Chapter 3 New Rules

• Astrid took her luggage and got into her car, the cool leather seat enveloping her like a temporary escape. She decided to drive far away from there, as far as she could, to leave everything behind. The thought of starting a new life, getting a job, working hard to make a living, and living a good life somewhere else was exhilarating. As she drove, tears welled up in her eyes, and she couldn't believe the heartless and toxic family she grew up in. Their cruelty and indifference had finally taken its toll.
• The road blurred before her as tears streamed down her face. She was tired of their madness, tired of being treated like she didn't matter. All she wanted was her piece of mind, a chance to live life on her own terms. The GPS guided her through the winding roads, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of freedom and escape.
• Suddenly, she was cornered by four black cars. They boxed her in, and Astrid's heart skipped a beat. She wondered what was happening, what she had done, who she had offended. But she couldn't think of anyone who would go to such lengths. Fear crept in, her breath catching in her throat.
• A man in a black suit emerged from one of the cars, his face expressionless. He opened her door and took her out of the car, his grip firm but not bruising. Astrid's voice was nowhere to be heard; she couldn't even scream. She was paralyzed with fear, unable to struggle or resist.
• The man put her in his car, and Astrid felt a sense of detachment, as if she was observing the scene from outside her body. She stayed still, frozen in fear, as the man drove forward. It felt like eternity, the silence oppressive.
• Astrid's mind was numb, her thoughts disjointed. She had no idea where she was being taken or what would happen to her. The uncertainty was suffocating.
• Finally, the car stopped, and Astrid was woken up by a light tap on her shoulder. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the surroundings. When she got out of the car, she was shocked by their destination. It wasn't a warehouse or a deserted alleyway, where she would be beaten or worse. Instead, they were at a luxurious house, with beautifully manicured lawns and a grand entrance.
• Astrid followed the man inside, her heart pounding in her chest. She was led to a room with a man sitting on a couch, his eyes fixed on her. It was Mr. Andrew Thompson, and Astrid's mind reeled with questions. Why had he brought her here? What did he want from her?
• "Please, sit down," Mr. Thompson said, pointing to a seat in front of her. But Astrid was defiant, her arms folded across her chest. "What's the meaning of all this?" she asked, her voice firm, her eyes locked on Mr. Thompson's face.
• Andrew's eyes sparkled with amusement as he replied, "Well, you wanted to run away." His voice was low and smooth, like velvet. Astrid's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. She decided to play it cool, to pretend that she wasn't running away from her problems. "Look, the day isn't over," she said, trying to sound casual. "I wanted to get money from a friend of mine."
• Andrew's eyebrow arched, his interest piqued. "Where does that friend of yours live?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. Astrid's lips parted, and she shook her head. "I won't tell you," she said, her voice firm.
• Andrew chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "I'm beginning to think that friend of yours is imaginary," he said, taking a sip of the whiskey beside him. The amber liquid glowed in the glass, and Astrid's eyes followed the movement of his hand.
• Astrid turned to leave, but the guards stepped forward, blocking her way. She felt a surge of frustration and anger. "Where exactly are you going to?" Andrew asked, his voice dripping with amusement. The question struck a chord in Astrid, because she herself didn't know where she was going or what her next move was.
• Andrew stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate. He put his hand in his pocket and strolled casually towards Astrid. "You know, I know about everything that happened in your family," he said, his eyes glinting with knowledge.
• One of the guards nodded, and suddenly, the sound of Astrid's family's conversation filled the room. Astrid's face burned with shame and anger as she heard the recorder play back the argument between her and her father. "You were following me," she accused, her voice cold. "Don't you have better things to do?"
• Andrew's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to gleam with interest. "I do," he replied, his voice smooth. "Then why do you want to meddle in my affairs?" Astrid asked, her voice firm.
• "I'm not meddling," Andrew said, his voice low. "I was just listening." Astrid's eyes locked onto his, searching for answers. She didn't know what to make of Andrew's motives, but she knew she had to be careful.
• The clock on the wall seemed to tick louder, the sound echoing through the room. Astrid knew she was running out of time. "Look, the day is not over yet," she said, trying to buy herself more time. "I still have time."
• Andrew's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "What exactly do you want to do?" he asked, his voice smooth. Astrid hesitated, her mind racing with possibilities. "I can get a loan from a bank," she suggested, hoping that would buy her some time.
• Andrew's question hung in the air, and Astrid felt a sense of unease. "What will be your collateral?" he asked confidently, his eyes locked on hers. Astrid was short of words, her mind racing with the reality of her situation. She knew she had nothing to offer, no assets to pledge, no one to turn to for help.
• Andrew's smile was persuasive as he leaned forward. "Be my mistress for a year, and I'll cover up all your debts and daily expenses," he said, his voice low and smooth. He stroked her cheek, his touch sending shivers down her spine. Astrid's instincts screamed at her to pull away, but she was trapped.
• "I can't waste a year of my life," Astrid said, her voice firm as she threw his hand away, her eyes flashing with anger and frustration. Andrew's expression didn't change, but his eyes seemed to gleam with amusement.
• "So what would you rather do?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "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 and give you everything you need." He sipped his whiskey, his eyes never leaving hers.
• "And after a year, you would probably have a lot of money," he continued, his voice persuasive. "It's a healthy start at this point in your life. Don't you think?" Astrid felt a wave of resentment wash over her. She hated being at a disadvantage, hated having no better choice than the one offered to her.
• Andrew's words painted a bleak picture of her alternatives. "Or do you want to sleep in your car, roam the streets, eat from the streets? It's not even a proper meal," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "If Mira sees you, she'll laugh, and you'll be made a laughingstock to her and her friends. The choice is yours."
• Astrid clenched her fist, her mind racing with the implications. She felt trapped, with no way out. She didn't have someone she'd run to, no one she could turn to for help. Someone who wouldn't complain about her being a leech, but she knew she had to make a decision.
• After a huge debate in her head, Astrid finally spoke up. "Fine, I'll do it," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The words felt like ash in her mouth, but she knew she had no other choice.
• As Andrew handed her the contract, a smile spread across his face. "That's better," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Sign this." Astrid took the contract, her eyes scanning the pages. The words blurred together, but she knew she had to read it carefully.
• "I'm Party A, you're Party B," Andrew explained, his voice smooth. "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." He turned to leave, his movements fluid.
• "I'll come back tomorrow to get the documents," he said, his voice fading as he walked out of the room. One of the guards picked up the documents that were scattered on the table, his movements efficient. Astrid watched them leave, feeling a sense of unease.
• As the door closed behind them, Astrid sat down, her eyes fixed on the contract. She wondered how her life had become like this. She wished her life had a positive direction, one that didn't involve being trapped in a situation like this. She didn't want her life to move in this direction, but it seemed like she had no choice.
• Astrid sighed, abandoning her wishful thinking. She decided to face reality, harsh as it was. She picked up the contract and began to read it, her eyes scanning the pages. The conditions listed were absurd.
• Point number one: Party B must be home before 8 PM. Astrid's eyebrows furrowed as she read the clause. "Wait, is that curfew or else I'll be punished?" she thought, a sense of unease growing in her stomach.
• Number two: Party B must cut all ties with her fiancé, lover, boyfriend, etc. Astrid's eyes widened in outrage. "Wait, I'll cut all ties while he keeps his? This is even more absurd." She felt a surge of anger and resentment.
• Number three: Party B must not talk or interact with the opposite gender. Interact only with your own gender. Astrid's jaw dropped as she read the clause. "What the...? This isn't making any sense to me." She felt like she was trapped in a nightmare...