THE BILLIONAIRE SURROGATE'S BABY

🖤PHOENIX🖤

"Get out of here, Troublemaker!" the sellers yelled, but I just laughed and gave them the finger.

"Bitch," I heard one of them mutter.

"Your daughter is worse!" I shouted back, laughing as I walked away, ignoring their curses.

Finding jobs these days was a nightmare. I sighed heavily before pulling out my phone and dialing Darcy's number.

"Any jobs?" I asked as soon as she picked up.

"No, not yet," she replied, and I ended the call in frustration. Why was it so hard to find someone to steal from?

Damn, I was starving. I walked aimlessly until I saw a green light, indicating that everyone had to wait before crossing the road.

Thank goodness. I spotted a large crowd and grinned mischievously. I positioned myself among them and noticed a man's wallet sticking out of his back pocket.

I smiled and stood behind him, reaching out to grab the wallet. I quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching before slipping it into my back pocket.

I managed to nab two more wallets and two phones. It was a jackpot day for me.

If I sold those phones, I could make about 500 dollars. I hurried home, and as soon as I got there, I went to the room I shared with my sister and sat on the bed.

I pulled out the wallets and phones I had stolen. In one of the wallets, I found 200 dollars. Not bad.

The second one had 50 dollars, which was disappointing.

But the last one contained a whopping 500 dollars. That would feed me, my dad, and my sister for a whole week.

I quickly grabbed my phone and called the guy I usually sold the phones to.

"What type of phones?" he asked instantly.

"An iPhone 11 and iPhone 6," I replied.

"400 dollars," he said promptly.

"800 dollars," I countered.

"400," he repeated.

"700," I insisted.

"400," he stood firm.

"600," I tried again.

"400," he persisted.

"500, that's it," I finally agreed.

"Okay, tomorrow, the usual place," he said, making me smile.

So today, I made a total of 1250 dollars. It would cover the house rent and our food expenses, but I still needed to hustle for more. My sister's school fees weren't due until September.

My dad still tried to work and earn for the family, but he often ended up gambling and losing all the money. Sometimes he won, though.

I'm Phoenix, 25 years old. Surprisingly, I am done with college, mostly because my mom hasn't decided to abandon us, despite my dad losing his job that used to feed the family well. I never liked school, so I wouldn't have gone at all.

I suck at introducing myself, so that's all. Oh, wait, I have a sister who is in her last year of high school. As broke as my father and I are, we try hard to pay for my sister's school fees. We want her to complete her schooling because education is important, and she might end up being the one to take care of us one day.

And I am a thief, a smuggler, you name it. I can do it, except human trafficking. I despise that.

"How was school?" I asked Beatrix when she sat on the bed beside me.

"Great, I was able to take a student loan," she said, making me frown.

"I didn't tell you to do that," I said, already getting annoyed.

"But you said the rent was almost due."

"Well, I told you I will sort it out," I exclaimed. Beatrix went silent.

"The only thing you need to do is to go to school, learn, and pass with flying colors. You don't need to work and provide for us."

"I'm your big sister. You're just 17," I said. It pains me most of the time when my sister tries to get money for us to eat. I feel like it's my responsibility to do that. I hate when she begs her classmates for money or whatever.

"I'm sorry," she murmured. If only our mother were here, maybe we would have found a way to work and earn money. But when my dad lost his job, she just ran away like she doesn't have two kids at all. What a bitch.

"Go wash up. Tomorrow, return that money," I said, and she nodded before walking away.

My sister made dinner that evening, and we ate together. My dad came back late at night and told us he lost a bet again, like he usually does.

Life wasn't easy at all.

☠ROME☠

Rome smiled at the sight of his beautiful wife, dressed in a stunning red body-hugging gown.

"You look even more beautiful when you have my seed inside of you," he said, planting kisses on her neck.

"Stop it, I might miss my flight," she said, laughing and playfully pushing him away.

"What? It's not my fault you look so irresistible," he said, then placed another kiss on her lips.

"My flight, Rommy," she said, still chuckling. When she first called him that name, he hated it, but he grew to love it eventually.

"Use my private jet then," he suggested, smiling.

