His Surrogate For Hire: A BWWM Pregnancy Romance (3 page)

As she made her way to her car, Diana tried to piece together how
things had gotten to this point. It was amazing how on the turn of a
dime, life could be so drastically different. There was no reason to
beat up on herself. She would just have to be patient.

Sitting in her car, she called her friend. The only way to work
through all of this was to share it with someone. Hopefully Teresa
could help her make sense of it all.

Diana dialed Teresa.

"So where are you? What is this thing that you needed to talk
with me about?"

"I don't know where to begin."

"Start talking."

Diana poured out the events of the past few days to her friend.
Teresa was always good at listening and coming up with solutions. It
would be great if she could problem solve Diana's life right now.

"So here I am, sitting outside after my interview. I don't
really know what to make of it."

Teresa started laughing. "I think it's actually kind of
interesting."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, a billionaire posts a flyer at a coffee shop
looking for a surrogate. Seems kind of wacky. But if you get this,
you get a chance to live in the lap of luxury while you get pampered
hand and foot. Besides the fact that your body will be stretched
beyond recognition, kind of sounds like a good deal."

Diana looked down and realized she had been chewing on her
fingernail. "Maybe. I don't know."

"And maybe, just maybe it is an opportunity to cozy up to said
billionaire and turn it in to something more than a work
relationship. Had you thought about that?"

"I had not. But leave it to you to always give me perspective."

"That's what I'm here for. Look, I have to get back to work.
Stop by later and we'll have some wine and some girl talk."

"Will do."

Diana tossed her phone on the passenger seat and started the
ignition. Teresa was usually good for some sound advice. This time,
Diana only felt more confused.

Diana drove home, her mind swirling trying to figure out what had she
stuck her foot into. This was far from a normal type of situation.
How many times did someone answer an ad to become a surrogate? And
none the less, become a surrogate to a very wealthy man.

She was certain there were many women who'd answered the ad. Diana
was pretty sure she did not have a chance to become the surrogate. A
feeling of frustration came over her and she was not sure why.
Becoming a surrogate could not be the only way she could make money
and get her life back together. Plenty of people lost jobs and found
work.

Once she arrived home, Diana resolved to forget about the entire
process. It was actually quite comical when she took the time to
think about it. Getting pregnant and having a baby for a rich man.
Not that she would become his wife or the mother of his child, she
would simply be the vessel that birthed the child. Nothing more,
nothing less. The one part that she had been looking forward to was
the living arrangements and the salary for nine months. It would take
a load off to have all of her needs taken care of and then be able to
save the money she profited off of the surrogacy.

With the key in the door, Diana sighed. She had to come up with a
game plan to obtain some sort of employment. That would all have to
wait until after she took a warm bath, drank a glass of wine or two,
and settled in to bed.

She heard her phone ring from inside of her purse, but she decided
not to answer immediately. It was better to relax first, then handle
whatever was to meet her on the other end of that phone.

Halfway through the second glass of wine, the phone rang again. Diana
sipped a bit more liquid and then rummaged through her purse for her
cell. The same number had phoned three times. Hopefully it was a job
offer.

Clicking the send button, she sent up a silent prayer that there was
an offer on the other end of that line.

"Diana Baker. So good to have you call back. Mr. Marshall would
like you to know that we would like you to move forward with us and
the surrogacy."

The words were spoken, but she was not quite sure she had heard them
correctly.

"Sorry. Can you say that again?"

"Yes. Mr. Marshall enjoyed meeting with you. He feels like you
would be a perfect fit for the surrogacy. Would you like to take the
next steps in the process?"

Diana wanted to think about it. To say yes was a strong commitment.
She had not thought she would even be seriously considered. There was
a chance if she did not immediately say yes, she would forfeit the
position.

Before she could think too hardly, Diana opened her mouth and spoke.
"Yes. I would like to proceed."

She looked around at her apartment. Her lease would be up in the next
two months and she would be searching for somewhere to stay anyway if
she did not get a job or some sort of income.

"Great. A certified letter will arrive at your door this
evening. Please take a look at it, follow the directions, and be in
touch with us immediately. Mr. Marshall would like to get you moved
into the mansion as soon as possible."

Diana could barely stutter out the words "Thank you", but
she managed and ended the call. Shaking her head, she tried to make
sense of all that was happening. She had actually never thought she
would be chosen. Now that she was, things seemed to be moving faster
than she anticipated.

Maybe Teresa had been right. She could take this opportunity for what
it was or she could make it out to be something that fully benefited
her. It was amazing that her conversation with Teresa was almost the
same as her conversation with Clay. Talking about taking an
opportunity and making it truly work for you had been the gist of
what they had both spoken of.

Diana envisioned her life if she had become the wife of billionaire
Clay Marshall. They would have a child together, build a life
together. Diana thought that there was enough chemistry between them
initially that sparks could start flying.

She sucked her teeth. What was she thinking? That entire daydream
felt delusional. Why on earth would Clay Marshall think to romance
his surrogate?

They had talked about circumstances and making them into what they
each wanted them to be. Was it possible that Diana could do the same
here? This could be the type of situation where she could create her
own destiny and possibly drive things in a new direction for herself.

The first thing she needed to do was pack. If she was going to stay
with Clay, she wanted to have some of her own creature comforts
available.

As she threw some things in her suitcase, the doorbell rang. When she
opened the door, she was greeted by a courier with certified mail.

