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!' he jeered

fully dressed but why are you still the one shaking? It's like you have

in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think

far from normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak.

Why don't you go back to bed and let

Cassandra up and

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

was endless. He trampled her dignity until it was reduced

was as if

felt as if her soul were floating in the air,

and thoughtful gentleman you

so much to find that the trust she once had for him was all

sun had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the room and fell

woke to the brightness and warmth of sunlight.

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

his fine suit, he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace of the tyrant from the

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

to leave the

shuddered as the door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from the

up with you, Rufus?' she murmured inwardly.

wanted to cry but her tears had been drained.

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

me sink into the darkness! Let me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed

both will owe nothing to each

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

quickly as possible to make sure he

her wrists made him regret his

recalled that he bound her hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She said nothing but

voice had turned hoarse and she didn't talk to

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

down, he began to reflect on

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 as well. He scolded himself, 'What have I

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

the sky was already dark. She slept the whole