SELENE WOODS

CHAPTER ONE: AARON’S SURGERY

SCARLETT’S POV

Today is the day I decide to carry another man's child in my womb, while still married to my husband, Aaron.

I know it sounds so crazy, but I have thought of a thousand reasons to back out of this decision, yet nothing else holds me down as much as the fear of losing my husband. The last time I spoke to the doctor, I was warned that if Aaron didn't get a surgical operation within the next four weeks, he would be at risk of dying.

The burden to raise the money for his surgery fell solely on my shoulders, and his mother wasn't taking it easy on me at all as she told everyone who cared to listen that I was the reason behind her son's misfortune. She never accepted me as her daughter-in-law, anyways.

When I first saw news of an unknown billionaire who needed a woman to bear a child for him through surrogacy, I had applied nonchalantly, without any expectations.

Early this morning, a strange number  called me, informing me of my scheduled interview with Mr D, the billionaire in need of the surrogate.

"Have I been selected?" I had squealed with surprise.

"No, not yet. A private doctor shall be assigned to you during the interview and if your medical details matches what Mr. D wants, you shall sign a contract for the surrogacy. Kindly head over to the 5th herring bus stop, and one of our drivers shall come over to pick you up"

Giddy with excitement, I packed all my medical documents, throwing them into the only handbag I had and I rushed out of the house.

*************************************

I have been at the bus stop for half an hour, yet there was no sign of any assigned driver, neither was there another call from the person who directed me to this place.

Cold sweat broke out on my forehead and it took everything in me to stop myself from going back home. The distance back to the apartment I shared with Aaron was quite far, and after walking all the way to this bus stop, I wasn't ready to give up yet. I threw a sharp, nervous glance at my phone's screen.

Time was fast flying by.

I leaned on the wall, ignoring the wary stare of the traffic warden who had been watching me ever since I arrived at the bus stop and failed to get on any of the three busses that stopped by.

 Suddenly, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up. The car's smooth lines glistened in the streetlight and its  windows were tinted, so I couldn't make out who was inside. My heart started to race as the car idled to the club. Immediately, my phone rang out. The caller ID read "unknown" but I picked up anyway, my hands trembling as I held the phone to my ear. A deep, gravelly voice spoke on the other end, "Scarlett Stones?"

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, but the voice spoke again, more insistent this time, "Get in the car that's in front of you."

My legs felt as heavy as rock as I slowly walked towards the Rolls-Royce and slide into the back seat. The door closed behind me with a heavy thud. Then, I jerked my head sidewards and realized that there was someone else in the backseat with me. It was a man in well tailored black suits. He was heavily bearded and the pair of dark shades he had on covered half of his face.

His lips were set in a hard, firm line as I settled into the seat.

"Welcome, Miss Scarlett Stones." He said curtly.

I nodded, grateful that he had mistaken me for someone who was unmarried by addressing me as Miss. Who the hell would ever believed that a married woman could sign up for a process like this?

I drew in a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

I didn't know if I was more scared of the unknown, or of the possibility of being rejected.

No! I couldn't afford to be rejected. This was my only shot at trying to save my husband. The driver slowly put the car into motion and joined the traffic on the highway. The ride lasted for almost an hour, during which I could swear that the man besides me had either fallen asleep or simply died because of how still he sat, without moving any part of his body. 

Soon, the car pulled up at a checkpoint, right outside a large gate. The man besides me pulled out a blindfold from a bag at the corner and flung it at me.

My mouth dropped open, "What's this for?"

He faced me, "Your eyes. You need to put that over your eyes. You are not allowed to know the location we are taking you to."

I looked down at the blindfold in my hands and my heart began to pound inside my chest. This was getting even stranger by the minute.

I stared at the car door, willing myself to reach for the handle and get out.

"Do that immediately!" The man barked, startling me.

I hurriedly tied it over my face, sealing off my eyes.  A chill ran through me as I dug my teeth into my lower lip, forcing myself to stop thinking of the possibility that I had gotten kidnapped.

I was doing this for Aaron; I just had to do this for him. 

An hour later, I found myself in a luxurious mansion, surrounded by eight men. I was seated on the only chair in the room, and there was a large table in front me with papers strewn across it.

I felt numb as I eyed the men without a word. I didn't remember walking into this room, neither did I remember seeing any of these people.

One of the men noticed that  I was awake and he informed the other man who stood besides him. I recognized him as the stranger who had rode with me in the car on my way to this  place. He hurried over me in long strides and when he got close, he folded his hands over his chest.

"The examination is over, Miss Stones." He announced.

My eyes widened, "What do you mean? How's it over? When did it happen?"

His lips curled into a snarl and he directed one of the men to pack up the papers on the table before he faced me again, "We only put you to sleep. It may please you to know that you have been selected for the surrogacy."

His words hit me as a shock and I sat upright on the chair, "Selected? You mean, I get to have the money involved?" I asked.

He nodded. "We have examined over 50 young women within the last one week, and you have the most suitable DNA and bloodline that matches the requirements, hence you will get paid, as long as you fulfill your own part of the deal."

I held my head in my hands, as tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't believe that I was finally going to pay for my husband's surgery fees.

"Ma'am?"

I looked up at him, wiping at my tear stained cheeks as I sniffed.

"The big boss wants to speak to you. It won't take long. Follow me."

I bobbed my head and jumped to my feet. My heart was thudding in my chest as he led me into an adjoining room. It was spacious and well-furnished, with a large table in the center. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and a fireplace crackled in the corner.

"The big boss will be here shortly." The man besides me said, leaving me immediately in the room. I remained rooted to the spot, and some minutes later, another door which I hadn't noticed earlier, opened and a man wearing a mask walked into the room.

I bit back a scream, my chest tightening with fear as the man approached the table in the room. 

He took a seat behind the desk and motioned for me to sit in the chair across from him and I did so, smoothing my skirt nervously.

He cleared his throat and began to speak in a low and husky voice.

"100 million dollars. All you have to do is birth my child and I'll pay you in full to get the hell out of our lives and never show your face again. If you ever come for the child, I'll make sure death becomes your favorite wish. Tell me, are you sure you want this?"