Chapter 4 Perks Of Having A Gossipy Friend

• Astrid decided to read on, hoping to find something useful or fair in the contract. As she scanned the pages, her eyes landed on another clause. Party B must take her contraceptives regularly. Astrid's expression was neutral as she read the clause. "I'm okay with that," she said to herself. "It's not like I wanted to carry his child."
• But her neutrality didn't last long. The next clause made her blood boil. Party B is restricted from attending parties, clubs, etc. Astrid's face twisted in disgust as she closed the contract. She couldn't read anymore, the conditions were terrible. They didn't seem fair. The more she read, the angrier she became. She felt like she was being suffocated, restricted from living her life the way she wanted.
• Astrid stood up, her movements abrupt. She was fed up with the contract and Andrew's demands. "I'll think about this later," she said to herself. "Right now, I need a shower." She walked towards the bathroom, her mind still reeling from the contract's conditions.
• As she stood up, a young lady in a maid uniform appeared in front of her. "Good afternoon, miss," the lady said with a curtsy. "I'm Claudia." Astrid's eyes narrowed as she looked at Claudia. "Are you a maid?" she asked, her tone a bit sharp.
• "Yes, miss," Claudia replied, her voice soft. "Do you cook or clean?" Astrid asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Oh, I don't do this," Claudia said. "I'm your personal maid."
• Astrid raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Mr. Thompson instructed me specifically to take care of you and attend to your daily needs," Claudia replied. Astrid's face twisted in skepticism. "Where am I? Am I a princess? Look, I can take care of myself," she said, her voice firm.
• Claudia's expression remained neutral. "I'm just following Mr. Thompson's instructions, miss," she said. Astrid sighed, feeling a sense of frustration. She didn't need a personal maid, but it seemed like Andrew had other plans.
• Astrid's annoyance was palpable as she asked, "Is this really necessary?" Claudia's expression remained neutral as she replied, "Yes, it is. You are his jewels and..." Astrid's eyes flashed with anger, and she cut Claudia off mid-sentence. "Hey!" she yelled, her voice firm. "I will need to correct that part. I am not his. I belong to no one but myself. Understand?"
• Claudia's eyes widened slightly, and she apologized, "Yes, miss. I'm sorry." Astrid's anger seemed to dissipate slightly, replaced by a sense of determination. "Better," she said. "Are you hungry?" she asked Claudia.
• Claudia shook her head. "No, miss. I'll eat later. But let me go and get the water ready for your shower." Astrid raised an eyebrow. "I can do it myself," she said, her tone firm. Claudia hesitated, her eyes darting towards the door.
• "Mister Thompson won't forgive me if I let you do anything," Claudia said, her voice soft. Astrid's face twisted in frustration. "That is your business with him," she said. "I want to bathe, and I can prepare the water for myself."
• Claudia stepped in, blocking Astrid's path to the stairs. She bowed her head politely. "Miss, I can't let you do it," she said. Astrid's anger flared up again, but before she could say anything, the door opened, and Andrew stepped in.
• "It's good that you have met Claudia, and you are already getting along," Andrew said, his voice smooth. Astrid's face became fierce, and she refused to say anything. Andrew turned to Claudia. "Claudia, how is she treating you, Miss...?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.
• Claudia replied, "She wouldn't let me prepare the water for her, but she insisted on doing it alone." Andrew chuckled. "Go ahead and prepare the water for her," he said to Claudia. "Don't mind her fearsome behavior."
• Astrid glared at Andrew as he strolled to the living room, taking a seat on the couch. She felt like a prisoner, trapped in a situation she didn't want to be in. Claudia curtsied and headed towards the bathroom to prepare the water. Astrid watched her go, feeling a sense of resentment towards Andrew and his rules.
• Astrid's eyes flashed with anger as she replied, "It seems you are not used to princess treatment." Her voice was laced with sarcasm. "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's expression remained calm, but his eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "Well, I don't see things the way you do," he said, his voice smooth.
• Astrid's anger boiled over, and she repeated, "I am not your possession. There is no tag on me that would say 'I belong to you' or 'Andrew'." Her voice was fierce, and her eyes blazed with determination.
• Andrew stood up, his movements fluid, and walked close to Astrid. His voice dropped to a whisper, and he said, "Last night was your first night, it's good that no man has been there before because I don't want to go to a place where another man has gone to. I want to be the only one there." He said with a smirk.
