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!'

why are you

a hint of allure in his voice. Under normal

her legs grew weak. With

back to

scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into the bed.

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

endless. He trampled her dignity until it was

unfamiliar feeling crept over her. It was as if her body and soul were

felt as if her soul were floating in the air, staring blankly at

can 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 was exactly how

much to find that the trust

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

to the brightness and warmth of sunlight.

had gotten up, taken a bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing a

man that stood in his place showed no trace of

here. You are not allowed to go anywhere else. If you are not here when I come back, trust

to leave the room and slam the door

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

up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

her tears had

Neither motivation nor strength was available to her.

demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed

Then we both will

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

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

wrists

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

hoarse and she didn't talk to

her clothes to make sure she would not

as he cooled down, he began to

did in a fit of anger. Why did he take her too seriously? Why did he abuse her like that? He must have hurt her, not just physically, but emotionally

The thought of how much she feared him that morning horrified him. She could not even look at

sky was already dark.