Chapter 4: You are cruel

"Is this really necessary?" Astrid asked, her voice laced with frustration. She didn't need a maid, and she certainly didn't want someone waiting on her hand and foot.

Claudia hesitated, her eyes darting to the side before responding. "Yes, it is. You are his jewels and..."

Astrid interrupted, her voice firm. "I will need to correct that part. I am not his. I belong to no one but myself. Understand?"

Claudia nodded, her expression apologetic. "Yes, miss. I'm sorry."

Astrid's gaze lingered on Claudia, making sure she understood. Then, she turned to head towards the bathroom.

"Are you hungry?" Claudia asked, following her.

"I'll eat later. I want to shower," Astrid replied, her voice firm.

"Let me go and get the water ready for you," Claudia offered.

But Astrid refused. "I can do it myself."

Claudia's expression turned hesitant. "I'm sorry, miss. But Mister Thompson won't forgive me if I let you do anything."

Astrid raised an eyebrow, her patience wearing thin. "That is your business with him. I want to bathe, and I can prepare the water for myself."

Claudia stepped in, blocking the road to the stair, and bowing her head politely. "Miss, I can't let you do it."

The tension between them was palpable, and Astrid felt a surge of frustration. Why was Claudia being so stubborn?

Just as it seemed like the situation was about to escalate, the door opened, and Andrew stepped in. "It's good that you have met Claudia, and you are already getting along," he said, his voice smooth as silk.

Astrid's face became fierce, and she refused to say anything. She was still fuming from her conversation with Claudia.

"Claudia, how is she treating you, Mister Thompson?" Andrew asked, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"She wouldn't let me prepare the water for her, but she insisted on doing it alone," Claudia replied, her voice neutral.

Andrew chuckled, his eyes never leaving Astrid's face. "Go ahead and prepare the water for her. Don't mind her fearsome behavior."

Astrid glared at Andrew as he strolled to the living room to take his seat. She felt a sense of unease, like she was being watched and controlled.

"It seems you are not used to princess treatment," Andrew said, his voice dripping with condescension.

Astrid's anger flared up, and she spat out the words. "You are only breeding me for your use, I am not your property, neither am I your possession. I don't belong to you."

Andrew stood up, his eyes locked onto hers. "Well, I don't see things the way you do."

Astrid's voice was fierce, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I repeat, I am not your possession. There is no tag on me that would say 'I belong to you' or 'Andrew'."

Andrew's expression turned intense, his eyes burning with desire. He walked close to her, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Last night was the first night. I don't want to go to a place where another man has gone to. I want to be the only one there until I get tired of you."

Astrid pushed him away, her eyes wide with disgust. "You are disgusting," she said, her voice trembling with rage.

Andrew chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. He answered his phone, his voice cold and detached. "What is it?"

The person on the other end of the line responded, but Astrid couldn't hear what they said. Andrew's response was curt. "Bring them in."

He ended the call without waiting for a reply, his eyes never leaving Astrid's face. The door opened, and five ladies in identical outfits walked in. Astrid's confusion deepened.

"These are your maids," Andrew said, his voice commanding. "Introduce yourselves."

The ladies curtsied, their voices chiming in turn. "Good day, miss. I'm Leah. I'm Cynthia. I'm Wendy. I'm Crystal, and I'm Bethany."

Astrid's eyes widened as she took in the scene. What was going on?

Andrew continued, his voice cold and detached. "Three of them will come twice a week to clean the house, while the other two will leave with you and handle the food."

Astrid's instincts rebelled. "I can cook for myself," she said, trying to sound firm.

But Andrew's response was menacing. "If I get news that she is performing any chores, doing hard labor, I will slit your throat," he threatened, his eyes glinting with menace.

The maids nodded, their voices chiming in unison. "Yes, sir."

Astrid felt a surge of horror. What kind of person was Andrew?

"Despite?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Andrew's response was chilling. "They are mine. Their parents couldn't pay up the debt they owe, so they offered their daughters to redeem themselves. So, if I kill them, the government has no business with it because they are my possession."

Astrid's eyes widened in horror. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You are a despicable person," she spat, her voice trembling with rage. "You mean their parents?"

Andrew's expression was unrepentant. "Yes, I mean their parents."

Astrid felt a wave of revulsion wash over her. She couldn't imagine being stuck with this man for a year.

Andrew's voice cut into her thoughts. "Is that all you have to say regarding the contract?"

Astrid shook her head, her thoughts racing. "No," she said, trying to sound firm.

Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

Astrid took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. "You are not allowed to attend parties, nor talk to guys. How does that even concern you?" Andrew asked, his voice dripping with condescension.

Astrid's eyes narrowed. "It's mostly social gatherings," she replied, trying to sound casual.

Andrew's expression turned stern. "You are not allowed to attend social gatherings. And if you must attend, then tell me, so I will go with you."

Astrid raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with sarcasm. "What if it's for girls only, and we have male models inside to spice up the party? Are you going to disguise yourself as a girl?" She smiled at the thought of Andrew looking like a lady.

Astrid's eyes rolled in frustration as Andrew replied, "No, he won't attend such gatherings."

She rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. Why was Andrew being so infuriating?

"What if I go secretly?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Andrew's expression remained calm, but his eyes glinted with amusement. "Then I will send someone over there to crash the party and fetch you. It's simple."

Astrid's eyes widened in horror. "You are cruel," she said, her voice trembling with rage.

Andrew shrugged, his expression unrepentant. "So, if I get a job, I am not allowed to speak to male customers?" Astrid asked, her voice heavy with sarcasm.

Andrew's expression turned serious. "What I meant was, your conversations must be healthy and formal. No flirting."

Astrid's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "You are insane," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Andrew's expression remained calm, but his eyes glinted with amusement. "I am not signing this," Astrid said, her voice firm.

Andrew's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with menace. "Then are you ready to roam the streets in search of five million?" he asked, his voice dripping with condescension.

Astrid's eyes widened in horror as she realized the truth. She was trapped, and Andrew held all the cards.

'What sort of rules are these,how could he do this to her'