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

but why are you

in his voice. Under normal

trembled and her legs grew weak. With all her strength, she worked hard to

go back to bed and let me warm

he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into the

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

endless. He trampled her dignity until it was reduced to

if her body

soul were floating in the air, staring

can you see? This is what you get when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse than

trust she once had for him was all a lie.

sunlight peeked into the room and fell on

woke to the brightness and warmth

gotten up, taken a bath and

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

else. If you are not

around to leave the room and slam the

the door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from

breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

her tears had been drained.

move. Neither motivation nor strength was available to

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

both will owe nothing to each other,

She allowed relief to take over her the moment Rufus left and drifted into

quite reserved that day. He dealt with his work as quickly as

the bruises on her wrists made him regret his

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

and she didn't talk

her clothes to make sure she would not

as he cooled down, he began to reflect on whether

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

wanted so badly to make it up to her. The thought of how much she feared him that morning horrified him.

sky was already dark. She