30 For Audrey

Frederick thought long and hard as an idea popped into his head first thing in the morning. He had weighed out the pros and cons for hours. And no matter how much he disliked his own idea, it was the only sensible one as it brought more benefits than harm.

Even knowing so, the man wanted her opinion on the matter. After all, it involved her and he would want Audrey to get adjusted to the new environment. That her opinion DOES matter and he will ensure to acknowledge them.

"What did you think of the room last night?" Frederick inquired as he stood next to the woman who was doodling on a notebook in her windowless room.

"It's a nice room," she responded as she raised her head as a sign of politeness.

"It is, isn't it? It's smaller than this but at least it's got a window. Do you like to have a window in your room?"

The young lad asked as his hand flipped through the pages of her book. He was perturbed by the neverending scrawls he found on every page. It did not make out any shape or even any form at all. Just plain ol scribbles in a random manner.

"Hmm... I... don't have any preference for it."

If he was wavering with his decision earlier on, this time the villain was all set. Not only because of her scribblings but also how nonchalant she responded when asked about her viewpoints, including all the things she may have bottled in after all these years.

"What do you think if that is going to be your room from now on?" he asked, purposely gauging her reaction.

"It's alright."

It was exactly as he expected her to react - emotionless. Frederick decided to ask the question differently this time.

"Do you think the room will be suitable to raise a child? Maybe the fresh air could provide better ventilation?"

Instantly, her eyes lit up! Despite the stiff body movement, her pitch went a bit higher with excitement as she asked, "Will these dolls be there too?"

In spite of her happy reaction, a sad smile formed on Frederick's face as he confirmed the poor woman could not be bothered with her wants or needs. That she prioritised her unborn child over herself.

"Of course, they're yours. But I have one condition. You have to go see a therapist."

Instantly, the captor saw his prisoner's smile drop and the joy in her eyes was replaced with fear. She covered her ears with both of her palms as her lips trembled!

Shocked by the sudden outcome, the hazel-eyed man held onto her hands and tried to hush her in a bid to calm her nerves. Instead, her frightened brown eyes were pooled with water, as though it was trying to communicate and reason with him.

"It's okay, Audrey. It's fine. They're MY people. They won't harm you," the captor tried to assure her. He wanted her to know that the therapists are people he approved of and have no ties with Bloodsworth.

But his assurance was ignored as she tried to contain her stammering, "But I'm not crazy! I... I'm fine! If you c-could tell me how, I can prove I'm not insane."

He was blown away. Not once had he ever thought seeing a therapist was equivalent to being as someone not all there.

"Audrey... I didn't mean that. This person could help you to be better." Frederick tried to soothe her by rubbing her back and talking as softly as he could to not agitate her further.

"B-but I'm fine! I-I... Please... I-I promise to do better but don't send me there!"

"I'm not sending you away, Audrey... I'm only trying to help. What if... What if you harmed yourself once you are alone? You would not want to harm the baby, would you?"

"Then I don't want it."

Frederick could not believe his ears. All this time she had always placed the unborn child first and now she uttered such a word? But he asked nonetheless, not wanting any unnecessary misunderstanding, "What do you mean you don't want IT? What do you mean by IT?"

"Please let me stay here instead, please please please..."

Thankfully, it was not what he thought she meant. But it did not mean he would listen to her pleas. He was doing all this for her betterment. Something that could help her in the long run.

Admittedly though not wanting to, he grew frustrated. He could not control his temper any longer as he slightly raised his voice, scolding the woman. He wanted to knock some sense into her.

"Audrey! You've harmed yourself even when I'm around! Whether you get this room or the other, you SHOULD BE—"

"No no no! That was a mistake on my part, please please Mister Captor! Please don't punish me!"

Audrey was already kneeling on the floor as her eyes shut quite tight and her body trembled terribly as though she was exposed to frozen water.

Seeing her falling apart, Frederick questioned himself whether it was worth pushing her to see the therapist. Or should he betray her trust and make her do so nonetheless? How else would he trust her to be alone in her room where his eyes could not reach?

The dark-haired man kneeled before her and wrapped Audrey in a warm embrace. Frederick stroked her hair gently, allowing her head to be pressed against his chest as his other hand grabbed her arms, bringing her closer to him.

He noted as of late she had been crying often without any reservation. How almost their conversation led her to be reduced to tears. Has she always been like this?

Ever since her arrival, the villain also noticed there was a new change in his life and that was the neverending loop to console a crying woman. Yet, he did not mind it at all. In fact, it brought him great pleasure and honoured to be the one who calmed her down.

"I promised I won't force you to see a therapist BUT you need to give me something. Maaaybe... you can start by explaining what happened yesterday morning?" Frederick tried to bargain. It was the least he could do to obtain information about her.