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?

you are so naive!' he jeered within.

are you

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

however, was far from normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak. With all

back to bed and let me

up and tossed her into the bed.

up since you feel so cold," he said as he pressed his

her dignity until it was reduced to

feeling crept over her. It was as if

in the air, staring blankly at the woman and the man beneath.

is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse than hell.' Right now, that

the trust she once had for him was all a lie.

peeked into the

brightness and warmth of sunlight.

taken a bath and

suit, he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his

else. If you are not here when I

frostily before he turned around to leave the room and slam the door

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

breaking up with you, Rufus?'

cry but her tears

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

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

Hold on, Cassandra! Then we both will owe nothing to

she closed her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her the moment Rufus left and drifted into a deep, sound slumber.

as quickly as possible to make sure he

the bruises on her wrists made him regret his actions a

his tie. The more she struggled, the more

and she didn't talk to him

make sure she would not be able to leave the

he began to reflect on whether he

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

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

woke, the sky was already dark. She slept the whole day.