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?

you are so naive!'

but why are you still

of allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra

and her legs grew weak. With all

back to bed

he scooped Cassandra up and

so cold," he said as he pressed his body on hers.

He trampled her dignity

her. It was as if her body and soul were going two opposite ways.

in the air, staring blankly at the woman

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, that

that the trust she once had for

sun had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the

the brightness and warmth of

and gotten dressed. He was

that stood in

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

uttered frostily before he turned around to leave

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

breaking up with you,

to cry but her tears had been

frozen, unable to move. Neither motivation nor strength was

won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed or fried in

Cassandra! Then we both

closed her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her the moment Rufus left and drifted

that day. He dealt with his work as quickly as possible

bruises on her wrists made him

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

hoarse and she didn't talk to

she would not be able to

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

did he abuse her

much she feared him that morning horrified him. She

woke, the sky was already dark. She slept