The Stories Of Those Around Us

OLIVIA

“I’m sorry, but he needs urgent surgery to survive.” The doctor said.

My mother choked on a sob, staggering backwards so violently that if I hadn’t been holding her, she might have fallen to the ground. 

After hours of worrying, waiting and praying, this was not the sort of news we’d hoped to hear concerning my brother’s health. I felt goosebumps spread over my skin, my heart dropping at the realization that my brother might die. 

“Please, doctor..” I stepped forward, my hands trembling. “There has to be another way to save my brother. Please help us.”

The doctor shook his head. “Unfortunately, the damage is too deep. Surgery is the only way out. And I’d advise you to hurry because he has less than twelve hours to live without surgery.”

My chest felt tight as I fought back tears of my own. I shut my eyes briefly and tried to breathe, but it seemed impossible right now. I was feeling way too much, way too soon. 

It felt like my world was crashing down on me, and if I weren’t careful, it would end right before my eyes. 

Where was I supposed to get the money to book my brother for neurosurgery? Even if I poured my life savings into it, it wouldn’t amount to even five percent of the bill. 

And even if I got the money, how would I find a neurosurgeon who would book my brother within twelve hours? We would at least pay twice the normal f*e to bypass the list.

I felt tears spring to my eyes, but I forced them back in for fear that my mother, who was still sobbing quietly beside me, would see me cry. If I broke down in front of her, it would only make this so much worse to deal with. 

As I watched her cry and lament, I knew that if anything happened to James, she would not be able to survive it. I scooted closer to her and took her hand. 

“Mom, we’re going to save him,” I told her, even though my voice was cracking. “Nothing will happen to James. I will find a way to get the money. Stay here and wait, okay?”

She nodded and hugged me, her tears soaking my shirt. 

I dashed out of the hospital immediately, heading straight to a loan agency I had seen a few streets away. But before I could even finish explaining my purpose of taking a loan, I was rejected. 

I couldn’t give up, so I headed to the second loan agency. I broke down in tears while begging and explaining, but again, I was rejected. I already had outstanding debt, and as a student, I had no reliable means of repaying the loan. It was a reasonable decision, but for me, it was like a death sentence. 

I was stranded and completely alone, with nowhere else to turn to. I couldn’t just give up. I couldn’t let my brother die. 

My last option was to head to where I worked. It was not far, so I walked the short distance to the Michelin restaurant where I served as a waitress. 

I had been working there for months, so I hoped that would give me some leverage. I tried not to expect too much, but I hoped my manager could give me a year's advance. I didn’t mind not getting paid for a year as long as my brother stayed alive. 

I headed straight to the manager’s office as soon as I arrived, only to find him coming out at the same time. 

“Good morning, Mr Gu. I was hoping to talk—”

“Ah, Olivia. Thank God you’re here and just on time too. We need extra hands here.”

I shook my head quickly. “I am not on duty today, sir,” I explained. I came here to see you, to beg you for a favour.”

Mr Gu turned up his nose. “You can either meet me after you join to serve the important guest we have, or you can forget about it and enjoy your day off.”

Left without a choice, I nodded. “Okay. I will help out.”

Grabbing a spare uniform from the storage room, I headed to the kitchen, where the head chef was already waiting. 

He handed me a tray and gestured to the main area beyond the door. “Be careful. It’s for a very special guest.”

I nodded. I already knew that only the top 0.1% of the city came to this restaurant, so since this guest was special, I assumed that he must be among the 0.0001%. I balanced the tray in my hand and stepped out of the door, my mind still swarming with thoughts. 

I tried not to think about how much time had already passed in the twelve hours my brother was given to live, or I would burst into tears. I silently prayed that Mr Gu would sympathize with me enough to give me the advance. 

I reached the middle of the restaurant when suddenly, I slipped. I tried a second too late to balance the tray in my hand, but I fell, the food flying everywhere. 

Bile rose in my throat as I stared at the mess, too terrified to make a move. With my heart pounding in my ears, I looked up to see who the special guest was. There were no words to describe the rate at which my heart dropped when I saw the familiar face of the man sitting at the table, his ocean-blue eyes piercing through me. 

Christian Blackwood. 

There was not a soul in the entire city who did not know him. Christian was the grandson of Mr. Blackwood, a trillionaire and one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country. He was the CEO of Blackwood Air, Blackwood Distribution, and Blackwood Hotel. 

He was a powerful, ruthless businessman and a playboy—possibly the most eligible bachelor in the entire city. He was the last person I would ever want to offend, and now that it had happened, I knew I was dead. 

I was going to be in so much trouble. Not only would a bad review from him negatively affect the restaurant, but it would also make Mr. Gu sack me. There was no hope of getting the advance for my brother’s surgery now.

I threw myself to the ground before him. “I’m so sorry, sir. Please forgive my incompetence. It was an accident..”

I was still pleading when the door behind me swung open. I saw Mr. Gu fall to his knees beside me and begin to plead. Christian’s gaze fixed on us both for a few seconds before he finally cleared his throat. 

“Leave,” he told Mr Gu. “The girl stays.”

Mr Gu obeyed and left, leaving just me and him. I felt tears in my eyes as I wondered what he was going to do to me. Would he blacklist me? Then my life would be truly over. 

“Sit,” he said. 

I obeyed, although I was still trembling with fear. “I’m sorry—”

He raised a hand, and I took that as a signal to shut up. Swallowing hard, I waited for him to speak. I could hardly look him in the eyes as I sat across him in the space that now seemed too small for both of us. 

“What’s your name?” He asked with a deep voice. 

“Olivia Carter…s-sir,” I answered. 

“Olivia,” he repeated. “How long have you worked here?”

“Seven months.” 

He nodded. “I see.” He leaned back in his seat, his eyes raking my body casually. “Why do you need a loan?”

My mouth fell open as I stared at him, lost for words. 

“Don’t be shocked. I can see the loan request slip peeking out of your pocket.”

I quickly pushed it back in, looking down to hide my tears. “I need to pay my brother’s medical bills,” I revealed. 

After a short pause, he asked. “What is your greatest desire, Olivia?”

I did not need to think about it. “For my brother to live. To get enough money to pay for his surgery.”

He nodded. “I can help you.”

“What?” I lifted my head in shock to look at him. Was I dreaming? Why would he offer to help me? Was this not Christian Blackwood?

“I can pay for your brother’s surgery, change your entire life such that you’ll never have to work a day in your life. But you will have to help me.” He said. 

I stared at him in shock. What could I possibly do for a billionaire like him? “What can I do?” I asked, my fingers shaking. 

He leaned in. “I want you to be my surrogate.”