A Graduation Gift novel Chapter 2

The long night in Rome was freezing cold.

Cassandra Qin ran to the deck in haste. The chilly breeze blew against her hauntingly beautiful face as she stared aimlessly into the distant sea. Her past saddened her. She rhythmically tapped her forehead absentmindedly. She looked rather bothered with her own thoughts.

Today was her last day in Rome. She was due to graduate from her university shortly and would soon have to bid farewell to this beautiful country.

The student union had scheduled their graduation ball on the cruise ship. She had been so enthralled with the celebration that she had drunk more than she could handle. Things went out of control and Cassandra held herself tightly in the wind to allay her fears. She felt herself slide into the past memories. 'Why on earth have I done that?' thought she.

Her head throbbed steadily thanks to her heavy consumption of alcohol. The hangover didn't allow her to remember much from the last night except for the sharp pain that she had experienced. "Rufus Luo," she murmured the name unconsciously. The image of this man was not quite clear but haunted her like a ghost.

The wind was howling on the deck. She didn't retreat to her cabin instead, she stood in the cold, to try and sober herself. Her mind was a mess, however, old memories flashed through her mind unexpectedly. It had almost been four years since she came to Rome.

"Cassandra, it is fine that you decided to go abroad to further your education. However, you always need to remember that you are a married woman.

I am sure you are aware of the things that are expected of married women. There is no need for me to nag you with the details anymore."

Her mother's words still rang in her mind.

Cassandra's lips curled up bitterly as she remembered her mother's face. Before she came to Rome to study, her mother had given her detailed instructions to govern her daily life. Usually, married women were not supposed to venture abroad without their families. It was quite uncommon in her family. However, her mother had supported her and eventually, she got to realise her dream. The cruise ship continued its course on the calm ocean. Stars shone brightly above Cassandra's head as she was lost in nostalgia. The night breeze seemed to be chronicling the past against her ears.

Cassandra Qin suddenly realised that she was married and her face twisted in a scornful smile. 'How ridiculous, ' she thought to herself, 'I am indeed married to someone.' The funny thing was, she had been married for almost four years now. However, she only met with her so-called husband four times. The whole marriage thing was just a farce for her.

They were married not because of love but for the union of two families. In order not to disappoint her parents, she had to contract an alliance with a wealthy man. However, she had no feelings toward him. Similarly, he couldn't care less about her either.

"The only thing I can give you is a marriage certificate. Apart from that, do not expect anything from me,"

said Lionel Tang, the man whose name was written against hers on the marriage certificate. The irony of the situation was not lost on her. His cold words slashed through her on her wedding night and he was serious. He never touched her. The marriage certificate was just a piece of paper. It brought Cassandra no joy whatsoever. The thought of Lionel Tang depressed her. She quickly shook her head against the wind, trying to rid her of her foul mood.