Chapter 3: Raise your head

Rosella’s POV

The words rang in my head like a siren, I was flabbergasted to the point my lips only opened but I didn’t speak.

That was the most outrageous thing I’ve heard all my life. I hoped he would say it’s a joke but it wasn’t. He looked dead serious staring into my eyes but I said nothing.

For love I actually considered that ridiculous offer and that terrified my being to its core. For Jake’s sake I was willing to do it! I felt trapped in my mind and next I heard him explain the process in his pursuit to convince me.

“You won’t ever meet him Rose, it’s just a medical procedure. You know, IVF. Once the baby is born you’ll hand it over and we can be together peacefully, there won’t be any contact between you two…”

He kept on rambling as though I don’t know what a surrogate would do.

I, on the other hand stayed numb in silence. In my mind was a battle of love and hate and as foolish as it sounds the hate I had for Donovan wasn’t enough to subdue the love I had for Jake so I agreed.

“I’ll do it”

He looked shocked at my response, probably he expected it’ll take him more convincing. Slowly a bright smile spread across his lips and he gave me a warm hug.

“Everything will be alright”

I buried my head in his neck and enjoyed the false sense of security it brought and not for once stopping to think, why would a man that loves me give me out to be another man’s surrogate? And not just any man, my father’s murderer!

*****

Few weeks past and the month was running out and so was winter. The snow blast reduced but everywhere remained relatively cold.

It was time for all the girls selected to hear the results of the various test ran on us and apparently we had to be present in Donovan Dalgliesh’s mansion.

I didn’t want to go but I had no choice, Jake did well in preparing my mind but that was probably because he didn’t want me screwing things up for him!

The fact that I agreed to enter the selection signed the deal with Jake and Donovan, I had no idea what the details were but the criminal charges seemed to disappear overnight.

It wasn’t fun being in the dark but I deluded myself that he kept it from me for my own sanity. What a load of bull!

It took just a month for my life to come crumbling down and I anchored it with my first step into my father’s murderer territory.

The place was befitting of its reputation, the outside view gave a visually stunning castle-like existence.

I was ushered in by the butler but if you ask me I wouldn’t remember how he looked, all my attention was locked in the surreal enchantment of a place.

The handrails were made of refined bronze and all interior screamed of ancient chateau. I was lost in the dazzling chandeliers that looked heavenly, their lights could brighten up an entire street but that was just one of the many hanging monsters on the far ceiling.

My gawking phase had to come to an end when I reached a room filled with elegant ladies, they all took a seat and those who fancied crossing their legs, crossed their legs while those who sat straight with their bags on their thigh did so but one thing was same for all, they were faced down with eyes glued to their phones!

So much that my presence was completely ignored! I wasn’t surprised, some looked like celebrities whose lives existed inside their phones.

In total, the number of girls in the room was ten, this included me as I took a seat at the edge of the room. The air was tight and even the classical music playing in the background couldn’t alleviate the tension.

Most of them deeply wished to get chosen but my thoughts were the opposite. I had a fiancé for Christ sake! If someone else is picked the contract between Jake and Donovan wouldn’t be affected so I remained seated with fingers crossed, little did I know that in a moment I was going to receive the biggest shock of my life!

Suddenly a woman dressed in a corporate black gown walked in. She looked like the head maid and overseer of the mansion. I could tell from the way other maids bowed to her.

She made a slight bow to us and one of the maid present passed a while card to her. My guess it that must be the result.

“Congratulations, you all passed the medical examination and all criteria to become a surrogate was met”

I didn’t know whether to clap or hide in shame, the major factor of the medical test was the virginity test. No one wants a virgin as a surrogate but I was quite young when I gave mine up to Jake. For clarity it was my eighteenth birthday present!

Now I’m only twenty, I don’t know why I felt it was an obligation of me to give it up to Jake but I just did. I wanted to compensate him for being loyal to me for three years when I wasn’t an adult!

“Everyone come with me, Mr Donovan will personally chose his surrogate”

It was only after these words that the girls raised their head from the phones. No one saw this coming, I mean why would Donovan even be present?! Rumors say he wouldn’t ever see the face of his surrogate because he’s that apathetic! But now what? He wants to select himself?

My palms became sweaty and I started panicking, I was having a strange feeling about it all, I’ve only ever seen Donovan on television or social media outlets, he never ceases to make the headlines of hot news but seeing him in person is a different ballgame! I wasn’t prepared for this, like hell what if I lose my cool?! He’s my father’s killer after all!

“Starting from you, form a decent line”

She was talking to me but my brain was on sabbatical, I stood but couldn’t move and without warning the other girls brushed past me one after the other.

“Move it!” One of them said, they didn’t forget to shoot me a look of disgust while they journeyed behind the maid. I still didn’t bulge, I contemplated running away but didn’t, I just stood there like a statue.

Eventually, I bit the bullet and ran after the line making me last. Amongst all the ladies there was one that captured my attention, her poise and demeanor was likened to a noble, she also had a confidence aura that made her the winner without competition. I felt good to know she might be picked, I clearly don’t stand a chance against her so I’ll just lower my head and avoid looking at Donovan. That way I can repress my rage.

Just then all the maid aligned their posture and stood with their head lowered while the huge corridor door opened, I heard the gasps of the lady beside me, the sight of Donovan must’ve elicited that but my head remained lowered until a deep voice spoke and I froze.

“Raise your head”