It had been a week since the interview at the Hotel and Claire was yet to get a response to know if she was selected for the role or not. As each day went by her expectations waned. "Who am I kidding, there's no way I'm getting selected for the job. This isn't some fairy tale," she told herself. But a part of her was still hopeful. Whenever she heard the sound of a notification from a phone or heard her phone ring, her heart raced a little, hoping it was regarding the interview.
She had almost exhausted her savings and the bills didn't stop piling up. Just last week, she had gone to visit her mother and she was informed by the doctor that her mother's colon cancer would require surgery to the next month and it could cost up to 150 thousand dollars. Claire had no idea how she was going to come up with such a huge amount of money in such a short space of time. It would have been difficult even if she had a job, but without a job it was almost impossible.
Claire burst out into tears, she couldn't bear the thought of losing her mother, not after all they'd been through together. She had to find a way to get the money by any means necessary. She thought deeply about the various ways by which she could attempt to come up with such a sum. Should she take a loan from a bank? Borrow from a friend? She wasn't even sure any of her friends had such an amount of money to lend out.
The sound of her phone ringing snapped her out of her thoughts. It wasn't a familiar number, but she picked up. "Good evening, am I on to Claire Anderson?" A feminine voice asked over the phone. "Yes, you are. May I ask who I'm speaking with? " Claire asked. "I'm Jessica, the Human Resource manager at Gordons Hotel. I'm pleased to inform you that you've hired to be Mr Gordon personal assistant. Please ensure you're present at his office tomorrow to seal things officially. "
Claire almost squealed, she was elated. "Thank you so much. I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning." Claire answered, the excitement palpable from the voice, as the lady ended the call.
The next day, Claire left very early for Mr. Gordon office. "Errrm… Good morning, my name is Claire Anderson. I have an appointment with Mr Anthony." Claire told the receptionist, a bespectacled lady sitting in front of a desk. The lady who had been typing furiously raised her eyes to look at Claire and stopped typing. She gave Claire a curious look "who did you say you were?" she asked, trying to confirm.
"Claire Anderson ma'am, I have an appointment with Mr Anthony." Claire responded, a little nervously this time. "Oh! You are the one," the lady replied before picking up her phone to call. "Sir, the lady is here to see you," she said. Claire assumed she must have been informed prior that she was coming. "Let her in," Claire heard a voice say over the phone.
"You can go in," the lady said before resuming typing. "Thank you," Claire said before proceeding to the Office.
Claire took a deep breath and pushed the door open. The office was impressive. Huge windows let in lots of light, offering a view of the city below. The room was decorated in a simple but stylish way. A big wooden desk stood in the middle, with a computer, a few photos, and a vase of flowers neatly arranged on it.
"Miss Anderson, you're welcome. Pleased have a seat." Mr Anthony said, motioning for her to sit in one of the chairs just opposite him. "Thank you sir." Claire said as she sat down. She felt really nervous, the man had an intimidating aura about him, but she was trying hard to remain composed.
"So as you are aware now, you've been hired to become my personal assistant and I wanted to have a brief discussion with you about what I expect from you and what your duty entails before you fully resume." Mr. Gordon said, his gaze resting squarely on Claire, making her squirm a little. The tone of his voice was stern and cold, but something about it aroused her.
"As my assistant, you are to tend to my needs and do whatever it is I demand of you. I expect you to be up and doing, and you're to be at my beck and call at all times. I do not tolerate any form of lackadaisical attitude, if I sense you're not performing to my expectations. I'll fire you immediately." Mr. Gordon continued.
I'm sure you must have heard, I've fired five assistants in the space of a year. I don't react kindly to sloppiness and I do not forgive mistakes of any kind. I know you're new to this, so i would be a bit considerate, but if i do not notice any form of improvement, I'll let you go."
Here is the contract of your employment, read through the terms and sign at here." Mr. Gordon said, tapping his finger on a line beneath the paper where she was meant to append her signature.
Claire read through the contract placed before her. Most of the terms of the contract were what Mr. Gordon has stated before. Her eyes widened with excitement when she saw the figures of her payment. It was a large amount, almost ten times what she expected she'd be paid, especially as she was inexperienced.
This will not only let her comfortably settle her bills and her Mother's surgery. She could significantly upgrade her lifestyle; move to a better house, get a car, buy fancy dresses, jewelry and shoes and purchase a lot of other stuff. Whatever doubt she had about taking the job suddenly vanished. The money seemingly compensated for everything. "What use is being free if I can't afford the things I want?" She told herself.
Everything seems standard until she reaches a peculiar section that made her startled. Mr. Gordon, this section here… it says something about a 'contract marriage.' I'm not sure that I understand."
Anthony leaned forward, his expression serious. "Miss Anderson, I need you to listen carefully. In addition to your role as my personal assistant, I need you to enter into a contract marriage with me. This is not a typical arrangement, but it's necessary for a critical business deal I'm negotiating."
Claire's eyes widened in shock. "A contract marriage?" She had heard of of them but not even in her wildest dream, would she have thought she would be considering one. "I don't know what to say. Why me?" Claire asked, still perplexed and trying to regain her composure.
"Well, I just thought you'd be the perfect candidate. You seem smart and discrete. This marriage will be purely for appearances and will last only as long as necessary to secure the deal. You'll be paid very well, of course," Mr. Anthony added, as if he knew what was running through her mind.
"Do you have any objections? If you feel the terms are not okay with you, please let me know so I can hire another person." Claire felt like she needed a moment to think and take it all in. She was desperate, but was she that desperate enough to sacrifice her freedom for a job? She needed the money, and she wasn't sure if she'd land a job soon".
"Miss Anderson, I need a response." Mr Anthony said sternly, snapping Claire out of thought. Claire knew she had to make a decision there and now, and whatever decision she took would significantly affect her life.
"Errrmm…I'm okay with the conditions' sir." Claire finally said. "Good, let's make it official. "