Chapter 5 Five.

Chapter Five

Katie flagged down a cab along the road. She got in and asked the driver to take her to the hospital where her mother was. As the car moved, she thought of Jacob Donalds. Thoughts of him still lingered in her mind. Thoughts of their intimacy. Thoughts of all the things he had said to her.

She had never been in love. But she her heart fluttered as she recalled his lovely eyes staring down at her as he made love to her.

The cab halted in front of the hospital. And she paid her face and headed in. She met a nurse at the counter who let her into her mother's ward. On other occasions, she had walked into her mother's ward sad. It was hard to see her on a life support machine. Unable to utter a word or hear what others were saying But this time was different. She was elated.

She had finally found a way to pay for her mother's transplant. She sat beside her mothers bed. And patted the old woman's dark wavy long hair. Her skin was pale. Katie had so much to say to her.

"So, mom, I have good news," Katie said.

"I finally found a way to raise money for your surgery," she continued.

"It's through surrogacy mom. I got an offer to be surrogate. And I accepted it. The payment is so huge. We would still have a lot even after I pay your transplant." She drew in breath. She hoped the surgery would be successful.

"You will not like this part," she went on. "I had to sleep with a man for the first time in my life. Together, he and his wife have been unable to conceive. Now, I'm waiting patiently to observe symptoms of pregnancy. I'll be taken care of by the best medical personnel in the city. The man I slept with is so rich and I believe he has a kind heart too."

Her mother remained unconscious. Not moving. And saying nothing. But Katie didn't care. She did this all the time. Coming here to talk to her mother without receiving a response. But she was sure that in no time her mother would be alright. She rubbed her belly.

"I have to get pregnant," she muttered. Her phone buzzed in her bag, interrupting her train of thoughts. She zipped open her bag and scoured for the phone. On finding it, she cast a quick glance and saw it was a message. She hit the 'open message' button.

It was a text from Winnie Donalds, Jacob Donalds wife. She gulped.. It was an invite for dinner at a luxury restaurant. Katie had never been to one before. Plus, she had never met Winnie. The day was scheduled for later today. So, she had to go change and prepare to go out. She put the phone back into her bag and kissed her mother at the top of the head.

"Bye mom," she said. "I'll come around again soon." She got up, looped her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the hospital.

***

Winnie was adorned in a short red dress which made her curves obvious. Katie had been sitting at the table waiting for her. She pulled back the seat opposite Katie and sat down. She let on a smile.

"How are you Katie?" she asked softly,with her hands clasped. She had red nail polish on her perfectly shaped finger nails. Her deep blue eyes were so piercing. Katie remained still as waiter approached them to take their orders.

"You're pretty," Winnie complimented.

Katie smiled but Winnie didn't.

"You're young as well," she continued. "I take it that you've met my husband and the both of you have set the ball rolling."

Katie flustered in embarrassment. She was sitting before a woman who's husband she had slept with.

"Hopefully, I would get pregnant soon and you will have the child you want," Katie said. She was trying hard not to maintain eye contact with Winnie. But the latter's gaze remained unmoving. The waiter brought their orders and served them.

"You know Jacob and I are really in love. We got married to each at a pretty young age. We've loved each other since then. And that fire, the intensity of our relationship still burns hot up till now." Winnie shoved some of the veggies into her mouth. She chewed softly.

Katie felt stupid for ever nursing feelings for Jacob. Did she think he had a bad marriage just because he hired a surrogate? His wife was beautiful. Really beautiful. And she had the poise of a beauty queen though she was as petite as Katie.

"That's great to hear" Katie said, munching at the food on her plate too. "I envy your marriage."

"We've been married for eight years now. We fought so hard to have a baby but all to no avail."

"Did you ever find out the cause?" Katie asked.

Winnie nodded in response and feigned sadness.

"I had an accident back in school. An accident that eventually caused me fertility issues. I don't like to talk about it." She looked away.

"I'm sorry for asking." Katie quickly apologized.

"So, we came up with the idea of surrogacy and hopefully it will work out."

Katie nodded. She too needed the arrangement to walk out by all means.

"I'm glad that I have a man like Jacob who's so loving and caring." Winnie smiled and rolled her eyes as though she was reminiscing somet.

Katie kept eating. Jacob must really love his wife, she thought.

"I hope my husband was gentle on you. Dr. River told me you were a virgin."

Embarrassed, Katie nodded. She focused on her food. She felt a lot of awkwardness being around Winnie."

"Oh, Katie. Relax. You don't have to be so uncomfortable around me. I'm perfectly okay with the whole arrangement. In fact, I suggested it myself."

The words left Katie surprised. She decided to relax and enjoy her food. She was after all only doing her part of the deal.

Her relationship with her husband was not her business by no means.