I didn't know how long I was unconscious because immediately they took me to the nurse's room. The doctor injected me with a sedative to keep me down but now I was awake and confused. I watched as my hard work came crashing down on me. Everything didn't make sense. I didn't want to feel the pain residing in my heart but there was nothing I could do to change what was happening. I already asked the doctor attending to me if I was clear to join my team but he refused
I hated myself so much, if I could cry and shed tears I would have but even if I was feeling the pain and tears lingering in my eyes but I just couldn't let my eyes water
Maybe this was my problem, my lack of showing any emotions I felt in my heart. Looking at my bandaged foot. I sat up pushing myself up. I hated hospital beds the most. Even the nurse's office was my enemy, but I had no choice when the various doctors working around ordered me not to move too much. My ankle was in such bad shape that even setting my foot down was a problem.
"Damn this' 'I muttered a curse and sat on the bed with my legs suspended down. I stretched my arms releasing the tension I was feeling. I tried to straighten my right leg hoping I could step on the floor and walk out of the darn hell I was in but immediately I did a rush of excruciating pain run through my body as I instantly put my foot up. I cursed under my breath and rested my hands on the bed and scanned my surroundings. I was the only one in the small room who smells like medications. I leaned down and stepped my left foot down and pulled myself off the bed but I was careful enough not to put my right foot down. I didn't want to stay, hence with all my strength I tried to take a step forward and to my relief, I could walk, then I used my toes to balance on my right foot. I bit my lower lip hard as I took another step focusing on getting to the door and when I moved closer to the wall. My little journey was easy as I used the wall as support to balance. With great difficulty, I managed to open the door and limped out until I came to a hallway. A long passage that extended to the exit. This part of the school was more like a clinic for sick students with various small rooms which were empty. I could hear people conversing and laughing but I ignored that because I just wanted to leave the school before my coach came to question me
"Boss just relax okay...I know you told me this but just chill" while walking down the corridor I heard a male voice say, the voice came from the door I stopped by. It wasn't like I was interested in whatever he was saying but I was taking a break from walking. My ankle was already swollen and if I exhausted it with so much walking then there was a chance I would be a cripple for the rest of my life
"Fine boos man, just give me a week to find your surrogate...I promise to lure them in with millions as payment"the same man continued saying this time he let out a chuckle and judging by the way he was saying, he seemed to be talking on the phone however that wasn't my concern. Whenever work was mentioned and money was involved I paid attention even if others called it eavesdropping. The conversation went on and on and I stood there listening. To be honest the man caught my attention according to what he said. Whoever he was talking to seemed to be looking for a surrogate. I was aware of how surrogates worked and knew the huge amount of money they were paid just to carry someone's child. Others considered it to be a risk having to carry a baby which isn't yours but for me, if money was the payment then why not go for it
It seemed risky but I was amused, I didn't even know I was smiling and before I could miss such an opportunity. I pushed the light down open forgetting my manners and I barged inside the room
"I'll get you one within this week and…"I stopped when I found a man dressed as a doctor, he had blonde hair, was slightly tall and a little lean. He wasn't so well built or with broad shoulders like the men I saw but his physique complimented his work which proved he didn't spend so much time in the gym but saving lives
I felt ashamed and embarrassed as I stood there, he seemed to have sense and introduced or walked in on him without knocking. Turning around he kept his phone slightly away from his ear and narrowed his eyes in a way that said he wasn't so pleased to see me
"And...what can I do for you?"Even though his voice was calm, quiet, pleasant, and not so deep, I jerked back to my senses and moved forward a little. Not the way a human walked but I guessed the doctor noticed my unusual movement hence shifted his gaze to my bandaged ankle then to my face
"Well...I...can I do it"I stammered to say looking for any words that would make sense and not sound as if I heard his private conversation. But I was interested in whatever offer he had
"Excuse...miss, do you need help...I see your foot was already attended to...if there is nothing then I'll be happy if you left"like a professional doctor and someone who was irritated with my rude behavior of barging inside a room when someone was there. It was unprofessional of me and rather ill-mannered but I just wanted to take on the offer. It wasn't like I insulted him
"I heard you say...you wanted a surrogate...well I can do it"I blurred out not sure if the words came out right but I was agitated, my heart was thumping loudly making me anxious. The man had a serious straight face which made it impossible for me to read his mind. He fully turned to me and lowered his hand
"Ms...this isn't a joke...please if you have nothing to say...leave from here...I'm still on the phone," he said walking toward me. He didn't sound happy and I knew he took my words as a joke but I was serious, I desperately wanted him to give me a chance. It was just being a surrogate it wasn't like I had to sleep with anyone which was a no for me
"S...sir, please...I know you think I'm ill-mannered for coming in like this...but I overheard you talking about looking for a surrogate...j...just give me a chance I can do it"if it was begging her would listen to them I was willing to do something just to be accepted. I know my approach was the wrong one, however, I had no choice, plus from what I heard, the doctor hasn't found the surrogate yet, hence it was a perfect opportunity I didn't want to miss and see his angry look morph into a helpless one. I knew he reconsidered my words and that I was serious about my claims
"Ms...this issue is delicate and quite serious...it's not a joke because we are talking about carrying someone's child in your womb for...9months" again he seemed irritated with me, I didn't know why he failed to see how important this was. I didn't even know why he kept on looking at me as if...yes I had red hair, a rare face with green eyes but what did my looks have to do with being a surrogate? I didn't have to hear him say I didn't look like someone who would want to be a surrogate, carry a child, and watch as her stomach grew into a giant watermelon but I was damn serious and to prove it. I limped closer to him, straightened my back and held up my head, and looked straight into his dark brown eyes.
"And I'm damn serious doctor...just tell me what to do and I'll do it...just give me a chance," I said boldly, giving nothing away and for a second I saw a smug tug at the corners of his lips. He stared at me with warmness in his eyes, as if he was bewildered by my words, or was it my determination and courage, yes I was beautiful that was a fact and I was tired of hearing people say it but what was wrong with people. The man didn't say anything or look at me with doubt. I waited for him to at least say something and to my relief, he dug in his pockets and took out a card. I smiled and extended my hands to him but he just chuckled at my childish behavior. I was happy and whenever I was happy I failed to hide my happiness
"Here...I'm not sure you are the right one...but if you could go to this address and get interviewed...if you pass then…" he explained while handing me a card, I thought it was him I had to see but it turned out that I had to go to some company and get interviewed. My eyes narrowed vividly as I read what was on the card, not sure why it had to be interviewed. It wasn't a job position was it
"It's not a job interview..go there and the man who wants a surrogate will see you...if you pass then I'm sure you won't have a problem" he added as if he read my mind about job interviews which I preferred not to do. I looked up at the man and he was facing the table
"But...okay...when should I go?"I wanted to ask more but I shut my mouth and agreed. If I asked so many questions then there was a chance I would think I wasn't being professional hence I held the card and the man turned to me with his brows arched
"As early as tomorrow morning...8:30 AM sharp...and please abide by the man's rules if you want this to be a success"
I failed to understand what he said, were their harsh rules, what sort of man was he that the doctor emphasized about going earlier than the time expected. I nodded in agreement and just like that I had a little hope. Lost in thoughts about what I was about to indulge myself in. I heard eating of a throat and I was jerked back to my senses the doctor was looking at me with narrowed eyes and then said
"Please...excuse me Ms...and if you don't mind me saying this...don't walk so much" I want embarrassed as I glanced at my leg and knew I was told to rest
"Thanks" I mumbled and turned to leave. All I had to do was go to the building the doctor told me. I knew I was rushing things but at this time I was left with no choice I had so many problems which require money and from what I heard, surrogates got paid millions
I left the doctor's office not sure where to go. I wanted to know if my team won't or lost but once I got outside, I heard my fellow students complaining about not doing anything to win. I felt a sharp pain rush through my body as I was walked to the opposite side still limping. I didn't even bother to change my clothes. It was best if I went straight to the restaurant. At least if I went early I could work two shifts which meant double money. Even if I was hurt I still had to go and do my work. unfortunately when I got to the restaurant what greeted me shattered me completely.a
"No...no Cassy what happened here!"I rushed inside as soon as I got to the restaurant and what I found left me speechless. The place looked like they were moving in. The tables were flipped and the chairs were missing, everything was a mess and some employees were busy putting the remaining things in order once cassy saw me she came running and her facial expression was something I fear"How could you do this Vivie...I trusted you with everything but now look at this 'she said while I was busy scanning my surroundings, I was agitated not sure what happened and when the office door to Janice opened he walked out looking all rugged up. His clothes were wrinkled up as if he slept under the bridge and his hair was messy. Immediately he saw me, his expression turned deadly and I knew something bad had happened and it had my name written on it. Two police officers came out of his office and I was even more scared"Cassy...what going on?"I turned to cassy and asked wanting to
"No money, no staying...I'm tired of you...your stupid excuses but now...I already rented it to another person and don't even think of begging me because she already moved in"I was hurt and the lady added to my misery. It was pointless to argue, even if I pleaded with my life Mrs Egan wouldn't let me stay. I was helpless as I watched her elegantly walk away. She had everything and didn't have to beg others for a place to stay. I stood there thinking about my next move. I could go somewhere and ask for a job, a stay at home helper but I already tried that and the outcome wasn't so good.I was tired and just wanted to rest, I wanted to finally have a peaceful night and once I moved my things out of the building to an abandoned dark alley close to the building, I sat on my suitcase with my head leaning against the dirty wall filled with graffiti. I exhaled and inhaled as my eyes lift
"Ms. Payton...the principal is calling for you" after what seemed like forever, I was called in and without wasting time I entered the principal's office. I was so nervous that I could collapse any time soon"Take a seat Ms. Payton"our cold icy queen principal as we called her said without looking at me and gestured for the wooden chair opposite her table I slowly walked to the chair and carefully sat down. I was anxious to know what she was going to tell me. She was busy signing some papers hence I had to wait for her to finishAfter a while, she was done, shoved her files aside, adjusted her specs, and looked at me. She was as cold as ice. With no smile on her face. She was a little mean, which she musked up just being strict as someone who managed the biggest school in the city. She always said I was lucky to be at such a prestigious school getting a good education. She never ceased to remind me that I was poor without a good bank balanceI paid my fees in in
I was devastated, the receptionist lady didn't even wait for me to tell her what I wanted, I was sure she was looking down on me. Yes, I wasn't as classy or elegantly dressed as her or worked in such a prestigious company but I had to say the place was my dream company. I've always wished to work in such a company all my life and when I finished college I had so many plans for my future. All I asked her for was a second chance to talk to her boss. I knew I was late but it was just for ten minutes they could reconsider"Please Miss...this isn't your house okay...leave before I call security"the lady spat out bitterly, she had a disdainful expression as she fixed her cat-like eyes on me. I failed to understand why she was acting as if I was there to steal her job"I know this but just one minute let...let me see your boss" I pleaded again, I wasn't going to leave without talking to her boss, the doctor told me they needed a surrogate and I wanted to be that surrogate. Th
I sat there filling in the forms, the information left wasn't so bad hence I quickly answered all the questions and slammed the pen on the papers and leaned back to the couch. My legs straightened but not so much as to hurt my ankle. It was still hurting even though I was walking around like a fool but I had no time to sit in bed and nurse a wound. Already Mrs Smith took care of it and I was glad about her special remedies, my ankle wasn't as swollen as before and I could walk even in sneakers"Ugh! where is she!"I groaned in frustration after an hour passed and I was just sitting there. I tried playing games on my phone but I was too lazy to do that. Hence I rose to my feet hoping I could peek outside, however just as I was about to stand. The door flew open and the first lady who was rude to me walked in brutally."Are you fi
"It's you! ?how come?"I exclaimed as my smile grew even more that I couldn't contain my happiness. It was the same man, the drunk troublemaker I met the other night. I was hoping he would remember me but his facial expression was distant more like he was shocked at my behavior than I was really surprised about"Any...problem?" he asked as if trying to know why I was reacting in such a way, I wasn't expecting that from him however his expression told me otherwise as if he didn't recognize me 'oh no' I muttered nearly face slamming myself at my silliness and he ignored me and walked towards his desk. My happy expression dropped as I gripped the form in my hands tightly and lowered my gaze as I proceeded to him. I guess he didn't recognize me. I let out a silent example and reached the desk but I didn't dare sit even though the man was sitting down in his chair looking at something on his computer"Sit" he muttered which sounded more like an order, I hesitated befor
"A...are you sure dear...I know you don't like me saying this...but my house is open for you...there's no need for you to go elsewhere when I'm here" it was a blessing and my luck to be loved by such a wonderful woman and hearing Mrs Smith's offer, I was touched by her warm words as I stopped what I was doing and turned to face her. I just came back from Ellison corporation to get my clothes. It turned out I was chosen to be the surrogate and according to what Beverly said, I was expected to move in with the same man who hired me because if I had to be his surrogate then I was expected to live with himAs much as I was excited to be a surrogate which would gain money for me, I was nervous and indecisive about going to a stranger's house and living with him and immediately Beverly drove me to Mrs Smith's house where all my belongings were, she was sad and didn't want me to leave"I know granny...it's not like I'm leaving forever but I'll be visiting...I got a job as a h
"And what do we have here" when I was about to sit, I heard a melodious voice say, not sure where it came from but soon a fine-looking tall and slim lady wearing an elegant designer blue dress which stuck to her petite body. Her hair was brown and short. It was shiny and perfectly styled in a bob. She looked elegant as she flaunted herself showing her nicely painted long nails and a beautiful face with heavy makeup and some accessories around her worst and neck, I stood to the sides as she approached us and shifted her cat-like eyes to Beverly"Hey, Monica...I see you are around"I heard Beverly say as I waited to the sides not sure what to say or if to greet the nice looking lady but judging by the way she was looking at me with disgust in her eyes, I guessed she saw me as dirt"So...let me guess he brought a new one right...the powe