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?

naive!' he jeered within.

you

said mischievously. There was a hint of allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think he was flirting

trembled and her legs grew weak. With all her strength,

don't you go back to bed and

he scooped Cassandra up and tossed

so cold," he said as he pressed his

was endless. He trampled her dignity until it was reduced

if her body and soul were going two opposite ways.

floating in the air, staring

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

to find that the trust she once had for him was

sunlight peeked into the room and fell

to the brightness and warmth

a bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing

The gorgeous man that stood in

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

to leave the room and slam the

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

up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

cry but her tears had

motivation nor strength was available to

I won't mind demons skinning and eating

both will owe nothing

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

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

wrists made

The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She said nothing but "I hate

turned hoarse and she didn't talk to him in the

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

he began to reflect on

he abuse her like that? He must have hurt her, not just physically, but emotionally as well. He

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

was already dark. She slept the whole day.