Olivia Rodrigo - 1 step forward, 3 steps back

Her husband was perched on a big, leather chair. Surprised, she couldn't believe a chair that size existed. He looked up from his laptop and scowled when he saw her. When he slammed it shut, the force rattled the content on his desk and she flinched back.

The noise startling her.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" He roared, angrily striding to meet her at the door.

His hands reached for her throat first, pressing tightly and blocking her airway. Rory scratched his arms while her pupil dilated, pulse racing and breathing rough. All the signs of fear.

His big body caged her against the wood with the handle digging into her lower back, adding to the pain. There was no way out for her especially when he held her in a death grip by the throat.

Fear, terror and regret. The first emotions Gideon saw flash across her face. This time, however, he did not relish in her frighten state. He didn't enjoy it like before when he used it to control her.

Immediately, he dropped his arms to the side; releasing her neck from his hold. Her pale skin had been slightly red and marked by his palms. He stepped back allowing her room to gather herself. She choked and cough, gasping for air.

"Why are you here?" He asked again, sounding stoic.

"Sebastian dropped me off." She explained weakly, still pressed up against the door. Her hand had found the handle and if he lunged at her again, she was bolting out of here. "He wanted me to talk to you."

"Let me guess, he sent you here because he doesn't want to go to war with the Herreras." Gideon spat; eyes flashing murder. "Coward."

He was talking about Cristian Herrera, the businessman on the news.

"He wants you to reconsider." She continued. He cocked his head to the side and gave her a twisted grin.

"Why didn't he ask me himself?"

"He said it was my fault that you're doing this so I had to do it." She gulped, repeating Sebastian's accusation.

He chuckled and turned back to his desk, sinking gracefully into the chair. Sometimes, she found herself marvelling at how he moved around the rooms he dwarfed.

Finally, Rory released the door handle from her death gripped and favoured just leaning against the wooden frame. She didn't want to get too close to him, just in case he pounced. Again.

"It's your fault, is it?" He muttered, leaning his head back against the chair. "Why is it your fault?"

"Because you're angry at me." She choked out. "Because I ran away."

This was the first time they were addressing her escape attempt with Alvaro and her mother. She tentatively awaited his response, her hands creeping to the door handle; readied if he attacked. Instead, he spun in his chair, closing his eyes like he hadn't heard what she said.

She stood timidly in his domineering presence and when it became unbearable, she pulled down the handle attempting to flee.

Half way out the door, she caught the view of him snapping his eyes opened. They were crazed. He jerked forward wiping the content off his desk to the carpeted floor. He roared, destroying practically all the content that was in his line of vision.

Rory trampled back, body seizing up in fright when his dark eyes locked on her.

She let the door closed for it to only ripped open seconds later. Wrath rolled off him in waves. He appeared calm just moments ago but what made switched him?

She stumbled back attempting to keep as much room between them as possible. It only made him angrier. He laced his fingers in her loose curls her, tugging and bringing her face close to his.

"Stop running away from me!" He growled, getting louder each time he repeated it.

She was rendered speechless watching him break down. His face redden from the yelling, his neck straining at the force he used on his vocal cords. His eyes popped out of its socket, tensed muscles ripping underneath his suit and jaws clenched at each syllable he uttered. Even in a meltdown, he showed no weakness. Only intimidation.

He looked completely deranged in her eyes. A wild, untamed animal blaring its fangs at its intruder.

He pressed his forehead against her and maintained eye contact. When she tried closing her eyes, to block his madness, he yanked harder forcing him to meet his gaze. He searched her face, pupils scanning every inch of her delicate facial features.

He breathed harshly and pressed a harsh kiss to her lips. More than a week were those lips of hers away from him. He tasted her mouth, caressing her soft tongue with his. The blood rushed to his cock, straining against his trousers. He wanted to take her against the wall. Split her into two with his big cock.

"Let go." She demanded breaking their kiss, "Gideon, please, you're hurting me."

Instantly, he loosen his grip and dropped his arms to his side. The manic look in his eyes and his twisted expression gone. Replaced by nothingness. She was starting to hate this look on him. It was unsettling her.

Normal people showed emotions, they feel, even if they didn't want to. Then again, Gideon wasn't normal.

Gideon spun on his heel, turning his back to her.

"Get out." He ordered.

