3

Micah was rarely in the office, they were co-owners, however, it felt like all the work was left for Elodea and he would only claim credit for work he didn’t help with. See. A-son-of-a-bitch. He always claimed what wasn’t his. Allegra scowled and placed her burger down, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and then wiped her fingers.

“I don’t know why you’re still with him.” Allegra spat, Elodie sighed dejectedly.

“Ela close the blinds.” She ordered her AI.

“Closing blinds.” The automated voice responded as the blinds closed. Much akin to Alexa but far much advanced. Bespoke.

“You know I can’t Ally; I really want to. I will.”

“That’s a load of bollocks! You said the exact thing five years ago and here we are, still married. When he does nothing but mistreat you. You know I can’t stand it.” Allegra was livid, her hands trembled, akin to her lips. She felt tears pricking her eyes. Elodie swallowed harshly and moved to embrace her, “I know, I know. I’m fine luv, soon I’ll be able to rid myself of him.” She squeezed her tightly and pressed a kiss on top of her head.

Her office door swung open causing the two women to look up, Micah stood with a menacing look on his face seeing his wife in the arms of another woman. “You’re such a whore Elodie, no wonder I can’t even satisfy you.” He seethed clenching his fist.

“Excuse me?” Allegra stood up abruptly and charged forward, for a second Micah cowered before his face morphed into mock. He chuckled and moved aside, “I see I was wrong.” He dismissed shrugging off the fact that he just insulted his wife.

“Micah you can’t just waltz in my office whenever you want without knocking.” Elodea frowned.

“Call her one more name and I swear to heavens, you’ll-‘ Allegra was cheesed off, she was cut off by the man’s hysterical laughter. Elodea rolled her eyes knowing it was one of his antics.

“Don’t be daft. What are you going to do? Kill me? Have me arrested? I’ll destroy you before you even get a chance. Now excuse me I came here for my wife.” He returned his gaze to Elodie who scoffed. Allegra wasn’t frightened in the least, she knew the man was all mouth and no trousers. He couldn’t even measure up to his wife’s success, all he did was glue to her and gloat taking all the credit. He was a fool and blinded by toxic masculinity.

“What do you want Micah, I am quite busy and certainly not interested in getting into an argument over whatever it is you came here to say.”

“Right, I see. Can we have some privacy without her listening in.” He crossed his arms on his chest acting all intimidating.

“That’s not happening.” Allegra said.

“Whatever it is, just say and be gone. I have a lot of work to be engaging in meaningless conversations.”

“I am certain you will find this very interesting.” He smirked, the glint in his eye piqued her interest. “Go on then, spit it.”

“Our parents need an heir and a grandson soon, so I will need you to take hours off work so we can keep trying until you conceive.” Allegra and Elodie stared at the man as though he suddenly went bonkers.

“Have you finally lost your goddamn mind Micah? I said this before, I am not bearing you a child. If you and they are so eager to have an heir why don’t you have sex with them and have one of them conceive and bear you a rightful heir? Now leave my office? The man clenched his fists and jaw.

“That’s absurd, I am giving you until the end of the day to decide or you won’t like what I would do.” He fixed his tie and walked out not sparing them a glance. Elodie sat on the settee heaving, “What now?” She sighed heavily.

“Hey, I know you don’t want to do this. He’s only making mere threats and bluffing. However, if it were to go south, I have a resolution that could fit you both.”

“What is that?”

“One word. Surrogacy."

“Two words. Not happening.” Elodie shook her head her response very fast. She was not about to let another woman carry her child, she didn’t want to take of a baby, not when she was still managing various projects.

“Come on, hear me out. I know how you feel about surrogacy but come on babe. This is a good solution for both of you, that bastard gets his heir and you get to keep working. I also know you don’t trust people, but I recently learn about this app from Aqsa and it’s genuine. You get to select whatever genetic preference you wish for your child, and the surrogate mothers all have their profiles filled out from their work to how healthy they are. It’s a good thing if you give it a shot. Just convince Micah, it shouldn’t be hard seeing as he is desperate for anything.” Aqsa was Allegra’s wife, a beautiful Turkish woman in her late thirties’ who owned chains of restaurants all over the world.

Elodie sighed, she considered the idea, it wouldn’t be bad, a win-win for both of them. She feared what the media would say, they always had to voice their unwanted opinions.

“You can also make the woman sign paperwork so word doesn’t get out. And, make everyone involved sign an NDA. When you’re ready for the public you can announce it.” Allegra advised as she saw a fleet of emotions in her best friend’s eyes.

“Alright, I think I will leave for the day and find him. It might take long to convince him, but I will try.”

“Once you’re ready let me know so we can do it together, I’ll have the IT team create a hidden profile for you.”

“Thank you luv.” Elodie kissed her cheeks before grabbing paperwork in folders and placing them inside her briefcase. She grabbed her phone and walked out the door as Allegra held it open for her.

“You’re welcome.” The two friends walked down the quiet hall, their footsteps the only sound they could hear. Until they heard hushed voices in the next corner, they walked closer and took the turn. Elodie’s eyes widened, Micah had pinned one of her employees on the wall as he kissed her neck with the young woman moaning behind her palm. She sighed and clenched her jaw, Allegra cleared her throat loudly causing the two to jump apart startled. The employee quickly scampered down the hall, away from the man who tried to take advantage of her and threatened to fire her if she spoke a word.

“You fucking disgusting bastard.” Allegra seethed.

“It’s okay luv, it’s pointless. Elodie knew the man slept around, she caught him countless times but still stayed with his sorry arse.

“I can’t have kids with you, Micah, however, I may have found a way for both of us, a surrogate. One is willing to carry the child and give us custody if you are willing to provide your sperm. We can have an arrangement with her, I still haven’t met her, but you will once I do. And please close your fly, you can’t walk around groping my employees without consent.” Micah sighed, he knew Elodea was only trying to stand his acts. He swallowed and nodded his head shocking both women.

Elodie found it pleasing that she didn’t have to sit with him for hours trying to persuade him. The uncouth situation spared her, she nodded and walked past him, Allegra in tow. She stopped and went back to Micah, Elodea watched as her best friend slapped the daylights out of the man. He stumbled back clearly he hadn’t expected that. Allegra huffed and smoothed her trousers.

“Let’s go my love.” She said loudly precisely so the man could hear them.