"No, Rommy, it's just me, just one person. I'd rather use business class," she said, grabbing her bag.

"Then let me drop you off at the airport," he offered, placing a hand on her stomach.

"Your meeting," she reminded him.

"It can wait," he reassured her, his hand still on her stomach.

"I and your baby are going to be fine. Don't worry," she said, planting a kiss on his nose.

"You're not driving," he stated, and she nodded.

"The driver," she confirmed.

"Okay, good," he said.

Rome admired his wife as he escorted her to the car.

"I can't wait to watch our kid run around the house. Maybe we'll have two more," he mused, eliciting laughter from her.

"She will look so beautiful," she agreed.

"She?" he asked, smiling.

"I feel like our baby is going to be a girl, but if it's a boy, then so be it. I wouldn't love either gender any less," she said, earning a warm hug from him. He loved this woman deeply, and she always managed to deepen his affection for her.

"Must you go see your mom?" he grumbled, sounding like a child.

"Well, should I call her?" she teased.

"No, no," he said hurriedly, then opened the door for her.

"At your service, ma'am," he said, and they both laughed.

"Bye," he waved at his wife as the car drove out of the compound.

He smiled before happily walking into the house. He was so excited that Georgia was pregnant with their child after three years of trying. They finally had the chance to be parents, and he couldn't be happier to start co-parenting with the love of his life.

His life felt perfect.

He finished his meeting two hours later and then took a refreshing bath. He knew Georgia was supposed to be on the plane by now, heading to Russia. He wished he could go with her, but Georgia had always been strong-minded. That's what made him love her even more.

He sighed loudly and then sat on his couch. Without Georgia, he felt like just another boring person, except when his best friend Neo decided to bring his madness, as he usually did.

He dozed off, thinking about how their son or daughter would look like.

Rome woke up to his phone booming with calls. Shocked, he checked and saw 10 missed calls from his father, 15 from his mother, 5 from his sister, 4 from Neo, and 2 from an unknown number.

"What's happening?" he thought. Georgia was supposed to be in Russia by now, so he called her first. But he was surprised when she didn't answer.

"Or was the flight delayed?" he asked himself inwardly.

He decided to call his mother to find out why she called him so many times.

"Rome, my sweet boy," she said immediately she answered the call.

"Mom," he said suspiciously.

"I know it might be hard right now. It also came as a shock to all of us. I will be on my first flight in the evening," his mom said, confusing him even more.

"Mom, what are you talking about?" he exclaimed, already impatient.

"Rome, you haven't heard," his mom cried out. That made Rome worried. Was this some kind of April Fools' prank?

"Mom, why are you quiet?" he asked, feeling annoyed.

"Rome, Georgia is dead," she said.

He frowned and then looked at the phone again. Was this a dream? He pinched himself, and it hurt, so it wasn't a dream. His mother knew he wouldn't use Georgia as a joke, so she wouldn't joke about something like this.

"What-" He was short of words. He felt like he couldn't breathe anymore because his world had just crumbled.

The only person who made him happy every day was DEAD!!!!

TBC

🖤PHOENIX 🖤

I smiled as he handed me the money, taking a moment to savor the scent of the cash before passing over the phone.

Who says money can't buy happiness? It certainly can buy mine.

"You can add some extra cash," I suggested, prompting him to roll his eyes.

"Get more phones, that's all," he retorted before walking away. What a loner.

I tucked the money into my pocket, but first, I decided to pick up some food staples and maybe a new shirt. I could count my wardrobe's contents on one hand, but as long as I had something to wear, I didn't mind.

But first, I wondered if Darcy might have a job for me today. I quickly dialed her number.

"Any jobs?" I inquired as soon as she answered.

"Yes, by 4," she replied before abruptly ending the call. I couldn't help but smile at her efficiency before slipping my phone back into my pocket.

Stealing was an easy gig for me. It's not that I enjoyed it – well, maybe I did – but I had to do it. After my dad lost his job and my mom left amid the chaos, we struggled to afford rent and often went hungry. With school fees out of reach, I had to find a solution – something that could cover all our expenses.

