My Pure Haven; Womb For Hire To Becoming His Wife

Having a surname such as 'Kings' is just a way of nature mocking us... especially me..

"You wish"... it whispers

Such an unbefitting name for a family living worse than church rats. At least, church rats are healthier and feed better than I who eat once a day or sometimes nothing at all..

Nature's just laughing out loud at me saying 'jokes on you..'

"Such brutality.." I mumbled beneath my breath...

Few minutes later, a loud knock was heard on the door followed by several bangs which immediately led to a lot of palpitations for my family and I. We all froze in fear.

My dad is a known hypertensive and diabetic, and lately it has worsened especially due to the debts hanging around his neck like noose.

The loan sharks? The type that had no soul. They were the type that never showed no mercy. Heartless sets of people.

Since we already knew who was at the door, without much thought I stood up to go open because the noise was becoming unbearable and loud murmurs were already starting to craw under my skin.

"Come back here, Haven"...My father pulled me back and whispered into my ears.."Ignore them. They would leave when they're tired".

"For how long, Dad? Do you think they won't return back to harass us? We have to plead with them to give us more time".. I said almost giving up on hiding and nearly breaking down.

"Do not open that door please, they will harm you and your mother. I can't risk that"...

"Then go face them like the man you are, Dad!"... my voice trembled as tears almost fell out my eyes. I was scared and shaking.

"No, that's not how it works with these people. I can only face them when I have little to offer them. But for now, I am penniless. I have nothing"... He looked at me, broken.

"I haven't even fed or provided for the family to eat three square meals a day. The roof's leaking over our heads, almost drowning us here, my beds are soaked each time there is even just a little downpour. I am angry at myself. I have failed as a man, a father and husband. I feel so ashamed of myself"....

I watched as tears rolled down my dad's face.

Who says men don't cry?...

All I could do was my best to hug him tight and console him that everything would get better with time.

"Who eats three square meals these days anyway? Don't talk like that. Don't look down on yourself like that. You are doing the best for us, your absolute best as a father and a husband. You are doing a great job and that's enough"...

By this time, we were already shedding tears like babies whilst my mother just stared into space like someone whose soul has wandered far without uttering a word but just shaking her head continually because of how unfair life had been lately.

Soon, we heard the retreating footsteps until it wasn't heard anymore..

But a note was slipped in beneath the door.

"Pay up the money you owe or pay with your life..."

And that has been the way loan shakers do here... no jokes, no much warnings.

They unlive you once you can't pay debts. And that feared me the most. It scared the hell out of me.

That alone left my father shaken for days because those men? They are bloody bastards, beasts, unforgiving demons, brutal and devils from the pit of hell.

They are the type that wouldn't flinch at your pleads for mercy or for more time.

My dad made the worst mistake borrowing money from such idiots, I only pray for his safety because I am scared to death too.

"I curse them"... I spat into the ground.

Three days later, after the door incident....

My father had stepped out to get some house equipment for some minor repairs in the house. And that was when his nemesis caught up with him....

He thought he was safe... he thought they wouldn't find him.. you can't be too extra careful with these people.

The loan sharks had been watching him unbeknownst to him.

Although he thought he was playing his cards well by avoiding them and now he couldn't escape again even if a good Samaritan was there.

They cornered him.. They beat him to a pulp, until he could barely breathe. Collected the little he had to offer and left him in a lonely alley to die.

That was the worst day of my life...

By the time, we got to know his whereabouts and rushed him to the hospital. It was already too late...

My father had given up and was declared clinically dead. He had a ruptured appendix and a Cerebrovascular accident as mentioned by the professional doctors due to the assault coupled with a dislocated femur.

Then tell me... who would survive such brutality?... Not my dad obviously, cuz that man was already tired of life. Not even me..

My dad lay lifeless in front of me and there was nothing I could do but curse those demons who did that to humans, scream and cried my eyes out.

My mother had been rolling herself on the floor crying, I couldn't even console her because it would be like water poured on a heavy stone.

