An Hair

Brian

The fact that they were my best friends didn't interfere with my judgment in any way, and I was very satisfied with the work they performed in my company.

The two of them sat in the chairs facing my presidential desk and appeared quite comfortable, with a relaxed posture, as if they had no worries in the world, just waiting for what I had to tell them.

"I really admire the respect you guys show me," I said sarcastically. "I believe you're wishing to work for another company. Am I right?"

I rested my elbow on the table and propped my chin in my hand.

"I couldn't care less about this job at Reloading," Douglas spoke, being completely sincere. "Did you call us here just to show us your sympathy, or is there something else?"

Douglas was the heir to one of the country's largest fortunes, and money was not among his concerns. Despite that, he enjoyed working, and the fact that he didn't get along with his own parents led him to be in my company since he graduated from Computer Engineering College, instead of being in his family's automotive business.

"I called you here to communicate a decision I've made," I said, causing both of them to immediately sit up straight in their seats, abandoning their previous relaxed posture.

I believe my tone indicated the seriousness of the matter.

"Something related to the company?" Oliver was the first to speak up.

"About my personal life," I clarified.

"You don't have a personal life, Brian," Douglas pointed out very astutely. "Unless you're referring to Aunt Melanie."

Melanie was my aunt, my father's sister who had already passed away, but my best friends always treated her as if she were their real aunt, not just a loving way of addressing her. My aunt also embraced them and treated them as if they were her real nephews, just like me.

"I'm going to have a child," I went straight to the point.

"I didn't even know you were dating, and now you're already getting married?" Oliver questioned, furrowing his brow in his usual serious posture.

"I'm not dating anyone, and I have no intention of getting married," I said emphatically because that was the truth.

Many years ago, I was involved with a woman who showed me that the idea of true love is just an illusion and that people are driven by financial matters, always. Even those who lacked resources ended up being trapped in unsatisfying relationships just to have someone to share expenses with, as life became even more difficult when you had to bear all the costs alone.

I consider myself an intelligent person who didn't need to go through the same situation twice to learn the lesson. I would never involve myself in a relationship again because if, when I didn't have all the money I currently possess, I became a target for opportunistic individuals, it would be even worse now that I had the largest fortune in the United States.

"I'm going to teach you a very simple thing, my friend Brian," Douglas spoke up. "To have a child, you first need to find a woman, whether it's for dating, marriage, or just to have sex. Otherwise, it's not possible."

As he finished saying that, he burst into laughter, and I waited while he enjoyed himself at my expense.

"Just by looking at the expression on your face, I can already imagine how you plan to have a child without getting involved with any woman," Oliver pointed out, and I was certain that he really knew what was going on in my mind.

It was then that Douglas stopped joking and brought a serious expression to his face, furrowing his brow in visible displeasure.

"What do you mean?" he asked, probably also starting to deduce what was going on.

"That's exactly what you're thinking," I confirmed their thoughts. "I intend to hire a woman to carry my heir, and I hope to rely on my lawyer's assistance throughout the process."

"What exactly do you have in mind?" Oliver asked.

My friend's posture now reflected that of a professional, and he wanted to know the conditions I desired for this arrangement, as he would need to draft a contract that would protect me from any future issues.

I then explained the conditions I wanted him to include in the contract to be executed between the parties, ensuring that I would have full rights as a father and legal guardian of the child yet to be conceived.

I also requested that, in addition to drafting the contract, my friends take on the responsibility of finding a woman willing to carry my child but accepting that this would be her sole role in this story. After the child's birth, she would hand over the child to me and disappear forever, relinquishing any rights to the child she had carried.

Under no circumstances did I want the woman to be aware that she was entering into this contract with me, as she might end up spreading the story, even disclosing it to the media, seeking notoriety. I wanted this matter to remain exclusively between us.

"To recap: the woman will donate her eggs and carry the child for nine months, while you will only provide the semen. And yet, she will have no rights over the child," Douglas asked, appearing incredulous.

I was about to explain to him that this arrangement was entirely legal under American law when Oliver did exactly that, using legal terms.

"Still, I find it very unfair," Douglas voiced his opinion. "On top of drafting a contract that solely benefits you, Oliver will also have to find someone willing to take on this role?"

"This type of agreement is becoming increasingly prevalent in modern society, Douglas," Oliver emphasized. "I don't agree with the approach our friend has chosen, but I can understand his way of thinking."

"I cannot expose myself in any way," I made that point clear since Douglas was so bothered. "What do you think, Oliver?"

"Do you want me to answer as a lawyer or as a friend?"

"I look forward to both aspects of the matter," I promptly replied. Regardless of my friends' opinions, I would not be swayed by that idea under any circumstances. It was something that had been maturing in my mind for several months, but I needed to first resolve company matters, getting everything organized because I wanted to have time for my son when he was with me.

"Legally, you're not doing anything wrong. It's possible to do it as you wish," Oliver expressed his professional opinion.

"And what does my friend Oliver say?"

"I believe this is not the best way to bring a child into your life," he spoke and seemed sincere. "I would like my friend to have a family, and a child to come only to add to it."