Page 83 of Ravaged For You

“Okay, goodbye, Astrid. I hope we see each other again.” Astrid’s lips go tight. “It was nice seeing you, Maddie.”

“You too, Winston.”

He risks one last look at Astrid before he turns and heads to the other side of the restaurant where I presume his table is.

“Let’s sit back down,” Astrid suggests. I feel like those words are a subtle hint that she doesn’t want either Axel or me to talk about what just happened.

But what did just happen? She and Winston knew each other a long time ago? Were they just friends, or was there more to it than that? With that little interaction, it seems like it’s the latter. And things didn’t seem to end well at all. I’ve got so many questions.

Winston was apologetic, and Astrid was stern. Something must’ve really got to her decades ago. Something to do with him. His behavior, perhaps? Did they actually date?

Axel, being a gentleman, pulls out my chair for me to sit.

“Thanks,” I breathlessly whisper to the man. He surprises me every moment. I had really dismissed him as just some arrogant, aloof playboy, but then – with every action he takes towards me – he reveals more of the real man underneath.

It’s only when we’re all comfortable at the table that the apologies fly.

It’s Astrid’s turn first.

“I’m so sorry for how we behaved, Maddie.”

Then Axel.

“I didn’t mean to insult your mom like that. I didn’t mean for things to get so heated.”

I wave them both away with a flick of my wrist. I can’t stand apologies, especially from these two. Especially when they did absolutely nothing wrong.

“I know, I know. There’s no need to say sorry at all; that was just my mother. You’re both in the right. I should’ve expected something like that to happen. I shouldn’t have thought things would somehow be different just because you were here.”

“Is she always like that?” Axel asks.

I just nod.

Astrid reaches out and takes my hand.

“I am so sorry, though, Maddie. You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

I take her hand with my other and gently squeeze. “It’s okay. You did nothing wrong. In fact, just the opposite. Both of you.”

“Are you okay?” Astrid asks.

“Yeah. I just find it… hard to talk back to Mom. I shouldn’t, but with her I simply can’t be myself. I transform into being a little girl whenever I’m around her; too scared to do a thing. She’s got a hold over me, and it’s like I can’t escape her shadow… Sorry, I’m rambling on. I hate talking about Mom to other people. I’m sorry to put you through all that.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” Astrid replies softly. “Maddie, you don’t need to rely on anyone except yourself. You are enough.”

Something is caught in my throat. “Thank you, Astrid.”

She smiles, and it fills me with warmth. Under the table, Axel tenderly places his hand on my leg. It isn’t sexual in any way, just him expressing a feeling in the best way possible.

We sit in comfortable silence, together, for a moment.

And then I ask the question that I know is on both Axel's and my minds.

“How the hell do you know my boss, Astrid?”

“Yeah?” Even Axel has perked up.

The woman coyly blushes.