CHARLOTTE
"My boss is such a pain in the neck. I'm so exhausted." She caught the waiter's eye and ordered two cups of whiskey. When she turned around, she noticed a man seated at the table next to hers. "No way!" she exclaimed. "It's Sebastian Smith!"
"Who's Sebastian Smith?" I asked, my tone casual but with an underlying hint of curiosity.
"He's the only child and son of billionaire Jordan Smith. How can you not have heard of him?" Mia said, somewhat incredulous. "He's incredibly wealthy, and yes, I've heard rumors that he can be arrogant. But I'm secretly crushing on him. That's a bit of a surprise!" She added with a sly grin. "Hold on, I'll take a photo of him." She pulled out her phone and snapped a picture, doing her best to be inconspicuous.
"He's even cuter in person," Mia gushed. She showed the pictures to me, hoping for my seal of approval. "Take a look," she said, her voice brimming with excitement. But I merely nodded and said, "He is," my tone flat and unimpressed.
"I think I've met him before, as I looked at the picture, I tried to take in every detail, searching for some clue that might jog my memory. But then, I felt my patience snap. "Please," I said, desperation seeping into my voice. "Can we discuss my rent situation?" My voice broke slightly, betraying my emotions.
"yeah, honey I'm sorry, what do you plan on doing now? How many weeks until it's due?" Mia asked her mouth slightly down-tuned and her eyes gentle and soft as she stared at me with concern.
"I don't know what to do," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "I've exhausted all my options. I don't know what to do." My voice cracked, and I could no longer hold back the tears that had been threatening to fall.
"It's going to be okay," Mia said her voice gentle and reassuring. 'We'll figure this out okay? I'll be back, I'm going to step out for a moment."
I nodded, without saying a word.
Mia walked to the restroom, doing her best to catch Sebastian's attention as she passed by his table.
SEBASTIAN
"All we need now is to find a woman who will be willing to be a surrogate for you," Derrick said, leaning forward intently. "It's the easy part. The hard part will be convincing her that she will only be a surrogate mother and nothing more."
"I'll pay her whatever she wants, no questions asked," I said firmly. "All ladies want money, I'll be doing her a favor. She'll be free to walk away as soon as the child is born."
"My friend will do it," Mia interrupted, pointing at Charlotte, who looked dejected and miserable.
"And your friend's name is?" Derrick asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Her name is Charlotte," Mia replied.
Were you eavesdropping on us? I said in utmost contempt.
Mia looked unapologetic. "Yes, and I'm glad I did. You need a woman to carry your child, and my friend is in dire financial need. It's a win-win for everyone."
Derrick bid me closer, and whispered into my ears, you shouldn't delay any further, it's a miracle, don't let it slip."
"Okay," I said, my voice sounding resigned. Is there anything I need to know about your friend? I asked, looking at Charlotte from afar.
"Well, other than the fact that she has five children, there's nothing else you need to know," Mia replied, shrugging nonchalantly.
My eyes widened in disbelief "Five kids? Why won't she be in a financial mess when she has a whole fleet of them."
"Since you have the perfect candidate in mind?" Mia replied rudely. "Then go get her." she turned to walk out.
"Stop! Please, I don't have, don't walk out. It's just that I still can't figure out what she's doing with five children. But it's fine. Please talk to her. If we can sign the contract today and meet with the doctor tomorrow, I'll be glad. Tell her I'll pay any amount. Please."
"Any amount?" Mia looked at Sebastian who was nodding his head as a sign of approval. "I'll be right back."
Mia hurried over to Charlotte's table and sat down. "Charlotte, I have some good news for you," she said.
"What is it?" I asked, looking at her friend expectantly.
"Mr. Sebastian is looking for a woman who will be willing to be a surrogate mum for him," Mia explained. "No strings attached. And he's willing to pay very well for it."
"How does that match with my rent issues? Please let's think of better options…"
"This is the best option." Mia interrupted.
"Is that really what I need?" I asked, my voice tinged with disbelief. "I'm already struggling to take care of the five children, and your best option is for me to be a surrogate mum. Adding another one to the mix would only make things worse." I said looking at Sebastian, from afar.
"But he's willing to pay you any amount," Mia countered. "You need the money. Don't you?"
"I do, but this isn't the best solution," I insisted. "What if he changes his mind and decides to use someone else after I'm with his child? What will I do?" I slightly held her hands and squeezed it softly.
"He won't, we're talking of Sebastian Smith, hello! his stinky rich, even if you don't want to do it, do it for the sake of your children. And besides, you just have two weeks to pay the rent. Or can you raise the money in two weeks?"
"You know I can't, I don't even have a job."
"Take this risk, for the last time, babes, who knows if this will work out fine," Mia said.
"You don't know what I've suffered in the hands of men, this risk is too big for me to take, what will my neighbours say, they will mock me, and call me shameless," I replied.
"They will also mock you and call you shameless the day you'll be kicked out of your house, as well. Don't listen to gossip babes."
No strings attached right?" I asked again just to be sure.
"Yes," Mia replied, her face proving that it was beyond doubt.
"Okay, I'll do it, except he agrees to my conditions.
"What?? What conditions," Mia asked in shock.