From the blankness in his voice, she couldn't tell what he was feeling. Though, did she ever? He was always so closed off, taking what he wanted and what she wasn't willing to give.

"Get the fuck out of my house!" He said more harshly.

She pursed her lips. There was nothing more she wanted to do then that.

"But, Sebastian dro-" she began. But, he whirled around, glaring; and she tighten her lips.

"Get. The. Fuck. Out!" He spat with each word.

She flinched back and her legs began carrying her down the hallway. Not once did she look over her shoulders as she starting running through the house. She slammed the door shut, sinking onto the ground to catch her breathe.

Once her pulse steadied, Rory crossed the courtyard and exited the mansion. She glanced at the SUVs then shook her head - she never really learned how to drive besides, they won't leave keys in the cars. She didn't know Bogotá and its roads nor did she want to walk back to the city barefooted in her PJs.

Her pale skin would redden under the sun and she would suffer from heatstroke or worse get kidnapped by someone else. Fuck, she didn't realise how helpless she really was.

"Fuck it." She muttered and stomped to the gates.

By some stupid luck, it was wide opened and she walked out. No one stopping her.

She followed the road Sebastian drove through and marvelled at the beautiful houses. There was hardly anyone around except for some kids riding their bikes and throwing her odd glances.

~*~

She must've been walking for ages because the sun was setting and her stomach ached from hunger.

Surrounding her was long roads and tall trees hiding her from the last strings of light. If she didn't get out of here soon she'd be walking alone in the dark. She picked up the pace, hurrying down the road while thoughts of wild animals filled her head.

If Gideon didn't kill her then she was going to get mauled alive by a bear. Did Colombia even have bears?

Head lights of a car shone at her and she squinted her eyes. Not once did a car drive pass her, she recalled. Hence, her heart beat quickened and she continued speed walking.

A familiar black SUV drove dangerously close to her and cut off the path ahead. Gideon in his business suit looking like a handsome knight in the dim light emerged from the driver's seat.

Despite his angelic features, he wore murder on his face.

"Fuck, Rory!" He yelled, slamming the door shut and storming to her. "I've been looking for you for ages!"

When he couldn't find her anywhere in the mansion, his heart dropped into his stomach. Then, he spotted the open gates and his pulsed race. She had gotten out and was wandering Bogotá at night. Fear wasn't something he felt or rather never knew he could feel.

Once more, she called another emotion from him. One he wished to never feel again. He thought he had lost her again, that she got away and under this watch too.

Rory took a shaken step back as he got closer, putting her hands in front of her to keep him away.

"You told me to leave." Rory pointed out, accusingly.

"I didn't mean for you to go walking around the fucking woods." He snapped, swatting away her defences and lifting her up.

Ignoring her protest, he fastened her into the passenger seat and rounded the car, sinking down on the driver's side. He drove back to the mansion without another word. The only sound heard was the gravel underneath the tires and the sound of her stomach grumbling.

Gideon stole a couple of glances her way and felt the blood rushed to his heart, reviving it. Suddenly, all the chaos and the pent up wrath disappeared; and his muscles loosen, relaxing in her presence. God, words couldn't described how much he wanted to touch her, to feel her skin against his.

He pulled into the driveway and lifted her from her seat. Gideon held her close, sniffling her hair and rubbing his fingers against her exposed skin. Having that little contact brought him a new sense of peace and serenity. One he could live in forever as long as she remained by his side.

Rory wasn't wear shoes and he was worried about blisters forming on her feet from walking barefooted for hours. He needed to check if she was alright.

"I can walk." She murmured, squirming in his hold.

He ignored her with a sigh and carried her up the stairs to the master bedroom. Instead of stopping by the bed, he took her to en-suite bathroom and placed her on the counter. Gideon inspected her foot and frowned at the dirt and debris sticking to her soles. At least there were no cuts or blisters.

Her stomach rumbled again and she flushed.

"I've order food to come in." He informed while wiping her dirty feet. "All your favourites."

Rory watched him worked - cleaning her soles - in a thick silence. His features were moulded in deep concentration like cleaning her feet was a sudoku puzzle. His reaction to her escape attempt was so different to last time. He had beaten her, cut her and so much more but, this time he was, he didn't even raise a fist at her.

