The Woman in the Restaurant

Ethan’s POV

Why was my wife staring at strangers? What business does she have with them?

 “Babe, do you by chance know any of them?” I inquired. 

“What? Know them? No! I don’t!” She replied. 

I decided to mind my business and focus on what we visited the hospital for. 

Miss Hayes, my wife and I met with the Doctor. With my Lawyer, Barrister Mark, also present,  everything went seamless. 

Barrister Mark cleared his throat and said “Miss Hayes, I hope you know what you are signing in for?”

“Yes, Barrister, I do.” She said confidently. 

“Good. This is not the same as gestational surrogacy. Your genetic connection to the child creates additional legal and emotional considerations. Are you aware?

“Yes. I am.” 

“Alright. Sign here.”

Without hesitation, Miss Hayes signed. 

Several weeks after the insemination, the doctor confirmed the pregnancy. At the next scan, they discovered two foetuses.

My job knew no bounds. I went ahead to get a nanny for her mother so she could concentrate on why she was in the Blackwell’s Estate. 

One fateful evening, I was at the balcony working on the company’s projects. It was a huge project and it looked as though my company was going to lose it. In fact, our best staff in the company did all she could, our clients were still not satisfied. 

I sat down with it racking my head and no idea was coming. 

Suddenly, I heard a voice, “Do you need some help?” 

I turned back, it was Miss Hayes. 

“What does she know about high paying clients' projects?” I mocked her in my heart.  

“If you don’t mind, I can have a look at it and see if it is something I could do.” She added. 

I struggled with it for a while and decided to give her a benefit of doubt. 

“Sure, you can.” I said, letting out a fake smile. 

She sat and checked through the presentation and said;

“You are selling them your company. You should be showing them why choosing your company solves their problem.”

I actually saw sense in what she said and I changed the mode of the presentation. 

She stood up and was about to leave. As she turned, I said, “pregnancy looks good on you.”

“Really? Thank you so much, sir.” She replied with a smile and entered into her closet. 

I sent the project to our client’s email, praying and hoping that we would get a positive response. 

The following morning, I left for the office. As I stepped into the office, Williams, my friend and business partner approached me with a smile. 

“It looks like someone is overly excited this morning. What is the update?” I asked curiously. 

“Have you even checked your mailbox this morning?” Williams asked. 

“Not at all. I haven’t even opened my laptop today.” I replied. 

“Well, I am pleased to inform you that we won the contract.” Williams said joyfully. 

“Contract? Which one? The one we signed with Valencia Holdings?” I became more curious. 

“Yes! Yes! They sent a message this morning that you sent a very beautiful presentation to them over the night and they can’t help but award us a contract.” Williams added. 

“Wait! Miss Hayes! My goodness!” My heart leaped for joy. 

“Calm down, Ethan, who is Miss Hayes?” Williams asked. 

“I will explain to you later. Let’s start working on other things as regards the project.” I added. 

“I agree. I will see you later.” Williams said. 

After the close of work, I rushed home. 

“Miss Hayes!” I screamed. 

“Oh! You called me, sir. Is anything the problem? Did I do anything wrong?” She asked curiously. 

“Wrong? No! You made me happy. You made us happy!” I said excitedly. 

“Happy? Who? I don’t understand sir.”

“You remember the project I was working on yesterday night? We got the contract! How did you manage to do that?” I asked. 

“Oh! Congratulations, sir. It is nothing actually. I studied Business Administration in school and I graduated with a first class.” She said. 

“Wow! You’re such a genius. You know what? I am taking you out tonight.” 

Her countenance changed. It looked as though she was going to say no. 

“Don’t say no please. You deserve it. Is it because of my wife? Don’t worry. She wouldn’t mind when I explain to her.” I assured her. 

“Okay, sir. Give me some minutes to dress up.” She left for her room. 

A few minutes later, she stepped out in a pink dress and blonde hair. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I found it hard to believe it was the same woman I was conversing with a few minutes ago. 

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. But, I really needed to take my eyes off her because I promised my wife loyalty and cheating on her was the last thing. 

But, here is my surrogate mother, beauty with brains.  My wife had never cared about the company. All she was ever after was money.  

I had to control my emotions and focus on the reason why I was taking her out: to appreciate her and to also buy her new dresses because her tummy was growing bigger. 

“You’re free to pick anything you want,” I said to her at the boutique. 

“Two is enough, sir. I don’t want to lavish your money.” She said politely. 

The statement sounded strange. I had never heard it from a woman. She was the first. It showed she was a good manager. Even though I could afford everything, she believed I needed to spend wisely. 

I insisted and asked her to pick more. She managed to pick just four dresses and the way she kept saying “thank you” was so surprising. 

My wife never said “thank you,” before. She only knew how to complain. I had never satisfied her before. Not even once. 

“Ouch!” She screamed.

“What’s that? Are you fine?” I became worried. 

“Oh, no! I’m sorry I scared you. The babies just kicked.” She smiled. 

“Can I feel it?” I asked. 

“Yes, sure.”

I bent down, placed my hand on her tummy, I could feel the movement of the babies. I got so carried away that I even slightly placed my head on her tummy to see if the babies would whisper anything to my ears. It was a very beautiful moment for me. 

Immediately, I snapped back to reality. She wasn’t my wife, she was just a surrogate. 

“Miss Hayes, aren’t you hungry?” I asked. 

“Yes, I am.” She replied. 

I drove to a nice restaurant to get us food. We alighted and went straight inside the restaurant. We had barely sat when the waiter brought the menu for us. 

As I was about to choose, I lifted my head and saw a woman sitting at the other side. The view looked like that of my wife. 

It looked as though the woman was in an argument with the man she was sitting with. 

I watched the man trying to calm the woman down by touching the woman’s cheeks. 

“That can’t be my wife.” I said. 

But, the dress, the hair, the bag, everything looked familiar. My wife had them. 

The man’s face looked familiar, I tried to recall where I had seen the face before. I snapped quickly that it was the man we met at the hospital with a pregnant woman. The same man my wife was staring at.  The same man that I asked my wife if she knew. 

At that point, I was sure it was my wife sitting with a stranger. 

I stood up, went close to the table and called my wife’s name. 

“Zara!” The person turned immediately. 

It was my wife!