CHAPTER 5

LAURA’S POV

I took the first flight I found out of Chicago. The flight was bound for Las Vegas and luckily, there was one unbooked seat for it. I immediately paid for it with the last of my money. I suddenly regretted not making my own money during my marriage. I wouldn't have been stranded now if I had been smart enough to get a job or something. 

I had had stars in my eyes and had thought Antonio and I would last forever. He was a wealthy man, the kind of wealth that he could retire today and still have enough money to ensure up to his fourth generation never had to lift their fingers to work. When I'd recently met him, I had been terrified by his obvious wealth. I'd had to get used to just being able to get whatever I wanted. I didn't have wishlists anymore, because as soon as something caught my eye, Antonio had gotten it for me. 

It was a mistake I'd never make again in my life, allowing myself to become so consumed in a man that I didn't have my own money. That is, if I would ever even be able to trust another man enough to get into a relationship. 

As soon as I got to Las Vegas, I paid for a room in a run down, cheap hotel as it was all I could afford with the peanuts in my bank account. After checking in, I changed out of my jeans into a dress and headed out to find a job. I was desperate and at this point, I'd accept even a job cleaning toilets. 

The strip was my best bet for a job and I immediately headed there, but after a while, I realized that nobody wanted to give me a job that didn't involve me prostituting myself in some way. The last thing I was ever going to do was to give my body to some random man. The thought of it alone made me want to retch. 

"Yeah, we're always looking for new girls to dance for us. The job is yours with a little training if you want." A woman from one of the clubs said. 

"What's the pay like?" I asked curiously. 

She told me. "Plus tips from the men. That's how we make bank. From tips. None of the men can touch you without permission though. They get thrown out if they do, and also, private dances bring in a lot of money, if it's something you'd be interested in." She winked at me. "just a dance, nothing nefarious." 

I was definitely not interested in private dances. 

"What about bartenders or servers?" I asked desperately. 

I had a feeling I wouldn't last long as a dancer. They wore a lot of skimpy outfits and I was already three months along, it would only be a matter of time before I started showing. I needed something that didn't involve minimal clothing. 

"There's no open slot for those. Sorry girl." 

"It's no problem." I said with a defeated sigh. It was almost eight pm and I was hungry. Not only that, but I was tired and my feet hurt from walking up and down in my search for a job. The worst part was that all my effort hadn't produced any positive result. Tears threatened to fill my eyes but I tamped down the urge to cry. Crying wouldn't help me. Crying wasn't going to put enough money in my bank account to take care of a child. 

I walked out of the club and found myself drifting aimlessly. I still had a few more restaurants and bars to check out, but my hope was slowly dwindling to nothing. I didn't want to panic though and giving up wasn't an option. 

"Hey, are you okay?" Someone asked, snapping me out of my reverie. I looked up to see a handsome blond man looking down at me in concern. He was tall with blue eyes, clad in a fitted navy suit. 

"Yeah." I said dismissively. The man looked wealthy and at the moment, I kinda had an aversion to wealthy men. I made to walk past him, but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm. I scowled at him. "What are you doing? Let me go." 

"I've been watching you from over there." He pointed at a nearby restaurant. “You've walked past me five times, looking sadder and sadder each time. What's wrong?"

I planned on ignoring him, but I found myself suddenly blurting everything out. I blamed the fact that I was exhausted and every inch of me hurt, from my body to my heart to my soul. 

"My husband brought his girlfriend home two days ago and served me divorce papers. I also just found out that I'm three months pregnant with his child. My family doesn't want me and I'm all alone and I don't know what to do. I'm trying to get a job because without one I won't be able to pay for a second night in the hotel room I checked into today." Tears filled my eyes at the brief summary of how messed up my life was at the moment. "This baby is all I have and I don't know how I'm supposed to take care of myself, not to mention a whole other person." 

"Hey, it's okay." His voice softened. 

"No, it's not."

"Yes, it is. Or at least it's going to be. I guess this is fate, because I'm on the hunt for a hardworking assistant and I think I've just found one." 

My eyes went wide. Could it really be fate? "But you don't even know me." 

"I'm Cole Evan, what's your name?" 

"Laura Hayman." 

He smiled. "and now we know each other." 

"B-but-" 

"The best thing about being a boss is that I can employ whoever I want to, and I want to employ you." He shrugged. "So, tell me, Laura Hayman, do you want this job or not?" 

"Yes, please." I said immediately. "I promise to be the best assistant you've ever had."

The smile he shot me was mysterious, but I was too happy to take note

of it. "I believe you, Laura."