The meeting

Adrian Blackwell reviewed Elena Martinez's test results for the third time. Perfect health, excellent psychological evaluation, and a background check that revealed exactly what he'd expected: a young woman desperate enough to do anything for money.

"She's ideal," Dr. Chen said from across his desk. "Intelligent, healthy,and motivated. The psychological evaluation shows strong emotional resilience."

Adrian closed the file. "When can we meet?"

"This afternoon, if you're available. She's completed all the preliminary requirements."

"Good. Schedule it for 4 PM in the conference room."

After Dr. Chen left, Adrian stood at his window again. In a few hours,he'd meet the woman who would carry his child. The thought should have felt significant, momentous even. Instead, it felt like any other business meeting.

His phone buzzed with a text from Marcus: "How's the surrogate search going?"

"Meeting the candidate today," Adrian replied.

"Remember – keep it professional. No personal connections."

Adrian almost laughed. Personal connections weren't a risk. He'd built his entire adult life around avoiding them.At exactly 4 PM, Adrian entered the conference room at Dr. Chen's clinic. Elena Martinez was already seated, her hands folded primarily on her lap. She looked younger than her twenty-six years, and far more nervous than her application had suggested.

"Miss Martinez," Adrian said, taking the seat across from her. "I'm Adrian Blackwell."

Elena's eyes widened slightly. She clearly recognized the name.Everyone in New York knew the Blackwell empire.

"Mr. Blackwell." Her voice was steadier than he'd expected. "Thank you for meeting with me."

Adrian studied her face, looking for signs of the gold-digging tendencies he'd learned to spot in women. But Elena Martinez seemed genuinely uncomfortable with the situation, not excited by the prospect of his wealth.

"Dr. Chen says you've passed all the medical requirements," Adrian

began.

"Yes, sir."

"Tell me why you want to do this."

Elena hesitated. "I need the money for my father's medical treatment.He has cancer, and insurance won't cover the experimental therapy that could save his life."

The honesty surprised him. Most people tried to dress up their desperation with noble motives. Elena Martinez simply told the truth.

"You understand this arrangement would require complete discretion,"

Adrian said. "No media contact, no social media posts, no discussion of our agreement with anyone outside your immediate family."

"I understand."

"You'd be monitored twenty-four hours a day. Your diet, exercise, social activities – everything would be managed to ensure the health of the pregnancy."

Something flickered in Elena's eyes. Defiance, maybe. "Monitored how?"

"Security cameras in your residence, GPS tracking, daily health reports. Consider it comprehensive prenatal care."

Elena's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "I see."

Adrian leaned forward. "This isn't a game, Miss Martinez. I'm paying you half a million dollars to carry my child safely to term. That requires absolute compliance with every aspect of the contract."

"And after the baby is born?"

"You sign over all parental rights and leave. We will never see each other again."

Elena was quiet for a long moment. When she looked up, her brown eyes met his gray ones directly. "What if complications arise during pregnancy? Medical decisions, emergency situations?"

"All medical decisions will be mine to make."

"Even if they affect my life?"

Adrian hadn't expected pushback. Most surrogates were so grateful for the money they agreed to everything immediately.

"The contract specifies that my medical team will handle all decisions in the best interest of the child."

"And my interests?"

"Are covered by the compensation package."

Elena stood suddenly. "I need to think about this."

Adrian frowned. "I was told you were eager to begin immediately."

"I am. But I'm not signing away my basic human rights, even for half a million dollars."

She gathered her purse and headed for the door. Adrian found himself speaking before he'd consciously decided to.

"What would you need changed?"

Elena turned back. "Equal say in medical decisions that affect my body, the right to refuse procedures that aren't medically necessary and no cameras in the bedroom or bathroom."

"The monitoring is for your safety and the baby's health."

"Then we can compromise. Security system, fine, GPS tracking, fine.But basic privacy in my personal space.?"

Adrian considered her demands. They were reasonable, though he'd never had a surrogate negotiate contract terms before.

"Anything else?"

"I want to meet the medical team myself, not just accept whoever you choose. And I want my own lawyer to review the contract."

Elena Martinez was definitely not what he'd expected. She was smart enough to protect herself legally and confident enough to stand up to him. Both traits could be problems later.But her medical results were perfect, and time was running out on his deadline.

"I'll have the contract revised," Adrian said finally.

Elena's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. This is still my arrangement, my rules, and mychild. You'll be compensated generously, but you're an employee,nothing more."

Something flashed across Elena's face – hurt, maybe, or anger. But she nodded.

"When will the revised contract be ready?"

"Tomorrow morning. If you sign, we begin the IVF process immediately."

Elena extended her hand. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Blackwell."

Her handshake was firm, and professional. But when their skin touched, Adrian felt an unexpected jolt of electricity. Elena's eyes widened,suggesting she'd felt it too.

Adrian released her hand quickly. "Tomorrow at 10 AM."

After Elena left, Adrian remained in the conference room, staring at his hand where hers had touched it. The sensation had been brief but unmistakable – a connection he hadn't felt with anyone in years.

It was probably just static electricity from the carpet.

But as Adrian headed back to his office, he couldn't shake the image of Elena Martinez's determined brown eyes, or the way she'd stood up to him when most people cowered.

His phone buzzed with Marcus's text: "How did it go?"

"She'll do," Adrian typed back.

But as he sent the message, Adrian realized he'd chosen those words carefully. Not "she's perfect" or "she's suitable." Just "she'll do."

Because Elena Martinez was already proving to be much more complicated than a simple business transaction. And complications were the last thing Adrian Blackwell needed in his carefully controlled life.