Something Real

SMITH HOME

It has been more than two weeks since Diana last saw Theo Smith in the flesh. Her last encounter with him had been at the hospital during the surrogacy procedure. Diana had wandered the house, learned the staff’s names, painted some canvases, and left the sunroom in many colors. Still, Theo watched her every move but unseen.

She tried doing findings about Theo, but the staff said little about him. When she asked Carissa if he ever came around or left his room, the older woman replied, “When he’s ready.” She had given up on trying to at least bump into him.

It was too early for even the staff to be bustling about. Diana had gotten out of bed craving toast and tea. Her hair was tangled, and she wore an old hoodie and shorts. She padded down the marble hallway barefoot, humming a tune under her breath.

Diana froze when she walked into the kitchen. Today was different, as she didn’t expect to find him there.

Theo stood near the coffee machine, sleeves rolled up, tie undone, hair damp as he’d just stepped out of the shower. He looked divine. Human. Not like the icy, composed CEO who had handed her a surrogacy contract in a private boardroom.

Their eyes locked for a second until Diana's heartbeat skipped. He was taller than she remembered. Broader. And startlingly beautiful in a way that hit you slowly. She noted his features, sharp cheekbones, and a defined jaw, but most striking were his eyes. However, his expression is still unreadable.

Theo also watched her like a puzzle, expecting her to at least say something to fill the awkward silence.

“Ahm…sorry to bother you. I was just—” She paused. “Sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be up,” she stammered, backing toward the doorway.

“No, it's fine. You don't need to apologize. You live here now,” he said, voice quiet but firm.

Diana stopped at the door and turned to face him. She crossed her arms, forcing herself to stand still. “I live here now, but this is your house.”

“It is.” Another pause. “But I invited you in.”

“You hired me,” Diana corrected with a wry smile. “Let’s not confuse business with charity,” she added.

Theo didn’t smile. “Yeah. You're right.” He returned to his coffee, poured a cup, and gestured toward the kettle. “There’s water if you want tea.”

“Thank you.” She moved toward the counter, hyperaware of his presence. Her fingers shook as she reached for a mug, but she willed herself to stay steady. No way was she going to let him see nerves.

“You’ve been painting,” he said after a moment.

She snorted. “Is that your way of saying I’ve made a mess of your sunroom?”

His lips twitched, staring at her for a split second before looking back at his coffee. “Don’t get me wrong. I didn't think such a place could be useful for an artist.”

Diana set the mug down. “So you've been watching me through the lens, huh? You could’ve just said hi instead of spying through cameras.”

Theo nodded. He didn't deny it. “Pardon me. I wasn’t sure how to approach you,” he admitted.

She turned, surprised. “That’s quite honest, Mr Smith.”

“Well, this is a high-risk arrangement; honesty is key,” he replied.

Diana narrowed her eyes. “Is that what this is? High-risk?”

He studied her, gaze drifting across her face like he was searching for something underneath her skin. “Yes. A contract bounds us.”

She smiled. “Yeah. And thank you for the reminder.”

“It wasn’t a compliment. No need to thank me.”  He snorted.

Diana felt annoyed but washed it down with tea. A strange silence settled between them. Not uncomfortable, exactly—but loaded. Like the calm before a storm, neither of them had named yet.

Diana’s head snapped up as if she had remembered something. Theo looked at her. “Got something else to say?”

“You could’ve chosen anyone to be your surrogate, so why me?” she said quietly, leaning against the counter.

He took a sip of his coffee. “I chose because you didn’t look at me like the rest.”

“The rest of who?”

“Women. Clients. Investors.” He turned toward her. “You walked into that office and didn’t see a billionaire. You saw a man in need even though you were also in need. You weren't exactly desperate even though the situation called for it.”

She met his eyes. “You’re right. I did see a man in need. But you didn’t say what kind of need it was. And honestly? I’m still figuring that out.”

His eyes flickered, something unreadable passing through them. For a second, she thought he might leave. Instead, he stepped forward, dipped his hand into his pocket, and placed a small card between them on the counter. It was a Gold card.

She frowned. “What’s this?”

“A card. You need money to buy stuff…for painting.”

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Well, I want you to feel comfortable while you rest at home and care for my child. You don’t need to be confined to staying home all day; you are not a prisoner. You can have the driver take you to wherever you want to visit.”

Diana studied him for a long moment. That, more than anything, caught her off guard. “Wait…this isn't part of the contract. And you have already paid me enough. I don’t need more—”

“You do. And you have to take it.”

Before she could respond, he added, “We’ll need to attend a medical appointment together in two weeks. Until then, Carissa will handle anything. I’m not good at hosting.”

“I noticed.”

He let out a short breath that might’ve been a laugh. And then he walked away.

Diana stared at the Gold Card on the marble counter. Theo was different. It was the first thing he’d done that felt real. The first thing that wasn't in the contract. He just gave her a Gold card to buy Painting stuff! And for the first time, Diana didn’t just feel like a hired womb.

Diana felt like something more.