Chapter 3 Explore All Options

Linda let Cassie into her small apartment "Maybe we should talk over some warm food". She dropped her work bag on the countertop and proceeded to wash her hands. Cassie joined her and they talked as they cooked.

"Have you thought about this? Pregnancy changes your life. It is not a chapter you can easily delete from a draft"

"I am just considering it" Cassie replied accepting the ladle from Linda to taste the soup.

They sat on the tall tables around the counter as they talked. "Why exactly are you doing this?" Linda asked. Her grey eyes searched Cassie's face. Cassie's eyes never left the bowl of chicken soup before her.

"I need the money"

Linda must have heard the crack in her voice as she fought back tears because she didn't ask further questions.

"Whatever battle you're fighting must be worth the huge sacrifice Cassie"

"Dr. Kim will see you now Ma'am....Ma'am?"

Cassie was jolted back to reality. She was sitting in front of Dr. Kim's office. The flyer felt like a heavy rock in the pocket of her jeans.

"Yes, thank you"

She jumped up and followed the receptionist into the office wondering if she was making the right decision.

Dr. Kim wasn't alone. A man who seemed like a very important person sat in front of her. He didn't say a word or acknowledge her in anyway but his presence dominated the room.

"Umm, good day Dr. Kim"

Dr. Kim took a quick glance at her and raised her brows in surprise. "Cassie?"

Her eyes were a mixture of surprise and anxiety as she stared at the flier in Cassie's hands.

"How do you have that?"

Cassie wasn't sure if she was in trouble but she had to try.

"I just want to apply, Dr. Kim. I promise I won't cause any trouble".

Dr. Kim shifted uncomfortably in her seat and opened her mouth to reply.

"Have you ever been pregnant?"

She turned to where the question came from. She had noticed him the moment she stepped into the room but was too desperate to pay attention to him.

But now, as he directed his cool gaze at her, she felt her heart drop in her stomach and the room suddenly felt too small.

"No.." she stammered looking from him to Dr. Kim in confusion.

"Sit down".

He said it in such a simple tone that told her that this man was used to giving orders and having the final say. She moved to the closest seat and settled down clasping her hands in front of her.

Dr. Kim waited till she was seated before she turned to him. "Zee...."

He didn't let her finish "Explore all options. I have to be in a meeting in 20 minutes" and with that he was on his way out.

She turned to Cassie and adjusted her glasses as if to get a clearer look at her.

"I am very surprised to find this flier in your possession. The executive surrogacy agency tends to maintain a very low profile" She cleared her throat and continued.

"Our clients are high profile and have very specific ermm ...requirements..." She stared at Cassie for a minute with a look that told her that these clients were powerful people and not easy to please.

"I have been the head of the medical team for 15years and this is the first time anybody has approached me like this."

Cassie hoped she wouldn't send her away.

But then Dr. Kim launched into a long series of questions.

By the end of her meeting with Dr. Kim, Cassie felt like she had written her life story and handed it to someone to publish.

"I believe we will meet again Miss Cassie" Dr. Kim said as she shook her hands while handing over her card. "Call me if you have any questions. You must fill the forms I have sent to your email in the next 48hrs and be back for a follow-up meeting next week, how does that sound?"

"Yes...yes of course" Cassie replied trying to keep her smile on her face to hide the battle raging in her mind. As soon as she left the hospital premises, she got on a bus and went to find Linda.

They sat again in Linda's small kitchen as Linda tried to make a sandwich. It had become their little meeting spot

"You're not saying anything," Cassie asked, watching her expression with anxious eyes.

"There isn't much to say...I am just worried about you. Are you sure about this?" Linda asked.

"It may be my only chance. I cannot let them hurt her..." Cassie realized what she was about to say and went silent. Linda looked up from the lettuce she was shredding and gave her a weak smile

"You can trust me Cassie but you don't have to tell me why you're doing this. Just be careful" She pleaded. Cassie nodded.

"Rich people can be a lot to deal with. But you should be more worried about protecting yourself. Do not let anyone take advantage of you" Linda said, handing her a sandwich "Be careful Cassie" she warned.

"I will...I promise"

She had become fond of Linda. Maybe she had found a friend, a real friend. A friend she could run to when she needed advice or encouragement.

"Have you ever been pregnant?" Cassie asked and when Linda stayed quiet she quickly added "I am sorry if it was inappropriate"

Linda looked up, her expression distant "I had a baby girl, once. I was young. It was a great responsibility and I got scared".

She took a sip of water and continued "I gave her away to a lovely family who moved with her to France. I never saw her again"

"Do you regret giving her away?" Cassie asked.

"Sometimes I do." Linda replied, her voice heavy with emotion.

She turned to face Cassie, a deep sadness clouding her eyes "You will always give a part of you away with every child you carry in your womb. You must be ready to let go when it is time and make peace with it no matter what."

Cassie wasn't sure she understood what Linda meant but she thought about it all through her walk back home.

A familiar black mini van stood by the street in front of her apartment as she came home. Frank....It had to be his men again. She rushed up the stairs to her apartment and met the door wide open.