Undoubtedly, Matthew's demeanor shifted after seeing Astrid melt down in front of him. And yet, there's a permanent frown that rested on his handsome face. He had always known Astrid to be a stubborn woman. She was proud, competitive and had this demeanor and presence that doesn't want to be outshined by anyone.
However, after seeing the fear in her eyes, he begins to doubt that she'll survive here if she stays for another year.
Blinded by anger, he only noticed a few seconds ago how much damage Astrid took being confined inside this Psychiatric Institution. Not only was she limp but there were many large and small scars on her body, especially her neck and her arms.
He almost felt pity for his ex wife. But then he remembered how arrogant and demanding she was back then. Something tells him that Astrid offended a lot of people for her to receive such beating.
"Come with me."
She sniffed lightly as she wiped the tears off her eyes. "Why should I?"
"Because I said so." Was his command. "Are you forgetting that only I have the right to take you out of this place?"
Astrid blinked continuously as she stared towards the door that serves as the exit. Her ticket out of this hell was another demon. Now she's wondering what kind of poison she should choose.
"You don't have any choice!" Matthew's deep voice pierced her ears, making her jump in place.
"Fi—fine." She stuttered out of shock. "I'll go..."
===========
As Astrid was dragged out of the dark halls of John George's Psychiatric Hospital, onlookers, visitors and even the cleaner's eyes were on her. Not because of how she looked like a mental who had escaped, nor was it about the handsome man who was dragging her by the wrist. It was because of her unruly laughter as she asked absurd questions such as, "Shit, is this for real?! Am I dying — am I dead?!" as well as, "Mother Mary in Heaven am I about to see your face, because Matthew Cullin told me he's taking me away from this hell?!" Or even, "Did the cooks put some mushrooms on my food?! Because I think I'm high… my ex husband is taking me home!"
While Astrid was having her fun by stealing the attention of everyone they passed by, Matthew had enough. He stopped walking, turned and when he looked at Astrid his eyebrows were tied into knots.
His patience was wearing thin. If only they were alone and people weren't looking, for sure his temper would've gotten the best of him and slammed her down against the ground, making her bleed.
"Can you stop acting like a child?!" He hissed, almost feeling sad for himself. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Feeling like she had played too much, Astrid Starling stopped laughing on cue. The smile on her face diminished and her aura shifted in a second. The brightness on her eyes disappeared and was replaced by lifeless eyes matched by her expressionless face and nonchalant aura.
"I am acting as I please, are you blind?" She hissed. "I was sent here by you… forced here upon your request. And now that I'm out I cannot act as I please?!"
Matthew rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel his heartbeat raging on his temples, and his blood pressure spiked. "God you're such —"
" —pain in the ass?" Astrid continued. "Then why take me out here in the first place — you psycho!"
"Well as they say, 'Silence is the best response to a fool.'" Was the last thing Matthew told Astrid before he kept his silence.
=================
After being caged and tortured for so many years, Astrid Starling had long forgotten what it feels like to be human again. She forgot what it feels like to ride a car and sip champagne throughout the drive. She even shivered as the cold air from the car blasted around the suave vehicle.
She forgot what it feels like to be a celebrity, and what it means to live a lavish lifestyle.
Inside the Psychiatric Hospital she was thrown into, she became a vile woman who had to fight her way to have a meal. To shower and to sleep in a decent bed. The beautiful model became a thug, a ruffian of her own accord. And yet, regardless of this, when she arrived at the Abel's Manor, she smiled at him, hoping she'll go back to her old self again.
It's the greediness inside her talking. And she'd be a hypocrite to say that she's not thankful to be here.
Matthew booked them inside a hotel, saying he wanted her to look presentable once they've arrived at their destination. When they arrived at Hotel De Lanno, they were greeted by four maids who escorted Astrid towards the bathroom, washing her thoroughly as if she hadn't bathed her entire life. Once the maids deemed her as clean enough, they threw pairs and dozens of undergarments on the queen sized bed for them to choose which one suited her best.
It almost took an hour to get her ready, but when the maids were done. Astrid couldn't help but smile when she looked at herself in the vanity mirror.
"Now that I'm all dressed up, where are you taking me, Mr. Abel?" She asked as she gestured at the black, tightfitting dress the helpers gave her to wear. "Are you going to take me out to a nice restaurant? Red Lobster or Gordon's perhaps? Make me choose my last meal before you end my life then torture me to death?" She snickered as she turned to look at the vanity mirror behind her, eyeing the red lipstick that still had a label on it.
She peeled off the plastic and smothered her pale, chapped lips with it.
The shade was bloody red. And it looked decent on her. Now she could envision herself walking on a runway for Dior, Versace, and Hyacinth again. But before all that…
"Or do you want me to fuck someone for you? An unwilling sponsor or a competition of yours? Or maybe a stingy stockholder with a fat wallet?" She teased. "Just tell me who, and I'm ready to suck any cock for you."
Matthew rolled his eyes. "God, you're as vile as ever."
"Why not?" She shrugged as she wiped off the excess lipstick from her lips. "You said you took me out of the facility not out of kindness. Surely… there must be something you want."
"You're not actually much of a prize." Was his distasteful reply.
"A hole is still a hole, Matthew Cullin." Was hers. "And have you forgotten how I give head?"
Matthew pursed his lips together, closing it in a tight knit and forced himself not to answer. He looked down at her as if she was a child and finally — he released a sigh.
Just when Astrid thought Matthew had loosen up, he lets out a devious smile. "It's good that you know your place." He muttered. "I'm leaving."
With that odd farewell, Astrid snorted and limped towards the door. "Fuck you." She hissed. "You can't even close a fucking door."
She was thankful that she could finally relax. During the drive, even as the maids bathe her and feed her, she still felt anxious and nervous because she could feel his presence. Anywhere Matthew is, she feels there's some trickery behind it. As if he's planning something on the back of his head to bring her pain.
He had always been a person who is quick to anger after all.
"Nothing new." She said to herself after remembering how Matthew used to beat her up when they were still married.
And yet, something inside her was still curious of what's going on inside that pretty head of his. She wondered what Matthew was thinking when he left her alone in this huge room. The smile on her lips gradually faded.
"Why did you take me in, Matthew?" She said, "Why did you pull me out of that hell if you're just going to act as my own personal demon? You hate me that much, huh?"