Chapter 4 Married

When Cassius arrived at Danika's address, she was sitting on the curb, holding her knees, rocking and crying. He couldn't fail to feel sorry for the young woman. Her eyes were almost as red as her hair.

"Miss Sinclair?" He called out for her and she got up in an instant and for a moment, he thought she might jump on him and hug him.

"Thank you for coming!" She was smiling, as if he was her savior, but she didn't do more than look at him with bright eyes. And then, she looked around. "Hmmm... you said about moving me somewhere else, but.. I see no trucks here."

"It is arriving soon. Don't worry. Mr. Shacklebolt will stay here and wait for the truck." He said and another man got out of the car. A bodyguard, no doubt. "Now, please, get in the car." He said it while holding the car's door open for her.

Danika smiled weakly and got in the car. She was very nervous. She was going to be a surrogate for a total stranger! Something that she had never thought about doing. In a way, she felt dirty. Receiving money to have a child, but she had to think that her grandmother was sick and she had to send money not only for meds, but for food and all the other house expenses her mother might need.

The apartment Danika would be staying in was located in a good neighborhood. Nothing too luxurious, but also, very different from the poor neighborhood in which she lived before. Cassius explained to her that his boss wanted to make sure she was living in good conditions. She was going to be pregnant soon and her well-being, as well as the child's, was his priority.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Banks." She took his hand and shook it. Cassius was not used to being touched like that, especially by a beautiful girl like her. He smiled weakly, embarrassed, a fact she didn't seem to notice. If Hernan saw him, he would kill his assistant.

Cassius placed an envelope on the table and took out a document. There were all the terms and conditions Danika would have to sign. In fact, it was a prenuptial agreement. After the divorce, that would take place after the child didn't need her anymore for biological necessities, such as breastfeed.

-she would relinquish the custody of the child - although she would be able to visit, after talking to Mr. Allaband, of course;

-a compensation of one-and-a-half million dollar;

-she could never ask for more money, or try to approach Mr. Allaband. Her contact would be strict with the child.

Danika nodded. That was one of the most important days in her life; she was signing a prenup, and she was accepting to be a surrogate. Taking a deep breath, she got the pen and signed the papers.

"Thank you, Miss Sinclair! I'll be back by tomorrow with the marriage papers for you to sign. After that, you'll become a married woman."

"Wait.. " She asked, frowning. Cassius stopped midway when he was putting the papers inside his briefcase.

"Yes?"

"Won't we go to the Registry Office? I mean, my husband-to-be and me?" - She looked at him, curious. "This here is the prenup, but we still have to sign the papers of the marriage, right?"

"No need, Miss Sinclair." Cassius was already walking to the door. "Everything will be done through a power of attorney. One that you signed."

"Mr. Banks, won't I meet my husband?" She was really uncomfortable with that. He was her husband, after all.

Cassius looked at her, smiling.

"But you already have."

She frowned, recollecting the facts in her mind.

"No, I didn't..." She finally said, "I never saw his face. He talked to me, but I never saw him."

"What is the need to see him? This is not a conventional marriage. It will be like you both are strangers. Now, miss, I'll take care of the wedding procedures. After that, we will have a battery of tests and, finally, the insemination is our last step for the time being. ."

As he was just about to leave, he turned around to face Danika.

"One more thing: I should just warn you that even though you and my employer are not physically together, it is strictly forbidden for you to get involved with any other man, until divorce. You are married. And you're about to get pregnant with his child. It will keep things more secure, if you understand me."

"Sure. I take marriage seriously. I will not cheat on my husband."

"Excellent. Rest assured he will act the same way" Cassius said with a neutral smile. "I will be in touch shortly. Make yourself at home. Excuse me." He bowed and left.

As soon as she was alone, Danika grabbed a change of clothes and ran to the bathroom. She needed a decent shower!

The rest of the day and part of the next one went by smoothly. She asked Cassius if she could take Moira around, explaining that the girl had worked with her at the restaurant. Cassius didn't see any problem, since he knew who the girl was, but he didn't mention it to Danika.

"Here.. your copy of the marriage certificate and, of course, the wedding ring. " Cassius handed her a piece of paper and a small jewelry box. Inside, a beautiful ring was resting and Danika put it on her finger. Perfect.

"Hernan Ronald Allaband." She read, smiling. She fought the urge to google him. "No, he wanted this to be secrecy and I'll respect that."

The night was filled with dreams and nightmares of babies and contracts, money flying, and Danika woke up exhausted. She showered, made breakfast, and got ready to wait for Cassius.

Before Cassius picked her up early in the morning to head to the hospital, Danika's mother called her and thanked for the money Danika sent her. As Mrs. Allaband, she now counted with a fixed amount of money he would give to her, for her personal needs. But Danika was not ready to tell her mother about the marriage.

Two days later...

"The big day, Miss Sinclair." Cassius smiled at her. Danika inhaled the air. That was it.Not only was she married, but was going to have her insemination.