Chapter 2 Living an unplanned life

Astrid took her luggage and went inside the car. She decided to drive far away from there, as far as she could. She wanted to leave everything behind - start a new life, get a job, work hard to make a living, and live a good life somewhere else.

Astrid started driving when suddenly she was cornered by four black cars. She wondered what was happening, what she had done, who she had offended, but she couldn't think of anyone. Suddenly, a man in a black suit opened the door and took her out of the car and put her in his car. Astrid's voice was nowhere to be heard; she couldn't even scream. She just stayed still.

Unknown to her, Andrew had sent someone to keep an eye on her from the minute she left the hotel and report everything that happened to him. The man in black suits drove forward; it felt like eternity. Astrid was woken up by a light tap on her shoulder. When she got down, she was shocked by their destination. The destination she expected was a warehouse where she'd be beaten to death by them. Instead, she followed them inside a house where she met the mastermind behind everything: Mr. Andrew Thompson.

She wondered why she didn't know it was his doing. "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.

"Well, you wanted to run away. Look, the day isn't over. I wanted to get money from a friend of mine," she lied.

"Where does that friend of yours live?" he asked.

"I won't tell you," she said, parting her lips.

"I'm beginning to think that friend of yours is imaginary," he said, taking a sip of the whiskey beside him.

Astrid turned to go out, but was stopped by the guards that put her in. "Where exactly are you going to?" Andrew asked and that question struck a chord in her because she herself didn't know where she was going to or what her next move was.

Andrew stood up and put 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.

"You were following me. Don't you have better things to do?" Astrid asked with a solid expression.

"I do," Andrew replied.

"Then why do you want to meddle in my affairs?"Astrid asked

"I'm not meddling. I was just listening."

" Look, the day is not over yet. I still have time," Astrid said trying to buy herself more time .

"What exactly do you want to do? I can get a loan from a bank," Astrid replied.

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

"Be my mistress for a year, and I'll cover up all your debts and daily expenses," he said as he stroked her cheek

"I can't waste a year of my life," Astrid said.

"So what would you rather do? This is a fresh start for you. You're free to live your life, pursue your passions, work, and earn your own money, which you won't have to spend for a whole year because I'll pay for everything you need. So, after a year, you would probably have a lot of money. It's a healthy start at this point in your life. Don't you think? Or do you want to sleep in your car, roam the streets, and eat from the streets? The choice is yours," Andrew said.

Astrid clenched her face because she hates being at a disadvantage, but she has no better choice than the one offered to her,she didn't have someone she'd run to and won't complain of her being a leech

"Fine, I'll do it," Astrid said after a huge debate in her head.

"That's better," Andrew said, smiling as he picked up the contract and gave it to her. "Sign this."

"I'm Party A, you're Party B. 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" he said as he walked out. One of the guards picked up his documents that were scattered on the table.

Astrid sat down after they left and wondered how her life became like this.

Astrid wished her life had a positive direction. It didn't move this way. She didn't want it to move this way. She wished she had someone to run to, someone who would help her in times like this. She decided to abandon her wishful thinking and face reality, although it was harsh, but she had no other choice.

She picked up the contract and decided to go through it, but the conditions she saw were absurd. Point number one: Party B must be home before 8 PM. "Wait, is that curfew or else I'll be punished?" she thought.

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. "What the...? This isn't making any sense to her."

She decided to read on, maybe she would find something useful or something that is fair to her.

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.

Party B is restricted from attending parties, clubs, etc. She closed the contract and couldn't read anymore because the conditions were terrible. They didn't seem fair. The more she read, the angrier she became. She's restricted from having fun, which isn't fair.

She decided to go and take a shower and talk about the useless contract whenever she comes. As she stood up, a young lady in a maid uniform came to greet her. "Good afternoon, miss. I'm Claudia," the lady said.

"Are you a maid?" Astrid asked.

"Yes, miss."

"Do you cook or clean?" she asked.

"Oh, I don't do this. I'm your personal maid. Am I a princess? I can take care of myself," Astrid said.

"Mister Thompson instructed me specifically to take care of you and attend to your daily needs," Claudia replied.