The Married Billionaire’s Surrogate

“And?”

“Nothing.”

Steven lowered his head down, burying himself in the food that he put in his mouth forcefully.

“Steven, I…“ Elizabeth uttered.

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. They’re sure, right?”

“They’re the finest in America. They can’t be wrong.” Her voice was ice cold. With that the chat during the dinner ceased.

Alicia brought the last of the meal and retreated to her small room at the end of the corridor, her head buzzing with the events of the day. She shut the door behind her and leaned against the cold wood, closing her eyes. It was a long day and a very tiring one for that matter, but Alicia didn’t pay much attention to that. The only image stuck before her eyes was the one of Mrs. Wyatt irritatingly stuffing the shrimp in her mouth and the coldness that ruled over the lines on her face. What could possibly be that important to create such a gap between her and her husband? Even though they had argued at the table before, Alicia sensed that this fight built walls too high to breach and seriously wrecked their relationship.

With that thought not leaving her, she opened the window and blankly stared at the night sky letting the cool wind muffle her black, curly hair that came to her shoulders. As small as it was, crowded with old books, sheets, an ancient lamp and the single bed, her tiny room was the only place where she could be herself. The only place where Alicia the maid was Alicia the funny girl from the suburbs with dreams and desires of her own. Alicia that didn’t have to worry about some couple’s problems in their relationship and fear that if they split she would lose the only source of income she had. Alicia seemed so far from the girl now lying on the hard pillow and dreaming of soap and scrubbing floors.

Letting her head fall on the pillow, Alicia closed her eyes and hoped for a dreamless sleep that would make her forget everything and everyone. Because all she needed that night was peace and a hell of a rest. However, it seemed that the stars didn’t have that in store for her, when she heard a scream.

It was high-pitched like someone was trying to kill a man. She froze on the spot. Her thoughts immediately went to Mr. Wyatt and Mrs. Wyatt as she jumped from the bed.

“ALICIAAA!!!” Someone screamed from the bedroom upstairs. By the sound of it Alicia was almost certain that it was Mrs. Wyatt.

Without having time to change she rushed out of her room and down the corridor, her heart pounding in her chest and threatening to escape with each passing second. The whole day, her whole life went before her eyes, wondering, searching, seeking what she had done to cause such rage from her mistress. She nearly tripped on her pajamas on her way up the stairs, feeling like she was about to throw up. That was not happening. Not when she needed the job so desperately.

Her fingers knocked on the bedroom door.

“It’s that bloody maid you brought from God knows where! She did it!”

“Liz, don’t you understand –“

“I understand everything, Steven. Just stop defending her!”

Alicia could hear their mixed voices yelling from inside and after a few minutes when it became apparent that they wouldn’t answer, she flung the door open and barged into the room. The both of them ceased talking at the sight of her and she spoke with a trembling voice. “Yes, mister, madam.”

Elizabeth’s angry gaze fell on her and she sensed her amber eyes like a thousand arrows penetrating her. She sheepishly looked to the ground.

“Why did you do it, hmm? Is the salary we pay you not enough? Is it not enough so you decided to steal from your employers? SPEAK!” Elizabeth shouted at her, her black face ablaze and her eyes bulged.

“I did not… do anything, madam,” she said and she felt tears slowly coming to her hazel eyes.

“Alicia, you don’t have to do this,” Steven interrupted as he stood up from the bed and came between them. He wore silver silk pajamas just like the ones you could see the actors wear in the movies and his black hair was a bit messy.

Alicia couldn’t look at him. She held her pajamas tightly to stop her hands from shaking. “I didn’t do anything. I swear, I didn’t,” she repeated. “I am happy with everything you give me and you know that I am an honest girl.” She felt her emotions betraying her as the tears, which were accumulated in her eyes, started to fall slowly down her cheeks one by one.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to say something, but it was Steven that spoke, “Elizabeth, please leave us alone.”

“What? You nuts? That was my late mother’s necklace, you fool. This is MY HOUSE! MY HOUSE! She is the one to leave, not me!” Her voice increased an octave more and now the whole mansion was shaking with Elizabeth’s anger.

Alicia has never seen her brown face as crooked and grotesque.

“ELIZABETH, LEAVE!” Steven yelled, silencing his wife, who cursed under her breath and closed the door behind her with a bang. That made Alicia startle.

“I didn’t… I really, sir, I…” she started to stutter.

“I know, I know,” he whispered to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “I believe every word you say, Alicia, and I know what my wife is capable of. Don’t worry, we will find her necklace and everything will be fine!”

He sounded so peaceful and calming in Alicia’s ears that she couldn’t help it, but look into his eyes. Piercing black pools of compassion and understanding. She saw herself reflected in those eyes. And she saw something else in them. Was it… was it… was it… She didn’t know what was hidden behind the rich businessman’s eyes, but she knew deep down that it was nice. And that it was only for her.

“You believe me? S-so I won’t get fired?” She asked sniffing.

He chuckled. “Oh, no you won’t. Who will order my socks by color then, huh? No. As long as I am here you won’t leave that doorstep.”

“Really?”

“Well, yeah. Only to buy groceries and do the shopping. That’s when you are allowed to go outside,” he said and a wide smile appeared on his face. The both of them laughed. “Now wipe away those tears and go to sleep. Everything will be okay.”

Just in that moment the door opened again, leaving through the figure of the mistress of the house. “Oh, you’re still here? Good. Good. Come on, honey! Come on and see where your dear maid hid my necklace.”

Alicia felt the hairs on her back prickle and she knew it all too well that it wasn’t from the wind entering in the room through the open window. What was Mrs. Wyatt talking about? She hadn’t even seen her necklace for God’s sake.

Without a word Steven let go of her shoulders and followed his wife out of the room and down the stairs. Alicia ran behind them and soon all the lights in the mansion were ablaze and the three of them stood in her tiny room. Standing in the middle of it was the guard of the house, clutching something in his hand.

“Now what do you say to this? You still think she’s innocent?” Elizabeth proudly pointed at the guard who handed her a diamante necklace with a golden chain.