The sound of gunshots echoed in her dreams, forcing her eyes wide open. Clutching her stomach protectively, she tried to sit up but a sharp pain stabbed through her shoulders, forcing her backwards.Strong hands pushed back on her hands and she opened her eyes to see Zander staring into her face, his eyes filled with concern.With his rumpled shirt, ruffled hair and the dark circles under his eyes, he looked like he had not slept in days.“Where am I?” Cassie asked. Her hoarse voice sounded so strange in her ears.But one thing weighed heavily on her mind as the memories of the shooting flashed back to her mind.She clutched her stomach. It felt round and soft underneath the soft fabric of her hospital gown. She felt no pain on her belly.“My baby?.....” As the words left her mouth, she suddenly remembered that she had never told Zander. Her eyes flew to his eyes which remained fixed on her face. Did he watch the video? Did he know about the baby now?Zander nodded and as their eyes
Cassie didn't see the slap coming. She felt the force push her backwards and her face twisted in agony as she struggled to keep her balance.“You do not reply to me with questions bitch!”. The man who had just delivered the hot slap didn't even look like he had just hurt her. He had a satisfied smirk on his face. “Enough! Bring her to me!” a loud voice commanded from the other side of the room.Cassie felt strong hands grab her by her shoulders as she screamed in fear.“I am sorry! Please let me go!” She begged, tears streaming down her face as she tried but failed to resist being dragged to the huge terrifying man in front of her. “I will pay you. I promise….I will pay every penny back!” Her voice echoed through the near empty room.The huge man flung her to the hard floor and she fell to her knees clutching her bag and shivering. Frank Jobs; her biggest nightmare and the reason her father lay dead, pulled roughly on her hair and raised her to face him. “I don't like excuses very
She had heard about Surrogacy agencies before, after all, she worked in a hospital but this was different. “Executive surrogate?”. Her eyes quickly scanned the short flyer. They were offering a whooping 1 million dollars to surrogates. “How!?” Cassie quickly looked around to be sure nobody was nearby.She quickly pushed the flyer into her pocket and continued working. At the end of her shift, she settled in a corner of the changing room and went through the flyer again. “What are you reading?” Someone asked behind her and Cassie felt her heart skip a beat.She jumped up quickly, hiding the flyer behind her back. She looked up to realize it was Linda behind her.“It’s okay, I don't really want to see”. She looked amused. “I was just checking to see if you were doing alright. I am on my way home”. She explained.Cassie saw the genuine worry in her eyes and relaxed a bit “Thank you Linda”. The lady took it as a sign not to probe further so she nodded and turned to leave the room. “W
Linda let Cassie into her small apartment “Maybe we should talk over some warm food”. She dropped her work bag on the countertop and proceeded to wash her hands. Cassie joined her and they talked as they cooked.“Have you thought about this? Pregnancy changes your life. It is not a chapter you can easily delete from a draft” “I am just considering it” Cassie replied accepting the ladle from Linda to taste the soup.They sat on the tall tables around the counter as they talked. “Why exactly are you doing this?” Linda asked. Her grey eyes searched Cassie’s face for answers but Cassie’s eyes never left the bowl of chicken soup before her.“I need the money” she replied, providing no further information.Linda must have heard the crack in her voice as she fought back tears because she didn't ask further questions.“Whatever battle you're fighting must be worth the huge sacrifice Cassie”“Dr. Kim will see you now Ma’am….Ma’am?” Cassie was jolted back to reality. She was sitting in front
She found Maya sitting on the floor sorting through a heap of sketches “Where is it? I am sure it was in this stack” She didn't even notice Cassie walk in. “I will not help you clean up this mess when you're done” she teased, relieved to see it was just her sister in the apartment.At that, Maya turned around, the shock in her eyes was quickly replaced by excitement. “Surprise!!!!” She yelled, jumping up to catch Cassie in a bear hug.Cassie laughed, fighting off the rain of kisses coming from her sister as she spoke “I wasn't expecting you sweetheart. You didn't tell me you were coming to visit” “Because you're always home Cassie. And I have good news!” Maya replied her eyes dancing with excitement. Cassie took a good long look at her and knew.She couldn't stop her smile, her first real smile in months “You got in! You got the scholarship!” She yelled and Maya spun round the room giggling “Yes! You always know!” Cassie’s heart was bursting with joy.“You have been trying to get i
