Signed and Sealed

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 to accept the terms within this agreement?” 

Cassie accepted the black file and slowly scanned through the requirements listed. “I must live with the client?” She looked up at Dr. Kim who nodded calmly.

“There are several more requirements. Do you think you can handle it?” She asked, watching her closely.

 Cassie nodded eagerly “Yes…yes I can”. 

“Then we will be meeting your client tomorrow for a quick briefing. Do you have a lawyer?”

Cassie stared at her in confusion.

“You need a lawyer to read through the contract with you,” Dr. Kim explained. 

“No, I don't need a lawyer. I will be perfectly fine on my own”. 

“Fine”

They arrived together at the Scott family mansion the next evening. Cassie wondered who her client could be and if the couple would be nice people. 

“He is on a call but he will be with you shortly” a handsome but intimidating looking man who appeared to be his personal assistant informed them with a polite smile then waved them to a sofa.

 It was obvious the client wanted their business to remain top secret and this worked perfectly for Cassie considering her situation. She glanced around at the tastefully furnished room they waited in. Dr. Kim seemed unaffected by the sheer luxury of the place. 

The intimidating man's voice interrupted her thoughts

 “Mr. Scott is ready to see you now” he announced.

She followed Dr. Kim into a large living room, feeling so out of place in the spotless room in her plain coats and dirty boots. She sat slowly on the sofa beside Dr. Kim clutching her coat and glancing repeatedly at the staircase.

“Finally”

She perceived his rich masculine perfume first and raised her head to watch him descend the stairs slowly but gracefully.

Something about his presence was overpowering. Like he could do anything he wants in this world. It showed in the way he carried himself.

 “Good evening” He greeted them as he walked down keeping his gaze on Cassie. His face didn't reveal any emotions. 

Cassie felt the temperature of the already cold room drop several degrees lower. It was the same man she met in Dr. Kim’s office. He looked even more intimidating in his house and in this situation. 

“I hope you didn't wait too long, Aunty”. He said, addressing Dr. Kim with a loving smile.

Cassie watched as he approached Dr. Kim and gave her a really quick hug. The scent of powerful male and musky perfume hung in the air charging up the energy in the room. 

“No, we didn't wait long. I believe we may have found what you're looking for Zee” Dr. Kim replied smiling as she returned his hug.

He was huge and wore his blonde hair short. His simple outfit did little to hide the bulge of muscle underneath.

 “I hope you're right. I have been patient” he replied, taking a seat across from them.

His personal assistant appeared again and poured him a glass of whiskey as Dr. Kim opened her suitcase to retrieve several files and documents. 

He took a sip of his drink before he finally acknowledged Cassie who had stayed on her feet since he walked into the room. 

“And you are to be the mother of my son Miss….” 

“Cassie…Cassie Barns” she replied quickly. He gave a small smile and nodded stiffly. 

Nothing about this man was friendly or welcoming. Cassie swallowed hard.

“You may call me Zander. Zander Scott”. He gave a small wave of his hand signaling Dr. Kim to speak.

“Ermm yes, let's continue” 

Cassie listened absent mindedly as Dr. Kim listed the requirements for the contract. She accepted the contract from Dr. Kim and read through the 3-paged document slowly. She had already signed the Non-disclosure agreement before the meeting.

 “Do you need to go through the contract with your lawyers?” He asked.

Cassie could tell from the look on his face that he already knew she brought no lawyers.

 “No Sir…there's no need for that.”

 She wiped her hands on her coat hoping that it wasn't so obvious that she was nervous. 

Something didn't feel right. She had expected such a meeting to involve an excited couple.

“Any questions?” He asked, watching her closely from where he sat. 

Cassie looked up at him and met his gaze “Where is your wife?”.

She heard the file in Dr. Kim's hands fall to the floor.

The tension in the room felt even worse. Cassie couldn't help feeling like she had asked a forbidden question.

A sad look crossed his face but was quickly replaced by a nonchalant expression. It was so quick that Cassie wondered if she had imagined it.

“Where does she live?” he asked suddenly 

His question was directed at Dr. Kim. It was almost like he didn't hear her last question.

“She lives in a rented apartment in….” Dr. Kim started to reply, barely recovered from the shock of Cassie's question but he didn't wait for her to finish.

“I want her fully living in the Scott residential mansion before the medical procedures even begin”

“Of course, of course”

“The Non-disclosure agreement became legally binding from the minute it was signed. I believe it has been made clear that any breach will have legal consequences”

“She is fully aware” Dr. Kim replied.

“Good. That will be all” and with that he stood and left the room without another word.

Cassie turned to Dr. Kim in confusion “Did I say something wrong?” 

Dr. Kim sighed deeply and adjusted her glasses.

“Some stories are better left untold Cassie”

“But….”

“Mrs. Scott is dead.” Dr. Kim replied, turning away to pack her files into her suitcase.

Cassie realized her mistake. She was filled with pity for the man. She had not imagined that sadness she saw in his eyes. 

“Ever since we lost Laurie to leukemia, Zander had made it his life’s mission to fulfill her biggest dream.” 

“She had always wanted to be a mother. When cancer struck, they retrieved her eggs and froze them before she started treatment”

Cassie watched Dr. Kim as struggled to hold back her tears. “She was a beautiful soul, our Laurie. She was the light of his life”

“She fought cancer and lost. All she left Zander, was those eggs and a beautiful memory.”

Dr. Kim stood, signaling the end of her story. She wiped her eyes with a little handkerchief and turned to Cassie who sat frozen on the sofa.

“You must never bring this up again if you do not want to get into trouble here” she warned sternly.

“Yes ma'am”

Cassie spent the whole evening waiting to get a rejection message from Dr. Kim. She sat in her room rushing to check every notification that came in on her phone.

 “I hope he doesn't reject me”

Considering Mr. Zander's reaction to her stupid question, she wouldn't be surprised if he rejected her as his surrogate.

Her sister suddenly barged into her room, startling her.

 “Maya? Aren't you supposed to be in….” Her voice trailed off as she noticed the tears on her sister's face.

“When were you planning to tell me Cassie!” Maya yelled.