The Billionaire Surrogate Bride

Zara's POV.

''Zara Meera, you have two minutes to get down here or else...'' I let out a groan and drag myself out of bed. My mum is such a bully. I mean it wouldn't hurt to let me sleep for another thirty minutes or more. She has been screaming my name for a very long time now but I refused to answer her. I swear she is doing this on purpose, she knows just how much I love sleeping. I mean who doesn't love sleeping?

''Zara?'' My mum calls knocking on the bathroom door.

''In the bathroom Ma,'' I answer.

"Come downstairs immediately you are done, your dad wants to talk to you." She says. My mum wakes up early, so early that sometimes I wonder if she sleeps at all and I did ask her why she always wakes up early... Guess what her answer was. She went all

"It isn't good manners to let the maid cook for her husband and kids." Why did she employ them in the first place when she knew she was going to end up doing all the chores herself? That is just the way my mum is, she was born and bought up in India and Indians hold their in-laws in high regards. My mum told me that her mum always told her that, no matter what happens, her husband is always right, she shouldn't raise her voice at her husband, she should be a dutiful, respectful wife, and most of all she should always prepare her husband meals. Turns out my mum didn't have to do all those things because she got married to my dad- of course, she got married to your dad. My dad is also Indian but he is just more modern? My parents moved to New York immediately after they got married and they have been living here in New York ever since. My dad has never raised his voice on my mother, I have never heard them disagree on anything before. Apart from that one time that my mum got sick and the doctor told her to get enough rest, that she got sick because she doesn't get enough rest and guess what my mum did... She woke up early the next morning and she started preparing breakfast my dad lost his cool immediately, that was the first and last time my dad raised his voice at her. I would raise my voice at her too if I were my dad. My dad is a cool and strict person. He doesn't have to raise his voice to get you to do what he wants you to. Nobody says no to my dad, apart from my mum of course.

Did I mention that I have an elder sister? Well, I do have a sister, Aliya Meera and she is three years older than me. My sister is well, very gentle and she is always quiet. She does everything my parent ask her too, she even studied law because my dad wanted her to but she claimed that she studied it because she liked studying law but it doesn't matter anymore because my sister, Aliya Meera is now a lawyer, I mean she is a really big deal in New York. My sister is good at what she does.

And there is me, Zara Meera. The second and last child of the Meera family. I am 22 years old and I am a fashion designer. Yap, I design dresses, all sorts of dresses and I am good at what I do too. I am not a quiet person like my sister, I am the exact opposite. I question every damn thing.

''Zara...'' ''Coming ma,'' I call back. I pick up my hairband and pack my hair in a ponytail. I don't want to bother myself with brushing it out because my hair is my biggest enemy. Black, long and thick, so thick that it makes it impossible for me to brush it out properly when I am in a hurry and that is why I tied it in a ponytail. I turn to the mirror and check my face out. My black eyes look so bright and clear that you wouldn't even know that I was just waking up. I rinse my mouth and clean my face with the face towel before leaving for the dining room.

"Finally. What have you been doing Zara?" That was my mum.

"I was just freshening up," I tell her and walk over to my dad.

"Good morning pa."I greet him while kissing his cheeks.

"How was your night?" He asks.

"Short," I answer. His lips turned up in a smile at the usual answer. He always asks me the same question every morning and my answer has never changed.

"Ma said you wanted to talk to me,'' I say while serving myself an unhealthy dose of pasta. I love food bruh.

''Have you spoken to Aliya?'' He asks.

''Aliya? No, why?'' I asked furrowing my brows in confusion.

''I got a husband for her.'' He says. Okay....so?

''You got a husband for her? Sorry pa but did you walk into the mall and...''

''Zara..'' My mum warns. She knows me well enough to know what I was going to say.

''Sorry,'' I mumbled.

''Your sister has been ignoring my calls and she has gone missing.''

''Missing? What do you mean missing?'' I ask.

''I think she ran away. I told her about her marriage and she just went...''

''Crazy?'' I interrupt him.

''I wouldn't say crazy Zara. She said she doesn't want to get married and she would rather die than marry someone she doesn't love.'' He said that 'love' like the word was disgusting. I get my sister but 'die?' Really Aliya?

''So you think she is dead now?'' I ask with a mouthful of food.

''What the... Listen, Zara, you get your sister back in this house or you going to find yourself engaged as fast as you can say your name.'' He says and I spit out the half-eaten pasta in my mouth.

''You say what dad?''

Zara's POV.

'If your sister doesn't come back before tomorrow evening you are going to get engaged to Jason and don't even think about running away. Neo is going to go everywhere with you.'' My dad says in that ridiculously calm voice of his.

''But dad... I don't even know this 'Jason' guy and you expect me to get married to him. What the fuck da...''

''Mind your language young lady.'' He warns.

Do you know what was pissing me off about this whole situation? My dad didn't so much as raise his voice but I knew not to go against him.

''Mum?'' I turn to my mum with pleading eyes.

''I am sorry Zara.'' She whispers and I swear I can feel my heart crumbling.

''Don't do this to me dad. I am just twenty-two, I am too young to get married and I haven't even found...'' I stand up and kneel beside my dad.