All that left her mouth continuously was "may it never be well with poverty".. Poverty had turned her into a widow, she never asked to be. He only collected that money due to his health issues, he only wanted to get better, back on his full feet but yet see where it led us to...

"Kings! come back to me, please".... she yelled and pleaded but yet we couldn't hear my dad's voice anymore. No voice, no response...

That was when it dawned on me that my father was no more.

From that day onwards, I swore to do anything just to make sure I became wealthy and seek revenge. I knew he was wrong for owing but that wasn't a good reason to unlive him. No one deserved to die like that.

Few weeks later, my dad was laid to rest... rendering me entirely and officially fatherless.

"Heaven finally took my angel back"...mom said amidst mourning her husband and that shattered my heart even more.

Three months later, I'm still mourning my dad because my dad can never be forgotten.

Another wave of pain hit me..

My mother had fallen ill...terminal illness.

She was diagnosed with cancer...

The remaining glimmer of hope I had left crumbled right in front of me. That news crushed whatever pieces I had left of hope..

I instantly went into depression. I looked as faded, same as my mother. She was her own shadow at the moment.

There and then, it occurred to me that no one was coming to save us and it's either I save us or I mar us. I wasn't ready to choose the latter so I opted for the best option.

"Haven, you are your own salvation. You have to work this out yourself or face the cost, downfall and live in more regrets throughout your life which you are already living in" I said to myself.

I don't know how long I stood lost in my own thoughts in that hospital room. But I knew that the weight in my chest was heavier than what I could carry.

My legs were trembling under me even while I made the affirmations and vows. My mouth was dry and my eyes were as though they'd been holding back a flood since the day my father left this wicked world.

Now, my mom? Of all people? To have cancer?

I didn't wait to hear anything more from what the doctors had to say. I slowly excused myself like a coward and ran straight to the nearest restroom.

I didn't care to check if it was for the ladies or for the gentlemen..

I just needed to breathe, I needed to break down because I have been acting too strong lately.

As soon as I entered, the cold tiles hit my knees before I could even lock the door.

I slumped to the ground, hands covering my face, my whole body was shaking. I wailed.

I wailed the kind of cry that rips your soul open. The kind of cry that turns you into an animal- groaning, panting, gasping.

The doctor's voice still echoes in my head...

"Mrs Kings, you've been diagnosed with cancer. I am so sorry"....

"Not a fever, not malaria, not an over the counter kind of illness but the fucking bloody cancer!!! For real?"

"We are poor! I am fatherless, she is a widow, no helper, nothing and you come out of your fucking office to diagnose her of cancer? To literally tell me my mum is dying right in my face?" I mumbled while hitting the wall..

"God, why now? What have I done to deserve such punishments... you are so cruel you know that right? Haven't we suffered enough? You want me to be an orphan in this lonely world?"...

My voice echoed inside the restroom like it was mocking me. I didn't even hear the tap running, I didn't realize someone else was in there. Until I heard a quiet voice...

"Hey... are you okay?"... I froze.

I wiped my face quickly with the back of my palm and looked up.

A woman, tall, fair skinned, maybe in her early thirties....wearing a white coat with 'Dr. Vanessa's embroidered in a small blue thread. Beneath the coat was a well made blue scrub.

For a moment, I wished I was a doctor, just for that scrub... I loved it.

Her face was neat on a peach transparent glass. She looked like someone who doesn't cry. Who had all she wanted at her beck and call. Her aura gave rich and classy.

"Sorry", I mumbled, trying to stand..

"I didn't mean to cause a scene"...

"No, no".. she said quickly and politely, crouching a little.

"It's okay... you are human and we have emotions. What happened?"...

I looked down again... I didn't want to talk. I didn't know who she was. What if she laughed? What if she was the type that judged people who didn't have anything? So I shook my head and replied, "Nothing... I'm fine"...

She titled her head.. "You are clearly not fine... are you sure about that?"...

I simply nodded.

