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!'

but why are you still

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

grew weak.

Why don't you go back

as he scooped Cassandra up

he said as he pressed his body

dignity

as if her body and soul were going two opposite

in the air,

the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge

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

had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the room and fell on her bruised wrists.

brightness and warmth

gotten up, taken a bath and gotten

in his place showed no trace of the tyrant from the night

allowed to go anywhere else. If you are not here when

to leave the

She retrieved her wrists from the sunlight and curled up into the

up with

to cry but her tears had been

Neither motivation

me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning and eating me

both will owe nothing to each other,

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

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

seeing the bruises on her wrists made him regret his actions

The more she struggled,

voice had turned hoarse and she didn't talk

she would not be able

he cooled down, he began to

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

thought of how much she feared him that morning horrified

woke, the sky was already dark. She slept the