Oddly, this side of him scared her more. She'd rather him get her punishment over with than wait it out. Because, the longer he suppressed his anger, the angrier he got.

"Gideon." She finally murmured. "When," she swallowed nervous at the way his eyes shot up to her, "are you going to punish me?"

"Is being in my presence not punishment enough?" He shot back. He knew her, knew she didn't want to be here. Her life as his wife was punishment enough.

"At least you're self aware." She muttered before she could stop herself. Green eyes widening, she quickly uttered an apology. "Sorry."

He chuckled silently and shook his head.

Once he was done patching up her soles, he lifted her off the counter and settled her carefully on the tiles. His dark orbs checking her over for any other injuries.

As promised a feast was awaiting in the bedroom. Mozzarella sticks, empanadas, salmon rice bowls, passion fruit and grape fruit. Her eyes lit and she ate the meal with gusto.

Gideon opted to watching her instead of returning to work - to his meeting - this was better than listening to his underbosses plan of attack on the south.

Sensing his eyes on her, Rory tensed a little then meet his gaze. The emptiness that marred his handsome face was gone replaced by a soft and contented look.

He was spread on the bed, one hand support his eyes while he traced her beauty with his eyes. He longed for her despite already being his, not in the way he wanted.

No one can love a monster like you. The words played in his head like a broken record, taunting and haunting him. He said that to him and so did she.

It was like Emmanuel was tormenting from the grave. He was no doubt laughing at him right now.

Rory brushed her hands and stretched out her arms, yawning. It was late and she was clearly done eating since she was just playing with her food now; pushing it around with the fork.

"Come here, Rory." He motioned. When she didn't move, he glared and she forced her legs to work.

Gideon made a mental note to stop glaring. It scared her and he no longer had the desire to control her through fear. He won't give her a reason to be afraid of her anymore. It was the only way she'd stop running from him.

Gideon put Sebastian in charge of the case - to find out what Alvaro knows. The nurses in Spain attempted to peel information from her mother but they came back with nothing useful. The doctors in Cartagena, where he initially placed Rory's mother, said they received a call from him to release her. A man showed up to the centre claiming to be one of his soldiers and took her.

Sebastian followed that lead and ended at a dead end. There was no trace of the soldier like he didn't really exist.

Not many of his enemies knew of Rory and if they did, they won't know what she look like. Only Emir Yilmaz did and yet, Gideon had no idea how he knew of her. He never got the chance to ask since Kaiser Reinhardt used his fancy torturing skills to put him to an end.

After 3 days of chasing, they cornered him at the French border and tore him limp from limp. Much of it he didn't remember because Tobias encouraged him to snort lines of coke to unwind him. That shit worked and he was high as fuck but, didn't enjoy losing control of his body.

Rory climbed into bed compliantly, slipping under the duvet; her back facing him. He rolled onto his side, pulling her close and breathing in her sweet scent. He missed her so much; her unruly hair, emerald eyes and her soft skin.

Gideon ran his lips along her jaw, leaving a hot trail that burned her skin. She took deep rough breathes to control herself. The moment his lips landed on her neck and he started sucking the delicate flesh, she lost all control and a small moan escaped her lips.

They haven't had sex in over a week.

Rory, at first, thought it was a blessing and she was delighted not to be touched by him. Until, she laid alone at night, tossing and turning; unable to sleep and not from being taunted by a nightmare for once. Her body craved to be touched. Without knowing it, she became addicted to sex, and sex with Gideon only.

She tried to get herself off, copying Gideon's move when he finger fucked relentlessly. Her release never came or never reached what Gideon could give her. It was frustrating especially when her body wanted to release. She blamed on the fact that she was due a period any second so, she was just overly horny.

When his fingers dipped into her pussy and he felt her wetness, Rory expected to do as he pleased. No, she wanted him to, to relief her of annoying arousal that was becoming an itch she can't scratched. Gideon did want was least expect of him, he pulled away.

He rolled onto his side of the bed, back facing her. Not once did she recalled him ever sleeping facing away from her. She craned her head and stared at his enormous back, tracing the outline of his trapezius muscles straining at this shirt.

Rory was always sleeping in his arms. Her head buried between his pectoral muscles, legs entangled with his. Before it was never her choice to sleep like that. He continuously found a way for them to end like that at night even when she drifted away from him in her sleep.

So, what changed?