"What kind of price?" Astrid asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt a shiver run down her spine as Andrew's fingers grazed her skin.

"The kind that requires you to surrender to me completely," Andrew replied, his eyes burning with intensity. "Are you willing to pay it, Astrid?"

Astrid's heart was racing as she hesitated, unsure of what to say. But as she looked into Andrew's eyes, she felt a spark of desire ignite within her. She nodded slowly, her voice caught in her throat.

"Yes," she whispered finally, the word hanging in the air like a challenge.

Andrew's face twisted into a fierce smile, and he leaned in closer, his lips inches from Astrid's. "Then let's seal the deal," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin..

Andrew's lips crashed down on Astrid's, his kiss fierce and demanding. Astrid's mouth opened beneath his, their tongues tangling in a dance of desire.

As they kissed, Andrew's hands roamed over Astrid's body, his fingers tracing the curves of her waist, the swell of her hips. Astrid's skin burned beneath his touch, her nipples hardening into tight peaks.

"Touch me," Astrid whispered, her voice husky with need. Andrew's hands slid up her thighs, his fingers brushing against her panties.

"You're mine now," Andrew growled, his eyes blazing with possessiveness. "Every inch of you."

Astrid's heart was racing, her body throbbing with desire. She felt a rush of excitement as Andrew's fingers slid beneath her panties, his touch sending shivers down her spine...

As Andrew's fingers delved deeper, Astrid's breath caught in her throat. His touch was like fire, igniting a passion within her that she couldn't control.

"Andrew," she whispered, her voice trembling with desire.

"Say my name again," Andrew growled, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Andrew," Astrid repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a sudden movement, Andrew swept Astrid into his arms, carrying her to the bed. He laid her down, his body covering hers as he claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss.

Astrid's world spun out of control as Andrew's hands and lips explored her body. She felt herself melting into his touch, surrendering to the passion that threatened to consume her.

As Andrew's hands and lips explored her body, Astrid felt herself melting into his touch, surrendering to the passion that threatened to consume her.

Andrew's fingers trailed down her stomach, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He reached the waistband of her panties and slowly began to pull them down.

Astrid's heart was racing, her body throbbing with desire. She felt exposed, vulnerable, yet incredibly turned on.

"Andrew," she whispered, her voice trembling with need.

"Look at me," Andrew growled, his eyes burning with intensity. Astrid's gaze locked onto his, and she felt herself drowning in the depths of his eyes.

"Stop the car and get out!!" Andrew commanded his voice full of lust.

As Astrid gazed into Andrew's eyes, she felt a spark of electricity run through her body. His fingers continued their gentle exploration, sending shivers down her spine.

"Touch me," Astrid whispered, her voice barely audible.

Andrew's eyes flashed with desire, and he leaned in closer. His lips brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Where?" he whispered, his breath hot against her skin.

Astrid's heart was racing, her body throbbing with desire. She hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Everywhere," she whispered, her voice trembling with need.

Andrew's eyes blazed with intensity, and he claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss. Astrid's world spun out of control as Andrew's hands and lips explored her body, setting her ablaze with desire...

When they got back, Claudia had already prepared lunch so Astrid showered and ate to her satisfaction while Andrew simply watched her. He waited until she was done before he spoke

"You have three hours to rest,I have an event by seven so you'd better be up before then." Andrew informed her

"How does it relate to me? I'm not your fiancé" Astrid said.

"You'd be my arm candy for the night "

"What would people say,when I'm by your side instead of Mira" Astrid asked

"That's not your problem is it?" Andrew asked

"No but I can't make a public appearance when you have Mira "

"I'm going to cancel my engagement with Mira"Andrew replied

"She'd be really angry."Astrid said with a smile and Andrew shot her a glare

"I mean she really wants to be Mrs Thompson and join the Elites club" Astrid replied

"Someone would be here in three hours time to get you dressed. "He said as he stood up and was about to leave

"Where am I going to? " Astrid asked

"Is there a problem? "Andrew retorted

"Don't I have the right to know where I'm going to? Or what I'm attending, don't you think I need to get a heads-up so I'll know what to expect" Astrid said

"I am trying to treat you as a human, don't make me regret my decision " Andrew replied as he walked away leaving Astrid stunned because one minute he's normal and the next he's cold,she decided not to let it get into her head.

Astrid woke up to a light tap on her shoulder and saw an unfamiliar face.

"I'm Yvonne, and I'll be helping you get ready for Mrs. Mills' birthday party," the stranger said. Astrid rubbed her eyes, still sleepy. "Oh, that's the occasion," she said, recalling the purpose of her preparation.

As she stood up, she saw Mr. Thompson at the end of the room, legs crossed, watching her intently. She groaned inwardly, feeling a mix of annoyance and unease. Claudia, the maid, helped her take a bath and led her to the changing room, where she tried on numerous dresses. However, Mr. Thompson rejected each one, and Astrid grew tired of the endless try-ons.

"Why are you so picky?" Astrid asked, frustrated, after he dismissed the maroon dress she was wearing.

"As long as you're with me, you're meant to look good," Andrew replied, his expression unyielding. Astrid decided to challenge him, saying,

"Well, I'm not changing. We're going like this." Andrew smiled, taking out his phone.

"I'd call someone to rip that dress off your body and put a new one on you."

"Fine ,I'll go"she said because she knows the fact that Andrew doesn't bluff and she didn't want anyone to see her without a dress.

Astrid chose a bold red dress with a sweetheart curve, which fit her perfectly. She thought to herself, "He'd be a jerk to reject this dress." When she walked out, Andrew stood up, seemingly pleased, but didn't compliment her. Instead, he said, "This is better. Move on to the next step." Astrid felt a pang of disappointment, wondering why he didn't acknowledge her beauty.

The designer finished her makeup, styled her hair, and added matching accessories. Astrid admired herself in the mirror, feeling more beautiful than ever before. However, memories of her sister Mira's privileged treatment resurfaced, making her feel like she was living in Mira's shadow.

Andrew handed the designer a credit card and walked away without a compliment, Astrid felt stunned and wondered if she should chase after him. A security personnel arrived, conveying a message from Andrew

"Miss,Mr Thompson is waiting for you in the car"

"Ohh,I'm coming"Astrid said but decided to savor her moment, walking gently to the car.

Meanwhile, Mr. Thompson grew increasingly impatient, tapping his fingers loudly as he watched Astrid walk towards the car, flirting and laughing with his security personnel. "How dare she?" he thought, feeling annoyed. When Astrid finally settled in, he told the driver to start moving, and then confronted her about breaking their contract by flirting with his employee.

"What did I do?" Astrid asked, feigning innocence.

"You're not meant to flirt with anyone, including my employees," Andrew replied, his voice firm.

"I wasn't flirting. Our little chat was harmless. You could ask him," Astrid said.

"What did you talk about?" Andrew asked, his eyes narrowing.

"That's our business, not yours," Astrid replied, meeting his gaze.

Andrew's expression turned annoyed. "You know I can dump you right here and come back tomorrow for my money. I have footage of everything that happened in the hotel."

Astrid's eyes widened. "Why do you have to bring this up? What's your problem, Andrew?"

The chauffeur, sensing the tension, kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his expression neutral. The car ride continued in silence, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine and the occasional tap of Andrew's fingers on his leg.