Chapter Four

Rylee

24 hours. That's all he gave me. I wasn't expecting to see a man of that nature. He looked so calm and approachable the minute I met him but turned vicious the next. Surrogacy must be important to him. I would say he was some sort of a human trafficker but he didn't look like one..He is a corporate Man. He seemed like the type that owns a big company in the city. A technological company or a business firm.That sort of man.The one who drives a limousine for Fun.The one that has his garage filled with cars of different ages. He gave off a vintage vibe coupled with a contemporary style. His perfume could be used for fumigation as it overwhelmed the entire building. His scent was all over the place…He must be a powerful man. One that knows what he wants and goes for it. His face looked vaguely familiar. I had seen him a couple of times on television. Then it hit me.

He is a wealthy man

A powerful man

How on earth did my parents get money from that kind of man? He is so controlling, he looks fine for his age but with the furious eyes he gave me earlier, I wasn't going to joke about it. If he was indeed a powerful man, he could do anything and get away with it. I was scared.

My parents

They put me in that mess. I needed to go and see Uncle Charles and look for a way. They sold me to the Man. I had to buy my freedom. Where was I going to find one thousand dollars in 24 hours? In the city of Los Angeles. The city of opportunities. it looked almost impossible.

I was almost screaming when Lucas came to my rescue. he held me close and I almost broke down. I had tears in my eyes but I was sobbing quietly.

“Is that the man”

“The man that gave your parents money”

“Yes he is”

“I have 24 hours to refund his money, Lucas”

“I’m scared, Lucas”

“He looks like someone that would rip out my kidney if I don't refund his money”

“No, sweetie”

“He won't. We’ll find a way” He reassured me

I had been hiding and avoiding issues since high school. The kind of family I had around me wasn't any to play. No one would save me. I had siblings looking up to me and I never wanted to be a disappointment. My parents kept pushing me into troubles I couldn't solve. So many times I had to run to Miss Jolie for help and she would help without hesitation. I needed to find that money. I doubted Uncle Charles would have any left.

The real Tears were coming down my cheeks and wept like a baby. Miss Jolie came close. She comforted me.

I knew I couldn’t ask her for money. I just knew I couldn’t do that .She has gone through thick and thin for me. I remembered times when she would have arguments with her boyfriend, Kevin, because of me. Miss Jolie's family had warned her countless times to stop helping but she never listened to them. I was her burden. I had always felt that way but she never let me down.

She took me to her office and when I put myself together, I summoned the courage to talk about it. I narrated how everything turned out and she gave me a hundred dollars. I looked at the money and the indecision kicked in. I felt ashamed and at the same time, I was grateful. I hadn't repaid any of the debts I owed her but she was ready to help again.

“I’ll pay back Miss Jolie, “I said sniffing

“I will pay the other ones too”

“It’s okay Ry”

“I got you “she smiled at me.

“You can take the day off”

“Come back when you are good”

I packed my bags and Lucas escorted me home.

********

Home.My house. I can’t wait to leave. Not to be a surrogate. To go to college. To own a bakery. To move to my own house. To get married and one day have children. Why does all that look impossible to achieve? All the memories I had there were all painful. We struggled to feed and survive. I did different summer jobs to go through high school. My parents had no jobs and couldn’t afford to own a legit business. They resold cigars and order new ones with the money I earn yet they never helped with the bills. I had been the sole provider since I was 15. My siblings’ education was on me and I promised that they would be better. I swore they would never have the kind of life I had.

Why does life have to be so difficult? I have suffered all through my life and then my parents chose to sell me out.

I reluctantly dragged my feet inside the house .No one was home. I heaved a sigh of relief and dumped my body on the sofa. I was afraid of what I would say. I was too tired to be angry. I had a lot to talk about but it wasn't going to fetch me the money. Besides, Will they ever change?

What if I had great parents? Would I be in that situation?

What if I had Emily’s parents? I would have been on my way to college. A better life.A better future.

I reminisced about the past and then threw my legs in the Air.

I looked at the one thousand dollars in my palm the next minute and wondered if it would count for anything. The rent is almost due. I had to pay. I shouldn't be homeless. My siblings should have a roof over their heads. I dozed off the next minute.

“ Help! Please help me!

“Shut up bitch”

“Quiet down inmates”

“Katy, Rudy help me”

“We don't have a house”

“We are homeless and we are on the streets”

“We beg for food and work as cleaners”

“We can't help you Ry”

“We can't help ourselves”

Katy and Rudy were looking at me through the bars in jail. They looked hopeless. They wore torn clothes and I was begging for their help.

I woke up sweating profusely. I had the most horrible dream. I could call that a nightmare. I checked the clock and it was five in the evening. Scared and worried, I went up to my room. I had to make a decision wasn't going to be thrown in jail and have my siblings roam the streets. I had come up with a plan. I had a few hours to save whatever was left of my life goals

Suddenly, A brilliant plan came up. I praised myself for coming up with such an intelligent escape route.

“I plan to get implanted and then run away to a new place”

“I’d take my siblings with me”

“There’s a lot to do with a million dollars” I soliloquized

“He said I would receive one million dollars at implantation”

“That's my ticket”

It was a sacrifice I planned to make to save my family and my future.