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?

naive!' he jeered

naked and you're fully dressed but why are you still the

There was a hint of allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even

normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak. With all her strength, she

you go back to bed and let me

as he scooped Cassandra up

me warm you up since you feel so cold," he said as he pressed his body on

He trampled her dignity until it

over her. It was as if her body and

air, staring blankly at the woman and

see? This is what you get when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you

pained her so much to find that the trust she once had

had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the room and fell on her bruised

the brightness

had gotten up, taken a bath and gotten dressed.

suit, he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace

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

to leave the room and slam the door behind

as the door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from the sunlight and curled up into

for breaking up with you, Rufus?'

to cry but her tears

Neither motivation nor

demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed or fried in oil!

Cassandra! Then we both will owe nothing to each other,

take over her the moment Rufus left

quickly as possible to make sure he was

on her wrists made

he bound her hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She said nothing but

turned hoarse and she didn't talk to him in

sure she would not

cooled down, he began to reflect on

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

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

was already dark.