Being stranded

"I apologized already ,but there was nothing for me to post about for almost two months. There was nothing good happening in my life. I started losing followers, and it was really bad. Plus, that post made me gain the attention of the Brooks family. They love me now "

"They don't love you; they're using you to get juicy gossip because that's what you're good at," Astrid said, offending Ashley with the last part

"Excuse me?" Ashley said, feeling annoyed with the last sentence. I'm sorry, please just drive," Astrid apologized, even though she knew she had told the truth. She didn't want to be kicked out of the car because she was stranded.

"Fine, where am I going to go? Corporate society? Why do you want to go there?" Ashley asked.

"I'm going for an interview," Astrid replied.

"What?" Ashley exclaimed with a smile. "Astrid wished she hadn't told her that. It explains why you're dressed like this. The young daughter of the Waltons needs a job," Ashley said with mocking laughter.

"Wait, did your family cut you off?" Ashley asked.

"Is everything funny to you?" Astrid replied.

"I'm sorry, but it's hilarious," Ashley said.

Astrid ground her teeth and looked outside while wondering how she had met Ashley and how exactly they became best friends. If she had known this was how Ashley would turn out in the future, she would have avoided being friends with her

"I'm sorry, please just drive," Astrid apologized, even though she knew she had told the truth. She didn't want to be kicked out of the car because she was stranded.

"Fine, where am I going to go?"

"Seth's Corporate society? Why do you want to go there?" Ashley asked.

"I'm going for an interview," Astrid replied.

"What?" Ashley exclaimed with a smile. "Astrid wished she hadn't told her that. It explains why you're dressed like this. The young daughter of the Waltons needs a job," Ashley said with mocking laughter.

"Wait, did your family cut you off?" Ashley asked.

"Is everything funny to you?" Astrid replied.

"I'm sorry, but it's hilarious," Ashley said.

Astrid ground her teeth and looked outside while wondering how she had met Ashley and how exactly they became best friends. If she had known this was how Ashley would turn out in the future, she would have avoided being friends with her.

*After the interview*

"How did it go?" Ashley asked.

"It went well. I'll have to be hopeful," Astrid replied,

"You haven't told me what's going on with you and Mr Thompson."

"Actually, nothing's happening. I just needed a break away from home, so I decided to go somewhere and clear my head," Astrid said still not revealing what was happening between her and Mr. Thompson.

"Then why didn't you go to George's place and when did you and Mr Thompson become that close?" Ashley asked.

"We're breaking up," Astrid replied.

"Oh my god!" Ashley gasped. "But what exactly happened?"

"Look, my life is messed up right now. I'm not in the mood to complicate matters further," Astrid said.

"What do you mean by complicating matters further? Telling a friend a problem complicates matters further," Ashley asked.

"Ashley look, I don't want to do this," Astrid said.

"I've been putting up with your shitty attitude since I picked you up. I'm tired. Find someone else to vent your frustration on," Ashley said, picking up her jacket and walking out, leaving Astrid stranded.

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Andrew came to check on his little mistress and called Claudia's name because he couldn't find her.

"Yes, sir?" Claudia answered fearfully.

"Where is she?" Andrew asked, crossing his legs and tapping his fingers lightly on the dining table.

"I-I don't know, sir," Claudia stammered. "Didn't you see when she left? Weren't you the one who dressed her?"

"I'm sorry, sir. I overslept," Claudia apologized.

"How exhausted were you last night?" Andrew asked. "What was the main reason I specifically assigned you to her?"

"To keep an eye on her, sir," Claudia replied.

"What was she doing on her laptop?" Andrew asked.

"I didn't pay much attention. I'm sorry," Claudia said, kneeling down, knowing she had neglected her duties.

Andrew stood up and left, not wanting to be harsh on her since it was her first time, and she was mentally stable even after leaving her family.

Astrid, tired and hungry, had no one in her contact list who would help her, even if she begged. She thought about walking home, but it would take her three days or more to reach her destination. Just then, Sir Thompson showed up for a business meeting, and she hoped he would take her back. Her phone, her only source of companionship, suddenly went off. She sat in the waiting room and watched people carry on with their duties.

Twenty minutes later, two good-looking muscular men walked up to her, and she thought they were members of the security team, noticing she had stayed too long. But they followed her outside, and Astrid wondered why. She thought maybe Mira sent someone to kill her for sleeping with her beloved fiancé or that they were serial killers who wanted to assault her sexually. Astrid was scared and confused, so she started walking faster.

Andrew, who was waiting in the car, was fed up with the whole chase. So, he got out of the car and carried her across his shoulders. Astrid screamed, thinking she was being kidnapped, but she calmed down when she saw Andrew's face.

"What were you doing there?" Andrew asked in a cold voice.

"How did you find me?" Astrid asked, instead of answering.

"What were you doing there?" Andrew repeated, this time in a much harsher tone.

"I went on a job search," Astrid said, looking out the window.

"How long was the interview meant to last?" Andrew asked.

"There was no means for me to come back," Astrid replied.

Andrew took a credit card from his pocket and gave it to her. "Here," he said, handing her the card, annoyed that she was broke.

"I can't take it," Astrid said.

"As long as you're mine, I'm responsible for everything you need," Andrew said, placing the card on her lap.

Reluctantly, Astrid took it. "Thank you," she said in a low tone.

"Here's your key," Andrew said, but Astrid recognized it wasn't her car keys.

Andrew shot her a glare"accept it or else" look. "Thank you," Astrid said, forcing a smile.

Astrid's eyes snapped up to Andrew's, her heart racing as she realized the key wasn't the only thing he was offering her. The air was charged with tension as he leaned in, his lips inches from hers.

"The key comes with a price to pay," Andrew said, his voice low and husky. Astrid's eyes locked on his, her mind racing with possibilities as he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear.