3. Do it for Real

"Oh God! Are you out of your mind?" I exclaimed as I rounded my eyes. Unfortunately, there was no sign that Richard was joking. His expression was very serious.

“It may sound crazy to you, but I'm a businessman. I'm just weighing profit and loss. My current offer is the best for the three of us," Richard said calmly. 

Are all businessmen like this? Thinking only about profit and loss, with no regard for morals? 

My cell phone suddenly vibrated, breaking my thoughts. I picked up the call without looking at the caller ID.

"Miss Nikkie? Where are you? Your mother is awake and wants to see you," said a gentle voice that I recognized as the kind nurse who cared for my mother. 

I told her that I would be there soon and hung up. My mother was unconscious since the relapse yesterday and only woke up this afternoon. 

But I didn't get up immediately. I can’t meet my mother right now. I feel like I can’t face her yet because I failed to get the medical bill for her hospital expenses.

I looked at Richard who was also looking at me. I didn't know if this would work, but one thing was for sure, I had no other choice. 

"Alright, I accept your offer,” I surrender. I sighed heavily, this time I had to go against my conscience for money. 

Richard smiled wryly, then continued. “I hope you keep this a secret from Krystal and your family members. Because I don’t want this to become a scandal in my life.”

I nodded in agreement. He was right, now I had to put my morals aside because I needed money. Richard then asked for my account number and shortly afterwards I got a notification that a large amount of funds had been deposited into my account. 

"That's for paying your mother's expenses. Quit all your part-time jobs. I'll send you the paperwork and contract tomorrow," Richard explained without me asking. I nodded obediently.

Two days later, Richard finally called me.

"What took you so long? Did something happen? Where are you, the driver I sent couldn't find you," Richard barked as soon as I picked up the call. My eyebrows knitted in surprise.

“I’m sorry, my mother's condition has improved a lot so they want to move her to a regular room, that's why I need to sign some papers. I'm busy with the procedures, that's why I didn't get your call,” I replied.

 My eyes darted around and caught sight of a shiny black sedan that had been parked at the curb and was now driving slowly toward me.

"I told you, didn't I, that we're doing this tonight? Now get in that car, we meet in two hours," Richard said on the other end of the line.

When did he say that? I checked my text messaging app and found an unread message from Richard. That's right, he said it shortly before he called me. He said tonight was my fertile window and we shouldn't delay.

I shook my head then stepped into the sedan that the driver had opened and got in. 

Two hours later after a long drive and getting further away from the city center, the car finally stopped in front of a large villa. Even in the dim light of the porch lights and garden lamps, I could still see the luxury radiating.

Richard greeted me at the front door, and I didn't have time to be stunned by the luxurious interior of the house as he immediately led me to the second floor and told me to take a shower first. 

After taking a shower, Richard invited me to dinner. I felt nervous looking at the steak in front of me, had the chef who cooked this steak gone home? I'm afraid he'll hear strange noises tonight... I'd better not make a sound so as not to embarrass myself.

"Nikkie, are you still a virgin?" Richard asked after finishing his shower. His body figure in a white bathrobe that matched the one I was wearing looked very mature and manly.

"Nikkie? Did you hear me?" Richard asked not hearing my reply. He approached me and sat on the bed, right next to me. I nodded quickly.

"In that case, I’ll be careful not to hurt you," Richard whispered as he leaned towards me. I quickly stepped back, my heart racing.

That night, we didn't get straight to it. Richard engaged me in small talk for some time to build up the atmosphere before we did it.

I had no experience to compare, but I was sure Richard was very experienced and treated me with care. He was also very good in bed. I even stopped counting how many times I came because Richard and I were doing it again and again. 

I fell asleep until noon, then we did it again because Richard wanted to make sure to plant his seeds inside my womb. After that, Richard drove me home.

A month later, my mom's condition slowly improved. The surgery was a success, and soon she was allowed to go home. 

 The day before my mom was scheduled to come home from the hospital, Krystal invited me to have lunch together before the post-surrogate mother program check-up. 

"It's a pity that Richard can't accompany us to find out the results of the program. He's doing some work out of town," Krystal said with a shrug.

I didn't even know how the food Krystal had ordered tasted. I suddenly remembered that Richard hadn't told me anything about the preparations he might have made before the day of my prenatal checkup.

Had Richard colluded with Dr. Aaron?

After lunch, we went to the hospital. Doctor Aaron examined me for a few twelve minutes. I looked at him warily, various fears starting to cross my mind.

What if he revealed to Krystal that this surrogate mother program never happened?

After the examination was over, Dr. Aaron told me to leave the room, and then told me to sit down and wait with Krystal with an envelope.

Krystal received the envelope with trembling hands. She opened it carefully, read it, and then exclaimed loudly.

"Nikkie, we did it! You're pregnant!"