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!'

why are you still

his voice. Under

legs grew weak. With all

cold. Why don't you go back

up

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

her dignity until it was reduced to

It was as if

were floating in the air, staring blankly

the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting

trust she once

Rays of sunlight peeked into the room and

woke to the brightness and warmth

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

man that stood in his place showed no

go anywhere else. If you are not here when

frostily before he turned around to leave the room

door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from the

for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

but her tears had been

stayed frozen, unable to move. Neither motivation nor strength was available to her.

darkness! Let me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let

we both will owe nothing to

closed her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her the moment

work as quickly as possible to make sure he was home

wrists made him regret his

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

turned hoarse and she didn't talk

sure she would not be

down, he began to

she 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

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

woke, the sky was already dark.