Deal is done

   STEPHANIE & CO RESTAURANT

Diana wiped the counter absentmindedly; her mind was miles away. The rush at the restaurant had died down, leaving only a few lingering customers.

“Diana!” a smooth voice snapped her out of thought.

Diana blinked, looking up to find Isabel, who manages the restaurant for her cousin. She was leaning across the counter with a furrowed brow.

“What are you thinking about? You've been scrubbing that same spot for more than three minutes.” Isabel said.

Diana heaved a sigh, dropping the clothes. “I have a lot on my mind.”

Isabel sighed. “Is this about Bella?”

Diana shook her head. “Yes. Bella needs surgery. A heart transplant, and it is going to cost three hundred thousand dollars.”

Isabel's eyes widened in shock. “What? Are you for real? I thought she passed out again due to stress.”

“No. Her condition has nothing to do with stress. How do I get three hundred thousand dollars when I am behind on rent that's just a thousand? If I work off everything for a year, I still can't make such an amount of money. And Bella’s condition is critical. I don't know what to do.”

Isabel let out a whistle. “This is hard. I'm sorry you have to go through this at this time. But—” she paused, looking around to ensure no one was listening. “Can we talk elsewhere? I'm sure Sara can manage the counter for a few minutes. Let's talk in my office.” she walks off.

Diana spoke to Sara before rushing off to meet Isabel.

“Listen with the jobs you have at hand. You can never get $300,000 in the next five years.” Diana nodded in agreement. “I saw something last night. It might sound wild and weird, but it's a lot of money. My sister works at a law firm, and she told me her boss put her up to looking into surrogacy.”

Diana frowned. “Surrogacy?”

Sara unlocked her phone and showed her chatting with her sister. “A billionaire is looking for a surrogate. It's legit. The pay is about five hundred thousand dollars. And there are other bonuses. All you have to do is carry a child. There are no strings attached. They will handle everything.”

Diana’s frown deepened. “Wait, you want me to be a surrogate?”

Isabel nodded. “Yes. You need the money. Look, I know it's wild, but Bella needs to live. This offer is fast, and you can use the rest of the money after sorting Bella’s bills. There's a high chance you’ll be able to get more if the baby is multiple.”

Diana tried to speak, but Isabel cut her off. “You’d never make such a large amount of money with these jobs, not even if you worked yourself to the bone for twelve years.”

Diana ran her hand through her hair. Carrying a child for a stranger for money?

“This is…scary. I don't think I can do it.” But Bella’s pale and lean frame flashed in her mind’s eye. “How do I apply?”

“I’ll talk to my sister to send the link.” Isabel tapped on her phone several times, and the response came almost immediately.

“I have sent it to your dm.”

“Alright. My phone is in my bag. I will check it.”

“Don't waste time, Diana. Others are in line, but I’ll tell my sister to say good words as long as you’re clean.”

“Yeah. My record is clean.” Diana could feel the pit in her belly and panic almost rising.

When Diana got home, she looked for her medical records and settled on applying through the link Isabel had sent earlier. The page was professional.

Private Surrogacy Opportunity. Significant Compensation. Strictly Confidential.

Fear gnawed at her. Doubts screamed in her head as her thumb hovered over the apply button. Surrogacy? She would give her body away for some time. And the child would never be hers. What if it ruined her life? What if something goes wrong? Many question bugged her mind, but the thoughts of the heart monitor beeping slower than it should and her sister clinging to life had her finger clicking the apply button.

Diana’s heart raced so fast as she filled the form, even with a trembling hand. Her name, her health history with evidence, a quick summary of her life, and why she wanted to apply. She recalled how she had cried herself to sleep last night, wondering how she would save her sister.

And this is the chance. She closed her eyes and hit the submit button.

           ****************

      TWO DAYS LATER

Diana lay on her worn-out sofa. She had just returned from her second job, feet aching and a heavy mind. Her phone beeped, notifying her of a message. She reached for her bag and took the phone. It was an email. She read it three times before letting it sink into her head.

REQUEST: PRIVATE INTERVIEW INVITATION—CONFIDENTIAL. The address was from N&B Chambers. The time was 7:00 p.m. The body of the message emphasized discretion and who needed the surrogacy. It was short and professional, but it felt real.

Diana closed her eyes, feeling her chest tightening at every passing second. She expected to be afraid, but somehow, relief washed over her, knowing she was one step closer to saving her sister’s life.

