Can we meet?

Aurora swallowed hard and nodded, letting the words that wanted to proceed out of her mouth hang in her throat.

“I hate interruptions when I speak.” He warned.

“I’m sorry.” Aurora responded.

“Good. You’ll be locked up for your own good. I don’t want anyone else to know about this contract, so it’s best you stay put. After you give birth to my child, you can do whatever you want. But signing this contract, means you’re going to obey every instructions I give you.”

“If you agree to this first condition, then you get to receive the total amount of $200,000.” He added, and took a pause, letting Aurora respond.

“And other terms and conditions?” She asked, making him shrug.

“Nothing much. Just stay out of my way throughout the pregnancy period, if you need anything, talk to my butler in the house, we don’t need to talk. And lastly, you’re not allowed to develop any kind of relationship or feeling whatsoever with the baby.

“You’re just a surrogate. All these are written in the contract paper in your hand.” He responded, picking up his tobacco again and lighting it with a lighter.

Aurora kept mute as she read through the contract paper again. Nothing sat well with her.

‘I don’t think I’m ready for this. How am I supposed to carry a baby inside of me and not develop any feelings towards it? Is that even possible? And above all, locking me up?! I’m not some sort of prisoner. We need each other, this should be balanced!” Aurora thought to herself.

“So what will it be? Are you going to sign it or what?” He asked, picking up a pen from his desk and stretching it to her.

Aurora looked at him as she made her final decision. “No. I won’t be signing this. I am not comfortable with the conditions.” She retorted, dropping the contract paper on the table and standing up.

He scoffed and shook his head. “You need my help, Aurora.” He uttered with a smirk.

“Yes, I need help, but I wouldn’t let you treat me like a prisoner. You need me too, and I have the right to have my own conditions. Why do you have to lock me up?” Aurora asked boldly.

“Because that’s how I want it. It’s fine if you don’t want these conditions, but it isn’t going to change. If you’re not ready for this, another young woman with pressing needs will take the offer. No one will pay you $200,000 for surrogacy.” He answered, taking another puff from his tobacco.

“Then I’ll just have to work harder to get the money. Thank you, Sir. I’ll take my leave now.” Aurora retorted confidently, as turned her back at him and walked out of the office.

Deep down, she wanted and hoped he was going to stop her but she was wrong.

Shutting the office door behind her, she let out a loud sigh. As she walked out of the company, she began to overthink her decision.

‘That was a huge amount of money, Aurora. Did you make the right decision? No part time job will give you that kind of money.’ A part of her said to herself.

‘No. I made the right decision. I am a woman of dignity. I can’t just let him treat me awfully because I need his money. He’s so rude and full of himself! It’s a shame he’s that handsome.’ Another part of her spoke to her.

“I’ll work hard and save my father’s life.” She uttered, tightening her fist in determination and zeal.

She made her way back to her house so that she could freshen up before heading to work.

Getting home, she met Rachel, her mother, in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

“Hi, Mom.” She greeted her from the entrance of the kitchen.

“Aurora?! How did it go?? Did you get the job?” Rachel asked eagerly, reaching for her hand.

“No, mom. I didn’t get the job.” Aurora retorted sadly, ignoring her mother’s hand and walking to the fridge to get some water.

“What? Why?”

“Because I don’t like his conditions. He said I have to be locked up during the pregnancy period, and he said I have to obey everything he says.” She uttered as she gulped down some cold water.

“So what?” Rachel asked unbelievably, standing akimbo a few steps away from her.

“What do you mean by so what? I can’t deal with someone like him. I don’t want anyone bossing me around.” Aurora added, turning to look at her.

“C’mon, Aurora! This pride of yours won’t get us anywhere! You’re so full of yourself! You had the opportunity to save your father’s life and you let it slip away because of your pride!

“How would you turn down such an amount of money?!” Rachel smacked angrily.

“I wouldn’t sell my dignity and self esteem for $200,000, okay?! At least I’m doing something to help out here!” Aurora yelled back in frustration.

Rachel furrowed her brows and tilted her head. “Hold on… did you just say $200,000? I heard the pay is $600,000. That amount is too small. Your father’s bill will swallow all that money! We’ll be left with nothing!” Rachel answered in frustration, shaking her head like she was about to go crazy.

“I don’t get you, Mom. Isn’t this supposed to be for father? Why do you care about what will be left?” Aurora asked, staring at her mother in disgust.

“It’s good you turned down the offer, Aurora. I’ll get you another job. One that will pay you better, okay?” Rachel responded, letting out a faint smile.

“Stop! Just stop! All you care about is money, mom! Have you ever even cared about my father's health? I don’t need you to find a job for me, okay? I’ll sort this out. The way I’ve always done it alone.” Aurora answered, walking out of the kitchen in fury.

Getting into her room, her phone began to ring in her bag. She pulled it out and checked who it was. She instantly forgot how to breathe as soon as she saw it was from the hospital.

She answered hastily with her heart thumping against her chest.

“Please tell me he’s okay.” She mumbled fearfully.

“Miss Aurora, he had another attack. I’m sorry but we need to perform that kidney transplant as soon as possible. If we don’t… we may lose him.”

“No… no! Please. We can’t lose him. I’ll get the money as soon as I can. Please, help me. I can’t lose him.” She cried.

Her hands shivered as she cried, making it almost impossible for her to hold her phone.

“Okay. The earlier the better, Miss Aurora.”

As soon as they hung up, Aurora broke into more tears. Sweat began to ooze out of her pores and her feet wobbled in hopelessness.

‘He isn’t going to die. No! I can’t let him die.’ She thought to herself, picking up her phone again.

She dialed a number and placed the phone on her ear, praying silently that he was going to answer the phone. And eventually, her prayer was answered.

“Can we meet?”