Falling in Love with the Surrogate

Chapter 4: First Time Out

I was still drooling over Ram's body when he turned around and looked at me. He was smiling and seemed amused by my expression. I wonder if he caught me staring at him. I hope not, that would be embarrasing.

Ram: “Are you free this afternoon?”

Denise: “Uhm, yes I am free. I don’t have to work today.”

Ram: “Excellent. We can have your medical exam later this afternoon. I just need to finish some work and then we'll go to the hospital. You can head there yourself and we can meet at the doctor’s office, or if you want, you can hang out at the pantry and wait until I’m ready to go. Which do you prefer?”

I didn’t have anywhere else to go since I wasn’t familiar with the area, so it wasn’t a difficult decision for me.  

Denise: “I think I’ll just wait until you finish your work. It makes more sense that way.”

Ram: “I agree. You can go to Erica and she can show you to the pantry.”

Denise: “Okay. Thank you.”

As soon as I stood up, Ram went back to reading the papers in his desk. I turned around and walked slowly towards his office door. I turned around as I was about to leave but he still seemed engrossed in what he’s reading, so I just went out of his office and closed the door quietly.

Erica’s desk is right outside Ram’s office so I didn’t have a hard time finding her. She was on the phone when I got there, so she raised her finger asking me to give her a minute before she can assist me. When her call ended, she got right up and smiled at me.

Erica: “Please come with me.”

I followed her again this time to where I assume is the pantry. Ram must have given her instructions so she knew exactly where we needed to go. As soon as we got there, there was no one inside, so she gave me a mini tour. There are an assortment of pastries in a basket and she told me to feel free to take and eat whatever I want. There was also a coffee machine and a vending machine that dispenses various drinks. She said it’s free so I can get whatever I want from it as well. She also said to let her know if I need anything.

With that, she asked me to take a seat. I thanked her as I did, and she left with a smile. I really like her bubbly and friendly personality. I was a little hungry since I haven’t had breakfast yet, so I took cinnamon bread from the basket and took some coffee from the vending machine.

I wasn’t exactly sure how long I would have to wait until we left for the hospital, so I took a book from my bag. I’m a big time bookworm and I usually bring a paperback when I feel like I will have some time to kill. I actually had two books in my bag today, since I was anticipating that I would be staying overnight at the hospital later. I took the Jane Austen novel and started reading. I like reading classics and she is one of my favorite authors. Every now and then I took some more pastries and filled my glass with all kinds of beverages. I was getting full with all the bread and drinks I was consuming.

I wasn't sure how long I have been waiting but I was so engrossed in what I was reading that I didn’t even notice that someone had entered the pantry.

Ram: “Pride and Prejudice. Is that your favorite Jane Austen book?”

Denise: “I don’t know yet. It’s my first time reading it. My favorite Jane Austen book right now is Emma. My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre.”

Ram: “Really? Do you like reading classics?”

Denise: “I do. I started when my dad had a stroke and I had to stay with him in the hospital for long periods of time. I had a lot of free time kill so I decided to start reading. The first book I read was Uncle Tom’s Cabin. From then on, I got obsessed with reading classics.”

Ram: “Wow. And you’re reading the actual book, not the electronic copy. That’s rare nowadays. Most people prefer the e-book.”

Denise: “I just like holding the book better. I feel like reading an e-book is so impersonal, especially since it’s a classic. Sometimes I like the smell of books. I usually buy the used copies since they are cheaper. They have a lot more character to them knowing that other people have read them.”

Ram: “I know exactly what you mean.”

I smiled as we seem to have found a common interest.

Denise: “Uhm, I’m sorry, do we have to go?”

Ram: “Yes. I would like to have lunch first though. Would you care to join me?”

Denise: “Sure. Although I may have spoiled my appetite. I had two cinnamon rolls, a croissant and a cookie. If I was working here, I wouldn't mind hanging out in this pantry all the time.”

Ram seemed amused and chuckled at my remark.

Ram: “Are you ready? Let’s go.”

I stood up and following him out of the pantry. As we were walking to the elevators, I felt the sudden urge to pee. Ram was walking really fast and he couldn’t seem to hear me calling. I was doing it softly since I didn’t really want to yell. I couldn’t think of anything else to do so I flung the book and it hit his back. He must have been startled and he turned around right away. He picked up the book and walked towards me.

