Chapter Two.

The silence in the room is palpable as we both state at each other, I cross my fingers underneath the desk in anticipation and worry

Dr William is quiet but his gaze on me tells me that he is trying to read into my head. He’s trying to know why I am trying to be a surrogate.  It’s not that hard to figure out. I need money.

“I want to help someone achieve their dream.”

He smiles, “Do you know what it takes to be a surrogate? You are very young, Miss Levy.  Are you sure you want to do this?”

I nod eagerly and without any hesitation, “I can do anything. I need the money. Dr William, you know I need the money for my mother’s sake, this is my last resort. Please, help me.”

He is quiet. 

“Nancy…” This is the first time he’s addressing me as Nancy and not Miss Levy.  “… I take you as a daughter, and I know how much you easily get attached to people. I have seen you cry when some of the patients you are attached to are being released. Do you think after carrying a child for nine months, you can just let him or her go? You will need to totally forget the fact that you carried a child.  You will have no access or anything to do with the baby. Do you think you can handle that?”

Without thinking, I nod eagerly. I can do anything as long as my mother is going to be fine. “I can handle it.”

His heavy gaze rests on me for a while, as he shakes his head

“My answer is no”

I stare in disbelief and hear myself say

"Huh, come again" 

“My answer is no”

I heard right! I gape at Dr Williams in shock, he knows how much I need this opportunity, and he wants to deprive me of it. Without thinking I fall on my knees as I approach his seat 

“Sir, please I beg you in the name of whatever you believe. My mother is my only family, I have no one but her. I have to do everything I can to save her, seeing that ad brought a ray of hope for me. Please don’t deny my mother a chance to get better. I’ll never forgive you if anything happens to her if you deny me this. Please I beg you” I absentmindedly brush at the tears that stroll down my eyes, my throat feels clogged, as I try hard to swallow 

Dr Williams sighs as he looks at me

“Are you sure you want to do this? I’m not denying you, but I need you to give it a good thought, this journey isn’t something that’s decided on a whim. I’m sure you can find other ways to get money for your mother’s bills”

“THERE ISN’T ANY OTHER WAY!!” at my raised voice, he looks at me in chastisement

“I’m sorry Sir” I bow my head in shame, bringing down my voice, I continue although now my voice is shaky

“If there was another way, I wouldn’t be owing bills and I probably would have raised or saved enough money for her operation, but there isn’t. Please, Sir, you are the one who gave me an ultimatum, please don’t take this opportunity away from me”

I lift my head to look at his face, and I see Dr. Williams visibly inhale and exhale, Hope arises in me as I say a silent prayer

“This is against my belief, I’ve heard you. I will talk to the parties involved and get back to you”

I can’t seem to contain my joy, and I stand up to do a little dance and hurriedly hug him

“Thank you, thank you. My heart thanks you! I promise you won’t be disappointed. I’ll be the best surrogate ever.” 

He nods his head and dismisses me. I nod eagerly as I head out, I can’t help but feel like my life is about to change, and wonder if I’m ready for it. 

Jeff’s POV

“What is my schedule for the day?” I say walking fast, while my short secretary runs behind me trying to catch up with what I am saying and responding to it.

“Today, you have a meeting with Mr Louis of JK. You have a magazine interview by noon.  Then you have a meeting with the accountant by 3 p.m.…” She kept on reciting the list of things I needed to do until we get to my office.  Her office is right outside mine, but she follows me in, still reciting things.

After noting that down, I asked her a few questions which she answered brilliantly. Miss Yale is an extraordinary secretary, hardworking and always does what she’s supposed to on time, because of her I rarely miss deadlines. When she is done, I expect her to leave the office but she stays.

I raise a brow, “Is there a reason you are still here?”

She nods. She is one of the few people who doesn’t fear me in this company regardless that she is the smallest. “What do you want?”

She twisted her hand like she’s nervous, she’s hardly nervous in my presence.

 “Is there a problem, Miss Yale? I don’t have all day here.”

She closes her eyes and lets out a sigh, “It’s about your uncle, sir. He has been meeting with every major shareholder in the company, and there is a rumour flying around that he will soon be the C.E.O”

My facial expression didn’t change. In the past four years, I have learned not to let my emotions show so that anyone won’t be able to use them against me. Yet, I can feel the anger boiling within. I know my uncle is up to something.

“Okay. Thank you for the information.”

She stands there not moving out with a curious expression on her face. “Is there anything else you want to add?”

She shakes her head and starts walking out with her back. I pick up my phone and call my uncle informing him I want to see him in my office immediately. He may be my uncle and be pulling strings, but he still follows my decision as the temporary boss of the company.

He smiles as he walks into the office. He didn’t bother greeting but his eyes are fixed on the C.E.O nameplate. I can bet that he’s daydreaming about when his name will finally be on the templates, not as if that is going to happen anyway.

“Did you also hear the rumour about you being the next C.E.O. ?” I say without preamble.

He smiles and finally takes his seat opposite me. His hand moved to the template slowly, touching it with his pinky finger. “I guess I don’t have to hide it from you anymore. Do you remember your father’s will, it’s been four years now?”