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?

so naive!' he jeered

you still the one shaking? It's like you have a cold,"

allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think he was flirting

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

don't you go back to bed and let

he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into the bed.

you up since you feel so cold," he said as

her dignity until it was reduced to dust.

It was as if her body and soul were going two

floating in the air,

you 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 a revenge worse than hell.' Right now,

trust she once had for him was

Rays of sunlight peeked into the room

brightness and warmth

bath and gotten

suit, he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his

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

to leave the room and slam the door behind him.

wrists from

this my punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she

to cry but her tears

unable to move. Neither motivation nor

mind demons skinning and

both will owe nothing

take over her the moment Rufus left and drifted into a deep,

quickly as possible to make sure he was home the soonest that he

the bruises on her wrists made him

hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious

turned hoarse and she didn't talk

she would not be

down, he began to reflect on whether he overdid

her. She possibly said what she did in a fit of anger. Why did he take her too seriously? Why did he abuse her like that? He must have

much she feared him that morning horrified him.

the sky was already dark. She slept the whole