• Astrid's face twisted in disgust as she understood the meaning of his words. She pushed him away, her hands firm. "You are disgusting," she said, her voice cold.
• Andrew chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. He answered his phone, his voice cold. "What is it?" he responded, his tone devoid of emotion.
• The person on the other end of the line spoke, and Andrew's expression remained neutral. "They're ready," the person said. Andrew nodded, even though he couldn't be seen. "Bring them in," he said, ending the call without waiting for a response.
• The door opened, and four ladies in the same outfit came in. Astrid's eyes widened in confusion as she looked at the ladies. "These are your maids," Andrew said, his voice smooth. "Introduce yourselves."
• The ladies curtsied, and each one introduced herself in turn. "Good day, miss. I'm Leah." "I'm Cynthia." "I'm Wendy." "I'm Crystal." "And I'm Bethany." Their voices were soft, and they seemed to be well-trained.
• Andrew nodded, his eyes scanning the ladies. "Good. Three of them will come twice a week to clean the house, while the other two will live with you and handle the food," he said. Astrid's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What did Andrew plan for her? And what was the purpose of these maids?
• "I can cook for myself," Astrid replied, her voice firm. Andrew's expression turned cold, and he threatened, "If I get news that she is performing any chores, doing hard labor, I will slit your throat." The maids' eyes widened in fear, and they chorused, "Yes, sir."
• Astrid's eyes locked onto Andrew's, her anger and disgust evident. "Despite?" she asked, her voice laced with contempt. Andrew's smile was cruel as he replied, "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 face twisted in horror. "You are a despicable person," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You mean their parents?" she asked, her mind reeling with the implications. Andrew's expression remained neutral, but Astrid's thoughts were racing. She was fed up with this man already, and she couldn't even imagine a year with him.
• Andrew's voice cut through her thoughts. "Is that all you have to say regarding the contract?" he asked, his tone smooth. Astrid shook her head. "No," she said, her voice firm. Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Go on," he said, his voice encouraging.
• Astrid took a deep breath. "You are not allowed to attend parties, nor talk to guys. How does that even concern you?" Andrew asked, his tone curious. Astrid's eyes narrowed. "It's mostly social gatherings," she replied.
• Andrew's expression turned serious. "You are not allowed to attend social gatherings. And if you must attend, then tell me, so I will go with you," he said. Astrid's frustration grew. "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 asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.
• Andrew's smile was cold. "No, you won't attend such gatherings," he replied. Astrid rubbed her temples, feeling frustrated and trapped. "You're probably scared because those models are better looking than you.What if I go secretly?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
• Andrew's eyes locked onto hers, and he replied, "Then I will send someone over there to crash the party and fetch you. It's simple." Astrid's anger boiled over. "You are cruel," she said, her voice cold.
• Andrew's expression remained neutral. "So, if I get a job, I am not allowed to speak to male customers?" Astrid asked, her voice laced with skepticism. She waited for Andrew's response, her heart pounding in her chest.
• "It's only professional discussions that should be maintained."
• Astrid's hand trembled slightly as she took the pen and signed the contract. She had no other choice,this was her only way to get back at Mira. Andrew's smile grew wider as he picked up the signed document. "Excellent choice," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.
• Astrid felt a sense of unease wash over her. She had just signed away a year of her life to this man, and she wasn't sure what the future held. Andrew's eyes locked onto hers, and he said, "I'll make sure to take good care of you, Astrid. You won't regret this."
• Astrid's face twisted in disgust. "I already regret it," she said, her voice cold. Andrew chuckled, seemingly amused by her response. Andrew's expression remained neutral, but his fingers began to caress her skin, starting from her earlobe and trailing down to her neck. Astrid felt a shiver run down her spine at his touch.
• "I will let you rest today," Andrew said, his voice smooth. "But I will be back tomorrow."
• As Andrew walked towards the door, Astrid felt a sense of relief wash over her. Maybe now that the contract was signed, she could start figuring out her life in this new situation. But Andrew turned back to her and said, "I'll have Claudia show you to your room. You can start getting settled in."
• Astrid nodded, feeling a sense of resignation. She knew she had to make the best of this situation, at least for now. As Andrew left the room, Claudia stepped forward and curtsied. "Follow me, miss," she said, leading Astrid towards her new life.