Cassie sighed deeply “I don't know if I can do this”. Dr. Kim raised her head and offered an encouraging smile “You don't have to go ahead with anything Cassie. Infact, you can withdraw anytime you want before any contract is signed”.But Cassie knew she couldn't just walk away. It was either this or she was back in the streets looking for a miracle to save her sister. She pushed away the fear pulling at her heart. “What is the next step Dr. Kim?” She had gone through the entire enrollment process required by the agency and was waiting to be accepted by a client but received a message from Dr. Kim for an urgent meeting.“You have met some of the requirements of a top client of the agency. But you must be willing to move forward before I can brief you on this client” Dr. Kim said.Cassie nodded, swallowing hard “I am ready”. Dr. Kim reached for a black file on her desk, opened it and handed it to her “You are single, 24 years old and have never been pregnant. Will you be willing t
“When were you planning to tell me?” Maya asked again. The accusation in her sister's eyes was like a stab to her heart. Cassie stood and walked towards her.“Maya, it is not what you think”“Really? Did you really think I wasn't going to find out?” Cassie swallowed hard trying to find the right words to explain herself “Maya….you have your whole life ahead of you. It is my duty to….”“To shield me from the truth?” Maya asked angrily, folding her arms in front of her. “Who told you? How did you find out?” Cassie asked.“I got a note. I was at an art exhibition today and someone passed me an envelope” Maya didn't bother to wipe the tears flowing down her cheeks.Cassie sighed deeply. She was a fool to think that Frank wouldn't try to torment Maya as well. “Dad owed some really dangerous people a lot of money before he died,” she replied calmly.“How are we going to pay back the money? What are we going to do?” Maya asked, her voice breaking. This was what Cassie was trying to avoi
Cassie didn't realize her jaw had dropped open as the car drove into Zander’s mansion. “How does such luxury exist?” She mumbled under her breath.The car came to a stop at the entrance of the mansion and she stepped out quietly staring at the massive house in amazement.Zander's personal assistant was waiting at the entrance to receive her. He directed the maids to carry her bags and approached her with a polite smile.“Welcome, Miss Cassie. I believe you remember me. My name is Jeffrey and I will show you to your room” She followed him quietly into the mansion trying not to stare for too long at the lavish decor and expensive furniture.Jeffrey tried to give her a mini tour as they walked up the stairs. “I will be taking you to the East wing. Mr. Scott is the only member of the family living in the East wing.”As they made their way to the top of the stairs, he pointed to the west wing “That is where Miss Zoe stays and hosts her visitors. Dr. Scott; Mr. Scott's mother also stays in
The sound of gunshots echoed in her dreams, forcing her eyes wide open. Clutching her stomach protectively, she tried to sit up but a sharp pain stabbed through her shoulders, forcing her backwards.Strong hands pushed back on her hands and she opened her eyes to see Zander staring into her face, his eyes filled with concern.With his rumpled shirt, ruffled hair and the dark circles under his eyes, he looked like he had not slept in days.“Where am I?” Cassie asked. Her hoarse voice sounded so strange in her ears.But one thing weighed heavily on her mind as the memories of the shooting flashed back to her mind.She clutched her stomach. It felt round and soft underneath the soft fabric of her hospital gown. She felt no pain on her belly.“My baby?.....” As the words left her mouth, she suddenly remembered that she had never told Zander. Her eyes flew to his eyes which remained fixed on her face. Did he watch the video? Did he know about the baby now?Zander nodded and as their eyes
The creaking sound of the light bulb dangling in the center of the empty room was the first thing Cassie heard when she woke up.Squinting to see clearly in the dimly lit room, she glanced to the side and sighed in relief to see Maya sprawled on the floor, deep asleep.She wasn't sure how long they'd been sleeping but everywhere was silent. A bodyguard sat by the door, wide awake and scrolling through his phone.Someone had loosened the ropes around her arms. The door suddenly burst open and Cameron stormed in with Frank following closely behind.Cassie sat up in the chair, her eyes and ears on full alert.What happened? Why was Cameron looking so angry?“I told you he would try something crazy, didn't I? My face is all over the news!” He yelled, banging his fist on the concrete wall.Her legs shook beneath her. The news? Frank suddenly turned to glare at her as if he had just remembered that she was in the room.“Your boyfriend seems to enjoy pissing me off huh?”She stared at him.
