3 Chapter 03

After three knocks on the door, she heard Andy's shouted out "Come in!" Lydia slowly push opened the door and entered into his office.

"Sit," he pointed to an Italian made leather sofa situated in the opposite corner of the room from where he was sitting. Andy continued typing on his iMac with his side facing Lydia. She sat there not knowing what to expect from him. After ten minutes, he finally finalized what he's doing, got up from his desk and walk towards her.

"I wasn't sure that you would come today." He said.

"I don't think I had a choice, do I?" Lydia looked up at him and said.

"You don't really unless you want your father to go to jail for a very long time." Andy said sneeringly.

"What do you want from me?" Lydia asked softly. She doesn't know what he wanted but hoping it was something she was able to provide him. Lydia could sensed that he was not the same old man she've seen a few days ago, he was no longer traumatized by his sister's death and now he only wanted revenge .

"I want you to be my mistress," Andy said as he sat down beside her on the couch. Lydia felt surprised, how could this be happening? She'd just lost her best friend, her father was a monster to Annie and now her family was falling apart. How could this man wanted her as his mistress?

"There is also another option." Andy said, after noticing Lydia's hesitation. "I could tell the police the truth, and they could come arrest your father later today." He told her, getting up from where he's and walking back towards his desk.

"Andy, please....." she begged him and was quivering in fear. "I can't.. I...." Before she could finish, he turned around and walked towards her, cupping her mouth with his hand.

"Shhhhh...." He whispered in her ear. "You have three days to decide what you want to do, either you make amends for your father, or you watch him rot in jail. The choice is yours Lydia." Then Andy brushed a loose hair and tucked it behind her ear as if she was already his.

"You can leave now, I have work to do." He said to her. "I am giving you three days to consider and I need your answer by then, or your father will go to jail for a very long time. Do you understand?"

Lydia nodded, wiping away her tears and left his office. Tears kept falling thinking about her pitiful future, one uncertain fate that her father had predestined her to. Would she be able to still get married and have children one day? Will he love her, how could she have sex with him without love, was this forever? Is this his revenge for Annie?!

Although Lydia didn't love her father enough but she can't watch him rot in jail? So she made up her mind and went to Andy's office on the second day

"Oh hello!" His receptionist greeted her more politely this time as she recognized Lydia from only a few days ago.

"Sorry, I didn't have an appointment and he wasn't expecting me but...." Before she could finish Andy's receptionist was already on the phone with Andy announcing her arrival.

"Actually, he told me that you would be coming today or tomorrow. Go straight in, he's waiting for you, she instructed Lydia as she motioned down the hallway as if Lydia had been here few times. The door to Andy's office was slightly opened and while knocking at the door, she poked her head inside to steal a view. Andy rose from where he was sitting and placed his laptop on the table.

"Lydia, come in" He said to her hostilely. I am hoping you have good news for me?"

Lydia nodded her head quietly, paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "I.. I will be your mistress.." She said half-heartedly. Andy stared at her in suspicion, not positive sure if he had heard her correctly.

"But on one condition." Lydia added as he stared at her. Not waiting for him to respond, Lydia continued with her negotiations, reassuring herself that she would regret it if she didn't ask. "I want to go to college," she said.

"Fine," Andy replied sincerely, knowing that this was the least he could do in his sister's memory for her friend. "I will have a car to pick you up in a week, packed your belongings and be ready."

Lydia nodded, expecting it to be sooner but she was glad that she still had a week of freedom. As she turned to leave, Andy spoke again.

"Oh, Lydia, be sure to say goodbye to your parents, they are dead to you now." He commanded. Before she could replied, he added, "Unless you want to change your mind, you can always stay home and just visit your father in jail."

"That's not fair!" She yelled at him, without caring if his whole office heard her.

"Keep your voice down." He shouted back. "You have your conditions Lydia, I have mine. The decision is still yours, you still do have one more day left." He reminded her as she walked towards the door.

"I will see you exactly in one week then." He said, as she slammed the door behind her. On her way out, her mind kept wondering "How's she going to survive this misfortune? How's would her life be after this disaster?"