Chapter 4 APPOINTMENT

Hi Damien,

After looking over your profile, I made the choice to inquire about your surrogate services. I really hope you'll be willing to talk to me about this since I have an offer for you. Below is a list of both our meeting location's address and my phone number. I hope to see you tomorrow at 12:00 when we might meet.

-Evans

He said that his phone number was in the email, but I checked the meeting location and saw that the address also had an apartment number. My gosh, we're meeting in his apartment. This simply deepens the murky situation. What if he is actually lying and wants to hurt me?

I shake my head and assume he must be married to Ciara. I have to take a long breath. He is married and is capable of having children. I am currently powerless to intervene in either situation. I need to think. Alone.

Adam is watching a basketball game and eating pizza in the living room when I get home. Taking a bite, he said, "Want some?"

I take a big breath and respond, "Yeah," before settling down on the couch. I grabbed a pizza. I am worn out.

"You don't look so good," she said.

"Thanks..."

He grinned. How you can maintain control at all times baffles me. I claim to be jealous. Of course, there is a price. I said, "You look terrible."

He giggles. You must understand that was only a joke.

"Whatever. My difficulties won't go away just because I'm lovely.

The truth of what I've spoken makes me lose my smile. Money, not beauty, will be the answer to my issues. The email makes me uneasy, but the money is too tempting to pass up.

After a short while of watching the game with Adam, I excuse myself and head to my room. Due to the surrogate issue in general and my mountain of homework, I didn't sleep that night.

The following morning, I took a taxi to a location that was about 20 minutes away from the school. The cab driver pulls up in front of some incredibly luxurious-looking apartments. It's a tall, black structure with stunning blown glass windows, and each apartment has its private patio. I tip the driver and exit the vehicle. I stroll inside the high-rise building and take a big breath before stepping onto the elevator to the fifth floor, where apartment 533 is located.

As a pair enters with me and makes out, I awkwardly stand in the corner. They're still so fancy, even while they're making out, they make me feel underdressed in my sweater and trousers. They rarely remove their faces from each other while laughing and whispering to one another. Will this be what this pair I'm meeting is like? Oh, how I hope not.

I sigh with relief as I leave the couple behind when the elevator dings on the fifth floor. The long, gorgeous carpeted hallway in front of me seems to go on forever. When I reach the right apartment, I stop and stare at the door for a second. Even now, I have the option to back out or alter my mind.

I groan since I know that I won't become pregnant today. I'm going to enter and hear what Evans has to say before leaving. I'm done. I knock while raising my hand.

My breath is taken away by the man who opens the door.