Chapter SevenSTEVE'S POVI kept stealing glances at Celia all evening, i couldn't place my finger on why I was attracted to her but I needed to get a grip of myself, I most definitely am almost 9 years older than she is plus I am married, I shouldn't be thinking of another woman.I felt disoriented all through the event, luckily Diana didn't catch on to me, The event was a success, the moment I saw the last guests off I went into my room to freshen up,Standing before the wardrobe, the door screeched open and Diana walked in beaming at me."The Latest CEO of Williams Enterprise," she said in her usual seductive voice and came up to me from behind, she started caressing my bare chest."I pray I do well in this position," I said turning around to hold her by the waist"You have worked hard for this position, I know you are capable of handling it""Thank you, honey, for your support, you always know the right things to say to lighten my mood and build my confidence, I love you," I said
Chapter EightMRS ADRIANA'S POVI woke up right next to my husband, the man I fell in love with 40 years ago. The man I still loved with all my life. Our marriage wasn't that convincing, James had another lady he wanted to marry, but his parents and mine had long made a pact to get us married which they forced on him, I loved James but he didn't seem to share the same emotions with me, but that hasn't stopped me from loving him till dateI gave him a peck as I always did and left the bed for the bathroom, I would normally make breakfast but today I had so much, from meetings to routine business appointments.Not to brag but I am the secret behind my husband's business success. I am a graduate of Harvard Business School, my parents raised me just to be James' perfect partner hence my interest in business. I handled most of our successful five-star hotels and Resorts.Today was one of my inspection days. After getting dressed I went down to let the chef know what to make for breakfast a
Chapter NineCELIA'S POV"We got an Exclusive order this morning, Close up the Cafe by 2.30 pm, Please ask the already seated customers to finish up and leave by 2 pm, you will be in charge of the exclusive tables," Patrick said walking into the kitchen as I was sorting out orders.I knew something was different immediately after I got here. We sell only baked goods and drinks but chefs were preparing intercontinental dishes we didn't serve.I turned to Patrick looking confused."Why? When did we start getting exclusives? Why should I serve alone""The request was specific that you alone should serve them""How does this person know I work here?""You think too much Celia, this could be a recommendation after all you are my best staff"I liked Patrick for this, he owned Bake n Bites Cafe, he was in his 70's but barely looked over 60, and He treated all his employees like family.In no distant time. I found myself standing before a group of Sophisticated Women numbering at twelve. They
Chapter TenCELIA'S POVToday started to like my usual Wednesday, I woke up by 5 am and got myself ready for work and made sure my siblings were ready for school before 6.30, made breakfast and lunch for my siblings and mum, as I was about to leave I encountered my good for nothing father at the sitting room."Where's my allowance for the day?""What allowance? Please don't start this morning, I don't want to be late for work" I said trying to move past him but he blocked me yet again"I wouldn't want to ask you again Celia," he said holding out his hands again"Okay, tell me what's this money you are requesting for? Drinks? Gambling? Or both?""None of your business""None of my business, but when you bring debts it will be my business. Father I don't have any money to give to you today, please let me go"He held my arm harshly and said"It's either you give me some money or I would beat you till you can no longer move"I winced at the pain in my arm as he tightened his hold and I had
Chapter ElevenCelia's POVI felt weak to the bone, I moved aside to let her in which she did. She saw the kids and asked"What are they doing at home?""Sent out of school because of the arrears owed""Oh God, when will things return to normal in this house" Mom saidSuddenly I remembered what the principal said"Mother, did the principal ever propose to give me a scholarship?"My mum's eyes widened"How did you know?" she asked"so it's true?" I asked to which my mother's eyes shot to the ground."Why mother? I could have made it to college, why did you do this to me?""it was your father, he said no daughter of his would engage in sports, that's why I turned it down"I felt annoyed, if I said another word I might say hurtful things, hence I turned to my heels and entered the kitchen.As I returned to the kitchen, I decided to make Pb&J since there wasn't much in the refrigerator to cook when my phone rangI lazily walked over to the counter and picked it up, the number wasn't regist
Chapter TwelveADRIANA'S POVThis was a month since I made that Celia girl an offer and I am yet to hear from her, why was she being so stubborn?I expected she would leap for joy and grab my offer with both hands given their family situation but it seems she has too much pride to go around.But I would force her hand regardless, I can't let my plans go to waste. I can't stand that Diana lady my son is hovering around.I picked up my phone and put a call through to my PI"Good morning ma""Morning to you too, I need you to run a few errands for me," I said"Okay ma, what can I do for you?" he asked"Remember that Celia girl I asked you to bring me information about?" I asked him"Yes ma""I need you to force her hands""How should I do this?" he asked"Visit his sibling's school, speak with the board to send them out with immediate effect, also find her mother's employee and get him to fire her immediately, and finally for their Mortgage, ask the bank to close on them""Is that all ma'
