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!'

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

mischievously. There was a hint of allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances,

legs grew

go back to bed and let

said as he scooped Cassandra up and

feel so cold," he

dignity until

her. It was as if her body and soul were going two opposite ways.

soul were floating in the air, staring blankly at the woman and the

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

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

had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the room

to the brightness and

gotten up, taken a bath and gotten dressed.

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

to go anywhere else. If you are not here when I come back, trust me you'll regret

turned around to leave the room and slam the door behind him.

her wrists from the sunlight and curled up into the

punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

to cry but her

unable to move. Neither motivation nor

demons

Then we both will owe nothing

her eyes. She allowed relief to take over

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

seeing the bruises on her wrists made him regret his

struggled, the more furious he became. She said

hoarse and she didn't talk

to make sure she

as he cooled down, he began to reflect on

take her too seriously? Why did he abuse her

how much she

woke, the sky was already dark.