Chapter Two: Picking My Surrogate

Sylar's POV

“What could my mother possibly have offered you to turn on me, Thomas?” A dead calm voice cut through the private genetics laboratory.

The voice belonged to me. 

I had just finished another ten hours clinical trial run when I was informed that Thomas had been caught.

With short easy strides, I towered over Thomas who was held down on his knees by two of my men.

Thomas's body shivered as he finally locked eyes with me. 

“Mr. Wayne. I swear, all I did was report basic information to your mother. Your whereabouts and some of your deals. That's all, I swear. I didn't know she would use it against you like this.” Thomas hurriedly tried to explain. 

“You didn't know?” My voice steady as I clenched my fist hard. 

“Yes! Yes! Mr. Wayne, I…..” My leg moved with a speed that cut through the air, stomping hard on Thomas's face.

He groaned in pain and knelt even straighter. “Plea..se, Mr. Wayn… how.. how coould I refuuse your mother?” Thomas struggled to string his plea due to a few missing teeth.

My eyes burned red hot as he uttered those words. “You gave my mother and my enemies enough information to drive me against the wall. Because of your betrayal, I have to take up a surrogate to produce an heir before my brother's son is established as the heir.”

Thomas's eyes widened. I saw the realization on his face, that he had been sacrificed as a pawn to attack me. 

I didn't give him any more time to beg for his life. 

Bang! 

The sound of my gun being fired echoed in the dark hall. 

Thomas's body dropped to the ground with a dull thud.

“Clean this up.” I said to one of my guards as I looked at my watch. 

“Master Sylar? The women who want to be your surrogate are all waiting for you in your private estate.” James, my only trusted bodyguard who had been with me since I was a child, spoke. 

I clicked my tongue in slight annoyance because I knew I didn't have a choice.

If I didn't produce an heir, my life, the life of my wife and my company would be in grave danger. 

“Let's go.”

The drive to the estate was longer than usual or maybe it was the slight dread I felt going there under these circumstances. 

My wife was already waiting for me in front of the main building. 

Dressed in a sexy red dress, her glossy black hair rested effortlessly on her shoulders. 

I got out of the car, taking long strides to meet her. 

“Are you really going through with this?” Candice asked as she tried to hit me multiple times with her tiny fists.

I held my wife's hand, staring into her blue eyes. “How… how can you do this to me, Sylar? I've been nothing but a devoted wife to you. Are you really going to have a child with another woman because I'm…..barren?” Candice's voice began to crack as tears ran down her cheeks. 

“You know I don't have a choice, my love. The only reason my enemies can't come after us is because my shares will be donated to charity if I die. They found out about your condition. If I don't produce an heir, we won't be safe.” I pulled her closer as my hand stroked her head. 

Candice cried even more in my arms. I gritted my teeth in anger. “After I secure an heir, I'm going to eliminate everyone who forced me into this mess.” I thought to myself as I held Candice even tighter. 

After a long moment, Candice pulled away and locked eyes with me. “You can have the baby you need, Sylar. But, I don't want you to ever get attached to the mother. I won't tolerate that.” Her eyes burned bright with resolve so I knew she meant business. 

“I promise you, honey. She will be nothing but a surrogate.” I vowed as I kissed Candice goodbye and made my way into the building.

James led me to a large hall where all the women stood waiting. 

Some of them immediately noticed my presence, their eyes immediately shone bright with recognition and awe. 

My eyes strained against the glare of luxurious necklaces catching the light.

“Master Sylar, would you like me to interview them and compile a shortlist of suitable candidates?” James asked, seeing my annoyance. 

“That won't be necessary, James. I'm sure my enemies must have planted spies within these women to thwart my plans. We have to do the unexpected.” 

I walked towards the crowd. The majority of the women, having noticed me, tried to push out their breasts or stand more seductively. 

My eyes darted around the room till they landed on a random poorly dressed girl in the crowd. 

She was the only one who seemed to have still not noticed me. Her back rested against the wall with her hands pressed to her face.

I moved through the crowd with graceful, calculated steps, reaching her in a heartbeat. 

“You. What's your name?” I asked. 

She immediately stood up straight, obviously startled by the unexpected sound of my voice. 

“I….” Her breath caught. Her eyes locked with mine as different emotions seemed to flash across her face.

“My name is Eden, sir. Eden Petrelli.” Gaining her confidence, she responded. 

“How do you feel about me and why exactly do you want to be my surrogate?” I locked eyes with her, getting a clearer view of her hazel eyes. 

Her lips tensed as she seemed to hesitate for a moment.

I sighed inwardly, preparing to turn away. 

I had done the unexpected, picking a random girl from the crowd who didn't look as glamorous as the others. This was to avoid falling for any traps set by my enemies. 

“I dislike you a lot, sir, and the reason I'm here is because my sister is sick and you are the only one who can heal her.” She finally spoke.

“Sick?” My voice carried a hint of uncertainty. “What sickness?” I asked. 

“HEMA-7 syndrome.” Her gaze dropped to the floor.

This was the same syndrome I've been desperately trying to cure, lacking only more clinical trials.

“How far gone is she?” My interest immediately piqued. 

“She's recently turned seventeen. They say she won't live to see her eighteenth birthday.” Her eyes turned slightly watery. 

I looked at her coldly for two heartbeats before turning and walking away. 

“James. Show her to a room, she's the one I want. Send the rest home.”