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!' he jeered within.

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

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

was far from normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew

Why don't you go back to bed and

up

you feel so cold," he said

trampled her dignity until it was

if her body

if her soul were floating in the air, staring blankly

can you see? This is what you get when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew.

much to find that the trust she once had for

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

to the brightness and warmth

and

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

are not here when I come back, trust me

turned around to leave the room and

wrists from the

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

but her tears had been

motivation nor

Let me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning

we both will owe nothing

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

dealt with his work as quickly as possible to

her wrists made

his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious he

and she didn't talk

all her clothes to make sure she would not be able to leave the villa.

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

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 hurt

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

already