Chapter ThirteenCELIA'S POVI have to meet with Mrs Adriana this afternoon. I just got back home an hour ago from the hospital, my mum and siblings are there looking after my father.He is currently responding to treatment, my mother has been giving me the silent treatment and side eyes ever since I paid for the hospital deposit. I would explain to her but not now, she might try to stop me.I was done dressing in my room and about to go make lunch for my mum and siblings, I would drop by the hospital to give them lunch before heading to meet Mrs. Adriana.I jumped in fright as I saw my mum sitting in the sitting room quiet and staring at me. I knew that look so well."Mum, you startled me, when did you return?" I asked"Celia sit" she orderedI calmly walked up to the worn-out couch next to her"What's the matter mum, is dad okay?" I said trying to divert the topic"Don't do that with me Celia, you and I know that this is not about your father" she said"So what's this about?" I aske
Chapter FourteenCELIA'S POV"What is she doing here?" Mr Steve said in a harsh tone"Like I said, she is the surrogate I told you about," Mrs Adriana said sitting downI stood next to her frightened by the look Steve was giving me, he looked different from the man I met months ago.Despite having this Pissed expression that sent chills into my bone, I couldn't miss the fact that he looked stressed and worn out, I began to wonder what was going on with him these past months.His wife on the other hand looked exquisite in her Purple jumpsuit with her hair dyed in a bright Chestnut colour. Nothing about her showed she was stressed, she seemed to be living her best life regardless of what was going on with her husband."Sit Celia" Mrs Adriana called me out of my thoughtsI looked at Steve and his wife who sat quietly, and both ignored me so I reached out to the fourth chair pulled it out of the table, and sat down between Mrs Adriana and Steve."So, I went through the contract your lawye
CHAPTER THIRTY Steve's POVThe day Celia was discharged from the hospital felt like a turning point. It was a warm afternoon, the kind that made everything seem softer, more inviting. I stood by the entrance, waiting for her to appear, replaying the conversation I'd had with Diana earlier that morning before she left."I'm glad she's okay," Diana had said, her tone neutral. "Just… make sure she's comfortable in that new place."I nodded, not offering much in response. But there was something about her expression, the way her eyes lingered on mine, that had made me uneasy. Diana wasn't the type to be nice to Celia openly, but I could sense the suspicion simmering beneath her carefully composed exterior.When Celia finally emerged from the hospital, I couldn't help but smile. She looked healthier, more radiant than I'd seen her in weeks. Her hand rested gently on her stomach, though it wasn't visible yet but it was a protective gesture that tugged at something inside me. Our child was
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINEDIANAS POVDiana paced the length of their bedroom, her mind racing as anger and frustration coursed through her veins. Steve's words from the previous night echoed in her head like a broken record, haunting her every step. *" She's supposed to be carrying our baby, Diana. I can't just ignore her."* His voice had been calm, even reasonable, but to Diana, every syllable was a dagger to the heart.It wasn't just about the surrogacy anymore. It was about Celia—this stranger who had wormed her way into their lives, their home, and most importantly, into Steve's heart. Diana could feel the distance between them
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHTSTEVE'S POVCLASHSteve pulled into the driveway, his mind heavy with the day's work and the weight of his personal life. The sprawling estate that usually provided him with a sense of pride now felt suffocating, each stone in the pathway a reminder of the complications waiting inside. His job had always been a refuge, numbers made sense, deals could be calculated, and outcomes predicted. But lately, nothing felt predictable, especially when it came to the two women inside the house.As he killed the engine, his eyes automatically shifted toward the guest room window on the far side of the mansion, where Celia was staying. After the break-in, he'd felt it was the only logical decision to bring her here. She was carrying his child, after all. Protecting her was protecting his future. But what he hadn't anticipated was how deeply this decision would unsettle everything else.Especially Diana.Steve sighed, gripping the steering wheel for a moment longer before stepp
