LOGANᥫ᭡
THE SMILE on Lois' face is very alarming, she seemed so excited to meet the surrogate compared to the gloomy reaction her face held when mother informed her that the woman was living with us until she had the child.
I blew off the steam, objecting to it the second it left her lips but Lois insisted that it was fine and gave her approval.
Today, she had gotten up early and oversaw the affairs at the kitchen as she prepared everywhere for the surrogate's arrival.
Lily-Jane assisted mom in other preparations and it stung my chest that other people were efficiently taking actions regarding my life and I could do nothing about it.
I didn't want to be there when she arrived, it's not like she's a duchess or princess.
But once again, Lois begged me continuously and here I was, at the entrance of my household; waiting along with my mother,wife and sister for one person while the others were taking regular peeks from the breakfast table.
Finally, the car that mom sent to pick her up pulled up in front of the house and my guts tightened up as the woman stepped out slowly.
For a second, it felt like she was walking in slow motion with the wind catching her black loose curls and red cherry print white dress in one direction.
As she came closer, I could properly make out her face and she's admittedly good-looking with light makeup on, her large brown doe eyes blended well with her small full lips which sat beneath her small button nose.
I quickly snapped out of my reverie,what was I doing? Admiring another woman in front of my wife.
"Cassie!" Mom squealed and quickly rushed to wrap her up in an embrace whilst Lois stayed behind me and I reached out to interlock my fingers with hers on my shoulder.
She was clearly nervous, Mom's never hugged her before but here she was, showering affection on a total stranger.
It seemed like Cassie didn't like the gesture as she carefully shrugged her off.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cassie. Mom's told me all about you. I'm Lily-Jane, Lily for short," Lily giggled.
"The pleasure's all mine, Lily," Cassie smiled shortly and her face returned back to an expressionless stare.
Cassie and Mom walked up to Lois and I at the entrance of the house while Lily instructed guards on where to keep her bags.
She wasn't lost in admiration of the building, she walked with so much confidence like she owns the whole estate. I'm beginning to think that she is more than a surrogate.
"Hello, I'm Lois. Lois Wellington," Lois greeted, smiling and offering a handshake which Cassie ignored.
How dare….
"Cassie Hugh," she introduced with a soothing voice laced with a Hispanic accent.
I was getting lost again! Logan, what is wrong with you?
"It's a pleasure meeting you, Cassie. I look forward to working with you. You're so beautiful," Lois complimented.
So, I haven't been the only one admiring her. But that doesn't justify my jerk-like behavior.
"Thank you, you too," She replied, her face and body reaction still not giving the vibe her words did.
"I guess we're done here, let's have breakfast, shall we?" I offered.
Cassie's eyes landed on me instantly, my mom shot a disapproving glare behind her.
"Pardon my manners, I'm Logan Wellington,"
"Nice meeting you," she said with a bland tone and then turned to look at Mom.
"Yeah, you were saying something about that breakfast,"
Mom laughed, "Come with me dear, I'll introduce you to the rest of the family. All except Harold, my brother in-law. He's on a business trip,"
"Oh," Cassie muttered.
They walked past us like they were the ones who had sleepless nights over deciding if they wanted a surrogate or not.
Her words, 'Nice meeting you' replayed in my head. So simple and straightforward without any emotion in it just like she did to the others.
She didn't even seem to care about getting to know us better, I can't believe she's going to have our child with that ridiculous attitude.
"We should go, love," Lois said, breaking the silence and my multiple thoughts as she helped me with the wheelchair into the building.
I met my whole family including Cassie at the table, feasting on breakfast with little chit-chats here and there as they introduced themselves to her.
Cassie responded with a few short sentences like, "okay, that's awesome" but kept her focus on food, eating in small bites.
Lois helped me position my chair at the table and a maid did the serving according to my nurse's arrangement.
My eyes were still on Cassie who was constantly readjusting her sitting position as her eyes darted round the room. She seemed uncomfortable with the large gathering and the multiple information the family fed her in bundles.
My mom however didn't see anything wrong, it was like Cassie was an angel from the purest parts of heaven in her eyes.
"The food is good by the way, thank you for letting me join you," She acknowledged.
"Our chef is also Mexican, he makes awesome food," Lily-Jane beamed.
"It's really evident, you all are stunning,"
That one compliment caused another ruckus at the table, "You're like a goddess sweetie," Aunt Heather squeaked.
"Thank you," Cassie smiled.
"Ethereal beauty," said Aunt Evelyn.
"That's really sweet, thank you," she expressed her gratitude.
"I'd marry you," Jesse grinned.
"Do you always have to be a freak?" Penelope asked in visual disgust.
Cassie laughed it off, showing off how captivating she looked while laughing even if it was brief and she switched to her dead, emotionless face.
"Your food is getting cold, love," Lois whispered, drawing me back to sanity.
Quickly, I started eating to avoid suspicion. I do hope I wasn't turning into one of those deadbeat infidels but it's like she has a charm or something. That, I would make sure I didn't fall for.
I think the family is trying to make her feel at home and comfortable based on mom's order or something because I don't understand why they're behaving so bubbly and childish around her.
"Speaking of food, you should try out the salmon, Cassie. I hear that they're good for fertility enhancement," Aunt Heather spat and Cassie coughed out the bite she took in, early signs of choking.
"Oh dear," Mom wailed, pouring out a cup of water and handing it to her.
"Thank you," Cassie gratified after gulping it down.
Fertility enhancement? Seriously, she just got here and I don't even think I would want a child from this woman.
My gaze landed on Lois who looked pale after the incident. I'm guessing it's because of mom again, she's treating Cassie like an egg and they are all treating my wife and I like we're invisible.
"I would like to be excused for a few minutes," Lois finally declared, standing from the table.
"Yeah sure, Cassie, are you alright?" Lily asked.
"I'm so sorry, if my statement caused harm. I…"
"No, it's fine. I'm alright, I just don't like fish, sorry," Cassie apologized with a small smile.
"I can't believe you'd ask the poor girl to eat what she doesn't like," Aunt Evelyn shunned.
"Yes, Heather. How could you? Cassie after this, you'll get me a list of all your likes and dislikes so I'd show that to the chef," Mom urged, rubbing Cassie's back.
Cassie went silent for a while as dozens of unreadable emotions spasmed through her face, "I will, thank you,"
I looked by my side to notice that Lois was gone and no one, including me, had noticed.