I tried to find legitimate work, but no one wanted an inexperienced kid like me. Restaurant jobs barely kept us fed, so I turned to stealing, and it's been putting food on the table ever since.

With my ill-gotten gains, I managed to grab some essentials for home and even picked up shirts for my sister and dad. They'd appreciate the gesture.

~~

4 pm arrived, and I prepared for the job. Summoning a cab, I headed to the designated location, where I found Darcy already waiting for me.

"You're late," she chided, barely concealing her irritation.

"Just 30 minutes," I retorted, smirking.

"Whatever," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

"What's the job about?" I inquired, moving closer to her.

She sighed and retrieved her phone. "We're after a piece of jewelry from a woman's house. It's very valuable," she explained.

"The pay?" I asked eagerly.

"$5000," she stated, causing me to gasp in disbelief.

"Seriously?" I questioned, surprised by the unusually high payout for a jewelry theft.

"In or out?" she pressed.

"Hell yes," I exclaimed, unable to contain my excitement.

"You and two others will enter the house. Supposedly, the woman and her husband are on vacation, so don't mess this up," Darcy warned.

"Do I ever mess things up?" I replied with a smirk, earning another eye roll from her.

"Just do the job well; that jewelry is worth a fortune," she reminded me sternly. With $5000 on the line, I was determined to succeed, no matter what.

My two accomplices and I positioned ourselves at the corner of the expansive and Beautiful house. It was a sight to behold, but I knew that stealing a mere piece of jewelry wouldn't dent the owner's wealth.

"You go through that area and ensure nobody's coming. If you spot anyone, just click this button, and I'll be notified," I instructed one of the guys, receiving a nod in response.

"You follow me," I directed the other.

Sneaking into the house with my partner, we meticulously searched each room for the coveted jewelry. Despite our thorough efforts, it remained the couldn't find it until a glimmer of gold caught my eye. Swiftly grabbing it, I prepared to make our escape.

As I glanced around the luxurious interior, I realized I'd never live in such a big house. Stealing seemed to offer the quickest path to such wealth.

Tapping the button to signal our departure, panic ensued when the elderly woman unexpectedly appeared, attempting to wrest the jewelry from my grasp. Engulfed in a struggle, my mask slipped, amplifying my anxiety. Nonetheless, I clung to the jewelry tightly and managed to break free, heart pounding as I fled.

It was a narrow escape, and I offered a silent prayer of gratitude as I made my getaway.

Handing over the jewelry to Darcy, she rewarded me with $5000 in cash. I couldn't contain my joy. But the old lady's desperate attempt to reclaim the jewelry left me puzzled. Was it truly special to her, or was there more to the story? I couldn't help but wonder.

☠ROME☠

Rome felt paralyzed as he stared at the white sack before him. He wanted to deny the inevitable truth, to proclaim that it couldn't possibly be his Georgia, but words failed him.

If only he had insisted on driving her himself, if only she had heeded his advice for once. But he couldn't blame her; he blamed himself for allowing his pregnant wife to travel alone. Perhaps he should have followed her, and they could have faced whatever awaited them together.

Breathing became a struggle, and he found himself holding his breath more often than not. He wished desperately for this to be a nightmare, for someone to shake him awake and assure him that Georgia was safe with her mother in Russia. But the reality was too cruel to comprehend.

Georgia, who had kissed him goodbye just moments ago. How was he supposed to carry on? They had plans to start a family and build a future together. And what about their baby? Losing two precious lives in a single day seemed unbearable.

Was God punishing him? But for what?

"Thank you, sir," the doctor's voice cut through Rome's thoughts, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the wall.

"We are sorry about your wife," the doctor continued, his tone heavy with sympathy, but Rome offered no response.

"But thank God we live in a more advanced world now," the doctor added, perplexing Rome. Why express gratitude in such circumstances?

"We were able to save your child," the doctor revealed, prompting Rome to snap to attention. How? He was no expert in science, and the concept was foreign to him.

"How... how?" he stammered, his eagerness palpable.

"Since your wife was pregnant before she passed away, we had the option to freeze the embryo," the doctor explained.

"Freeze the embryo? What does that mean?" Rome asked, his confusion mounting.

