Chapter {003}

OLIVIA

Just like Christian said, my brother was booked for surgery. Twenty minutes after he made the call, my brother was transferred to the best neurosurgeon in the city, and a few hours later, his surgery was over.

My mother and I spent the rest of the time in the lobby, overjoyed to learn that the surgery had been a success. 

My brother was still alive, and in a few weeks, he would be completely fine. I was so happy that I even cried tears of joy. I couldn't believe that I'd managed to pull this off and save my brother’s life. My mother was even happier. 

She was so overwhelmed with excitement that she did not even ask me where the money came from yet. But I knew in the back of my mind that she would soon return to it, and I had until then to come up with a reasonable lie. 

I shook my head in horror at the thought of how I would tell my mother about my arrangement with Christian. I didn't even want to think about how she would react or what she would do. Although I felt terrible for keeping this from her, I was also sensible enough to know that this was not the right time. 

I sighed as I waited for a taxi outside the hospital. Christian had messaged me while I was in the hospital to tell me that the results of my health tests were out, so I had to go straight to Blackwood Hotel. 

My heart squeezed painfully in my chest as I realized how different my life was about to be over the next few months. All I ever wanted was to complete my final year in university and be signed by a publishing agency. But now, that dream seemed out of reach. I was about to become a surrogate for Christian Blackwood. 

I arrived at the hotel a few minutes later and went straight to Christian's office, where he was waiting with the doctor. "I'm sorry for the delay," I apologized. "The doctor took longer time than expec–"

"Do not arrive this late again when I call you.” He barked, cutting me off. "Time is money. Do you understand?" I kept my head down and murmured another apology, which he ignored. 

"Start your report," he told the doctor. 

"Of course," the doctor said, chuckling nervously. The man himself looked uncomfortable. But that wasn't surprising. He was probably overwhelmed by being in the same room as Christian. 

"According to the tests, Miss Olivia is healthy, free of diseases and capable of being your surrogate."

Christian nodded. "You may leave now."

The doctor hesitated. "But…there is one problem, Mr Blackwood."

My heart skipped a beat, and I straightened in my seat, wondering what the problem could be. If everything didn't work out, I would be indebted to Christian forever. And that was the last thing I wanted. 

"Due to the fragility of the surrogate’s oocytes and their reduced viability under laboratory conditions, natural conception is considered the most viable option for success under such a limited time."

"In English," Christian hissed. 

"I-I…it means that sex will be more effective and preferable instead of external fertilization."

My breath hitched.

No, no, this was not happening. I could not lose my virginity to Christian Blackwood. 

"Is there another option?" I asked the doctor desperately. 

"Within the timeframe, Mr Blackwood stated, there is no other option."

I could practically feel my soul crawling out of my body. My throat suddenly felt dry. There was no way in hell I was losing my virginity to Christian Blackwood. 

"In my opinion, it's a perfect option considering that Miss Olivia's ovulation cycle starts today," the doctor added. I would have gladly punched him in the face if I had the opportunity. 

Christian nodded and dismissed the doctor, who bowed before exiting the office. 

"I can't do it!" I blurted out to Christian. "I'm sorry."

He stared at me as though I had lost my mind. "You are aware of the contract you signed, right? You know you must pay me ten times what I spent."

I choked on air. There was no way I could ever afford the money. He had spent a whopping $180,000 on my brother, which means I would have to pay back…..what? $1,800,000!!!

Even in a hundred years, I would still be indebted to him, and my children might even inherit my debts. 

At the same time, I couldn't stop thinking about the sex part of it. I had always imagined losing my virginity to the man I loved and cherished. Not a playboy like Christian Blackwood. 

"You're shivering like it's a big deal. Do you have any idea how many women want to be in my bed?” He asked. 

Clearly, I wasn’t part of those women. 

“As far as you are not a virgin, there is no cause for alarm," He finished. 

But that was precisely the problem. I was a virgin. I tried my hardest to relax before looking up at him again. I could feel the back of my eyes filling with tears. 

"Okay. But…I need to prepare myself for it." I told him. 

"We don't have the time for that," he countered. "The next family meeting is in a few days, and I need to secure my position there by announcing your pregnancy. And you know that means we need to kick this thing off. The bottom line is, we are having sex tonight."

*****

I was trembling heavily as I stepped into Christian's penthouse. All day, I had been dreading tonight, and now it was finally here. I had no idea how I was going to survive. I had spent hours trying to convince myself that it wasn't a big deal, but it was. 

Having sex with Christian Blackwood was insane. Not to mention that I was a virgin as well. I was terrified. 

I took slow steps into the lavish foyer of his bedroom, my eyes darting all over the place in an attempt to distract myself from my pounding heart. 

"You're late," he suddenly said from behind me. 

I turned around sharply to see Christian standing with a glass of wine in his hand. My breath hitched as I fed my eyes with the unexpected sight of his naked chest. The rumors did but tell a single lie. 

Christian Blackwood might be ruthless and arrogant, but he was also drop-dead gorgeous. I swallowed hard, my eyes raking over his well-defined form, chiseled chest and rock-hard abs. 

The man was absolutely gorgeous. 

My heart began to pound again but for different reasons this time. My stomach was twisting inside of itself as my gaze lingered on his shiny black hair, defined jawline, and those ocean-blue eyes that made me weak in the knees. 

I never thought that Christian would be my first. Never in a million years would I have believed that the city's playboy would ever kiss me, not to talk of fucking me. 

But now, as I stared at him, watching as he sipped his wine, and it flowed down his throat, I felt heat pool between my legs. 

He advanced, setting the glass of wine down on a table. 

With a deep and husky voice, Christian pointed to the bed. "Take off your clothes."