Chapter Twenty-sevenDiana's POVDiana spent the night in her husband's private study just to avoid Steve, she only returned to their room this morning after she was sure he had left the house!As she paced, the muted sounds of the world outside barely penetrated the room's walls. She could feel the anger simmering just beneath her composed exterior. Her foot tapped rhythmically against the floor as her eyes fixated on the phone screen before her. She was furious—furious that Celia was here, in her home, under her roof. Steve had brought that woman in like she was some helpless victim, and now Diana had to deal with it.The phone on her desk lit up, the word "Mother" flashing across the screen. Of course. As if on cue. She snatched the phone up, her voice sharp as she answered."Did you do it?" she asked without preamble, her tone accusatory, cutting through any pleasantries.There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, a silence that made Diana's blood boil further. Her mo
Chapter twenty-sixCelia's POVTERRORThe night was eerily quiet when I was abruptly woken by a series of unsettling noises. The sounds were coming from the sitting room, but before I could make sense of them, the house security alarm blared to life, casting harsh red flashes across the room. My heart raced uncontrollably as panic surged through me. I stumbled out of bed, my legs feeling like lead, and reached for my phone with trembling fingers.I dialed Steve's number, my hands shaking as I struggled to press the screen. The phone rang twice before Steve's concerned voice came through. "Celia? What's wrong?""There's someone in the house," I whispered, barely able to get the words out. "The alarm is going off, and I'm terrified.""Stay put and lock yourself in a room," Steve instructed firmly. "I'm calling the police and coming over right away."I ended the call, my breath coming in short, panicked bursts. I quickly chose the closet in my bedroom as my hiding place. Crawling inside,
Chapter twenty-five Just BeginningDiana's POVThe morning sun streamed through the windows of our room, casting a warm glow that did nothing to lift the chill I felt inside. The surrogacy process was about to begin and despite my best efforts to maintain a facade of calm, a storm of insecurities brewed beneath my composed exterior.Steve had been unusually gummy lately. Our weekend had passed in a rare, peaceful silence, filled with romantic gestures from Steve, a reprieve from our new normal. I had hoped this fragile peace would continue, but with Celia Garcia stepping into our lives as our surrogate or should I say "Steve's mistress", it seemed like every sense of normalcy was about to be disrupted. I was determined to regain control of the situation and ensure that Steve knew where his loyalties lay—right beside me, despite the unsettling presence of the surrogate."Steve, I'm coming with you," I declared firmly, as he prepared to drive Celia to his mother's selected fertility cli
Chapter Twenty-Four Steve's POVIt's been a week since I cheated on Diana with Celia, though I regret it greatly I couldn't help but desire more time with Celia.She was still angry at me because at the hospital four days ago I didn't give her a chance to talk to me. More because I was being hounded by Diana who has been asking why I didn't return home a week ago until morning.I sat in my office going through some files when I heard a knock thrice and I raised my head from the files and muttered"Come in"The door gradually opened to reveal my secretary. I had asked her not to disturb me for any reason so I sighed and asked"Is anything the matter?""Sir, your wife is here to see you," she says"What kind of office drama did she bring with her now?" I mumbled"Ask her to go, I have piles of work to sort through, and I can't have any guests when I return we can talk" I instruct"Okay sir," she says and walks out.I shook my head and returned to my work. In a few seconds, I began hear
Chapter Twenty-Three - "Can We Talk"Celia's POVIt's been two days since I lost my virginity to him yet I hadn't seen him, he hadn't called nor had he texted. Today was our doctor's first appointment day and I hoped he would come to pick me up.I walked into the shower to take a warm bath, I still felt sore down there after the night's experience.I turned on the water and it began to fall on me. I started with my hair as I shampooed it and washed off the Mint shampoo then applying my conditioner I covered it with a shower cap to let it sit while I scrubbed my body.As I took my bath I thought about the fragments of the night as I remembered them. He hadn't forced me. I have been fantasizing about him from the day we met at the event.What happened may have happened out of the influence of alcohol but I do not regret it. I needed to speak with him so he wouldn't think I was still angry at him.I rinsed off my hair and body before walking out of the bathroom. I plugged my hand dryer a
Chapter Twenty-Two - She Was PureSteve's POVI groan as I search for my phone to turn off the beeping noise. My hands grab a hold of it and I subconsciously press the power button to turn off the alarm before dropping the phone back onto the nightstand.I feel someone steer beside me drawing the Duvet to themselves. I try to open my eyes only to be hit by a pounding headache."Ughh!" I groan again as I rub my forehead in a bid to soothe the ache.I slowly sit up, resting my back on the headrest. I felt cold as the duvet was no longer covering me.I slowly opened my eyes and welcomed an eye-blinding flash of sunlight from the window. I look around the room not sure I know where I ended up.I glanced at my body to see I was naked out of shock I looked at the person steering beside me. There lay Celia Sleeping peacefully with light snores leaving her lips."Shit!" I hit my palm on my face not wanting to wake her"How did this happen?" I beat myself up inwardlyI may be having a bit of a