1
1503 Words
Can hold my breath only for a little while
Alaina walked into Riviera international knowing her hopes and dreams had been shattered to pieces and now she was going to lose her childhood home for the debts her parent had accumulated over the years tens of thousands our pounds, she wasn’t even sure if the sale of the house would cover it. She was going to be homeless soon and she had nowhere to go.
She was depressed and it was showing, her work was sloppy and Elijah had called her into his office. “You called for me sir.”
“Please take a seat Alaina.”
She gulped. “Mr. Rivera.”
She walked across the room her was sure to get rid of her. Her time was almost done anyway. She had hoped to extend her stay when she began university but all hopes of that were now shattered. She had nowhere to go; she needed a job and good pay so she could rent a flat.
She sat opposite. “I’m sorry to here about your parents.”
I doubt it. She thought, yet replied. “Thanks for your concern.”
“I know this is not an easy time Alaina, but you still need to concentrate on your work or you’re no good to me.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Rivera. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
“Tell me. I may be able to help.”
“I doubt it.”
“Try me.”
“Okay.” She said, breathing heavily. “You see my parents left a lot of debt behind, and I have to sell the house, but I fear that it won’t be enough to cover it.”
“I see.” He thought for a moment. “Maybe I can help.”
“Oh.”
“I’ll lend you whatever you need, to repay the debt after you’ve sold the house.”
“Thanks, but I have nowhere to live. I need to find somewhere to live as well, and I need to do it within a month and I don’t have a job.”
“That’s no problem. You’ve been a great asset to this company you can work here, and as for living arrangements my house is pretty big and you’ll have your own room and bathroom. I’ll take the rent exctera, out of your salary. How's that sound?”
“Are you sure Mr. Rivera? I don’t want to impose.”
“You won’t be, the house can do with a female presence.”
“What’s the catch?”
“Should there be one?”
“I don’t know, should there be?”
“But one last thing, within the next twelve months we are to be married simply for business reasons are we clear?”
She swallowed. “I guess.”
“Good. This is a win win situation Miss. Hamilton. You get to earn your own money and I get a gorgeous bride.”
She smiled, already regretting her decision.
“You may finish your work today, and come back in two hours so we can go through the contracts before we head to get your belongings.”
“Okay.” She slowly got up, walking away.
“Don’t let me down Alaina.”
“I won’t Mr. Rivera.”
He smiled, actually f*****g smiled. She closed the door behind her, after finishing her work load she finally knocked his door he invited her in and asked her to sit down going through the contract which stated that after she left college she was to work alongside him as his P.A. Indefinitely unless plans change.
Her working hours holidays what he expected of her during work hours. Then the final part was the living arrangements and that they would get married after a year and she was not allowed to leave him. They were to have an annulment to state of she decided to leave or have an affair she would have to pay back whatever she had borrowed off him she in full plus 20% but it never mention him having an affair but he was allowed to engage with other women this piseed her off. She was about to tell him to go to hell, but she had nowhere to go until she did she was forever in his debt, what a f*****g joke. “Sign.” He said abruptly.
She scribbled her signature hastily instantly regretting it. Unaware she was about to enter the devils den and enter hell.
'Til reality starts sinking in
Alaina
I’m still in pain and I’m still grieving. I can’t believe this heartless man in front of me. He’s so f*****g wrong I don’t need him and I certainly do not need his money. Who the f**k does he think he is anyway?
Oh yeah I forgot he’s the great and intimidating Elijah Rivera my boss until I finish college. I can’t believe that I put my fashion degree on hold for this?
My tutors weren't too pleased that this asshole wouldn’t let me do half a week here and the other half in a fashion promoting office where I’d learn a heck more than I would ever learn here.
He’s f*****g unbelievable. He’s got me where he wants me, he's screwed me right over. Why do I think he had this planned all along? He’s a caniving asshole. Everyone that has dealt with him while I’ve been here has said so, even if it’s not in front of his face and behind his back, they’re all too scared to tell him face to face.
I have no choice to keep my opinions to myself. I’m just an in-turn after all. My opinion counts for nothing like this situation I’m in right now. I can’t believe I’ve signed my life away to that arrogant piece of s**t.
“Miss Hamilton.” He says clicking his fingers pulling me out of my trance.
I blinked. “Sorry sir.”
“That’s quite alright Miss. Hamilton. I was just letting you know we are to be wed by the end of this month, so I am going to give you my card to get yourself a dress and book the registrar and venue for our wedding etc.”
“So you’re leaving it all up to me?”
“I’m a busy man Miss. Hamilton. And I trust you to do what you feel is best and what you feel comfortable with.”
But I don’t feel comfortable with this at all, what the hell have I got myself into?
“I’ve given you this week off so you can get everything you need for the ceremony and reception. I have also given you a list of who I want there, so no family or friends this is a formal gathering.”
“Yes sir.”
He handed me his card. “The car is waiting for you and a personal shopper will be with you every step of the formalities. “This is the list make sure you choose the invites and RSVP’s wisely.”
“Sir.” I said taking it off him and scanning the list. “Why can you invite your friends and I can’t?”
“Like I said, this is formal and they are not my friends they are business associates.”
Of course they are making this out to be a business deal instead of a freaking wedding. I nodded. “Will there be anything else, sir?”
“No, you may leave and I’ll see you in a week.”
“Sure.” I turned walking out. “Oh, and Miss. Hamilton?”
“Yes sir.”
“You’ll be moving in with me by the end of next week, so make sure everything is packed.”
“Yes sir.”
“You may leave now. Happy shopping.”
I nodded walking out of the room, could my life get any worse?
Apparently so, the wedding shopper was on my last nerve.
This was supposed to be about what I wanted not them. In the end after I screamed the place down in frustration and they finally let me have my say. I found the perfect dress: a fish tail, with sequins cascading down the side. They even said they could add more and in colour maybe diamonds. I agreed to shut the stupid wedding shopper the hell up before I punched them, this went on all week and I finally lost my temper lashing out a the poor guy.
Elijah was not too pleased but like I gave a s**t, he he got me in this s**t like I cared what the prick had to say about how I behaved towards the guy who was only giving me his professional opinion, like I even needed one. I always had imagined what my wedding day would like now all that had been ruined by one man; Elijah f*****g Rivera.
- Writer