"It means we can preserve the embryo for potential future use," the doctor explained gently.

"How does that work?" Rome inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"We would carefully extract the embryo and store it in a frozen state. Later, if you decide, we can attempt to implant it into a surrogate mother," the doctor elaborated.

"A surrogate mother?" Rome repeated, the concept still sinking in.

"Yes, someone who would carry the embryo to term for you," the doctor confirmed. Rome had never imagined someone else carrying his child besides Georgia. He looked at the doctor before posing another question.

"I see. Is that a common thing to do?"

"It's becoming more common in situations like yours, where there's a desire to preserve the chance for biological children," the doctor explained.

"I never imagined... Thank you for explaining," Rome murmured, overwhelmed by the unexpected possibilities.

"Of course, Mr. Rome. Take your time to consider your options. I'm here to support you through this process," the doctor reassured him kindly.

Rome nodded and exited the office, where he found his best friend Neo and sister Camilla waiting for him.

"How was it?" Camilla inquired eagerly.

"They were able to save my child," Rome announced.

"Wait, what?" Neo asked, clearly perplexed.

"Oh, the embryo was frozen?" Camilla guessed, showing she was already familiar with the concept.

"Yes," Rome confirmed with a sigh.

"I'm still confused," Neo admitted, but his comment was brushed aside.

"How are we going to find the suitable mother for your child?" Camilla pondered aloud.

"I don't know," Rome replied, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.

"I want the best for the baby, the best mother. Can we even find the perfect one?" he wondered aloud, already consumed by worry. This child was the only connection he had left to Georgia, and he would protect it at all costs.

"I have an idea," Camilla interjected, capturing Rome's full attention.

"What if we hold something like an audition? We could thoroughly vet each potential surrogate, checking their background, habits like drinking or smoking, and we might just find the perfect candidate," Camilla suggested. Rome nodded, intrigued by the notion.

"I'm still confused," Neo reiterated, earning a sharp retort from Camilla.

"Just shut up," she snapped, prompting Neo to scoff in response.

"Okay then, you can handle the audition. I trust you to find the perfect woman for my child," Rome declared, placing his faith in his sister's capable hands.

With determination in their hearts, they knew the search for the ideal surrogate mother would be challenging, but they were prepared to go to any lengths to find her – even if it meant traveling to the moon.

TBC

🖤 PHOENIX 🖤

"I told her she was quite strong for an old woman, but I managed to push past and make my escape," I recounted to Fiona, who laughed at my encounter.

"Three weeks ago, huh?" she remarked, seeking clarification, and I nodded.

"Damn, I missed you," she exclaimed, enveloping me in another hug.

Okay, Fiona had been my friend since high school. She had the perfect life – rich parents, a good job, and a romantic boyfriend. Despite our differing backgrounds, she still chose to be my friend. That's what you call a true friend.

"So, the $5k?" she inquired, smiling.

"I used it to cover three months' rent, taxes, and prepay Beatrix's school fees," I explained.

"That's wonderful," she said, though her smile seemed tinged with sadness.

"What?" I nudged her, pressing for an answer.

"Is it your boyfriend? If he's the one, tell me, and I'll deal with him," I joked, trying to lighten the mood, earning a giggle from her.

"No, not Handy," she assured me, but her expression remained somber.

She sighed, hesitating before speaking. "It's just... every time I see you like this, it pains me. I want you to have the good life you deserve."

"It's just hard," I admitted, echoing her sentiment.

"Let's walk," I suggested, standing up from my chair.

"Okay," she agreed, and together we stepped outside, embracing the fresh air.

"Feels better," I sighed, and Fiona smiled in agreement.

"You know, sometimes I just wish my mom hadn't left us," I confided, feeling the weight of my emotions. "I thought she loved us a lot, the way she prioritized my education, the way she was always there for me and my sister. But when my dad suddenly went broke, she left us."

"I guess she didn't love us enough, because if she did, she would have stuck it out with us, and maybe we'd be in a better place by now. I wouldn't have to resort to stealing just to survive," I added, trying to mask my sadness with a forced smile.

