A Graduation Gift

This was perhaps the first time that Cassandra was dreaming during an afternoon nap. She'd fallen asleep in a distorted position in the office chair.

Time flew fast in her dream. Seasons changed in seconds. One second it was summer; then, autumn; next instance, winter. As she stood there looking at the leaves and light change around her, a shadow accompanied her. She recognized it to be Rufus, standing next to her, through the tumultuous changes.

The spring flowers were beautiful and so were the fallen autumn leaves. The winter snow glistened so beautifully it stunned her.

She looked at Rufus through flying hair in front of her eyes, grabbed his hand and walked in the snow. Their heads were covered in gently falling snow, making it look like they had grey hair. It looked like they were a couple grown old together. Dreams often, were considered to a method of wish fulfilment.

Cassandra always believed the idea of two people in love growing together was the most beautiful and romantic thing in the world. She had always imagined to be with someone who she could share this with. Before she could enjoy that imagined reality in her dream, Stella entered the office.

Cassandra opened her eyes, perturbed by the slight sound of the door closing behind Stella. She had always been a light sleeper and woke up very easily. She raised her head and saw Stella looking down at her.

"Oh... Stella. What's the matter?"

On finding it was her best friend who had entered the room, Cassandra let down her guard, slid back in her chair and rested her head on the desk again. She was still sleepy.

"Whose is this from?"

Stella asked, waving a white paper card at her, confused.

Cassandra got alert the moment she saw the card. Her eyes widened in surprise and panic took hold of her for a second.

"Oh, I have no idea. Maybe someone dropped it unintentionally,"

Cassandra said, taking the card from her and throwing it in the trash bin under her desk. There was still a slight hint of panic on her face.

Stella had always been a careless person. But Cassandra's unnatural behavior was so obvious that even she found it strange. She could tell when her friend was nervous or trying to hide something.

As Stella glanced around the office, her eyes landed on a round trace of water on Cassandra's desk, It looked like something had been placed on the desk, which left some water behind.

The size of the circle looked quite familiar. It looked exactly like the size of the container Stella had seen in the trash can!

Stella furrowed her eyebrows, recalling how nervous Victor was when she ran into him and how Cassandra had a similar reaction. Something was surely going on between those two. Or was it a mere coincidence?

Stella had always sensed Victor treated Cassandra specially. One time, he would even put lumps of sugar in her coffee himself.

And today, as per Stella's instinct, he'd bought lunch for Cassandra.

had even tried to destroy the evidence by throwing the container away, to keep this a secret.

was fishy. Could it be that

was why Cassandra got all nervous about it? Was she

didn't think a sturdy and intimidating man like Victor would have such beautiful handwriting. It looked so elegant, like a girl's. She

Cassandra with squinting, complicated eyes.

I think we should talk," she said, gently

conversation, in order to warn her. What she was doing was very dangerous. As a friend,

"A talk... About what?"

serious face made her stomach drop. She had a bad

suspected something already? Maybe that was why she wanted to talk

for her hand. She

of us. But the most important thing is realizing

with a deep frown on her face. It seemed like she really was

"Stella... I..."

for words. She didn't now how to respond. It definitely seemed like Stella

to it as a

in the Tang group knows what kind of man Lionel is. Ever since that video of him making out with that other woman has come out, everyone has started to see the real side of him and that he is in the wrong. He isn't a faithful husband at all. But, he is, after all, Horace Tang's son which is why no

had come out at the victory banquet, shocking

was the day Stella had realized life was indeed like a soap opera at times. She'd never expected to witness such a big drama. And she couldn't even

he is. I just don't want to talk about him. Everyone has

willing to face the consequences. When she thought of Ivy who was pregnant with her husband's child and staying in Tang family's house under the same roof with her, she felt like a big loser. Even at the beginning of this marriage when she had already expected to be unhappy, she hadn't thought things will get twisted to

Ivy. They were already together before Cassandra had come along. Honestly, she was the reason for the crack in their relationship. And now, even though she was Lionel's legal wife, she still felt like a third party infiltrating someone else's relationship. No

I don't want to talk about Lionel either. All I'm trying to tell you is Victor is a really nice man. He is the kind of man who doesn't talk

about Victor. She

no idea why Stella would bring up Victor out of nowhere. Whatever they were talking about had nothing to

a minute, Stella. What are you talking about? Why is Victor in the

Stella, staring at her quizzically.

really can't live with Lionel anymore and want to pursuit your own happiness, you should divorce him first and then get together with Victor. That's the right thing to do. If you are with Victor without divorcing Lionel,

continued, somberly. Her grip

first. I am on your side, no matter who

bitter feeling crept up in her heart. She was

could sacrifice her own happiness

let out a sigh of