The tension in the room was palpable as Frank and Cameron exchanged glances behind the scene.After a long pause, Frank turned back to the screen, an evil smile hovering on his face.“You have 30 minutes. If I call back in thirty minutes and you haven't granted my requests, then you will not see your woman ever again”The threat was loud and clear. The billionaire heir to one of the largest business empires in the country was being asked to choose between his inheritance and some random woman.Cassie blinked hard to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks. She knew he couldn't see her from the video chat. They were keeping her as a last resort.She whimpered softly, watching the dread cloud his face as he nodded before the screen went blank.They were asking him to choose between her and his company? Frank gestured to one of his men who moved over to turn the camera towards her.“Now, you're going to read that letter to the camera for your little boyfriend” Frank ordered.She lif
She blinked again to be sure. “What…..what is this? Why?.....” She wasn't even sure which question to ask. He stopped a few feet from her and stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at her.She met his gaze and shivered at the icy look in his eyes. It almost felt like she didn't really know him anymore.The silence in the room was deafening. But not as loud as the pain of betrayal slicing through her ribs, squeezing the air from her lungs and leaving a trail of bitterness in her throat.Her eyes followed him as he lowered to a squatting position.“I am sorry, Cassie but I had no other choice….”She narrowed her eyes at him. What on earth did he mean by that?“What connects you to this….this man?” She blurted out, struggling to keep the tears from spilling over.“Why are you helping him?” She asked, throwing a quick glance in Frank's direction.Cameron sighed.“I just want to claim what is mine and Zander is standing in my way. He took you from me…..he has taken everything away
(TWO DAYS LATER)“Do you think we are making a mistake?” Zander asked, glancing at the document in his hand.He watched silently as Stone typed rapidly on his computer, barely listening to the conversation.“I am sorry but I don't think Miss Cassie has the patience to wait.” Stone replied.Zander nodded and glanced again at the file in his hand. It has been barely 48hrs and even though Cassie appeared to be calm and following their instructions, he had just received an update from Jeffrey.“She has just sold her jewelry collection worth over 5 million dollars to a collector and was seen making trips to the bank in secret just this morning." Stone added.He had to agree. It was a suspicious move. She didn't trust him enough to wait and decided to take matters into her own hands.“You think she will pay the money?” He muttered.He already knew the answer. There was no sacrifice too big for Cassie to make for her sister.Could he blame her though? Would be have done anything different?
“He called again?” Zander asked, the disappointment clearly written all over his face.Cassie nodded, lowering her eyes. He ran a hand through his hair, barely concealing his frustration.“I am not surprised. I expected another call and that is why I left some of my men behind to keep an eyes on things….” Stone murmured.As he said the last part, he turned slowly to glare at the officers who quickly lowered their heads in shame.“Why did I leave you behind if you had to miss such an important update?” He scolded them.Cassie sighed. “It isn't their fault. They didn't know that I had a phone with me in the room and no one could have known when I woke up and took the call….”They had only found out that she was awake a few minutes ago, when the detective and Zander had returned. She caught an officer trying to stifle a yawn.They must have been awake all night.“What did he want? Did he make any demands?” Zander asked, breaking the awkward silence.Cassie’s head snapped up and her conv
Zander watched the gentle rise and fall of her chest in her sleep. It had taken a solid hour but eventually, the crying and sobbing finally pushed her to sleep. Stone hovered by the door, waiting to speak to him.He glanced at him and sighed deeply.If only he could just stay by her side while handling things. He desperately wished he could just watch her sleep and everything would be fine by morning.Another signal from Stone finally forced him to move away. He slid his hands from underneath her and let her body fall gently into the soft sheets, then covered her up and strolled to the door.“I don't think....." Stone began but Zander hushed him with a wave.“Shhhh...... she's finally sleeping." he whispered.He shut the door with a soft click behind them and pushed Stone ahead, far away from the door.“Alright. Go on..."“Well......we cannot do much right now...." Stone continued, his ice blue eyes barely hiding his frustration.Zander frowned. That wasn't what he was expecting to h
Cassie stood like a statue in her living room, barely listening to the bustling of officers moving from one point to another.Detective Stone stood like a general in command gesturing in different directions as they set up all kinds of equipment in her house.A gentle tap on her shoulder forced her out of her thoughts and she jumped in surprise.“Heyy" Zander whispered.“It's just me. How are you holding up?" he asked, his kind eyes peering into her face.She barely had it together. All it would take to crush her right now was a any bad news about her sister. But she plastered a weak smile on her face and turned to him.“I am good"His brows twisted for a second and the doubt crossed his eyes but he pursed his lips. She glanced around at her living room. Stone and his men had converted it into a control room of some sorts with monitors and strange devices she couldn't recognize.Zander moved away from her and drew closer to the detective but she followed closely behind him, her ears
Cassie tried hard not to let her eyes follow Jim as he paced from one end of the office to another.“Come on, Jim. You're going to punch holes in the floor with all that pacing” He turned to her with a pout and rubbed his forehead in frustration.“Easy for you to say, superstar. You're not the one who's going to reject all those juicy deals and watch money move from our hands to another's pockets”She shook her head. It was even more painful for her to think about all the money she was going to lose but she had to think about her baby first.Jim stopped pacing to look at her.“You are really not going to tell me why you need this urgent break?” He asked, his curious eyes searching her face.She lowered her head to avoid his eyes. It wasn't fair that she wouldn't give him any good reasons for her actions but Jim was always kind and understanding, so he wouldn't push for answers anyway.“I don't think you'll understand, Jim. I really need a break to sort out something personal” she rep