For Cassandra, Rufus's accusation of her was akin to standing naked in the middle of a freezing winter.
Dylon opened his mouth to explain but Cassandra chimed in right away. She had a huge smile on her face as she reached out and took his arm.
"Well, didn't you disappear after taking a call from some woman? Isn't that the same?"
Cassandra questioned Rufus and looked straight into his eyes boldly. It seemed like she was trying to provoke him but deep inside, she felt nothing but sadness.
Was he implying she couldn't wait to throw herself into another man's arms? Did Rufus see her as a slut?
All of the sweet words Rufus had once whispered in her ear meant nothing to her now.
Dylon was frozen because so many things had happened in the last few days from people assuming he was Lyndsy's boyfriend to being used by Cassandra as a shield.
Rufus narrowed his eyes and looked back into Cassandra's eyes. She was glaring at him.
Cassandra felt her legs weaken but she didn't give in—she managed to power through as she stared Rufus down.
In her heart, Cassandra tried to make herself feel better by cheering herself on, 'No one can defeat you, Cassandra! Don't give in now!'
She felt a lump in her throat. How she wished she could cry it all out but she held her tears back. She raised her chin and glared at Rufus.
"It's not what you think,"
Rufus said and looked at Cassandra, knowing very well she was just being stubborn and defiant. He didn't have much patience left.
While it was true that Amanda had called him, Rufus had refused Amanda and he only left to see Charlie. He simply chose not to tell Cassandra for fear that she might get upset.
He preferred Cassandra to know nothing. As long as she stayed beside him, she would be happy and satisfied, wouldn't she?
"So what's it like? I believe what I see; and what I saw was you went out after you answered the phone,"
Cassandra grimaced. Actions spoke louder than words, right?
"What about what I just saw now? Is there any truth to that?"
Rufus found Cassandra's smile unpleasant. His heart prickled as if a dagger was stabbing it.
"Yes, Rufus, what you just saw is the truth. Since you're lying to me, I don't see any reason why we should still be talking. Now if you'll excuse us, there's something I need to discuss with Dylon."
Then Cassandra took Dylon's arm, looped hers around it and walked past Rufus.
Everyone was bewildered. Lyndsy was so surprised that she almost dropped her sunglasses.
How could Cassandra humiliate Rufus in public like that!
Rufus clenched his fists. The veins on his temples bulged. Jasper was filled with apprehension how Rufus would respond, so he led Rufus out of the club to avoid more conflicts.
"Let's go, Rufus. We should go now!"
Rufus let himself be pushed by Jasper until they were outside the club. When they arrived at the gate, Rufus immediately threw a punch at the column on one side.
Jasper flinched at the sound of Rufus punching the hard cement.
Then he turned to look at Rufus. The latter still had a cold look on his face. His eyes were gleaming as if he was planning something that no one else knew about.
"You're too impulsive. How could you embarrass Cassandra in front of so many people! You went too far."
Jasper frowned. He felt what Rufus said to Cassandra was inappropriate.
Rufus was conflicted. He wasn't one to be impulsive and rash, but when it came to Cassandra, he just turned into a different man.
Seeing Cassandra close to Dylon just made him jealous, so he spoke those words without even thinking twice.
"But Cassandra was stubborn too! She could have explained to you but she didn't. Both of you are stubborn!"
Jasper placed a hand on Rufus's shoulder and patted him gently as a way to comfort him.
Rufus and Cassandra were so much alike. They would never let their pride down to talk to one another when they were fighting. It would take them a long time before they would understand one another fully.
Meanwhile, Cassandra, in the room, kept her head down. Lyndsy had to call her name to get her attentiontried since she was so preoccupied.
"Dylon's going to A City tomorrow for the rescue, so I'd like to propose a toast to him. Dylon, as your friends, we hope you can take a good care of yourself. Be safe and we will see you when you get back!"
Lyndsy downed the glass and turned to check Cassandra whose mind was obviously somewhere else. She didn't know what to do with this lifeless and downhearted Cassandra.
"Don't do this, Cassandra. Come on. It's just a fight, nothing serious,"
Lyndsy said as she filled the glass with more wine. Her face was starting to redden.
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