THE SURROGATE

CHAPTER 2

One week Later

She's such a hypocrite! It's just been a week but here she was standing in a hospital hallway, accompanied by a woman who was busy explaining her everything she needed to know.

“Hmm, it says here that your Shaina Marquez, 20 years old, a part time worker. Your parents and brother were deceased and right now your taking care of your 4 year old niece. And after our investigations, all the information you provided is correct. Your overall physical condition is proven fit by the medical tests, and there won’t be any issue regarding your custody rights.”

However, she was regrettably unable to meet the conditions for in-vitro fertilization. That's why, they could only seek an alternative method.

Shaina turned her head and look at the scenery outside. Her expression was strangely calm, yet deep within her watery eyes was complete darkness.

Shaina still couldn't believe that she was doing this. But she doesn't have a choice. Six days ago, Lina was hospitalized and the doctor's found out that she had a brain tumor. Thankfully though it's still in its early stage that a quick operation can cure it. But for her operation, they needed money. That's why she took the bullet and applied. Thankfully though, she got a call yesterday confirming she passed the evaluation.

The truth is, she still have a a hard time believing that she was the chosen one. Over the one in a million who applied they choose her. And because of her aesthetically pleasing visuals, she got even more money than what the contract states.

Yesterday she asked her friend to accompany her niece in the hospital, while she signed a contract with this woman and then she was brought over to this location. She was locked inside this room ever since and was forbidden from contacting anyone outside and, even more so, from going out, as though she were a quarantined patient.

She knew that in order to prepare her for pregnancy, they needed to ensure her health, so that her body would be better suited to carry the baby.

The three meals made for her a day were extremely exquisite. Ham, bacon, bread, beef – everything was almost too extravagant. She knew that those foods were beneficial to people preparing for pregnancy, so even though she did not like to eat them, she could only forcefully swallow them down.

Shaina dared not disobey any orders, as absolute obedience was one of the conditions stated in the contract.

Thus, even today, she faithfully followed her employer’s secretary and anxiously came to this private institute to undergo medical examinations.

This employer of hers was very mysterious; she had not seen him even once. She only knew of the contract, and that signing it would entitle her to a remuneration of one million dollars. This amount should be enough to help her niece for her operation.

She did not dare to mention this matter to her niece, Cristy was the only person she trusted with the truth. And because of the lengthy period of surrogacy, she would probably be unable to go back home anytime soon. Hopefully, Lina won't get suspicious.

According to one of the conditions in the contract, she needed to be put under close observation all the time until she conceived. When this condition was met, before the next day, half a million dollars would be deposited in advance to her bank account. She would be paid an extra sum if she bore a baby boy as mentioned by the secretary.

Surrogacy, hah… It was so laughable. She had thought of everything to earn money, but selling her body had never been one of them! However, since it was a large sum, she could not help but be moved by it.

After they finished the check up, Shaina was surprised when they went in a luxurious sea suite villa.

The villas around this area were presented with the best views and, thus, the exorbitant land prices was a given.

Then the secretary told her before she went home, that tonight, her employer would arrive.

Shaina took a deep breath. She was no longer in the mood to appreciate the beautiful view. She tugged her luggage and entered the villa with a heavy heart.

Night fell. In a luxurious bedroom, the curtains were tightly drawn and blocked all the lights.

Within the silent room, she took a bath and quietly lay down in the king-sized bed. She was requested to wear a blindfold. She lost her sense of sight, yet her sense of hearing was greatly enhanced. She could even hear the sea breeze blowing and the waves crashing onto the shore.

Without the blaring lights and the hustle and bustle of the city, the silence could make one’s hair stand on end.

......

Soon after, she heard the sound of an engine running getting louder as it approached from the distance. A vehicle stopped in front of the villa and its engine turned off.

At that moment, her usually calm heart suddenly tightened as she felt an unprecedented nervousness and restlessness. When the footsteps walking up the stairs grew louder as they drew closer, she could no longer maintain her calmness!

As she started feeling uneasy, the door was suddenly flung open.

Along with the sound of steady footsteps, Shaina could sense that someone had come in and stopped by her bedside. She was absolutely nervous by now and promptly sat up on the bed.

She was on tenterhooks when one side of the bed slightly dipped – a clear indication that someone had sat on it.

Shaina, who was feeling perturbed, leaned her back against the wall for support. She felt absolutely awkward and was glad that in front of her was stifling darkness. She could only barely make out a towering figure before her, yet her heart still beat with helplessness.

Although she could not see his face, somehow, she was able to sense his strong, overwhelming presence, especially his cold line of sight. He had the air of aggressiveness unique to a ruler, as if he were a noble, arrogant overlord. As for her, she was just like a tribute brought to him in ancient times.

Shaina opened her mouth and spoke in a somewhat vague manner, “You… Who are you?”

The man remained silent. He moved his body and slightly bent forward, leaning closer toward her.

Shaina only felt his looming presence get nearer. Immediately, the imposing figure pressed down on her and completely imprisoned her under his body. Her body shook from the effort of withstanding his body weight. She curled up into a ball, and then she was no longer able to move. She nervously held her hands before her chest. She was nearly suffocating!

Not waiting for her to react, the man narrowed his eyes and pulled her clothes straight up. Her soft, milky white skin was exposed to the air. Suddenly, his large hands delved in—

“Wait!” she exclaimed with a trembling voice. “I… May I take a look at you?”

“Why?”

His youthful yet deep voice was akin to red wine, rich and mellow. It was a husky voice that could draw people in.

“I can’t see anything… I’m scared….”

He scoffed and, with an extremely deep voice, said, “You don’t have to look and you don’t have to be scared.”

The girl’s delicate body had yet to develop fully. She was still so pure, and her slender waist could easily be held in his one hand. His icy fingers rubbed her lips harshly and played around with them nonstop. “Just close your eyes.”

How delightful the tender touch was, just like silk.

His fingertips were a little moist and chilly, and when they came into contact with her warm skin, she could not help but shrink a little. The darkness in front of her eyes only made her more afraid!

His thin lips left her body. He apparently thought that her one piece was in the way, since he tore it apart in the next second.

His near violent moves made Shaina stiffen. She dared not move recklessly.

“There’s no place where it’s not white." He said in a cold voice, but his eyes were exuding a heat that the man didn't even notice.

He squeezed inside of her cold thigh, and it left a handprint on her white skin. As he put his hand over her thin underwear, she looked for his shoulder in a hurry.

“That, that’s where…” Shaina whimpered.

“Until when do you want me to wait? You already signed the contract. You're body is mine. Until I said otherwise.”

Her heart beat thunderously in her chest. It was as if her heartbeats were forcing themselves out from her throat.

Shame, panic, fear… With all these emotions weighing on her, she could hardly breathe.

It was in that moment that she started to regret her decision. However, it's already too late.

..............