"I don't know why your mom did that, and I don't think there should ever be a valid reason for abandoning your family. All I want to say is that I'll always be here for you," Fiona reassured me, pulling me into a hug.

"Thank you, dummy," I replied, feeling a small sense of warmth amidst the pain, and we both chuckled. As we walked together towards the bus stop, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence.

"What do you think if I take you to McDonald's?" I suggested, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Hell yeah!" Fiona exclaimed happily, her enthusiasm contagious. We settled in to wait for the bus, engaging in light conversation until my gaze landed on a newspaper.

You know what caught my eye the most? The multitude of zeros I saw on the paper. That's money.

I hurried over to where it was posted and tore the paper from the wall. Returning to my seat, I eagerly began to read.

"LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED SURROGATE MOTHER‼️‼️"

Surrogate mother? Hell no. My eyes zeroed in on the money offered for the job.

"$10 million dollars?????" I exclaimed in disbelief. Was this real?

I showed Fiona, who looked as though she had already seen the ad before.

"Seen this? That Rome guy lost his wife," she explained, leaving me puzzled. Who the heck is Rome?

"Who is he?" I asked.

"He's a billionaire, likes to keep his life private, so I don't really know much about him," she replied, which made sense. My attention returned to the paper.

AGE: 25-30.

MUST NOT NECESSARILY HAVE A JOB.

DOESN'T DRINK OR SMOKE.

DOESN'T DO DRUGS.

TO FIND OUT MORE, SCAN THIS.....

I spotted a QR code and quickly grabbed my phone to scan it.

"Are you stupid? You want to apply?" Fiona questioned, her tone incredulous, but I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, duhhh... I know I'm not going to be picked, Fiona, so what's so bad in having some fun?" I chuckled before scanning the QR code.

Instantly, I was directed to a website, and my smile widened as I saw the amount again. Whoever this lucky person is, damn! Ten million dollars to carry a baby for nine months. It seemed worth it, especially considering the father is a billionaire who would do anything for his baby mama to stay in a good place.

Oh, this looks so tempting.

"MUST NOT BE MARRIED.

MUST NOT HAVE ANY SEXUAL

INTERCOURSE WHILE PREGNANT.

MUST NOT GO TO ANY PARTY WHILE PREGNANT.

THE FATHER MUST KNOW EVERYWHERE THAT YOU ARE GOING, TO AVOID ANYTHING HAPPENING TO YOU.

LASTLY, YOU WOULD HAVE TO STAY WITH THE FATHER.

THIS IS WHY THE FIRST RULE CAME IN, YOU MUST NOT BE MARRIED.

AGREE OR DECLINE."

I glanced at the two buttons and then looked at Fiona, who was staring right at me.

"What?" I asked, smiling.

"What if you're picked?" Fiona pressed, her expression curious.

"Probably they were sleeping when they picked me," I joked, and we both laughed. My gaze shifted to the button, and I tapped it.

AGREE.

"Thank you for accepting the terms and conditions. Please upload a full photo of you below," the screen prompted.

I uploaded the photo and provided my ID card as requested. They also inquired about the school I attended and my field of study. All this effort just to potentially be rejected in the end, but hey, the money was worth a shot.

I clicked "submit" before letting out a laugh.

"Imagine getting 10 million dollars," I remarked to Fiona, who smiled in agreement.

"And getting to stay with the billionaire. Imagine the things I could get – houses and lots more," I added, already indulging in daydreams.

"You might be chosen, though," she pointed out.

"Even a monkey wouldn't choose me," I retorted, and she laughed.

"Well... let's see how it goes," she said optimistically.

"Oh, here's the bus!" she exclaimed as it came into sight.

