A Graduation Gift

Chapter 253 The Trap (Part Six)

Cassandra's heart ached as she listened to her mother weep over the phone. She suddenly forgot all about her nagging from a while ago and spoke with utmost care, "Mom, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't worry you. I promise you, all the gossip and news about my affair will be gone within a year. I won't continue with Rufus in such a state for long."

She thought of the agreement she had made with Rufus, according to which after giving birth to his baby, she would be set free.

For the rest of her life, she could be with her own family. She could live a simple life, like she had always wanted, and never fool herself in the name of love again.

"What? Are you planning to marry him? Can Rufus marry you under Tang family's pressure?"

Edith's skeptical tone was enough to convey she had misinterpreted Cassandra's words.

Cassandra didn't know how she would explain the situation to her. Although Rufus was Horace's son, he wasn't going to heed in any kinds of arrangements Horace made for him, unlike Lionel—who was incapable of making his own choices and a total coward. Rufus had always been firm about wanting to marry her. It was she who didn't want it.

"Mom, just stop asking. All I can tell you is I have a plan. I'll make sure everything settles soon. Don't worry."

Hearing Cassandra give a vague reply, Edith started nagging her again. The conversation finally ended when Cassandra promised to visit her by the end of the month.

After hanging up, she heaved a deep sigh of relief. All kinds of feelings persisted in her mind, regarding Edith and Cloris.

But she continued to feel uneasy like she was before the phone call, about what Whitney had said to her. She felt like there was something she had forgotten but couldn't even point her finger at what it was.

"You don't look quite like yourself today. Is there something bothering you?" Rufus asked Cassandra, back in the villa.

Cassandra stood chopping vegetables in Garden Villa's cozy and homely kitchen. One hand that held the knife, went up and down rhythmically, like a machine; while the other looked absolutely still, somehow was just holding the onions instead of pushing them forward.

Rufus noticed her looking far off and cold as he came into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Something was clearly wrong with her.

"No big deal. It's just something about work."

His words pulled her out of her musings, and she went back to cooking swiftly. Quickly, she finished chopping the onions and lettuce, and started preparing the food.

It didn't take long for the lovely aroma of the meal to permeate the kitchen. Rufus inhaled deeply, already satiated at how amazing it smelled.

Since she had signed the agreement, Cassandra hadn't mentioned breaking up even once, and seemed a lot invested in their relationship.

When the thought of Cassandra turning docile occurred to him, Rufus couldn't help but feel elated.

Cassandra wore her lounge-wear clothes. They were the kind of clothes girls wore for Yoga. The material stuck to her skin, accentuating the curves of her body, making her look extraordinarily alluring.

The apron she wore consisted of pastoral colors—green for the grass and trees, and blue for the clear sky. It was decorated with pink cherry blossoms which gave it a gentle, spring-like feeling.

Rufus couldn't resist himself. He walked toward her and scooped her into his arms.

"Don't you think it's troublesome to cook everyday? Do you need me to hire a domestic helper?"

"The domestic helper is not going to be as dedicated to the meals as I am."

It took no time for her to reject Rufus's offer. She didn't even want a helper on an hourly basis, much less a domestic helper, who would be in the house 24/7.

Cassandra was trying to divert her attention from all the rumors about their relationship. She maintained a safe distance from him when they were in public. Even in the Union meetings, she stayed as far from him as possible.

She was concerned regarding the gossip about them, and that Rufus would fall into a conflict with the Tang family yet again because of it.

She was ready to go to all lengths to avoid anything that could potentially pose harm to Rufus. How could she allow a domestic helper in the house, who would watch them living together affectionately?

Clearly, Rufus misunderstood her intention. He simply giggled behind her, hugging her tightly.

"So, you want me to taste the food you cook everyday?" he asked, playfully. This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

He beamed at Cassandra as his heart started to brim with contentment and warmth. This was the feeling of home he longed for.

Cassandra bobbed her head at him, figuring he was thinking otherwise. Still, she didn't try to explain the real reason and instead presented an excuse.

"You get me wrong. I just feel safer when I cook myself. Moreover, who can cook a more nutritious meal than my own self? If I don't, how will I ensure that my body is in good shape to conceive your baby?"

Cassandra spoke in an indifferent tone, and didn't respond warmly to Rufus's attempts at intimacy. She then freed herself from his embrace and went back to cooking.

Rufus stiffened, and slowly, he loosened his grip from her body, stepping back. An inexplicable pain rose in his heart.

'Is she simply trying to annoy me, or does she really think so?' Rufus thought in doubt. 'Is she waiting to get rid of me as soon as possible, or does she actually wish to have a baby that belongs to both of us?'

Cassandra, however, was oblivious to Rufus's emotions and dilemma. Her mind was still occupied with thoughts about Cloris. She got so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice the lettuce on the pan had started to burn.

Upon smelling the char, she finally snapped out of it and turned the gas off instantly, transferring the food to a plate. She was saddened further by how awful and unappetizing the dish looked.

"Well, how nutritious do you think this is?" Rufus asked in an ironical tone.

He was already irritated by Cassandra's cold responses. When he saw the disastrous dish, he couldn't help showing his disgruntlement.

"You can choose not to eat!" Cassandra raised her voice to reply.

Angrily, she carried this plate and another with the other dishes she'd cooked to the dining room. She thudded the plates onto the table, venting her fury.

"Women are indeed small-minded. I only spoke the truth. Why are you getting so angry?"

Even though he was complaining, his actions spoke otherwise.

Rufus sat next to Cassandra and began eating.

"Although your cooking skills aren't very impressive, I won't discourage you by refusing to eat. Just be more careful next time."

Rufus calmed down in a bit and realized he had been too harsh on her. She had cooked after coming home post work and might have been so exhausted. He, on the other hand, simply expected to enjoy a delicious dish with no efforts. However, once he thought of the senseless explanation she gave for not hiring a domestic helper, his anger surged up again. 'Does she want to leave me so badly?

Does she hate living with me? But what about the love that I see in her eyes and actions?

Well, to understand a woman's heart is indeed like looking for a needle in the hay. What exactly is bothering her?' Rufus asked himself. He was nonplussed at his lack of ability to understand this little woman.