Chapter 4: Bring her

Rosella’s POV

‘How bad is my luck?’ I mumbled under my breath as I slowly lifted my head, but my neck paused midway.

For one I realized he wasn’t talking to me! Those instructions were for the maids as every lady present already had their chins up and back straightened in a dignified posture so only I was left looking like a crooked bird!

I took that as my cue to stand erect with my gaze shooting forward, purposely avoiding the tall frame of a man whose peppermint cologne had closed our distance even before his figure.

His footsteps on the marble flooring rhymed with my racing heartbeat. Each one slamming against my ribcage.

“Welcome Mr Donovan”

The head maid was the first to speak and his strides finally ended along with the entourage of hefty men suited behind him. He had his sides facing me and then with a suave that was almost noble-like he turned and our eyes jammed.

Those cold emotionless eyes stared at me like it could see my innermost soul and read my darkest thoughts. It was only after he retraced his gaze that I realized my breaths were stuck in my throat but not a minute after I breathed a relief his deep voice echoed the corridors again and I froze.

“Bring her, the rest may leave”

This simple line marked the end of my hope and beginning of despair. Every girl including the maids were shocked, though they hid it well but I was simply mortified beyond reasoning. He pointed at me!

For the sake of all things good and evil can the universe ever grant my wish?! Even if it was f*cking once in my lifetime, I’d be grateful!

I was tempted to rebel against his choice but someone beat me to it. Her soft voice had a ting of dissatisfaction that she didn’t try to disguise.

“Donovan how can you pick her? I’m Olivia Auberon. Even without question you know I’m the one your grandfather wants, all this is nothing but a show, yet…”

She was the girl I admired minutes ago, then when she still kept her poise, right now she looked like a ticking time bomb. What’s happening right now must be super humiliating for her but I can guarantee it’s not as worse as what is to come!

Talking to Donovan in such manner…scratch that! Questioning his decision is on a whole other level! I’ve heard stories, enough to make me learn from such shallow-headed mistakes.

“Who are you?” Donovan’s voice was low and chilling making me thankful to Olivia for speaking in my stead! “W-what do you mean? I-I’m Olivia from the Auberon clan”

Her tone wasn’t as firm as before and her steps retreated into the wall as he walked closer to her with a pattern that mimicked a predator trapping his pray.

“I didn’t know the Auberon clan had such an uncultured daughter” His gaze swiveled to one of the men, this one seemed to follow him more closely. I watched him walk over and whisper something to Donovan and the smirk that appeared afterwards was horrendous if not monstrous.

“Ha.. I hear you were recently placed as the Chief executive of Winterhall Department store. A deal that I oversaw and placed in Auberon’s hands. So that’s what he did with it…”

I had a hunch where this was leading but to Olivia she looked already done for. They didn’t call him the devil for nothing! Just a little encounter with him and he could strip you off everything you’ve ever pride yourself in having!

“Place a call, there’s been a change of Winterhall’s CEO”

In that moment I couldn’t help but wonder what would have befell me if I had spoken. I didn’t own anything as possessive as a freaking departmental store, still I’m sure the devil would’ve found a way to ruin my life nonetheless!

I peeked a glance at Olivia, she looked as pale as a ghost but she’d be fine. Her family is stinkingly rich anyway. I wouldn’t be living in England if I said I didn’t know of the Auberon’s family.

“Come with me” the head maid suddenly nudged me. I seemed to be lost and didn’t realize Donovan has left. Oh right! I still got my mess to handle. I’ve been selected by that scum!

Words couldn’t describe the looks I received as I walked past the girls but the most venomous one was from Olivia. I thought I’d trip and lose a tooth or two.

“Go in”

We stood behind a huge door and she gestured with a slight bow. I couldn’t help taking a hard gulp while the door opened up. The head maid lady did her robot duties and shut the door leaving me to needlessly large room filled with floor to ceiling book shelves and at the far end of this was a huge oak desk and sitting behind it was none other than Donovan Dalgliesh.

I felt butterflies in my tummy but it wasn’t from excitement because I think they were biting the life out of me. Just the thought of being in an enclosed place with this was terrifying, so much for he’s never gonna cross paths with his surrogate!

Somehow I managed to get closer, few steps at a time and when I was at least ten feet ways from the desk I stopped but he wouldn’t acknowledge my presence, putting me in a awkward position. I didn’t want to talk first, like hell if it could be helped I didn’t want to talk at all but I couldn’t just stand there so I broke the ice.

“Mr Donovan if I may ask, why did you choose me?”

I know, not my best welcoming words but I was dying to know because if I’m being honest, Olivia had a point.

“Were you hoping I wouldn’t?” He finally left his papers and looked up, the little confidence I had seconds ago was washed off in his bland onyx eyes and I couldn’t reply. The only thought in my head was, what on earth has those eyes seen to look so soaked in lifelessness?!

It’s almost as if I was speaking to a non existent being and that strangely added a peculiar charm to his imposing demeanor.

“Or are you going to act like you don’t know what’s going on?”

His question etched a puzzled expression on my face. I couldn’t make sense of it and I noticed he was scrutinizing my every reaction.

“I’m talking about how your fiancé begged me to pick you as my surrogate. Ring any bells now?”

Now his fingers were folded against his chin and his elbows firmly fixed on the refined wood. He looked as though he was enjoying watching tons of emotion flash across my face.

“What are you talking about?”

My question made him relax into his swiveling chair while raising an eyebrow mockingly. “Why don’t you go ask your beloved fiancé”.

His tone was provocative and uncalled for but I tried to maintain my composure and ignore his comments. It was never my intention to have a conversation with my father’s murderer so I regained my stance and voiced.

“I’ll go ahead and sign the contract”

Without waiting for his response I took the fountain pen on the desk and stroked my initials into the surrogacy document. That’s all that’s needed anyway. I want so badly to be out of his skin and that’s exactly what I did.

The minute the pen touched the desk I took a slight bow, turned around and walked towards the door. I was only a few steps away from him when he spoke.

“Wait, one more thing” my gaze refocused on him as I watched his lips move to reveal shocking news that petrified me.

“I want my child healthy so it would be done the natural way, not some IVF. We’ll make babies the good old fashioned way”