We enjoyed some food from McDonald's, and I also got a takeaway for my dad and sister. Today might not have been life-changing yet, but who knows what the future holds?

~~~

"Beep Beep Beep," my phone alarm rang, causing me to groan in frustration. I almost went back to sleep before the realization hit me. What if Darcy had a job for me?

I jolted up from my bed, grabbing my phone immediately. Opening it, the text wasn't from Darcy, but from an unknown number.

I opened the text and read: "CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE BEEN PICKED TO BE ONE OF THE TOP TEN SURROGATE MOTHERS. KINDLY ACCEPT OR DECLINE."

"Ahhhhh!" I screamed out loud, startling Beatrix, who was sleeping beside me.

"What happened?" she asked, yawning loudly.

"I-I..." I stammered, feeling the weight of the news. How could I have been chosen among the top ten? I knew many people must have applied, so why me?

"It's a surrogacy thing. They picked me among the top ten," I whispered, my voice barely audible at the end.

"What? Are you stupid? Do you know what a surrogate mother is?" Beatrix asked, her concern evident.

"Do you know what the pay is?" I asked her, and she shook her head negatively.

"Ten million dollars," I exclaimed.

"Lord Jesus," she exclaimed in response.

"Imagine if I eventually get chosen. Our lives would never be the same. We'd be rich. I could pay for all your college fees, we could move to a better house, start a business, get Dad a car, and set up a business for him. We'd be rich," I fantasized about the possibilities.

"That's a lot of money, but... carrying a child isn't easy, let alone giving birth," Beatrix cautioned, injecting a note of realism into my reverie.

"It's a lot of money, though," I said, trying to maintain my excitement.

"And I made it to the top ten," I added, a smile creeping onto my face.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Beatrix asked.

"Agree, obviously," I replied, tapping on the "agree" button without hesitation.

"At least you tried," she said, offering her support.

"Yeah, I did," I murmured, staring at my phone, contemplating the life-altering decision I had just made.

☠ROME☠

Rome sighed loudly before turning to his sister.

"It's just one more," he said, scanning the women standing in front of him.

"Yeah... I think she'll be here soon," Camilla replied, offering a reassuring smile. Rome nodded before excusing himself from the room.

Two months had passed since Georgia left him, and he had never been the same. Despite his grief, he tried his best to stay active for the sake of their baby. However, finding a surrogate mother wasn't easy at all.

They received up to a thousand requests, and it took them a month to narrow it down to the top ten candidates.

Lost in thought, he didn't realize he had bumped into someone until he heard their exclamation.

"What the fuck?" the person exclaimed. Rome turned to see a girl who appeared annoyed.

"You're just staring at me. Can't you say sorry?" she demanded, her irritation evident. Rome felt his own irritation rise. Why was she being so confrontational?

He attempted to walk away, but she called him back.

"Are you a gentleman at all? You bumped into me; you're supposed to apologize," she continued, her annoyance growing.

Rolling his eyes, Rome tried to leave again.

"You're lucky I have somewhere important to be. Otherwise, I'd teach you a lesson, dickhead," she snapped, storming off while hurling curses in his direction.

Rome scoffed and frowned, still perturbed by the encounter with the earlier woman. He hoped he wouldn't have to deal with her again.

Meanwhile, Phoenix rushed into the room, apologizing for her lateness as she joined the other women already present.

"I am so sorry that I am late," she apologized, but the other women didn't even offer a smile in response.

"Welcome, so you all have been picked to be among the top ten surrogate mothers," one of the ladies in charge announced.

"First, I will introduce myself," she continued, and everyone nodded attentively.

"I am Camilla, the aunt to the baby that one of you is going to be carrying," she explained, earning another round of nods.

"The task is somewhat easy. Your blood tests will be taken to assess your health, and to check for any substance use," Camilla elaborated. Phoenix silently thanked God that she didn't indulge in such habits. She smiled widely, grateful for this unexpected blessing.

"And I will be introducing the baby daddy to you," Camilla added before excusing herself to fetch him.

As they waited, Phoenix attempted to engage with the other women.

"Hi," she greeted one of them with a smile, but the woman completely ignored her. Phoenix sighed, feeling the chill in the room. How rude of them.

Her smile returned when Camilla reentered the room, but it quickly faded when she saw the man accompanying her. It was the same guy who had bumped into her earlier. OH LORD.

"This is the father," Camilla introduced, and Phoenix gasped audibly, causing Rome to turn his gaze toward her. Their eyes met, both filled with shock.

Oh, wow.

Phoenix was certain now that she would never be the surrogate mother.

To be continued...