"Is this really necessary?" Astrid asked.
"Yes, it is. You are his jewels and..." Claudia started to say.
"Hey!" Astrid yelled feeling annoyed with that word "I will need to correct that part. I am not his. I belong to no one but myself. Understand?" Astrid interrupted.
"Yes, miss. I'm sorry," Claudia apologized.
"Better. Are you hungry?" Claudia asked.
"I'll eat later. I want to shower," Astrid replied.
"Let me go and get the water ready myself."
" I can do it myself."
"Mister Thompson won't forgive me if I let you do anything," Claudia said. "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."
Suddenly, the door opened, and Andrew stepped in. "It's good that you have met Claudia, and you are already getting along," Andrew said. Astrid's face became fierce, and she refused to say anything.
"Claudia, how is she treating you, Mister Thompson?" Andrew asked.
"She wouldn't let me prepare the water for her, but she insisted on doing it alone," Claudia replied.
"Go ahead and prepare the water for her. Don't mind her fearsome behavior," Andrew said, giving Claudia the go-ahead. Astrid glared at Andrew as he strolled to the living room to take his seat.
"It seems you are not used to princess treatment."
"You are only breeding me for your use, I am not your property, neither am I your possession. I don't belong to you," Astrid replied.
"Well, I don't see things the way you do"Andrew said
"I repeat, I am not your possession. There is no tag on me that would say 'I belong to you' or 'Andrew'."Astrid replied fiercely
Andrew stood up and walked close to her and whispered, "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."
Astrid pushed him away when she understood the meaning of his words. "You are disgusting," she said. Andrew chuckled as he answered his phone.
"What is it?" he responded coldly to the person on the line with him.
"They're ready"the person on the other end responded.
"Bring them in," Andrew said, ending the call without waiting for their reply.
The door opened, and five ladies in the same outfit came in. Astrid was confused.
"These are your maids. Introduce yourselves," Andrew commanded.
"Good day, miss. I'm Leah. I'm Cynthia. I'm Wendy. I'm Crystal, and I'm Bethany." They all said in turns
"Good. Three of them will come twice a week to clean the house, while the other two will leave with you and handle the food," Andrew said.
"I can cook for myself," Astrid replied.
"If I get news that she is performing any chores, doing hard labor, I will slit your throat," Andrew threatened.
"Understood?" Andrew asked harshly.
"Yes, sir," they all chorused.
"Despite?" Astrid asked.
"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," Andrew replied.
"You are a despicable person. You mean their parents?" Astrid asked.
Andrew said, "But Astrid was fed up with this man already. She can't even imagine a year with him."
"Is that all you have to say regarding the contract?" Andrew asked, waking her up from her thoughts.
"No," Astrid said.
"Go on."
"You are not allowed to attend parties, nor talk to guys. How does that even concern you?" Andrew asked.
"It's mostly social gatherings," Astrid replied.
"You are not allowed to attend social gatherings. And if you must attend, then tell me, so I will go with you," Andrew said.
"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?" Astrid asked.
"No, he won't attend such gatherings," Andrew replied.
Astrid rubbed her temples because he was frustrating her. "What if I go secretly?" she asked.
"Then I will send someone over there to crash the party and fetch you. It's simple," Andrew said.
"You are cruel," Astrid said. "So, if I get a job, I am not allowed to speak to male customers?"
"What I meant was, your conversations must be healthy and formal. No flirting," Andrew replied.
"You are insane," Astrid said. "I am not signing this."
"Are you ready to roam the streets in search of five million? Andrew asked.
"Why can't I have conditions towards Party A?" Astrid asked.
"Because I am at an advantage," Andrew replied.
"So, that's why you get to do whatever you like?" Astrid asked.
"Yes," Andrew replied. "It's meant to be a mutual benefit."
"Then, after a year, if I still want you, then we will have mutual benefits," Andrew said.
"Understood?" he asked.
"You are annoying," Astrid said.
"Look, it's either you sign it or go to the streets and search for five million," Andrew said.
Astrid couldn't go to the streets; life would be terrible for her. She survived in that house for over twenty years, so spending a year with this cycle won't kill her.
"Fine, I will sign it," she said, taking the pen and signing.
Andrew picked it up, smile
"No," Astrid said.
"Go on."
"You are not allowed to attend parties, nor talk to guys. How does that even concern you?" Andrew asked.
"It's mostly social gatherings," Astrid replied.
"You are not allowed to attend social gatherings. And if you must attend, then tell me, so I will go with you," Andrew said.
"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?" Astrid asked.
"No, he won't attend such gatherings," Andrew replied.
Astrid rubbed her temples because he was frustrating her. "What if I go secretly?" she asked.
"Then I will send someone over there to crash the party and fetch you. It's simple," Andrew said.
"You are cruel," Astrid said. "So, if I get a job, I am not allowed to speak to male customers?"
his fingers from her earlobe down to her neck. "I will let you rest. I will let you rest today, but I will be back tomorrow," he said as he left.
Astrid sighed, knowing that her life had taken a different turn. She had decided to go in search of a good, high-paying job tomorrow so that once the year runs out, she will have enough money to survive independently. She hated the fact that she stored all her eggs in one basket; she shouldn't have put all her money in one account, but it's not like she had enough money to disperse into numerous banks.