CHAPTER 5

Two days later...

Ria finally got a job in a construction site. She remember roaming around the street two days ago after leaving the hotel the nice man took her to. She went into different stores, eateries and restaurants in search of any available Job but either they doesn't have vacancy or they don't provide accommodation.

It was getting late and she was looking for where to sleep when she spotted an uncompleted building. She thought to sleep there and continued her search the next day. 

When she got to the building, It was still under construction and few people were still around. She waited for them to finish and leave before she came out of her hiding.

She found herself inside one of the rooms and thankfully, it has a door. She went into the room and bolted the door from inside.

Keeping her box by the wall, Ria brought out two thick clothes which she spread on the tiled floor and laid down. Immediately her back touched the floor, Ria fell fast asleep. She woke up the next morning to hands banging on the door.

When she opened up, she was met with a man who was to work on the room. Ria explained her situation to him and he took pity on her. He took her to the Engineer handling the construction who accepted and gave her the job of fetching water for the construction.

The daily pay was meagre but it was enough to buy her food. She could also sleep in a room at night. Nothing was more important to her than a safe place to pass the night.

Lady Lizbeth has been looking all over for the girl her son spent the night with.

She was sitting on her sofa, sipping a glass of wine when her phon rang.

She picked up and it was one of the private detectives she hired to find the girl.

"Speak" she commanded into the phone and sipped down her wine.

"We found her in one of your son's construction site ma'am. She works there" the detective informed. 

"Ptooey!..." Lady Lizabeth spit out the wine in shock. "You mean she's been under my nose all this while?. "Quickly, send me the address immediately" Lady Lizbeth ordered and sprang up.

It's finally time for her wish to come through. She would finally get her son to be with the girl. "What the hell is she doing working in a construction site? Ewww! Lady Lizbeth spat as realization hit her. She's poor and needs money!

She called back the detective. "Give me every information about her. Poor people are always proud" she said into the phone and hanged up.

 She needed to know everything about her so as to know how to easily get her into her clutches.

Sprinting to her room, lady Lizbeth got ready to visit the construction site.

******

Ria was having her lunch when a woman approached her. The woman was dressed elegantly and Ria wondered what she was doing there.

"Maybe she's the owner of the building, who knows" Ria thought as she focused on her sandwich.

Lady Lizbeth got to her and sat down beside her. Her eyes sized her up. "She's beautiful atleast. When brushed up, she would definitely be breathtaking" lady Lizbeth thought.

Ria put off her food and greeted the woman. "What are you doing here young lady?" Lady Lizbeth queried, Ria's eyes darted in fright. What if the woman is the owner of the construction and she doesn't want her working there?" Her mouth lacked the words to say. She finally gathered courage and spoke.

"I just started working here ma'am" Ria replied. Her heart was beating furiously. She prayed fervently for the woman to allow her stay if she's the owner of the building.

"What kind of business does a lady like you have in a construction site. This isn't a place meant for you. It doesn't suite you. Remember you are a woman and some jobs aren't meant for you" Lady Lizbeth muttered, twirling her round big Jade ring.

Ria sat up, completely putting off her food. She'll think about the food later. Right now it looks like she has gotten into trouble. "I don't mind ma'am. As long as I get to eat and sleep here, I can do it. I really don't mind" Ria blurted out.

"I doubt. I don't really want women working on my building. If something happens to you, I would be held responsible" Lady Lizbeth muttered. 

Ria instantly went on her knees. She can't lose the job. Not when she has no where else to go. Not when she has no money to return home. Not when she has nothing to feed on. She can't lose her job now. "Please ma'am..." Ria pleaded.

Lady Lizbeth smiled. Yes! That is what I want you to do. Be scared little girl. Be scared and fall into my trap..." She thought and smiled.

"Please ma'am don't chase me out. I really can do it. I promise not to put you in any sort of trouble. I'll be very careful" Ria went further to plead.

"No my dear. You can't work here but I can offer you a decent job if only you have the capacity to do it" Lady Lizbeth offered.

"Hmmm! A decent job? I will do it ma'am. What kind of job is that?" Ria asked, stood up and sat back. Her eyes fixed on the woman who wants to offer her a job.

"Call me lady Lizbeth. I'll secure a Job for you in my son's company. You'll be his personal assistant" Lady Lizbeth announced.

Ria's eyes dilated. Her lips stretched. "Thank you ma'am. Thank you so much. You're such a kind woman".

"That's not all. Don't think I'm offering you a Job without you having to do something in return" Lady Lizbeth dropped the bomb and Ria's face dropped.

 She thought as much. How will someone as elegant as her offer her a job in her son's Company just like that when she doesn't even know her. Only a few people would do that and Ria is sure someone like that wouldn't be found in a city like New York.

"What do you want in return?" Ria asked. She wasn't going to do anything against her wish. She won't let her current situation push her into doing what she's against.

"You have to get my son to fall in love with you, get married and give him an heir then you disappear" 

"What do you mean by disappear?" Ria furrowed her brows.

"I mean divorce him and get out of his life. Don't think you would stay happily forever" Lady Lizbeth rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry ma'am but I can't do that" Ria stated. That would be mean to my child if I happen to give birth to one.

"Think outside the box. You are in a state you know no one, stranded, no money to go back home and you can't tell your family" lady Lizbeth said looking into Ria's eyes.

"How do you know about me? How do you know I'm stranded?" Ria questioned. Her facial expression remained stoic. 

"You just said you have no where to go. Anyone can be able to analyze your situation at a glance.

"I'm sorry but I can't accept your offer" Ria stood up and excused herself. She was about leaving when the woman's next word stopped her on her track.

"I'll give you a house. You'll be paid monthly and you don't necessarily have to bear him a child if you don't want to. Just make him fall in love and marry you.

"Hmmmm?" Ria mumbered as she went back to her seat.

"Just help me. My son's inheritance is at stake. He wouldn't look at any lady. He gets irritated when he gets close to a lady" Lady Lizbeth explained her son's situation to Ria who felt pity for her.

"Do you think he would be different with me? You just said he hates ladies and doesn't associate with them except for work related issues so how do you know he wouldn't treat me same way?" Ria queried.

"I just want you to try. Let's just give it a try alright? Six months and if he doesn't fall in love with you then you can leave. I'll fly you back to your state". Lady Lizbeth pleaded.

"I don't know ma'am, I'm not sure about this. What if he finds out? Wouldn't you be hurting him?" Ria asked. Somehow, she felt pity for the young man but maybe he's as difficult as his mother described him and a trial might not be bad. Moreover, she needed the money and the job. 

She has to make it in New York and make her mother proud. She doesn't want to go back the same. Maybe this is an opportunity for her to utilize.

Turning to lady Lizbeth who was already smiling from ear to ear, she knew if Damon falls in love with her and marries her, the possibility of them having a child would be high.

"Can I be allowed to think about it?" Ria asked.

"No you can't, We don't have much time. It's just six months and why do you need to think about it?" 

"Okay. I will do it but on one condition. He isn't allowed to touch any part of my body, I am not going to allow that" Ria stated as a matter of fact.

"Can you imagine the rat?" Lady Lizbeth fumed inside. "He shouldn't touch you but you will collect my money and expect nothing out from you. What a sly gold digger!"

"Ofcourse dear, If you don't want that then it won't happen. Just get him to marry you. You can do whatever you want with your body. I just want you out of his life after the marriage" lady Lizbeth forced out a smile.

"Alright then, I accept!" Ria announced.