Chapter 2 Two

. Memorial Hospital...

The beautiful but worried Shantel in her early twenties sat close to her sickly mother. Her hazel eyes had the touch of sparkle in it. Her long and thick blonde hair was

She sat in the ward with her mum who was suffering from severe heart disease. Her striking hazel eyes kept looking at her mother who was looking extremely pale and sickly.

She has only had her mother ever since she lost her father. Not long after, her mother became extremely ill and needed surgery. But to keep her alive till the surgery, she was admitted to the hospital. She had been struggling to pay her mother's medical bill by working extra hours.

"Mum, I'll make sure you will be alright okay?" She said to her mother, forcing out a smile.

Her frail looking mother was lying closed eyes. Her skin was looking pale and her lips were pink and cracked. She had to pay for the surgery as soon as possible before her mother's condition worsened.

"Shantel! Shantel!"

Shantel heard her name being called. She had forgotten she had patients to tend to. Fortunately it was the voice of the senior nurse and not the director. She can't afford to lose her job right now.

Turning around, she saw Mrs. Courtney, her senior nurse. They both work together and she has been of tremendous help to her since her mother was brought in.

"Shantel, I know your mum is sick, but please do not neglect your duties as a nurse or you'll end up being fired," Mrs. Courtney said, staring at her.

Then she added, "You have a patient at ward 104, and you're here as usual. Shouldn't you be working so you will be able to provide the money for your mum's surgery?"

Shantel sighed, knowing Mrs. Courtney was right. After the death of her father, things had been bad for her. She was left alone to take care of her sick mother.

"I'm so sorry," She apologized, standing up quickly.

"It won't happen again," She added, her eyes lowered.

Mrs. Courtney stared at her and she smiled before leaving.

"I'll be back mum," Shantel said.

She pecked her mother's cheek as she hurriedly left. She needed to work to get her mother saved.

She was in a hurry to meet the patient that needed her attention and didn't notice someone in front of her. Before she could notice, her head hit a firm chest and his scent wafted into her nose.

At first she was mesmerized but the pain from being hit by a brick like chest got to her senses and she yelled in pain. What the fuck was this person eating?

"Ouch!"

She fell to the ground due to the impact. She looked up to see a cold but handsome face. She quickly lowered her gaze again as she tried to stand up.

"Are you okay?" The man asked, stretching his hands.

Shantel wanted to curse him but she remembered who she was. It wouldn't end well if she gets into trouble with someone powerful. And this man looked very powerful. Instead, she quickly stood up.

"I am sorry," Shantel apologized.

After apologizing the second time, she hurriedly left to avoid more trouble.

It was a narrow escape for Shantel as she left the scary looking man she just bumped into. What in the world was she thinking?

"How could someone look so cold? I swear I would have been iced into cubes if I had stayed longer!" She said to herself, panting.

" Who are you referring to, Shantel?" A voice resonated from behind her.

Shantel turned around to see her best friend, Helena, staring at her with furrowed brow. They were both working in the same hospital and she had been constant help to her.

"I don't even know the person but one look from him can set you ablaze. Luckily, I escaped at the right time," Shantel said, moving towards the counter.

" Who is that mother fucker? Let me deal with him so he would turn cold immediately," Helena said, putting on a pretentious angry face.

Shantel burst into laughter at her friend's words. If only she had seen the man.

"Shantel, I think Doctor Mark is trying to get your attention. Look over there, he seemed to be looking towards your direction and even waving," Helena told her, tugging at her gown.

Shantel glanced forward and saw Doctor Mark waving at her. Her heart skipped a beat! Did that icy man already report her? She thought she escaped before he could see her!

"Oh no! I hope I didn't do anything wrong. I just bumped into him by mistake and I even apologized!" She murmured to herself again, her heart beating very fast.

As she was moving closer to the doctor, another possibility propped up in her mind. Could it be...?

"I hope this isn't because of the money for my mother's surgery. I don't have such an amount of money now," She thought, fearfully.

Where will she get such a huge amount of money from? As she was thinking and contemplating on what to do, Helena nudged her again.

"Go on, don't keep him waiting. You know how ill-tempered he is,"Helena urged her to go.

Does she have a choice? Of course not!

"Okay," She left the counter and went to meet Doctor Mark.

As much as she summoned her courage to meet up with the doctor, she was still shaking in fright.

**

Doctor Mark watched as Shantel reluctantly and fearfully walked up to him. He wondered what kind of bad luck he had this morning. How was he going to please Xavier while pleasing his wife too?

It isn't that he couldn't get attractive women for him but Mrs. Xavier had given him enough money to only bring the candidates she approved of.

But now, Xavier was adamant!

"Come to the Manager's office," Doctor Mark said to her as soon as she got closer.

He didn't want her to go to his office because Xavier was still there. He needs to get Shantel's approval before going there.

As soon as Shantel got to the Manager's office, she quickly knelt down to plead with the director.

"Sir, please don't kick my mother out. I will try my best to bring the money for her surgery. Please give me some little time," She pleaded, her hands clasped together.

Doctor Mark sighed, he has been hearing the same excuse from her for years now but that wasn't the reason he called her.

After a while, he raised his head and stared at the beautiful innocent girl. He wondered if he was doing the right thing. But then his livelihood was at stake.

He cleared his throat, not knowing how to start the discussion with her. He knew what he was doing wasn't right but selfishness blinded his eyes.

"I know you are struggling to pay for your mother's medical bill but this is a hospital not a charity organization. I will offer you a deal, if you are interested," He said, forcing a fake smile.

Shantel who was expecting to hear him bark out loud at her was surprised at his words. She furrowed her brows wondering what deal he has for her. What type of deal will she possibly make with her boss, someone to whom she was indebted?

With a smirk, Doctor Mark replied,"I will further the expenses for your mum's surgery."

Her eyes filled with surprise, she quickly thanked him profusely, "Thank you so much, sir, I appreciate it."

But she stopped when his first word started ringing in her ears. "I will offer you a deal."

"What do you want in return?" She found herself asking. She was willing to do anything for her mother.

"Be a surrogate mother and you won't regret it." He said, resting his back on the chair.

"What!!!." She yelled, not believing her ears.