Chapter 3: New rules.

Astrid wondered why she didn't know it was his doing. She felt a sense of unease as she stood there, her eyes fixed on Andrew.

"Sit down," he said, pointing to a seat in front of her.

But instead, Astrid cleared her throat as she folded her arms. "What's the meaning of all this?" she asked, her voice firm.

Andrew smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Well, you wanted to run away. Look, the day isn't over. I wanted to get money from a friend of mine," she lied, trying to sound convincing.

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Where does that friend of yours live?" he asked, his voice skeptical.

Astrid parted her lips, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I won't tell you," she said, her voice firm.

Andrew chuckled, taking a sip of the whiskey beside him. "I'm beginning to think that friend of yours is imaginary," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Astrid turned to go out, but was stopped by the guards that put her in. She felt a surge of frustration, trapped and helpless.

"Where exactly are you going to?" Andrew asked, his voice calm and collected.

Astrid hesitated, realizing she didn't have an answer. She herself didn't know where she was going to or what her next move was.

Andrew stood up, putting his hand in his pocket as he strolled casually. "You know, I know about everything that happened in your family," he said, giving a nod, and one of the guards played the recorder.

Astrid's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with questions. How did he know? What did he want from her?

"You were following me," she accused, trying to sound calm. "Don't you have better things to do?"

Andrew smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I do," he replied. "But I'm interested in you, Astrid. I want to help you."

Astrid raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "I don't need your help," she said, trying to sound firm.

Andrew chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I think you do," he said, his voice confident. "You see, I can offer you a way out of your problems. A fresh start, if you will."

Astrid clenched her face, hating being at a disadvantage. But she had no better choice than the one offered to her. She didn't have someone she could run to, someone who would take her in and help her.

Andrew's eyes locked onto hers, his expression serious. "Be my mistress for a year, and I'll cover up all your debts and daily expenses," he said, his voice confident.

Astrid felt a surge of revulsion, her mind reeling with horror. But Andrew's words were tempting, offering her a way out of her problems.

"What will be your collateral?" Andrew asked, his voice confident, and Astrid was short of words as she knew she had nothing.

Andrew smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I think I've made my offer clear," he said, his voice confident. "You have a choice to make, Astrid. You can either take my offer and start fresh, or you can try to make it on your own. But I warn you, it won't be easy."

Astrid felt a sense of desperation wash over her. She had no other choice, no other option. She was trapped, and Andrew's offer was her only way out.

"Fine, I'll do it," Astrid said after a huge debate in her head. The words felt like they were stuck in her throat, but she knew she had no other choice.

Andrew smiled, seemingly pleased with her decision. "That's better," he said, picking up the contract and handing it to her. "Sign this."

Astrid took the contract, her hands shaking slightly as she scanned the pages. "I'm Party A, you're Party B," Andrew explained, his voice calm and collected. "You can stay here. There's a maid who'll handle the cleaning, and there's someone who'll handle your meals. Whatever you want to eat, she'll prepare it. I'll come back tomorrow to get the documents."

As Andrew walked out, one of the guards picked up the scattered documents on the table. Astrid sat down, feeling a sense of despair wash over her. She wondered how her life had become like this. She wished her life had a positive direction, but it seemed like everything was working against her.

Astrid wished she had someone to run to, someone who would help her in times like this. But she knew she was alone, and she had to face reality, no matter how harsh it was.

She picked up the contract and decided to go through it, hoping to find something that would make her feel better. But as she read on, she realized that the conditions were absurd.

Point number one: Party B must be home before 8 PM. Astrid's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, is that curfew or else I'll be punished?" she thought to herself.

She read on, her anger growing with each passing sentence. Number two: Party B must cut all ties with her fiancé, lover, boyfriend, etc. "Wait, I'll cut all ties while he keeps his? This is even more absurd."

Number three: Party B must not talk or interact with the opposite gender. Interact only with your own gender. Astrid's mind reeled in shock. "What the...? This isn't making any sense to me."

She decided to read on, hoping to find something that would make her feel better. But the more she read, the angrier she became. Party B must take her contraceptives regularly. "I'm okay with that. It's not like I wanted to carry his child," she said to herself, trying to find some comfort in the condition.

But the next condition made her blood boil. Party B is restricted from attending parties, clubs, etc. Astrid closed the contract, unable to read anymore. The conditions were terrible, and they didn't seem fair. She felt like she was being trapped, like her freedom was being taken away from her.

Astrid decided to take a break from the contract and clear her head. She stood up, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she walked towards the bathroom. A warm shower would help her relax and gather her thoughts.

As she entered the bathroom, she noticed a young lady standing in the doorway, wearing a crisp maid uniform. "Good afternoon, miss," the lady said, curtsying slightly. "I'm Claudia."

Astrid raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden appearance of a maid. "Are you a maid?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Claudia nodded, her eyes sparkling with a hint of a smile. "Yes, miss. I'm here to take care of you."

Astrid felt a surge of discomfort. She didn't need a maid, and she certainly didn't want someone waiting on her hand and foot. "Do you cook or clean?" she asked, trying to understand the scope of Claudia's duties.

Claudia shook her head. "Oh, no, miss. I don't do that. I'm your personal maid. I'm here to attend to your daily needs and make sure you're comfortable."

Astrid raised an eyebrow, feeling a sense of indignation. "Am I a princess or something? I can take care of myself," she said, trying to sound light-hearted.

But Claudia's expression remained serious. "Mr. Thompson instructed me specifically to take care of you, miss. He wants to make sure you're well taken care of during your stay here."

Astrid felt a pang of annoyance. Why was Andrew being so controlling? Didn't he trust her to take care of herself?

'Does Mr Thompson take her as a fragile egg,how dare he insult her. He needs to be taught a lesson.'