"Okay...that's fine. You don't have to tell me. I just.... I heard you crying and I wanted to check on you"...

There was a silent pause...One of those awkward pauses..

Then, her voice softened a little more...

"Were you just in room 108?"...

I blinked, how did she know?

I can't remember seeing her with the other doctors.

"Is she your mother?"

"Yes, she is mother"...

"I see".. she nodded quietly. "I'm so sorry...really sorry about the news"...

Her tone made me glance at her again properly and the tears I was holding back fell down my face. She was gentle, empathetic and I was sure that came from her heart.

But I don't know why...why I felt like I didn't need more pity.

I was tired of being the one receiving the empathies, the sympathieties and the pity from others.

I managed a weak nod, sniffed and tried to wipe my smot from my nose without looking disgusting.

"She's all I have".. I said, my voice cracking.

Dr. Nessa nodded, "Life isn't fair sometimes. It is infact cruel to some of us, if not all and believe me I am not an exception"...

That sentence felt like a slap. I hated hearing that. Because I knew it. I lived it but hearing it from someone who looked like they had everything made it worse.

I stood up properly now and rinsed my face at the sink beside her. My eyes met hers in the mirror for the first time. Her eyes were also red.

Had she been crying?... or was it the water?

"Are you okay too?"... I asked, in a low tone.

She chuckled lightly, but it was hollow.

"I'm fine. Just a long boring and stressful day".

That was the end of our chat...

She dried her hands and walked towards the door. But just before she left, she turned and asked, "what's your name, young lady?"...

"Haven".... I replied, without thinking or blinking.. "Haven Kings"...

Her expression twitched. Just for a little moment. Almost like she recognized the name.

"Kings... hmmm? Same surname as his..." she mumbled.

While I nodded slowly... "Who?"

"Oh... never mind".. she cleared her throat and gave a small reassuring smile.

"Take care if yourself, Haven"

And with that, she left....

I just stood there, confused.

"What was she talking about. Who? My dad?"...

But I didn't think too deep. My heart had bigger issues. When I stepped out of the restroom, the world suddenly felt louder and heavier.

I dragged my body back to where my mother was lying, tubed running through her nose, the machines already beeping and infusion fluids connected.

A weak smile barely tugging her lips as she saw me return...

"Baby".. she said, her voice faint. "Where did you go?"...

I took her hand and smiled. I just needed some air and wash my face as well. You look beautiful, mum"

She smiled faintly, "Even now?"...

"Always..." I whispered to her just as my father does everyday. And I meant it.

I left her to rest while my mind kept spinning.

"Rent was due. Hospital bills are coming, chemotherapy would start soon and I couldn't even afford a painkiller".

I was tired, tired of burying my people, tired of crying in the hospital restrooms, tires of being strong even when I had no strength left.

It was a quiet Friday morning when Nessa received a message. Just a simple, five-word text from Nick.

"Meet me at Cafe Aurelia. 9AM. It's important.."

No emojis. No explanation. Typical Nick.

Intrigued and excitedly, she stared at the screen longer than necessary, her lips curling into a half-smirk to having a little happy dance moment.

"So, he finally wants to talk?" she muttered, her heart doing a soft, stupid skip. She wasn't going to pretend she hadn't thought about him, fantasized about him even. After all, Nick Kings had that annoying, arrogant charm only a woman with bad judgment would fall for. And unfortunately, Nessa was exactly that kind of woman.

With 2 hours to spare, she took extra care with her outfit. She took out something simple from her wardrobe amidst all the others. She flipped those ones to a corner because it didn't match her taste...white silk blouse, fitted jeans, silver heels to match her blouse, red lip, curly long hair. Not too much, not too little. Just enough to keep him guessing.

By 8:59 AM, she was there. The café smelled like roasted coffee beans and sugar. Jazz music hummed low in the background. And there he was...Nick.

Seated by the window, a black mug in hand, eyes glued to his phone. Still cold, Hella gorgeous and dangerous as she loved it.

