Defensive.

Chapter Three

Dylan's word replayed for the umpteen time in his head. How in heaven sake could Dylan say such trash? Daniel glanced at Dylan, uncertain if he just quipped.

"What has come over you, Dylan? For candy's sake, checking Patricia out was an involuntary action" He clarified patiently as Dylan stared at him in amusement

"Why are you suddenly being defensive?" Without giving him a chance to reply, Dylan continued. The amusement completely wiped from his face. His body relaxed as though being interview for a brand opening. "Patricia won't be your real wife. It will be a contracted marriage. Probably after six month, you guys can seek a divorce. You could come up with a plausible lie for the divorce" 

"It won't work Dylan." Daniel placed the empty glass on the dinning table after gulping down it content. Pessimism clouded his mind. Restlessly, he began pacing. "Graham wants a grandchild!" 

"That shouldn't be an issue," Dylan commented drily. "You could always adopt. Do a private adoption." He suggested thoughtfully. 

"Adoption? Private adoption?" Daniel's voice raised higher than normal, he stopped pacing to stare at Dylan in bewilderment. "I hope you haven't forgotten that for a celebrity, nothing is ever private. Some bunch of idiotic press must surely snoop around, bringing out all your skeleton from it closet" 

And in a matter of second, the news could spread like wildfire, ruining his chances of ever retaining his inheritance. No! It wasn't a nice suggestion. 

"Then, you've got no other alternative than to marry Patricia. Look, you could pay her to carry your child. Literally, you will be killing two birds at a time - retaining your inheritance and granting Graham his heart desire"

Daniel mused over it for a minute. "You are right..." He began but stopped midway, appalled by the thought of having sex with Patricia. His phobia for stranger suddenly dawned on him. 

"Did you think this through?" He asked a baffled Dylan. "Come on, pregnancy doesn't happen in the air. A sperm must meet with an egg which meant 'sex must be involved' " 

He couldn't pin-point what was amusing in his statement. 

"I am just humoring you, Daniel" Dylan smiled, giving an answer to his inner thought as though blessed with a secret ability to read minds.. Slowly rising, Dylan held him from pacing. 

"If the thought of having sex with Patricia is so appalling, then do surrogacy" 

"How?" 

Surrogacy sounded weird. What did he truly meant by that term. 

"Patricia can be your surrogate. You will donate your sperm which would be infiltrated into her body through in vitro fertilization (IVF). When your sperm meet and fertilize with her egg, an embryo will be formed, leading to pregnancy"

Flabbergasted was an understatement. He was really overwhelmed by the interesting idea. "Thanks man. You are a real gem!"

Excited, he smacked a kiss on Dylan's cheek. 

"Ew.. Gross!" Dylan shrieked with a disgusting look, swatting the spot Daniel kissed as though trying to swat a gnat. 

He laughed heartily, just then Dylan's phone rang interrupting the moment. Muttering an 'Excuse me' Dylan answered his calls while he waited patiently. The beautiful antique on the wall caught his attention. Beautiful as it was screamed of wealth. 

His stomach growled reminding him of his expired bacon with egg. 

Dylan glanced at him with a smile. "Your stomach is hungry" not waiting for a response, Dylan rang a bell. Seconds later, Patricia walked in with a smile. 

"Serve him some food"  

"Yes Boss"

"How will we execute this plans?" He asked wearily as Patricia exit the room. 

"My attorney could draft a legal document for a contract marriage. You will include your rules, terms and condition then you both can sign before progressing to the church for the marital blessing"

"How long should the contract last?"

"It depends on you," Dylan answered, further adding "It could be two years or Fifteen month. Six month is to convince Graham that you are legally married. Nine month is for the pregnancy. Pregnancy is usually nine month. After delivery, she will stay for some month to take care of the baby. After two years, divorce paper will be signed and nannies will be employed" 

This was one of the reason he loved and adored Dylan. He was a smart ass, good at analysing critical situation before professing solution. 

"You just saved my life and everything I had ever worked hard for" he began emotionally, highly obliged to him for his great help. 

"It's nothing Daniel. You are my buddy, my Gee. Your happiness is my aim. I understand why you can't settle down presently but I also can't stand the image of you throwing away everything you had always worked so damn hard for to some teenage dude who has no preamble of how to manage a company" 

"Thanks Gee"

Dylan shrugged off his gratitude. "That was my attorney, he has been informed to draft a legal document. All I need are your rules, term and condition" 

"Sure!"

Settled, they shared private moment. Dylan helped with some rules, condition and ideas for the contracted marriage document. 

Alarmed, "What if Patricia heard everything we discussed?" 

"The sound proof system was activated earlier before your arrival, so our conversation was encrypted. No third party would know what we discussed"