Ch. 3: Freak

Third person's point of view

  In the dimly lit limo, Astrella stared out the window, the city lights blurring like the chaotic thoughts racing through her mind. Each flicker seemed to echo the shadows deep within her. She was back in the clutches of Dax Donomie Martinelli, a man who now seemed more a ghost than the person she once knew.

The oppressive silence in the car gnawed at her. Dax sat across from her, his posture rigid, eyes fixed ahead.

At last, Astrella couldn't bear the quiet any longer. “You manipulated everything,” she said, her voice cutting through the stillness. “The auction, the debts—you pulled the strings to drag me back.”

Dax didn’t flinch. His gaze remained on the road, his tone cool. “Not everything,” he replied. “You were always within reach. I didn’t need to manipulate; I just needed to wait.”

Astrella's fury ignited. She lunged for the door handle, yanking it in vain as the lock clicked securely. Her nostrils flared as she slammed her fist into the seat. “Is this a game to you, Dax? Do you think you can buy me, own me? You have no right, no one does!”

At that, Dax finally turned to her. His stare was ice-cold, slicing through her with a chilling intensity. “I never wanted you to leave,” he said softly, though his words carried a sharp edge. “I regret what I did, but I never wanted you gone. Do you think this is revenge? No, Astrella. It’s about getting back what’s mine. Not just your presence, everything.”

Astrella's breath hitched at his words, a mix of fear and disbelief tightening her chest. “You honestly believe I’d ever want to be with you again?” she shot back, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. “You’ve become a monster, Dax. This isn’t love; it’s twisted obsession.”

The limo began to slow as they approached a sprawling mansion, its dark silhouette imposing against the night sky. Astrella’s eyes flicked to it, dread coiling in her stomach.

Dax chuckled softly, the sound devoid of warmth. “A monster?” he echoed, mockery lacing his tone. “Perhaps. But remember, Astrella, monsters don’t lie. I’ve shown you exactly who I am. Can you say the same?”

The limo came to a halt. Dax’s eyes remained locked on hers, his lips curling into a smirk. “Welcome home, honey,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Let’s see if you can handle the monster you’ve unleashed.”

  ✧✧✧

The mansion doors creaked open, and Astrella hesitated, the chill from within brushing against her skin. The magnificence of the place was undeniable, but it felt cold and cruel. She took a slow step inside, her eyes darting around the vast space. This wasn’t a home; it was a cage dressed up in luxury to hide the bars.

Astrella's gaze landed on an ornate vase sitting on a side table, its delicate craftsmanship mocking her. Without thinking, she grabbed it, the smooth ceramic cool against her palm, and crashed it against the wall. The crash echoed through the hall, shards scattering across the floor.

Dax turned at the noise, his expression unreadable, like he’d expected her outburst. His eyes flicked to the piece of broken vase she still clutched, blood beginning to bead on her hand.

“What’s the point of that?” he asked, his tone even, almost bored. He slipped a hand into his pocket, watching her with a calm that only fueled her anger. “You know you’re staying here. It’s for your safety.”

Astrella scoffed, tightening her grip on the shard despite the sting in her palm. “Safe?” she snapped, her voice trembling with frustration. “This isn’t safety. This is a prison.”

Dax took a step closer, his eyes narrowing slightly. “And what do you think safety looks like?” he asked quietly. “Out there, it’s chaos. Here, you’re protected.”

“I’d rather face the chaos,” she shot back, her voice firm despite the lump in her throat. “At least out there, I have a choice. Here, I’m just another piece of your collection.”

Dax sighed, his expression hardening. “You think the world out there will give you freedom? It’ll chew you up and spit you out. This is the best chance you’ve got.”

Astrella shook her head, the anger bubbling up again. “I’d rather take my chances. I’m not some fragile thing you can lock away.”

For a moment, they stood there, the tension thick between them. Then, with a swift movement, Dax grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful. He gently pried the shard from her hand, letting it drop to the floor.

“Enough,” he said, his voice low but commanding. “You don’t have to like it, but this is your reality now.”

She pulled her hand back, glaring at him, her heart pounding in her chest. “I’ll never stop fighting this,” she whispered, the defiance in her eyes burning bright.

Dax’s gaze softened, just for a moment. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he murmured.

“Ha. Ha. Wow. Really? That’s rich, Dax. You're useless." Astrella’s voice dripped with venomous sarcasm.

 

“I’ll burn this world for you if I can’t have you. You’ll be back in my life where you belong.” Dax said, the edge in his voice returning.

  Astrella shivered at the chill creeping up her spine as she locked eyes with him. “Controlling freak. Ha, the only place I’ll be is far from your messed-up world. Burn me alive now, let’s see what happens next. I’m not playing your twisted game.”

  Dax’s lips twisted into a sad smile, nodding. “You’ll see soon, Astrella. You can’t outrun the past. It’s always lurking, waiting to rise when you least expect it.”

  Dax's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “And no matter how far you run, no matter how much you fight, the price for what’s been done is waiting for you.” He stepped back, his gaze lingering on her and her wounded hand. “Come on, let's fix your wound. It may get infected, and there’s someone you need to meet. Hope you’re ready for the encore.” Dax said before turning and walking away, leaving Astrella standing there amidst the shattered pieces.

  Astrella stood frozen for a heartbeat. She could not deny the unmistakable dread that enveloped her. She had thought she was prepared for this, but as the walls of the mansion closed in around her and Dax's words echoed in her mind, she felt as though she had been shoved headfirst into a wild lion's den.

  As Dax turned to lead her deeper into his domain, the weight of the situation hit her hard.

  He’d actually burn the world to the ground to claim her again.

  Astrella couldn’t even wrap her head around it. Where did she even start? Kill him? No. She was too innocent for that, too far removed from the monster he'd become. This was his war now; she was done playing. All she needed was a way out, though, truth be told, she had nothing left. She looked down at her hand dripping with blood. She's just overreacting. But she loves the physical pain that she's feeling rather than her emotional and mental state.

  "Can you imagine investing three hundred billion dollars? I mean, if I start calculating the worth of my organs, hell, a hundred billion wouldn’t even cut it. Damn. Is that all I’m worth? Three hundred billion? Ugh. That’s cheap." Astrella muttered to herself, laughing bitterly at the absurdity. "Am I losing it, or am I just really that undervalued?"

  "Maybe this is a hangover striking me or my bipolar behavior," Astrella thought, shaking her head. "What am I even thinking? I was so brave earlier. Later, I’ll have to be braver. I can’t let him win, not yet."