She approached with her usual confidence. "You're lucky I was free," she teased, sliding into the seat across from him.

He looked up, his eyes flickering briefly with something unreadable. "I knew you'd come."

No greeting. No compliment. Just straight to business.

"Coffee?" he asked.

"No. I'll stick to tea. Too much caffeine makes me say things I regret," she said with a wink.

But he didn't laugh or show any concern...

Nick leaned forward, setting his phone down. "Nessa, I need a surrogate."

She blinked. "Come again?"

"I want a child. And I'm willing to pay. Two hundred million dollars."

She nearly choked. "You're joking, Nick. That's a whole lot of money.."

He didn't flinch. "Do I look like I'm laughing? I am willing to pay any amount.."

Her lips parted in disbelief. "Nick, babies aren't like ordering wine. You don't just pay and pick up. Why the hell do you want one anyway?"

He didn't answer immediately. Just stared at her like the answer was somewhere on her face.

Then he shrugged....

"It's time. I want someone to carry on my legacy. Someone that's mine." He leaned back, relaxed his back to the chair and folded his arms.

She leaned back too, clears throat "Okay... emmm so what, you want me to hook you up with someone? You think I run an egg donor agency?"

"No. I thought you'd help find someone to do it."

She stared. Then laughed hard. Heads turned. She waved them off.

"If you want me to carry your child...Better yet... why not skip the drama and marry me instead? Kill two birds with one stone."

He blinked slowly, lips twitching in the faintest smile. But what he said next sucked the air out of her.

"Anyone else but not you, Nessa. You have to help me get someone to do the job because you owe me your life at some point."

"Huh?"...

She blinked. Her laugh died in her throat. The words slapped her, over and over, ringing in her ears like a cruel joke.

"Anyone else but not you"....

The rest of the meeting passed in a blur. She nodded at the right times. Forced a smile. Faked interest. But inside, something had cracked. She was angry, she was mad at herself.

By the time she got back to the hospital, her hands were shaking. She snapped at a nurse. Forgot a patient's prescription. Locked herself in the break room and stared at the wall.

"You owe me your life."

He was right. Years ago, he'd saved her and pulled her out of a dark place when no one else cared.

But did that mean she had to be his vessel, helping him find a woman to carry his child? Was that really necessary? Why wouldn't he choose me?

I have loved Nick my whole life but he never cared for me or my feelings... Now another woman? Out of the blue?

She sank to the floor, head in her hands.

"Why not me, Nick? What makes me so impossible?"

For a long time in years, Dr. Nessa wept bitterly....

Meanwhile.....

Background sounds..

"Beauty in chaos by Jared Zada"....

Across the other side of the hospital. A nurse handed Haven a brown envelope.

"Sorry to disturb you, ma'am. Are you the patient's relative?"...

"Yes, I am"...

"The finance and accounting department has brought in the bills for your mother. She needs an urgent surgery and to commence chemotherapy immediately. They instructed that it's very urgent. The total cost..it's about fifty million"...

"What?"... her eyes widened. "Fifty what?"...

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I hope she gets better soon"... she said before walking out.

Haven took it with trembling fingers, her mother's name boldly printed on the front in gold.

She walked slowly to the corridor away from everyone before she opened it. Her eyes scanned the bill.

"Urgent chemotherapy, surgery and recovery plan.

Total: $50,000,000".

Her knees buckled, she gripped the wall..

"Oh God!"..

Tears blurred her vision.

"Fifty million?"..

She slid slowly down the wall, gasping, shaking her head.

"No...no..no. This can't be. How am I supposed to get this kind of money? From where? From who?"..

She pressed the envelope to her chest, her sobs silent but sharp

Now, it's evident that the universe hated her.

She is losing her mother slowly and the worst part of everything is she had to watch helplessly because she couldn't afford to save her. She doesn't have anything, not even a single dollar to her name...

This isn't just a hospital bill.. this is a death sentence unless a miracle happened and fast..

That was when it hit her.. "Dr. Vanessa!!"...