Diana researched the law firm and the billionaire when she received the confirmation. Theodore Smith, CEO of Smith Global, is a famous business mogul and billionaire. The name shouldn't be said lightly. Everything she found about him felt too good to be true. And every picture of him had a signature—cold.

She arrived at the law firm fifteen minutes early. The receptionist sent her down a quiet hallway leading to a private boardroom. She noticed most of the employees had clocked out for the day. She needed to get familiar with the silence if she hadn't googled the names. Scaring her would have signaled scam and danger to her.

Then she saw him when she stepped in. He stood by the far end, dressed in a black suit. He didn't look up when she entered, too busy flipping through the tablet. Diana felt her palms sweaty, a chill running down her spine as she cleared her throat.

“Mr Smith?”

He looked up, his eyes cold and blank. “Miss Wood.”

Diana nodded, taking a seat across from him. She noticed the thick file on the table. Her name was printed on it, and Theo opened it.

“Your profile is clean. We checked everything, including medical records, psychological evaluations, and background checks. You scored above average.” Theo scanned her face; His eyes was dissecting her. He had picked her from the list of women details Noah had sent him.

“The agreement is strictly business. Twelve months, you'll be a surrogate; after birth, the child will be mine—no romantic involvement. You'll receive the agreed payment and bonuses when due.” he paused, still watching as she clutched onto her bag like it was a lifeline.

“I need to know something before we proceed.”

Diana nodded. He leaned forward. “Why did you apply?”

“For the money,” she said. She wondered why he asked when she summarized it while filling out the form. “My sister’s surgery is urgent. This is the only available option to save her life.”

“Do you believe in attachment?” Theo asked.

Diana’s heart drummed louder than her thoughts. She wasn't expecting these questions. “Attachment?”

“Yes. I mean emotional connection. Bonding. Falling in love.”

Diana blinked. “I believe in attachment but know when to let it go.”

Theo tapped on the file, brow twitching. “Have you ever been in a relationship?”

“Yes. Just one. It ended years ago.”

“Why?”

“He cheated. And he was busy chasing dreams that didn't involve me.” Diana answered truthfully. Ryan! That scumbag.

She was naive at the time she dated Ryan. She had thought Ryan was the best she could have and had gullibly given up her virginity only to find out he was seeing other women. And what they had meant nothing to him.

“And you are prepared to walk away regardless of the outcome?” he asked.

“Yes,” Diana replied with a straight face.

Silence stretched between them. Theo’s eyes watched her like a hawk. She could feel his eyes on her when she looked away for a split second.

“This is the contract.” he pushed the folder toward her.

Diana opened it. The file contained 40 pages of legal jargon. Contract terms, termination clauses, moral conduct, and health obligations. She scanned through until she reached the part: No Romantic Involvement. No Parental Claims. No Future Contact.

Diana sighed, looking up at him. “I have a condition.”

“I’m listening.”

“I need $300,000 upfront to pay my sister’s medical bills. I won't start until it's paid.”

Theo nodded. “Okay.”

Diana’s eyes widened. “Just like that?”

“I like honesty. Your sister needs to live. If paying upfront ensures your cooperation, then the deal is done. I'll have my lawyer handle the transfer tomorrow morning.”

Diana picked up the pen and she signed her name across the dotted line. Theo signed next.

“We have a deal, Miss Wood.” Theo stood up and extended his hand.

Diana hesitated for a minute. She had just signed twelve months of her life to a total stranger. Finally, she took his hand; his palm was steady, firm, and cold.

“No attachment. No complication for the next twelve months.”

Diana nodded. “No involvement.”

After Diana left, Noah came into the boardroom. “How did it go? Did she pass?” Noah asked.

“We signed it,” he said.

“The deal is done? Seriously?”

“She is different,” Theo mumbled. He had interviewed five women before her. All of them failed before the second or third question. Some flirted, some cried, and some screamed red flags. One even asked if she could live with her boyfriend during the pregnancy. But Diana Wood was different.

“She wasn't desperate. She wasn't emotionally erratic. She didn't care about my identity. And didn't even attempt to impress me. And she's doing it to save a life. It shows that she's compassionate.”

Noah nodded. “And that's exactly what you want?”

Theo shook his head. “My child would be safe with her.”

Diana’s words still lingered in his head. “I believe in attachment, but I also know when to let go.”

Theo was the exact opposite. He doesn't believe in attachment or falling in love—not anymore. He doesn't trust anyone, not after everything he has been through. But for the next twelve months, he would have to put his faith in a stranger with the most important thing he’d ever create.