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

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

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

normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak. With all her strength, she

clearly cold. Why don't you go back

as he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into

he

endless. He trampled her dignity until it was reduced to dust.

It was as if her body and soul were going

floating in the air,

affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting

that the trust she once had

sun had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into

woke to the brightness and warmth

bath and gotten dressed.

in his place showed no

to go anywhere 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 door behind him.

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

for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

her tears had

motivation nor strength

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

Cassandra! Then we both

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

quickly as possible to make sure he was home the soonest

bruises on her wrists made him regret

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

she didn't talk to him in

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

cooled down, he began to reflect on whether he overdid

possibly 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

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

the sky was already dark. She