isn't it cold outside? Come in," he said.

When the words came out of his lips, his brows were still creased, and then he walked into the room.

The woman beside him followed suit, and Cassandra was left outside petrified like a statue.

Suddenly, the woman in red whipped her head around and shot Cassandra a meaningful glance. A huge smile was plastered on her face—it was a smile that meant triumph and victory.

Her lips curved into a willful smile in silence; then she turned her beautiful, arrogant head back and followed Rufus's footsteps.

A gust of the night breeze kissed Cassandra's skin, making it quiver with goosebumps.

Her body that felt so hot just now after her wearisome activities, was now like it was the coldest thing in a winter night.

'Who is this woman? Why is she able to hold Rufus's hand so naturally? Why didn't he reject her?

Why was he not excited to see me? Why did he frown at me?' she asked herself.

Overwhelmed by the endless questions, Cassandra blankly stared at the half-closed door in a daze.

The door was abruptly pushed open. The woman poked her head out of the door and glimpsed at her.

Raising a hand to wave at Cassandra, she sent a flying kiss, and then shut the door.

Cassandra felt so silly on the inside.

'That woman was saying goodbye to me. She even gave me a flying kiss to bid farewell and asked me to leave.

I must look so stupid! I thought I have settle down here, but it turned out that I've occupied someone else's place, ' Cassandra ridiculed herself.

The depressing thoughts swallowed her mind as she retreated slowly. She went back until she reached the gate of the yard, then she glanced at the faint yellow sky. The sullen sun was setting behind the thick gloomy clouds, just like her mood. In a flash, she turned around and ran. Her legs sprinted as if she was running for her life.

'The wind is blowing fast, isn't it? Otherwise, why are my tears even blown out?' Cassandra wondered.

The wind beat her face and tangled through her hair as she ran even faster.

The grieving tears streamed down her face and onto her lips. 'That's salty, ' she thought.

This place was not familiar to her. Rufus's villa was located near the suburb and was surrounded by the woods. Hardly any people could be seen in this desolate area.

However, Cassandra just ran and ran, until she lost track of time. It was only when she couldn't catch her breath anymore that she slowed her steps down.

She bent down and waited for a few moments to regain her breath. Shortly after she looked up at the sky and as far as she could see, the only thing beyond the woods was the orange sun. It radiated a dim glow which painted the entire horizon of its color before it fell completely behind the trees.

Her stiff body stood still as she watched the sun disappear bit by bit into the horizon. Soon enough, darkness fell.

'Cassandra, you see. You have waited from dawn till night. What you actually saw was not Rufus whom you have desired, nor the happy future that you have always dreamed about.

It's too bad that this is only a wishful thinking on your part, ' she internally scorned at herself.

A bitter smile graced her lips as she grinned at her silliness and naivety.