A Graduation Gift

The darkness fell upon the city in soft waves, as if mirroring the soft ebb and flow of the sea that surrounded its borders. The scent of salt, sand, and sea breeze, wafted into the open windows of citizens retiring for the day, and G city was lulled by the calming sound of water lapping the shore.

In the midst of the seemingly unbreakable calmness, a white car was driving leisurely to the center of the city. A young woman in dark sun glasses, a loose, casual shirt and light blue jeans was sitting at the passenger seat, watching the line of the horizon from the window. She closed her eyes, and breathed in, her long hair cascading down her shoulders.

She spent the daytime with her mother, and now it was time for Cassandra to go back to the Tang family. From time to time, she still felt as if she was living inside a dream. The fact that she was now back to the country where she used to live floated like the sound of distant music in her head.

Gone was Rome and its basilicas and cobbled streets that shone under the blazing streetlamps. Now, she was in G City, a place that was both familiar and foreign at the same time.

Cassandra was pulled out of her musing when the car made a sharp turn and entered her destination. A wide lawn greeted her as the vehicle drove into one of the best villas in the city. The whole place was designed in the Gothic style. The red iron gate opened to welcome her visit. Flowers of all kinds bloomed in the garden, lending a warm and cozy atmosphere to the area.

The owner, the Tang family had undeniable prominence. Many considered them to be the most powerful in the city.

The mansion rose like an impenetrable fortress - inspiring awe to anyone else who stood in its midst. The walls gleamed against the sunset, and bright lights flowed from the glass windows. Cassandra felt her stomach churn despite the magnificent view that unfolded in front of her. The Tang family, despite their coveted status, had brought her not a single tinge of happiness. She steeled herself as she felt the car roll to a halt. Once again, she was back to this wretched place.

"Mrs. Tang, we have arrived," the driver called to her quietly.

After parking his car, he ceremoniously stepped out to open the door for the lady.

Cassandra gave the gentleman a polite smile and alighted. Taking off her sun glasses, she stared at the castle-like house, with a hint of a cold smile barely visible on her lips.

'Mrs. Tang, ' she scoffed inwardly. 'It seems as if they are still keeping up with the fa?ade.'

voice announced the middle of the room.

man's face - deep lines stretching on his forehead and crinkling the corner of his eyes,

her, opening his arms, but before he could put them around her, a sharp exclamation echoed from the back.

a perfectly arched brow at Cassandra's clothes. She did not

Xie was Horace's wife, a lady of very high esteem. It was unthinkable for her to appear dressed as such. She trailed an appalled eye over Cassandra, lingering on the cotton shirt and denim, as if their very existence was an unthinkable offense. It was absolutely uncharacteristic for a lady of her position to

"Father, Mother,"

mother-in-law courteously, speaking as if Jill Xie had said nothing

was Horace who spoke up. "You must be tired from traveling. Take a seat first. Lionel will be back any moment now,"

calmness was a stark contrast to Jill Xie's rough and stern words, but as of the moment, her mind was fixated on the name that Horace had just uttered. How long had it been

how the man on

face and she looked to the side, as if seeing Cassandra would be an eyesore. Horace sank into the soft leather, leaning

sat down, the unmistakable sound of a car pierced the wordless space among the three of them. Cassandra started to feel uneasy, as if there was a premonition

is

words, the old woman abruptly stood up and

been four years since she had last seen Lionel, her husband, the man who was supposed to be the closest person to her in the world. However, there was no excitement or joy in this meeting for her. She felt the

features. Right after he entered the house, his hands pulled at his tie and he threw it down on the sofa. The black pools of his eyes shone with

emotion she knew would undoubtedly make its presence known. The pain came slowly, reluctantly, like water slowly eroding the surface of a stone, and then it forced its way to her. She

gaze quickly, and turned her eyes elsewhere. She could feel her hands moisten with sweat and she swallowed to relieve the dryness in her