Ram: “What’s going on?”

Denise: “I’m so sorry for throwing the book at you but you couldn’t hear me and you were walking real fast and I really have to pee.”

I had to lower my voice when I said the last part. Ram shook his head while chuckling. When he’s done he said, “Come with me.”

I followed him as he led me to the ladies’ room. I thanked him profusely and went inside. After I finished my business, I washed my hands in the sink. I gasped as I saw my face all red. I wonder how long I’ve been blushing. Is this because of Ram? I berated myself as I felt embarrassed with how my body is reacting to him. Now we’re going to have lunch alone together. How else could my body embarrass me?

We rode the elevator to the building's parking level. I followed Ram as we walked towards his car in the parking lot. He opened the passenger side door for me and he took the driver side. I hugged my bag as I sat. I was still a little embarrassed with what I did earlier that I had to apologize again.

Denise: “Uhm, Ram, I’m really sorry about hitting you with the book earlier. I don’t know what came over me.”

Ram was smiling as he looked at me. Man, does he have to do that? He's really killing me with that smile. He makes me want to pee again.

Ram: “You’re so cute, you know that?”

He then started driving as I was left speechless. Did he just call me cute? Maybe it's because I am small in stature, I guess I can be considered cute. Compared to Erica though, I look like a kid. Since I’ve never had any boyfriends, and have never been kissed romantically, I guess I can be be considered innocent like a kid.

There was a guy in college who was courting me, but we lost touch when I dropped out of school. There was Jared and other waiters in the restaurant who asked me out but I’ve declined all of them, because I had no time to date. My family is my priority. I’ve never really been conscious about how I look. At this moment though, I wished I dressed up and primped myself up a little, even with just a lip gloss and a bit of face powder.

I looked at Ram. His side profile looks as handsome as looking at him from the front. His nose looks prominent from the side too. I stopped the urge to run my hand on his cheek. This can’t happen. He’s a married man, and I’m nothing more than a potential womb for hire to him.

He suddenly turned his face and he caught me staring at him. I turned my face away from him towards the window to hide my embarrassed face. I’m sure I’m blushing so much again that my face may have now turned crimson.

Ram: “Denise, do you have a boyfriend?”

Denise: “Uhm, no I don't. I’ve actually never had a boyfriend.”

Ram: “Never? How is that possible? You’re very pretty.”

I’m sure anytime now I would spontaneously combust with how hot I’m feeling. Why does Ram affect me this way? I'm sure he’s just being nice and trying to do small talk to make me feel comfortable.

Denise: “It’s never been my priority. I’m always working and I don’t even have time to date. It won't be fair to my boyfriend if ever since I won't have much time for him.”

Ram: “Your parents must be very proud of you. You’re an impressive daughter, you know?”

Denise: “Thank you.”

I tried to regulate my breath and relax myself. I can’t be blushing every time this gorgeous man talks to me. What if I pass the medical exam and end up living with him and his wife? I might end up looking like a roasted chicken with all the blushing.

The thought made me laugh and Ram looked amused as he asked “What’s wrong?” I just shook my head as I said I just remembered something funny.

We arrived at a restaurant not long after. I didn’t wait for him to open the car door and got out myself. It’s too embarrassing, he’s not my personal chauffeur after all. I can open to door myself anyway, I'm not an imbecile. 

He led me towards the restaurant and he talked to the hostess. She led us to our seats right away. A waitress came by and handed us the menus. She kept glancing at Ram while smiling and batting her eyelashes. I know what she’s looking at, he’s a very good looking and attractive man. He seemed oblivious to the attention, though. He must really be loyal to his wife. I hated myself for thinking that he might be sleeping with his assistant earlier. 

When Ram turned to ask me a question, I almost gasped in surprised. I couldn't see, to stop myself from daydreaming ever since I met this man.

Ram: “What do you want to order?”

Denise: “Uhm, I don’t really know what’s good here. Can you order for me?”

Ram: “Sure I can. Do you have any food allergies?”

Denise: “No, I don’t. Just don’t order too much. I don’t have a lot of money on me.”

Ram: “Don’t worry about it, Denise. This is on me.”

Denise: “Thank you.”

He placed his order with the same waitress and she seemed pleased that he’s finally paying attention to her. She kept batting her eyelashes but he still seemed oblivious to her.