002

Novah's POV

It started as a dull ache and then the pain began to come in bolts, causing me to squint as I tried to sit up.

“Oh dear, you should stay down.” A feminine voice rang in my head and with all the strength I could muster, I snapped my eyes open.

My head was still fuzzy and so it took a while before I could fully adjust to my current environment and immediately I realized I was in the hospital, I sank deep in my bed.

“I'm supposed to be dead.” I groaned, pushing my hand into my hair in anguish and just then, Doctor Fernandes walked in.

“Why did you save me?” I said the moment he appeared by my side.

“Calm down.”

With a solemn voice I proceeded to say, “I can't face my mother, allow me to die before she does.”

“Novah, you need to calm down.” I was about to yell at him when he said, “Miracles do happen, another just did.”

Staring at him with my mouth slightly agape, I tried to speak but words refused to form no matter how much I tried.

“Yeah! Miracles do happen.” Smiling at me, he ruffled my head and then turned to the nurse who was beside him.

A few minutes later, I was seated on a wheel chair with Doctor Fernandes pushing me in the direction of his office.

Several times, I casted him a glance, expecting to hear him give a hint of what was going on but he was mute.

This continued until we arrived at his office and with one powerful push, the door caved in, granting us entrance into the room.

The first thing that greeted my nostrils was a strong masculine cologne that made me take in a deep drink of air all in a bid to get every single droplet of scent.

“Have you said anything to her?” A masculine voice asked and immediately, I turned around only to lock eyes with a gray-eyed man.

His appearance and the aura he was emitting showed nothing but wealth and opulence.

One after the other, I took note of his pieces of clothing which must have cost millions of dollars all together.

Wondering who the man was, I shifted my gaze to Doctor Fernandes who was behind his table at the moment.

“Uhm… Novah, meet Riana Gunnar. He was the one who ran into you earlier… I mean, the accident.”

“There is no need to apologize, I’m fine.” I said with a panicking tone as I wondered why on earth a man of his caliber would want to apologize to someone like me.

“Moreover, it was an intentional act.” I added with a nervous chuckle.

Taking a deep breath, Doctor Fernandes leaned forward and then held my hand, giving it a soft squeeze.

“He wants to apologize but that's not the main point here.”

Taking in a deep breath, he sent his teeth into his lower lips and after a brief silence, he said, “I know this is awkward but Riana had offered to pay your mother's bill…”

Indeed it is a miracle! — I screamed in my head, not bothering to listen to the rest of his words.

Turning around, I wanted to say my thanks to him but Doctor Fernandes stopped me, “There is a condition attached to his assistance.”

“What could that be?” I wondered aloud as I began to fiddle with my fingers.

“You will have to become his surrogate.”

It was as if I was doused with a bucket of cold water.

Staring back at Doctor Fernandes with widened eyes, I couldn't spill a word as I was too stunned to even think of anything.

“Novah, this is the miracle you are praying for. You shouldn't let it slide.” He pressed on.

“You are joking right?” I asked when I finally found my tongue.

“Please, for the sake of your mom…”

Ignoring him, I began to wheel myself out of his office. It was difficult and I was hurting badly from the stress my body was undergoing and at the same time, my mind was in disarray.

Now in the middle of the hallway, I stopped and then placed my hands over my ear only to let out an ear splitting scream.

The next time I opened my eyes, I had tons of eyes probing me but I didn't care.

Miracle my foot — I spat out.

“He claims he wants to help, so he should do so without any attachment.” I huffed and then began to sulk.

Suddenly, my eyes fell on Doctor Fernandes who was watching me from a distance.

At once, I began to wheel myself only to freeze when Riana appeared in front of me, his hands tucked into his pockets and his cold pair of gray eyes on me.

“I'm desperate, I wouldn't mind forcing you into doing my biddings.” He said through his teeth.

His arrogance made me even more furious but he wasn't Doctor Fernandes whom I could yell at for being unreasonable.

Gulping, I tried to speak but I was too scared to say a word.

“Your mother has just thirty minutes before she goes into a shock as predicted by the doctors in charge of her.” He smacked his lips.

“You have ten minutes to make your decision.” He ended with a note of finality.

Looking over my shoulder, I locked eyes with Doctor Fernandes who wore a neutral expression.

“Sir… I mean… I can repay you.” I managed to say after so much struggle. “I’m hardworking and industrious, it wouldn't be long before I pay you back in full.” I added in a bid to convince him but he was unmoved.

“Five minutes left.” He said, pushing his hand in front of him.

Rejecting his offer was my response to this but I was conflicted about it all. The dying look on my mother’s face made me squirm on my seat.

Even though I will forgive myself for letting this opportunity pass by, mother was definitely not going to forgive me since I aided her death.

“I think we are…”

“Yes!” I blurted, my whole gaze on him.