His Surrogate For Hire

 Once inside, they stopped right in front of a door that was marked ‘Elevator’.

“Here you are, Ms. Baker. You will take the elevator to the sixteenth floor and go to suite 1617.”

“Thank you,” she replied as he helped her out of the town car. He waited for her to approach the elevator and for the lift to come before getting in the car and driving off.

Everything was brightly lit up, the elevator paneled with mirrors. Once on the sixteenth floor, Diana found the suite easily. Charlotte was there to greet her.

“Thank you for coming, Diana.”

“Yes, of course. I was happy to make it.”

“Come inside.” Charlotte stepped aside so that Diana could gain access.

“Today, we are doing all of your physician appointments. The doctors will come to us. You can feel relaxed and assured that you are in good hands.”

Diana regarded Charlotte for a moment, deciding whether to ask what was on her mind. After a brief moment, Diana figured it would be alright to ask.

“So can you tell me a little about Clay Marshall, Charlotte.”

By the look on Charlotte’s face, Diana could tell that her question was an unexpected one.

Charlotte plastered that familiar smile on her face before she answered. “I have worked for him for some time now. He is a good man. Eccentric, but then and again, I think that is responsible for why he has gotten as far as he has.”

The answer seemed a little rehearsed. If it was all Charlotte was willing to give, Diana would have to take it.

“Here is the doctor now.” Charlotte seemed happy that the doctor was a welcomed interruption.

Diana first got her physical, then she sat with the psychologist for an evaluation. It seemed a bit intrusive, but she could understand why Clay would want to know that the woman whose DNA would be in his child would be as stable as possible.

She kept waiting to see Clay walk in, but he never did. Not even by the time she finished all of her assessments. Charlotte walked her to the door and gave her directions to take the elevator to the lower level where she had been dropped off by the driver.

She was told she would be contacted soon. The roller coaster that was starting made Diana’s heart drop several times. There were these expectations she was building up that were not happening. She was fully expecting to get whisked off to some mansion on the hill and have a billionaire take care of her every need. It was a nice daydream, but so far, she was going back to her apartment. The same apartment where she would be facing an eviction if she did not come up with the rent in the next month.

The car service dropped her off and she slowly walked back in the house. Her phone rang, Teresa calling on the line.

“How was it today?”

Diana sighed. “I really don’t even want to talk about it. Things are slow going. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure I even have the position.”

“Patience, girl. Patience. I think it will all work out. But I don’t fault the man for having you sign all of that paperwork and do an exam. He needs to know that some old crazy loon isn’t trying to have his baby.”

“You’re right.”

“Sounds like you wanted to go off into the sunset with the man, perched up in a castle where you would live like royalty.”

“A girl can dream can’t she?”

“I don’t see the harm.”

They chatted about a few other things before ending the call. Just for good measure, Diana decided to search online and apply for a few jobs. It could not hurt to have a plan B.

*****

By the time a week passed by, Diana was pretty sure it would be a no go on the entire surrogacy plan. She pounded the pavement daily looking for jobs, but besides some interviews, she had not been successful. She had a few weeks left on her lease and that did not leave her much time to decide whether she was going to renew or move.

Teresa tried to be the best support she could be during that time, and Diana appreciated it. But the reality of it all was she needed a drastic change to happen immediately.

She awoke to the sound of a knock at her door. Diana stretched, thinking maybe it was in her dream. When she heard the knock again, she hopped out of bed, tying the sash to her robe around her waist.

Looking out the peephole, she did not recognize who was standing there. Then she saw Charlotte approach and stand next to the man.

“Who is it?” Diana asked for good measure.

“Diana? It’s Charlotte. We are here to help you pack your things and move into the mansion.”

Had she just heard them say what she thought she heard? Diana unlocked the door and swung it open. “Are you serious?”

“As can be,” Charlotte said with a pleasant smile. “So come on. Why don’t you go ahead and get your things together here. David is here to help you lug some of the heavy things down the stairs. For today, go ahead and take the things you need most immediately. We can come back and move anything else in a few days. How does that sound?”

“Perfect. Just let me get dressed and get started.”

Diana stepped to the side and let the two of them in. She could not believe her good fortune. That drastic change finally happened and she was going to hopefully get the reprieve she needed.

She threw a few things in her duffle bag and proceeded to pack up two suitcases. Since she would have the chance to come back and truly pack, she did not worry about taking too much with her.

David helped her with the bags and she locked up her apartment. On the way down to the town car, Charlotte discussed all of the things that would happen over the next few days. She was to move in and get settled.