The CEO’s Hired Surrogate

She was too deeply caught in the hurricane of thoughts that threatened to ravage her entire being. She kept asking herself why this had happened.

Perhaps she’d worn something too inappropriate for the job? Perhaps she’d sent off some kind of message? No, that couldn’t have been the case, she told herself. Her fault or not, why did it have to happen when she needed this job so badly.

Sure, there were plenty more companies to seek, but after this, she barely knew how she would act once another opportunity showed up. She feared that from now on she would misunderstand any gesture made by a potential boss and that in itself was suicide for her career.

In another corner of her mind she couldn’t help but remember the letter she’d received that morning. The hospital had found her mother a potential lung donor, but the cost of the surgery was far beyond her current financial capabilities. [Unknown A1] 

She bit her lip and watched as a few tears fell down her cheek, leaving a trail down the bridge of her nose. She knew that a normal job wouldn’t pay such a bill, that was exactly why she’d wanted an office job more than ever. And she was more determined to get one than ever.

As if watching through blurred glass, she remembered every single time she’d been humiliated by someone from the elite class. Through some kind of imaginary echo, she was reminded of every single word that was thrown her way by those who believed themselves to be better than her. She felt the sting of all those tears that had fallen every time she felt like someone had stepped on her pride.

All those thoughts rushed through her mind, attacking her, tearing her open from inside. They were all very blurry, yet she was able to make them out. She was able to figure out what those thoughts meant. Her last thoughts were directed towards the woman that had made her lose her job, and lastly towards the man that had dared mistake her for one of his wh*res.

Her fists suddenly curled into balls, draining all the blood that flowed to her knuckles. She felt her blood boil, anger, betrayal, and hatred burning her skin from inside out.

She bit her lip and looked at herself in the mirror, already wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Taking breath after breath, she dared her lungs to supply her body with the needed oxygen. She pleaded with her feet to hold her through the internal battle she was having. In that very moment, she gathered all her strength, and all her willpower in order to make one promise. One single oath that was bound to forever change her life.

She promised herself that she would earn enough money to make everyone pay. She swore on everything dear to her that she would make the money her mother needed and more. Even if she had to die in order to do it.

Straightening , she looked herself straight in the eye, the reflection in the mirror mimicking her actions to perfection, before she turned on her heel, hoping that she could get out of there before anyone could witness her breakdown.

But it seemed like she wasn’t the only one who was having a bad day. Outside the bathroom door, she could hear the voice of a woman speaking a bit too loudly for a normal conversation. Kayla was unsure if she wanted to exit, she didn’t want to be the center of an awkward situation, one that would surely arise if she walked right into the middle of a fight.

However, she did move to the other side of the door, where she had a better angle that allowed her a view of the two people just outside.

“Mother, I know I’ve agreed to this, but we don’t need to rush things. These things take time. I need time.” For a second, Kayla didn’t focus on the words that left the man’s lips, she was too busy taking in his godly figure.

He had broad shoulders that were in perfect symmetry with his well-built arms and torso. From there, she couldn’t clearly see the color of his eyes, but she didn’t need to. His well-defined jaw and deep black hair were enough to sweep her off her feet.

“You will have nine months to be ready. We’ve waited for the right opportunity for too long Ryan, I’m finding a surrogate mother as fast as possible.” At that, Kayla frowned, suddenly curious about the topic of conversation. She saw as the man sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he looked the woman, his mother, directly in the eyes.

He seemed to be thinking, his muscles tensing up with each passing moment. Kayla didn’t know what the background of the topic was, except that it was about a child. And that alone made Kayla understand the man’s, Ryan’s, anxiousness.

“We didn’t even settle a price yet.” He said, obviously trying to make up any excuse that would convince his mother.

“You underestimate your mother, son,” she said mockingly. “I’ve already thought about it. I did my own research and discovered that a normal surrogate should be paid five hundred thousand dollars for the entire pregnancy. Of course, she should also be paid around a thousand extra dollars each month for the duration of the pregnancy”

At that Kayla’s eyes widened. It was as if someone had suddenly spilled cold water over her. She couldn’t move, hear or think. All that was on her mind was the sum the woman had just pronounced. It was exactly what she needed. Exactly the sum that would help her achieve the things she’d just promised herself.

Through the daze, she watched as the man left his mother there, the woman smiling from ear to ear. In that second Kayla felt herself move. She knew she was acting on instinct, she wasn’t thinking straight. But it was for the best. Thinking always made her back out of things.

“I’ll do it.” The sound of her voice was unfamiliar, the determination that wove the words that echoed around her was somehow foreign to her.

The woman in front of her turned, just as surprised as Kayla was, her lips parting as she frowned. Kayla didn’t understand what just happened until she looked the woman in the eyes, seeing how real the situation was. The woman’s eyes brought her back to reality, shaking her back into consciousness.

Kayla wanted to go back into the bathroom and hide. She had that intention for a second or two, but it was too late for that now. The cards were already on the table. Taking a deep breath, Kayla approached the woman, her mind going over the rushing thoughts inside her head.

For a moment, she didn’t know what was going on, unsure of what exactly was happening. But whatever it was, one thing was for sure; she was going to get herself into something she had no idea how to control.