A Graduation Gift

A sudden hush fell over the hubbub of th crowd. One could almost hear a pin drop within the dead silence.

All eyes were fixed at the three people at the center of the issue in question, mouths gaping in shock. Flashes of the cameras halted and hands holding the microphones hung awkwardly suspended in midair even as the media's gaze scrutinized their every movement, looking for signs that would give any secrets away. However, their eyes failed to penetrate their expressions, especially Lyndsy's, as she was wearing huge sunglasses. Thankfully, it served as a good cover up. Nobody would be able to tell her shock beneath the dark shades of the lenses despite the practiced smile on her face.

The next thing Casssandra knew was the sensation of Dylon's arms wrapping around her waist and drawing her closer.

His words and actions were like tranquilizers injecting into the veins of the excited crowd. No one had uttered a word since his declaration. The situation seemed too sudden to completely sink in. Feet were planted into the road in this stupefied silence.

It was Lyndsy who recovered first. She took her sunglasses off, and flashed a big smile to the crowd that had gathered around them.

"I believe the misunderstanding has been cleared up now. As you have just heard, I was having dinner with two of my friends the other day, and I have no idea why it was only me and my male friend on the photos. Camera angles, maybe? I'm sure you would know better than me," she remarked cheerfully, although the implication rang loud and clear to everyone. Either that, or the photos were framed! She chose to leave this last part out. Judging from the reluctant gazes of the reporters, she knew they understood the bite in her seemingly harmless words. "Please give my friends privacy. They're not celebrities, and this is harrassment. The next time this happens, you can be sure that we would take action," she ended, emphasizing the last sentence in a strong and clear voice.

After her words, Lyndsy flashed her billion-dollar smile again. Its warmth had a startling contrast to the coldness in her eyes as she gave an once-over to the reporters in front of her.

Cassandra's mind had completely shut down as she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

'Girlfriend? What were you thinking, Dylon? You should have discussed with me first! Or maybe even given me a hint at least, ' she thought to herself as she struggled to untangle her thoughts.

Gradually, all the media and the paparazzi came to their senses and looked at one another in dumb silence and disbelief.

They had been tailing Lyndsy for the past days to dig up some more dirt. When the news of her dating blew up on the internet, they were sure that they hit the jackpot; and they watched her more closely than ever, knowing it was only a matter of time before a juicy secret revealed itself to them.

The man who snapped a photo at the cafe was one of them. They had sent him to take the pictures of Lyndsy and her so-called boyfriend, but to their surprise, it seemed that they had completely missed the mark.

Dylon's earlier declaration that Cassandra was his girlfriend, not Lyndsy, had left them speechless. The scenario had not crossed their minds. What now? They would look like fools who made a great fuss over nothing. They thought they were digging for gold, which turned out to be useless rocks in the end.

Seeing that his words had taken the journalists by surprise and confusion, Dylon felt his irritation dissipate, replaced by a certain mischief. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

He bent his head and 'kissed' Cassandra on her forehead. His lips did not touch her skin—he merely hovered above her long enough to give them the illusion. He knew that it would confirm his words.

Then he turned to the crowd and smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief. After what they put him through, he felt a distorted sense of satisfaction. He would play them to the end. He was entitled to that much.

"Lyndsy was having dinner with us the other night, so please stop making stories up from unknown and unreliable sources. It hurt both my girlfriend and Lyndsy, and it won't bring you anything but court cases. However, I admire your hard work. You people from the media really have it hard, don't you? I respect your dedication," he paused to keep himself from smirking at his words. "The milk tea and cakes here are wonderful. Please help yourself with them. I'll pick up the tab for this one. Have a good day!" he finished.

Dylon waved a hand to the waiters, instructing them to make a head count of the people there and leaving some cash in their hands.

After that, he took Cassandra's hand and led her out of the cafe.

to give way to three

journalists with a wide smile on her face, and said, as if adding insult to

them as they disappeared, unable

us? This is unreal!" one of

had been thoroughly played.

you see the expression on his face when he kissed his girlfriend?" another one responded in an equally exasperated

of affection, even more so in front

I have no material to write about

reminded of their purpose for coming.

involved in the issue, there was nothing left for

getting an earful

They

at once. The earlier cursing was replaced

and good-looking too! He could totally be

among them did not share the sentiment. He was wearing a scowl and left his food untouched.

Of all things, that son of a bitch even wins them over. What the hell!' he thought angrily. 'I've taken their money to throw mud on Lyndsy, but everything is ruined. This is his goddamned fault. How am I supposed to finish my job now!' he cursed inwardly.

relationship. I need to find something else quickly.' His thought flowed as he racked his desperate brain for ideas.

eyes, coupled with the coldness

of Cassandra's hand once they got to a quiet place, far from the

"They were pushing too far and this was the only thing I could think of to

so sincere and nervous that Cassandra almost felt sorry for him. She smiled at him, equally

rid

overwhelmed in the relief of finally getting away from the reporters and the flash of their cameras that he he wasn't able to respond to Cassandra's words.

of a person to put her into such an awkward position. Something

was around, she embraced her tightly and kissed her on her forehead. Cassandra

you Cassandra! You're a life saver!" she exclaimed as she gathered her in

her earlier. Cassandra let out a sigh of relief as she felt her mood lighten with Lyndsy's brightness. Despite the half-truth of it, she knew she made the right choice to stay silent when Dylon declared her as his girlfriend. She didn't regret it, and Lyndsy was looking much more

up with this time," she said, her chin going up. Then she turned to Dylon and Cassandra and laughed again. "Thanks to both of you, this whole mess is over," she grinned, sincerity

Dylon felt the need to take a step back and be careful, just in case. He looked around them to check once again, and said, "Don't holler till you're out of the woods. I can't believe the questions they asked earlier were so aggressive. I

of good backup strategies. He had a taste of how persistent the paparazzi and the media could be, and he could only imagine what it was like for famous stars to deal with them on a regular basis. They got lucky

to make a scandal out of a made-up relationship that I have, but thanks to both of you, that plan has bitten the dust, and they have nothing left on me. I seriously doubt that after today, they'll

her eyes clear and determined, as if nothing could defeat

she came across as naive sometimes for someone of her stature and experience. He felt as if he had to be