The CEO’s Hired Surrogate

After her mother returned to the kitchen, Kayla headed into the room that she shared with her mother, immediately reaching inside the closet in search for a pair of pajamas. After grabbing a pair of shorts and a really loose shirt she went into the bathroom, trying to ignore the mirror. She knew she looked like a mess, she didn’t want to see her reflection and prove herself right.

She watched as her blue knee-length dress dropped to the ground, creating a pool of fabric at her feet, soon to be accompanied by her lacy underwear and bra. Kayla sighed as she turned on the water, making sure it was extremely hot.

Kayla never understood people that liked to shower with cold or warm water. She liked it hot, steaming. She loved the feeling of the water as it trailed down her body. It felt like it was able to wash down not just the dirt and sweat, but also the troubles and dark thoughts that would sometimes invade her mind.

Kayla lost track of time while under the water. However, to her surprise, she didn’t surrender to her thoughts. Somehow, she’d managed to keep her mind blank while in there. The burning feeling of the water drops against her skin had been the ultimate distraction.

Kayla used her right hand to secure the towel around her damp body, while her other hand drew random patterns onto the bathroom mirror. She could see the reflection of her hazel eyes inside the clear spots. They looked tired and slightly blurry. But she blamed it on the shower and the steam. Sighing, she shook her head and reached for her clothes, not wanting to keep her mother waiting any longer.

As soon as Kayla entered the kitchen she spotted her mother placing the last dish on the small table right beside the counter. Everything looked perfect and smelled just as divine.

“You shouldn’t have bothered mom. Some leftovers from yesterday would have been fine.” Kayla said as she positioned herself at the table, her hazel eyes running over the full dishes, already feeling the spicy taste of her mother’s chicken and sweet pumpkin pie.

“I’m fine. Now, less talking and more eating.” A soft chuckle escaped her lips. Kayla knew she wasn’t as well as she wanted to be. But she was definitely better than she’d been in months

She could see that the dark circles beneath her brown eyes had lost some of their darkness, becoming a lighter, barely visible shade. And it looked like she’d gained a bit of weight back. However, there was definitely a long way to complete recovery. Kayla also knew that the chores around the house helped her mother a lot, they made her feel as if she still had a purpose in the family.

They both ate in silence for a bit, but soon enough, Kayla found herself playing with the food on her plate, the tines of the fork pushing the piece of pie around the white dish. The food was great, tasting like the unique flavors that only her mother could create. However, she didn’t enjoy it, the weight of the yet unspoken words pressing upon her chest.

“I got fired today.” Suddenly, the room went silent. The sound of the forks as they hit the stained surface of their plates now ceased while both women looked one another straight in the eyes.

It was clear to Kayla that her mother was unsure of what to say. She knew that nothing would benefit their situation. Kayla hated pity so her mother knew better than to say she was sorry.

They both knew that losing a job was not the end of the world, yet neither of them took the matter lightly. They were short on money, and they knew that if Kayla didn’t find another job soon, they would have to choose between rent and hospital bills, and they sure as hell couldn’t afford to be on streets.

“Don’t worry honey, we’ll find a way out of it,” she said, a warm smile adorning her motherly features as she rested a hand on top of Kayla’s. “In fact, I saw something in the newspaper today. I didn’t pay much attention to it but I still noticed it. It was about a job opening at The Samuel Company. Maybe you can check it out.” Kayla smiled at her mother and nodded. She just loved the way her mother always thought of a solution. She never spent a single moment mourning her loss or her misfortune. She knew better.

That night, Kayla could barely sleep. She kept on watching the different shadows that played upon her walls, telling the forbidden story of the ruthless storm that was occurring outside. Kayla had never confessed to anyone, but she was always afraid of the thunder. The way the blue light of the electrifying bolt would shine against her wall, taking the shape and form of a terrifying creature, made the hair of her arms stand. Not to mention the way her heart would start to beat once she heard the horrific sound of the thunder as it echoed through the city.

Turning on her side, she wrapped her hands around her pillow tightly, trying to prevent herself from hearing the loud noise that would soon follow the blue fire bolt that she had seen seconds ago. It took her a while, but sleep slowly crept onto her and Kayla soon found herself a prey of the darkness. She fell asleep with a frown painted across her brows, her lips forming a thin line. It was obvious that even in her sleep, Kayla was haunted by her problems. But despite that, she slept deeply, caught in her dreamless slumber.

*****

While Kayla was in her bed, trying to pray to the darkness, Ryan was sitting around the dining table along with his mother. Just like Kayla, he could barely touch the food on his plate. But unlike her, it wasn’t due to money but rather because of his mother.

“Say something,” she said after a long minute of silence. But what was he to say? How was he to respond to the madness that had just escaped his mother’s thin red lips? Ryan shook his head and stood up, unable to sit anymore.