Chapter 3
742 Words
I put on the nicest dress I own before catching the bus to the Moretti's neighborhood.
It takes about forty minutes to arrive, but when I do, the walk from the bus stop is shorter than I
thought.
The mansion is huge and I'm surprised the bus even comes to this part of the city.
The long driveway has a large fountain in the center with two dolphins squirting water at a
mermaid and I laugh a little. I know it must be a rich elegant peice of art to normal people, but to
me it's hysterical.
I push my wavy blonde hair behind my ear in an attempt to compose myself and walk to the
large doors, knocking with what I hope is a kind firmness.
The door opens about twenty seconds later and I smile widely at the tan skinned curvy woman.
She obviously had alot of surgery done, but it looks good.
Is this why she can't have children?
"You must be Tracy."
"Tessa," I correct with a small smile.
She nods before letting me in. As she walks away, I'm not sure whether to take off my shoes and
wait, or follow, so I just run after her in an attempt to not look stupid, but I'm sure the frantic
clacking of my heels against the marble does just that.
A few turns later, we're at the dining room and she sits next to the head of the table, so I do the
same on the other side.
"You have a lovely home," I say trying to be nice to the less than enthused woman.
"Thank you," a deep voice from behind compliments.
I turn to see the man from the picture that doesn't do him even a lick of Justice. His hair is black
as night, but his green eyes are bright and perceptive. He wears a nice suit and must be over six
feet tall.
"It was built in the eighteen hundreds. If this interview goes well, it will be your home too."
I smile at the man and stand, holding my hand out to greet him.
Instead of shaking it, he leans down to kiss my cheek before holding my chair out for me to sit.
Is this an Italian thing?
"Tess, you may call me Troy and my wife's name is Jasmine."
I pretend I didn't already know that thank them. Uncovering the dishes, Troy shows a variety of
Italian pastas and garlic bread of course.
"So, what makes you want to be a surrogate," Troy asks putting food on my plate.
"Well... I'd like to know what pregnancy is like and to help another couple would just be a bonus.
I'm not ready for children myself, so this is a great opportunity."
It's a lie, but they don't have to know that. Jasmine doesn't look happy as she stuffs ravioli in her
mouth, but Troy seems pleased.
"Excellent. I assume you read about the conditions of having our baby?"
I nod and we discuss them in a bit more detail.
"Part of it was we'd have to spend a week getting to know you. Perhaps you'd like to move in
early tomorrow and start the week of personally before having the insemination?"
I agree with Troy and by the end of dinner, I'm getting a tour.
"Your room is here," Troy says opening the door to a large room filled with a bed, book case,
dresser, mirror, and nightstand.
"Jasmine's is at the end of the hall to the left and mine is at the end of the hall to the right."
I scrunch my face in confusion. Aren't they married?
"You don't share a room?"
Troy shakes his head with a stone-cold look.
"No. We don't."
He doesn't elaborate. After the tour, he walks me outside and scans the driveway. He has four
cars, but he seems confused.
"We're did you park?"
I laugh a bit.
"I took the bus."
Troy eyes nearly pop in surprise and he shakes his head.
"My driver will take you home and pick you up tomorrow at eight am sharp. He's right over
there, always on call."
Mr. Moretti points to the black sedan and I thank him profusely knowing arguing won't get me
anywhere.
So far, I think everything is going good, but climbing in the back of the car and giving the driver
Carl my address, I can't help but feel there's something off.
- Writer
