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?

are so naive!' he

are you still the

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

far from normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak.

back to bed and let me

said as he scooped Cassandra up

feel so cold," he said as he pressed his

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

if her body and soul were going two opposite ways.

the air, staring blankly

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 than hell.'

find that the trust she once had for him

peeked into the room and fell on her bruised wrists.

woke to the brightness and warmth

taken a bath and gotten dressed. He was

looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his

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

to leave the room

wrists from the sunlight and curled up into

punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she

to cry but her tears had been

Neither motivation nor

me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed or fried in

both will owe

over her the moment Rufus left and drifted

work as quickly as possible to make sure he

wrists made him regret his actions

struggled, the more

turned hoarse and she didn't talk to

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

as he cooled down, he began to reflect

did he abuse her like that? He must have hurt her, not just physically, but emotionally as well. He

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

Cassandra woke, the sky was already dark.