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

you're fully dressed but why are you still

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

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

you go back

as he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into the bed.

warm you up since you feel so cold," he said as he

trampled her dignity until it was reduced to

feeling crept over her. It was as if her body and

as if her soul were floating in the air, staring

is what you get when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting

to find that the trust she once had for

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

to the brightness and warmth of sunlight.

bath and gotten dressed.

The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace of the tyrant from

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

before he turned around to leave the room and

door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists

up with you, Rufus?' she murmured inwardly.

wanted to cry but her tears

Neither motivation nor strength

mind demons skinning and

Then we both will owe nothing to each other,

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

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

on her wrists made him regret

with his tie. The more she struggled,

and she didn't talk to him in the

sure she would not be able to

he began to reflect

she did in a fit 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

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

already dark. She slept the whole