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

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

Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even

her legs grew weak.

Why don't you go back to bed and let me warm

scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into

feel so cold," he said

endless. He trampled her dignity

as if her body and

if her soul were floating in the air, staring blankly at the woman and the man

is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a

trust she once had

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

the brightness and

and gotten dressed. He was wearing a tie.

looked immaculate. The gorgeous 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 me you'll regret ever trying

leave the room and slam the door behind

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

up with you, Rufus?' she

her tears had been

unable to move. Neither motivation

won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let

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

allowed relief to take over her the moment

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

seeing the bruises on her wrists made

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

she didn't talk

clothes to make sure she

as he cooled down, he began to reflect on whether

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

make it up to her. The thought of how much she feared him that morning horrified him. She could not even look at

woke, the sky was already dark. She