A Graduation Gift

The sun beat down hard at the airport in G City, making everyone sweat with its oppressive heat. Summer in G City was always like this. No one ever looked their best; women's hair frizzed up, and their makeup slowly began to slide down their faces. Men bore sweat stains in their armpits, and their clothes clung in places they'd rather they didn't. But at the airport's exit, a beautiful woman, seemingly untouched by the elements, strode out, pulling a huge suitcase behind her. This heat wasn't getting her down. She was in a great mood.

"Cassandra! Here!"

A middle-aged woman dressed in a stunning dark-colored floral print cheongsam waved her arm, calling out to Cassandra. Clearly, she was excited to finally see her. The older woman looked quite elegant for her age and had a shapely body. Her name was Edith Fang, and she was Cassandra's mother.

"Hi, Mom!"

Cassandra immediately spotted her mother through the throngs of people waiting to be picked up by their loved ones, and waved back. Though she hadn't heard it in four years, she was far too familiar with her mother's voice to not recognize it.

Edith Fang was already past 40 years old, but you couldn't tell by looking at her. It was obvious she went to great pains to take good care of her skin and body; she didn't look a day over 30. She wore a loving smile on her face and had a twinkle of pride in her eyes when she looked at Cassandra. The two easily could have been twins; they wore the same expressions on their faces. Yes, it had been four long, excruciating years without any meeting between them. They missed each other like hell. It was hard for most people to imagine the pain of being away from your family for so long, especially your mom. It was a bittersweet reunion. But at the time Cassandra went away, there simply was no other choice.

Cassandra excitedly ran towards her mother, dropping her suitcase on the ground. She threw her arms around her, hugging her tightly. She never wanted to be away from her mother again. As soon as they touched, tears started streaming down Cassandra's face. She was so choked up with emotion that her voice became shaky.

"Mom, I'm finally back! I missed you so much!"

They locked in an embrace, breathing in each other's familiar scent. Four years ago, Cassandra married Lionel Tang to please her mother. She endured all the harsh conditions and rigid rules the Tang family had imposed upon her but finally achieved her dream of studying abroad.

During the past four years studying abroad, she hadn't been allowed to contact anyone in her own family. For Cassandra, the most important person in her life was her mother. That was why she missed her most of all. She couldn't believe she was seeing her mother in the flesh after all this time. To be able to touch her and see her face brought her so much joy.

"You are back now. That's all that matters, my baby. You are finally back."

Edith Fang's own voice, too, was shaky and overwhelmed with emotion. Neither of them could stanch the flow of tears from their eyes. Edith Fang looked at her daughter, her vision blurred by the stream of tears. This was really her Cassandra. At long last, her Cassandra was here. Edith Fang gasped, but no words could escape from her throat. Cassandra, too, was speechless at the sight of her blubbering mother, though she flashed a knowing smile to Edith Fang.

The brief reunion was interrupted by the ring of Cassandra's phone. They reluctantly let go of each other, trying to compose themselves. Wiping her tears with her sleeve, Cassandra took a deep breath and reached for the phone in her pocket.

screen. Cassandra turned the phone so Edith Fang could see the caller's name, as if to silently ask whether she should answer it. Something indefinable flickered in Edith Fang's eyes, but she quickly composed her face and glanced back

run away from anymore. You just have to face them. But pick up the

gentle voice. Cassandra nodded her head, picked up the call and put

you up myself. I have

was Horace Tang, her

mom is already here to pick me up. I can go back myself. No need to bother

voice was polite but distant, as if she was speaking to a complete stranger, not her father-in-law for over four

arranged for us to have dinner together. Spend some time with your mother. I know that

gentle and caring, just

See you later,"

hung up the phone. She tried to pretend the call hadn't taken her aback, that hearing her father-in-law's voice hadn't rattled her. She slipped the phone back in her pocket, and acted like nothing

so many things I have to

a fraction of the things Cassandra had endured. Her heart ached for her daughter.

of the waiting car. During the drive, Cassandra regaled her mother with funny stories and interesting things that had happened to her during her years abroad. Edith Fang listened intently, even laughing here and there at some of Cassandra's tales. Seeing her daughter's happy smile after four years, Edith Fang's eyes couldn't help but redden again. She felt guilty.

Fang married her off to the son of the Tang family. But seeing Cassandra had finally achieved her dream of studying abroad, Edith's guilt diminished a bit. Cassandra's

me. During your years

because she knew she

what she was asking. The handsome stranger's face flashed through her mind, and she was suddenly reminded of the hot night of their passionate lovemaking.

not! What

hand on Edith's to comfort her. She looked uneasy, but only for a moment, so Edith Fang didn't notice. She calmly smiled at her mother through the panic inside

sorry. If it weren't for me, you

the awful past and the joyful present was a jumble of emotions Edith Fang couldn't quite parse. Cassandra immediately