Clay's people sent the letter more quickly than she thought they
would. The correspondence required her to get some things notarized
and to meet with Charlotte for some other preliminary procedures.
This was shaping up to be more than Diana bargained for. The list of
procedures included a doctor's exam as well as a psychological exam.
It was noted that Clay wanted to make sure she was stable in her
health for the sake of the child. The other paperwork included a copy
of the contract she would sign and a non-disclosure statement. It was
noted that at the time of the contract signing, a set price would be
agreed upon as the fee for her service.

Diana folded the papers back up and placed them in their original
envelope. There was so much that went in to this situation. It was no
fairy tale for that matter. The first doctor's appointment would be
in the morning and there would be a car coming to pick her up. What a
nice gesture to make sure she attended all that was needed to
complete the preliminary assessments.

She decided to slow on the packing. Maybe she needed to make sure she
was actually going to be the surrogate before she jumped to
conclusions and started fantasizing about what was to come. It just
felt good to dream about things changing, even if it was only for the
moment.

*****

The car arrived promptly. Diana was not sure what she needed, so she
packed a pair of extra clothing in her tote bag as well as some
copies of her identification. They made their way downtown and to a
pricey high rise condominium. She had driven past this section of
town many times, but did not often frequent. It was the side of town
made for the rich, the wealthy, and the up and coming rich and
wealthy. Since she was none of the above, Diana never even stopped
through that section, so it was going to be a treat to experience.

The driver pulled the car into the parking garage. Winding down
several levels they made it to a clandestine area that had to be
accessed by security code. Once inside, they stopped right in front
of a door that was marked 'Elevator'.

"Here you are, Ms. Baker. You will take the elevator to the
sixteenth floor and go to suite 1617."

"Thank you," she replied as he helped her out of the town
car. He waited for her to approach the elevator and for the lift to
come before getting in the car and driving off.

Everything was brightly lit up, the elevator paneled with mirrors.
Once on the sixteenth floor, Diana found the suite easily. Charlotte
was there to greet her.

"Thank you for coming, Diana."

"Yes, of course. I was happy to make it."

"Come inside." Charlotte stepped aside so that Diana could
gain access.

"Today, we are doing all of your physician appointments. The
doctors will come to us. You can feel relaxed and assured that you
are in good hands."

Diana regarded Charlotte for a moment, deciding whether to ask what
was on her mind. After a brief moment, Diana figured it would be
alright to ask.

"So can you tell me a little about Clay Marshall, Charlotte."

By the look on Charlotte's face, Diana could tell that her question
was an unexpected one.

Charlotte plastered that familiar smile on her face before she
answered. "I have worked for him for some time now. He is a good
man. Eccentric, but then and again, I think that is responsible for
why he has gotten as far as he has."

The answer seemed a little rehearsed. If it was all Charlotte was
willing to give, Diana would have to take it.

"Here is the doctor now." Charlotte seemed happy that the
doctor was a welcomed interruption.

Diana first got her physical, then she sat with the psychologist for
an evaluation. It seemed a bit intrusive, but she could understand
why Clay would want to know that the woman whose DNA would be in his
child would be as stable as possible.

She kept waiting to see Clay walk in, but he never did. Not even by
the time she finished all of her assessments. Charlotte walked her to
the door and gave her directions to take the elevator to the lower
level where she had been dropped off by the driver.

She was told she would be contacted soon. The roller coaster that was
starting made Diana's heart drop several times. There were these
expectations she was building up that were not happening. She was
fully expecting to get whisked off to some mansion on the hill and
have a billionaire take care of her every need. It was a nice
daydream, but so far, she was going back to her apartment. The same
apartment where she would be facing an eviction if she did not come
up with the rent in the next month.

The car service dropped her off and she slowly walked back in the
house. Her phone rang, Teresa calling on the line.

"How was it today?"

Diana sighed. "I really don't even want to talk about it. Things
are slow going. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure I even have the
position."

"Patience, girl. Patience. I think it will all work out. But I
don't fault the man for having you sign all of that paperwork and do
an exam. He needs to know that some old crazy loon isn't trying to
have his baby."

"You're right."

"Sounds like you wanted to go off into the sunset with the man,
perched up in a castle where you would live like royalty."

"A girl can dream can't she?"

"I don't see the harm."

They chatted about a few other things before ending the call. Just
for good measure, Diana decided to search online and apply for a few
jobs. It could not hurt to have a plan B.

*****

By the time a week passed by, Diana was pretty sure it would be a no
go on the entire surrogacy plan. She pounded the pavement daily
looking for jobs, but besides some interviews, she had not been
successful. She had a few weeks left on her lease and that did not
leave her much time to decide whether she was going to renew or move.

Teresa tried to be the best support she could be during that time,
and Diana appreciated it. But the reality of it all was she needed a
drastic change to happen immediately.

She awoke to the sound of a knock at her door. Diana stretched,
thinking maybe it was in her dream. When she heard the knock again,
she hopped out of bed, tying the sash to her robe around her waist.

Looking out the peephole, she did not recognize who was standing
there. Then she saw Charlotte approach and stand next to the man.

"Who is it?" Diana asked for good measure.

"Diana? It's Charlotte. We are here to help you pack your things
and move into the mansion."

Had she just heard them say what she thought she heard? Diana
unlocked the door and swung it open. "Are you serious?"

"As can be," Charlotte said with a pleasant smile. "So
come on. Why don't you go ahead and get your things together here.
David is here to help you lug some of the heavy things down the
stairs. For today, go ahead and take the things you need most
immediately. We can come back and move anything else in a few days.
How does that sound?"

"Perfect. Just let me get dressed and get started."