A Graduation Gift

From inside the room, Amanda felt even more agitated than she already was with the conversation she could not help overhearing.

She hated that people gossiped behind her back. Why did she have to be in this situation?

In her irritation, she randomly took a vase from her bedside table and threw it violently against the door. After the loud clash, the voices outside finally ceased.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Tears welled up in her eyes.

She had spent so much time preparing for the wedding just so she could paint a great image of herself in front of so many people.

She wanted to be the star of the show, to be admired and envied.

To her disappointment, Rufus and Cassandra didn't come.

It felt as if she punched something with all her might and suddenly realized that her target was made of a parcel of cotton instead of something more solid. Her effort ended up harming only herself instead of her opponent.

Images of Rufus and Cassandra flashed across her mind. As she pictured their loving gazes and sweet caresses on each other, her heart burned with inextinguishable jealousy.

Suddenly, the door to the make-up room opened. It was Clark. He immediately spotted the broken vase on the floor.

"What's this?" he inquired.

He apparently spotted the group of people who came out of Amanda's room with caution on their faces. This immediately gave him a hint that something went wrong so he took it upon himself to check on Amanda.

As he had expected, the pampered woman threw a tantrum and made a huge mess.

Wordlessly, she shot Clark a furious glare.

"Oh, are you angry? Come, show everyone that you're angry. What good is it doing you when you're just displaying your temper to no one but yourself?"

he said sarcastically.

This made Amanda even more infuriated. She took another item and smashed it on the floor. Normally, she was subdued and restrained when she was in front of Clark. At that moment though, she found herself so overwhelmed with her emotions that she almost forgot all the fear she had for the man in front of her.

Predictably, Clark saw her defiance. Her behavior made his face turn grim.

"Are you testing me?"

Clark said as he drew nearer to intimidate her. She merely glared back with wrath.

"I don't want to get married! I'm not going to marry you!" she shouted.

Suddenly, she wanted to take back her words the moment she said them. She doubted her impulsive remark. Besides, the marriage was a way to secure her safety. Was she really about to throw that away? She had given up on Rufus and allowed Cassandra to take him. Still, she kept suffering.

you

face now, and some cruelty leaked out from them.

GOING TO MARRY

word, showing her stubborn

veil that covered her hair. This was carefully attached and beautifully entangled with her hair. Pulling it out so suddenly made

completely detached and threw it

so close that her

you've forgotten what you should be doing

said with such an ice cold voice that

have pulled her out of her tantrum. She suddenly realized the

"Let… Let me go…"

voice trembled. With all her strength, she tried to escape from Clark's grip, but it was to no avail.

matter? Weren't you proud and firm just now? Weren't you arrogant? Why

his voice. Amanda's entire

into her face until she was consumed with pure terror. At this

he shoved Amanda to the floor. Then, he pressed against her body with

her back exposed. Below her was the cold floor, while

promise, I don't have to keep mine now!" he said

sorry. I'm sorry! Please don't

do to torture her. The mere thought of the possibilities scared her to

sorry? It's too late! I hate

ignoring her pleas. Then, he pressed his lips against her neck. The more she struggled to push him away, the

streamed down her face. She felt as if

are you

had been looking for Clark and was told by someone that he could be in the make-up room where Amanda was.

stopped Clark on his tracks. Forcibly suppressing her emotions, Amanda managed to

on top of her; her body shivered like a falling leaf in the

now, Clark. You need to attend to

and had been spending the whole

to commence soon. Quick!" he insisted.

it necessary to push. 'What is wrong with these two? Why are they still dilly-dallying? It's almost time to

Dad. Okay! We are coming

pushed the body on top

collected himself, and

the hairdresser. I'll need some touch-up,"

look at the mirror, she knew how badly she must look right

the rest of the crew entered. None of them

disheveled appearance was then cleaned up. Soon, she looked like the gorgeous bride she was before her

they exchanged vows, any hope of a future with Rufus would be gone forever.