(Chapter 29) Coercion

Astrid came back inside the mansion as the wind became colder, she sat down beside her mother as some warm milk was given to her.

"That girl is quite nice, make sure to treat her well." Mrs. Tuhs speaks as she watches her daughter drink.

Astrid gave a light smile. "I know, but mum. Why didn't you tell her?" Astrid asked her mother a question which she didn't understand.

Her mother was clearly Volgader, hearing Francesca talk about her so much Astrid searched her up. She found a younger version of her mother, while they weren't identical, it was quite clear to Astrid that Volgader was her mother.

Mrs. Tuhs wasn't surprised but smiled instead. "I've been away from the limelight for too long, there is no need to return." She lightly held Astrid's hand, and her other hand went on to her stomach.

Astrid then understood, a mother's love was strong. She cared for her and her younger sibling more than her job. But she still felt something...

"Mum, how about training Francesca?" Astrid asked as she thought.

Mrs. Tuhs was quite surprised hearing Astrid. "Me train her? I'm not sure, I was never this supermodel they all praised me for. Plus, I'm quite happy as things are." Mrs. Tuhs responded, but Astrid noticed the ripple in her mother's eyes.

Astrid just shook her head. "Don't be modest mum, you looked so beautiful even on some older photos, and even I can see the potential she has. She is my age but already has the height to stand out. And I'm certain that she will grow in other areas as well." Astrid spoke on behalf of her friend, she felt it would be a shame if Francesca couldn't at least learn something from her mother.

Mrs. Tuhs went silent as she quietly looked at Astrid. She did have that thought many years ago, when pregnant with Astrid she wanted to instead train younger models herself. But she often found herself with too big expectations and couldn't find many to meet her requirements.

While Francesca was nowhere near perfect, she had a solid base. Just the way she walked exuded confidence, something required for the catwalk. She also had a beautiful smile, and she seemed to love modeling as a whole...

She then narrowed her eyes as her daughter as she thought about her words. "What do you mean she will grow in other aspects?" Her voice suddenly became stern.

Astrid giggled, she then went in to hug her mother. "Mum, what do you think I'm talking about?" Astrid asked cheekily.

Mrs. Tuhs felt like hitting her daughter, she really had no shame talking to her parents at all. She even sent her mother directly into her father's arms...

Feeling her breasts taking on Astrid's body Mrs. Tuhs gave a wry smile. "Alright, I'll do some lessons. But on one condition." Mrs. Tuhs then looked down at her daughter's face.

'Shit, what have I done?' Astrid now panicked, what was her mother going to ask her to do? Cook? No way, she wasn't willing to burn down the house today. Cut back on food and drinks? She would rather die.

Seeing her daughter's sudden face of dread Mrs. Tuhs laughed. "Don't worry, I just want to see my daughter give modeling a go." Her words then stunned Astrid.

Her, model? In her previous life there would be no way for her to even show her face to certain people let alone let her face be seen on TV or on magazines.

"Me? But... I'm not suited for it." Astrid spoke in a quiet voice, she didn't want to disappoint her mother, but she felt she shouldn't be allowed to model any clothing.

"Not suited? Why? My baby is beautiful, she has a good temperament, she works hard, she has good manners." Mrs. Tuhs lightly brushed her daughter's face affectionately. She didn't want her daughter to worry about anything.

Astrid looked down and put her head into her mother's bosom. "Mum... I-I-" Astrid felt down, she can't be a model.

Mrs. Tuhs gave a gentle smile and rubbed her daughter's back. "Come, we won't be doing any shows. Like you said, I will give Francesca and you some lessons. That's all, there is nothing to worry about." Mrs. Tuhs decided to calm her daughter down.

Hearing her mother's words Astrid nodded. She couldn't be allowed to model. She wouldn't be suited for it...

Sensing Astrid's improving mood. Mrs. Tuhs sighed, she often felt her daughter didn't think much of her perceived appearance. When they shopped, Astrid let her choose everything. At first she understood, but even now, Astrid could barely clothe herself without being left being late for school.

Mrs. Tuhs wanted to figure out the source of this problem, she didn't know where her daughter's apprehension came from, but she was determined to do something about it.

Especially considering how outstanding her daughter was in other aspects, if she took care of herself better she could do what she wanted with no problem. But Astrid often had that something missing when it came to things.

"Come baby, let's tell Francesca before settling on this on our own." Mrs. Tuhs suggested as Astrid slowly reverted to her normal self.

Growing up with no access to parental love, Astrid now struggled to get used to it, but she slowly started to show her faults. Astrid didn't really take note of this, but she was slowly becoming closer to her family.

Francesca was in the gym of the house looking around in awe. Everything machine and weight were the best around, and there was even recovery options available in the room next door. She then felt her gym at home was inadequate, despite being first class on its own.

"Francesca, have you gotten your way around?" Mrs. Tuhs asked in a gentle tone, as she walked along with Astrid into the gym.

Francesca turned around with a smile. "I have! Auntie this gym is amazing! I'm sure my dad would be jealous if he saw." Francesca chuckled, her dad enjoyed to keep himself in shape, so did she. But she had never seen such an advanced gym before.

Mrs. Tuhs' smile then widened. "If you want you can use it. Just make sure to be careful." Step one, bait.

"R-Really?" Francesca asked with basically drool coming from her mouth.

Seeing Mrs. Tuhs nod without thought made Francesca smile. "Alright, thanks Auntie." Francesca then took the bait.

Astrid suddenly felt bad for Francesca, she then understood that her mother wished to train someone for a long time.

Mrs. Tuhs' eyes flashed. "Oh also, when I was younger I did some modeling myself. I could show you a few tricks if you don't mind." Astrid now downright sighed, 'Did some modeling... Right, you could say that you are close to every young model's idol instead.'

Francesca gave a wide eyes look at Mrs. Tuhs. Then didn't dare to question much more. Mrs. Tuhs was an incredibly beautiful woman who had kept herself in shape, she barely looked in her late 30's. Let alone a woman almost hitting 50...

"But... Is that okay?" Francesca asked, she didn't want to waste Mrs. Tuhs' time with her.

Mrs. Tuhs shook her head. "Of course, don't worry. Astrid will be joining you as well. She needs to learn a lesson herself." Mrs. Tuhs made it seem it was no issue adding another person since they would already be doing something anyway...

Her mother was quite dangerous, she had already hooked in Francesca with just a gym and a few words. Astrid wondered if she used to be like this when she was younger.

Seeing how Mrs. Tuhs was so calm about her joining them, Francesca was no longer guilty about it. "Alright then." She nodded in response, not knowing that this would be the moment of both her nightmare, and where her dreams began.