A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was humiliated. Tears of shame ran down her cheeks.

"I hate you, Rufus! I hate you so much as I have never hated anyone before!"

Cassandra roared. The throbbing pressure on her body and her temples almost made her collapse.

"Go ahead! Hate me all you want! I don't give a damn how you feel!" he shot back.

The night seemed long and distressing. Finally, Rufus lay asleep soundly beside her; his exhaustion was evident from the venting.

Cassandra's eyes widened at the sight of the man beside her.

He was fast asleep. Despite his unguarded disposition, tension shone visibly on his face.

His eyebrows were furrowed. 'What is he dreaming about?' she thought.

The tie around her wrists was loosened—a product of her unrelenting struggle. Cassandra gingerly moved her hands and freed them bit by bit

until they were finally fully hers again.

She cautiously pushed herself up and was mildly surprised that Rufus did not wake up to this. He must be exhausted, not just physically, but also mentally.

Every cell in her body hurt. Her wrists were bruised very badly.

She was not sure how she could face the tyrant on the bed. She quietly went to the closet to get some clothes.

It was better for her to leave before Rufus woke up.

She pulled on her clothing, turned around and found Rufus staring right at her. She was taken aback.

"Where are you going?"

His icy voice almost made her jump. She began to tremble.

The sound of the closet door woke him up but he waited until she got dressed to cover the bruises on her body.

'Does she think those clothes would be enough to cover the marks I left on her body? Does she really believe she could escape just like that?

are so naive!' he jeered

but why are you still the one shaking?

was a hint of allure in his voice. Under

normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak. With all her strength, she worked hard to keep

back to bed and let me warm

as he scooped Cassandra up and

you feel so cold,"

her dignity until it

as if her body and

her soul were floating in the air,

you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you

pained her so much to find that the trust she once

of sunlight peeked into the room and

the brightness and warmth of

taken a bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing a tie.

that stood in his place showed no trace of the tyrant from

here. You are not allowed to go anywhere else. If you are not here when I come back, trust me you'll regret ever

to leave the room and slam the door behind

shuddered as the door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from the

breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

wanted to cry but her tears had been drained.

motivation nor strength was

me sink into the darkness! Let me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed or fried

on, Cassandra! Then we both

as she closed her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her

was quite reserved that day. He dealt with his work as quickly as possible to make sure he was home the soonest that he

back, seeing the bruises on her wrists

bound her hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She

and she didn't talk to him in

sure she would not be able to leave the villa.

he cooled down, he began to reflect on whether he overdid it.

he take her too seriously? Why did he abuse her like that? He must

wanted so badly to make it up to her. The thought of how much she feared him that morning horrified him.

already dark. She