Chapter 004

“Why hasn’t she said anything?” Killian asked coldly while standing in his study in the manor. “Does she suddenly have morals to reject the offer?” He continued with a sneer.

“Killian. It has only been twelve hours. You won’t pressure her into accepting, will you?” Freddy inquired.

Killian snapped his gaze at him, making Freddy quickly look away from him. They might have been friends for so long but he knew how short tempered he could be.

“This is all your fault. Any creature with a womb will leap at the opportunity of a hundred million dollars! But you just had to insist on her, didn’t you?” Killian glared at him as he walked to his seat behind the mahogany table.

Will she really toss the opportunity away? From what I have been told, she needs money to save his brother.’ Killian thought to himself.

Maybe she couldn’t be bought with money like she truly said. But Killian refused to be proven wrong.

No one on earth wouldn’t tremble and fall for the temptation of money.

“I will call Cain again.”

“Maybe he has an update about Ms. Winters.” Freddy walked out of the room to make the phone call. Killian was forced to wait for him for some minutes.

He began to tap his table impatiently as he waited. The silence enveloped him as the hands of the large wall clock ticked louder in his ears than ever.

Why is Freddy taking so long?

The door opened after some minutes. Freddy announced to Killian reluctantly, “He hasn’t heard back from her.”

Killian drew in a sharp breath and shut his eyes from some seconds before standing from his seat. “Let’s go!”  He said as he walked towards the door.

“What? Go to where?” Freddy asked, looking all confused.

“Where else? To wherever her agency is. This was all your idea. No one gets to say no to me, Fred. No one!”

Freddy watched Killian pull out his phone and dial a number. “Bring the car to the front.” Killian made a call to his driving quarters.

A shaky voice answered the call, “Y-yes, sir!” The poor driver sputtered after hearing the graveness in his boss’ voice.

Who the hell is this? That sounded nothing like Van, his driver.

By the time Killian had crossed the foyer, along with Freddy, Max had driven the car out to the entrance of the manor.

His sweaty palms fidgeted with the steering wheel of the custom made Black Lexus. Seeing Killian and Freddy, he leapt out of the car to round it and open the door.

Killian reeled back when Max suddenly appeared in his sight. He fiddled with the door handle but it didn’t budge.

Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

“Uhm… Let me try.” Freddy pulled out a handkerchief to pull the door handle open. Killian and Freddy settled into the car and made their way to the Agency.

***

“Bryan. Please, take some more.” Penelope held a spoonful chicken soup for Bryan but he refused to open up.

“T-hat is enough, P-penny. No more.” Bryan said weakly and adjusted his head on the pillow.

Penny held in the tears that threatened to erupt. Her memories of her active brother when they were children were a great contrast to the sight before her.

His eye sockets had become hollow as his face looked so pale in contrast with the white sheets on his bed.

Bryan smiled weakly, “Penny, go out more. Can’t h-have you stuck here with me forever.”

Penny packed the food and threw it in the trash can before responding, “And, what, huh? Abandon my only brother? No chance in hell. You are all I have got. I’ll be damned if I don’t do all I can to save you.” Penny said reassuringly.

Subconsciously, her mind had been made up.

“I will be back in the morning. You can’t get rid of me.” Penny said and feigned a smile.

“Take your time, Kiddo. Have some fun while you are at it.” Bryan said as his eyelids began to shut.

Penny closed the door to his room and stared through the transparent glass, watching her brother. The slow rise and fall of his chest showed that he was deep asleep.

I am doing this for us, Bryan.

She pulled out her phone and switched it on. Right after the class the previous night, she switched it off. It was her way of getting the pressure off her and thinking clearly.

There were some messages from Drew but she ignored them and dialled one of the few numbers on her contact list.

“Where the hell have you been?” Cain yelled over the phone.

Was there ever a time this man didn’t cuss?

Penny sighed and responded, “Let’s meet up.”

“Come to the agency. He is waiting for you.” Cain said casually and ended the call.

Huh? That’s it? He who? Cain is insufferable. Why in God’s name did he end the call without giving full information? The person must be desperate enough to show up at my work.

She mulled over who could be that desperate to want a child to be carried by a complete stranger. He? Not a woman?

Penny was curious and excited to meet the man. With the money, she could finish college, dream big and have her brother alive with her.

But you are about to sacrifice your womb, Penny.

The thought bothered her. She had been so fixated on saving her brother that she didn’t think of the implications. Her body. What if Bryan found out?

For goodness sake! I have never even had sex. What am I? Some virgin Mary? N*****x would definitely want to make a movie about her.

She left the hospital and took a cab to where her agency was.

“Welcome back, Fire cracker!” Lola, her friend at the agency, greeted her in a slurred accent.

“Lola!” Penny was happy to see so she pulled her into a hug. “When did you return from Maldives?” Penny asked.

“Just last night. My new baby is a big spender.” Lola squealed and went in a trance.

“Tsk… Tsk… Tsk. Lola, what did I tell you about never mixing business with pleasure, huh?” Penny chided.

Fraternising with a client never ends well. We have codes and conducts but Lola loves to break the rules for her enjoyment.

“No one will get hurt. He is single, okay? Just having fun.” She responded. “Cain is waiting for you. You know never to get on that bald man’s nerves.”

“Right! See you, Lola.” Penny rushed off to where Cain’s office is.

La Belle Escort had been home to Penny for a couple of years when Bryan was diagnosed. She needed money for his medications and to pay her college fees. It was her only option. Cain took pity on her and took her into the business.

“Cain!” Penny didn’t bother to knock on the door and swung the door open instead.

“Ever the manner less Penny.” Cain called out.

Penny let out a smile as she sauntered into the office but she stopped in her tracks when she noticed a familiar figure.

Are my eyes playing tricks on me now?

The figure turned out and I picked up on the scowl and face stiff as granite.

“No freaking way!”