Chapter 3 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 Alana.'

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. 'That's 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 seek 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 rentcetera, 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 fucking 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 fucking 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.