''I am sorry Zara.'' He says without even meeting my eyes.

No, you are not. You are not sorry.

''I will be in my room.'' My voice wouldn't even pass as a whisper.

I slam the door behind me and curl into my bed and prepared to cry my eyes out. I didn't see this coming. I am not even ready to get married to anyone. I haven't figured my life out yet.

Crying won't solve anything right now, Zara.

I sit up and pick up my phone. I might as well call my sister. I dial her number but it wasn't even reachable, I tried her number multiple times but she still didn't answer.

Don't do this to me, Aliya.

''Zara'' I make out my mum's voice before she enters my room. I don't bother to look up at her.

The bed dips as she takes her seat on the bed.

''I am sorry, Zara.'' She whispers.

''This not about sorry ma. You have to stop dad, you are the only one that can stop him. Please. '' I plead holding on to her hand.

''There is nothing I can do about it, Zara. This is beyond me.'' She says looking defeated.

''There must be something... Just do something. Aliya won't answer my calls and I know Aliya won't come back home. I can feel it in my guts and that only means I have to...'' I trail off. I don't even want to think about getting married to a stranger.

I have always dreamed of getting married to the love of my life and not a stranger.

''Zara...''

''I don't even love him ma, I don't know his name not to talk of what he likes and what he doesn't. What if we don't get along? What if... I can't get married to someone I am not in love with ma.'' I cry squeezing her hands.

''I wasn't in love with your dad when I married him but look at us now...''

''Don't feed me that bull...This isn't about you and dad. It is me, Zara. I am a different person entirely.'' I cry out.

''I am sorry, Zara.'' She apologizes.

''Stop apologizing ma, it won't change anything,'' I say throwing my hands up in defeat. ''Please leave me alone ma. I want to be alone.''

She sighs and then stands up from the bed and walks to the door.

''His name is Jason King. I am sure you have heard about him before. I heard he is pretty famous.'' She says before closing the door behind her.

Jason King? The famous hotelier? How the fuck did my dad pick that man for me...I mean, Aliya.

I know you are wondering who the fuck Jason King is. Well, Jason King is a hotelier.

You mentioned that before.

Jason is well, the heartthrob of New York. He is only twenty-six years old but he has made enough money to last him a lifetime, he has hotels around the world and he models too. He is pretty famous amongst the ladies.

The guy is a frigging womanizer.

Makes me wonder how my dad picked him for me, I mean Aliya or whoever the fuck is going to end up marrying him.

I think that will be you, Zara.

''I know that okay,'' I say out loud.

Shit!

This isn't right. I can't get married yet. What if he decides that he wants a full-time housewife? Will I have to give up on working?

No way. No frigging way.

Calm down Zara, he wouldn't do that. We are not in the nineteenth century.

I know my parent well enough to know that if Jason says he wants me to be a full-time housewife then my parents will agree. But there is no way I will let that happen.

I mean, why won't I work? I love what I do and I won't let anybody take that away from me. I can't just sit at home and do nothing just because one crazy husband doesn't want me to.

Chill out, Zara. No one is asking you to be a full-time wife.

I know that but... I am panicking right now. This marriage thing just popped out of the blue and you expect me not to think like a crazy person. I am sorry for thinking crazy but there is a chance that he might want a full-time wife...

Don't go there again, Zara.

I need to call Lucy. I pick up my phone and dial Lucy's number. She answers on the third ring.

''Hey, bitch.'' She screams into the phone.

She does this all the time.

Meet Lucy Edwards, my childhood friend, and best friend. She is the craziest person you could ever come across but I won't trade her for anything.

''Help me, Lucy.'' I cry out.

''Huh-uh. Is everything okay?'' She asks l. I could sense the worry in her voice.

''Everything is not okay,'' I say.

''Are you at home?'' She asks.

''Yes,'' I answer.

''I will be there in let's say, five minutes.'' She says and I could hear her shuffling around.

''I will be waiting. '' I said before hanging up.

''Spill.'' Lucy orders while taking her seat. It took her exactly five minutes to get here.

Yes, I was checking the time.

''I am getting married. '' I deadpan.

''Say what?'' She asks staring at me like I have grown two heads.

''Funny how that was my reaction when my dad told me,'' I mutter under my breath but I know she heard me anyway.

''But... How? It is just too....sudden?'' She says.

''He told me this morning while we were having breakfast. Aliya was supposed to be the one to get married but nobody knows where she is now, she is nowhere to be found.. She just disappeared and now my dad wants me to get married to Jason... And...''

''Hold up, hold up.... Jason? Is it the Jason?'' She interrupts.

''Yes. Jason King.''

''You mean Jason King? Like Jason King ?'' She asks.

There is this weird look in her eyes that is scaring me.

''Yes, Jason King, the hotelier. '' I say.

''Oh, my fuck... Shit... You are getting married to Jason King? Wow.... This is just great. I mean, shit... The Jason king... That guy is so hot, he is a frigging snack and...''

''Wait a minute Lucy. Why do you sound so happy about this?'' I interrupt her fangirling.

''Of course, I am happy, you will be getting married to Jason King. The Jason King... He is a big deal bitch, I mean he is so hot and hot and hot and hot...I will...'' She screams.

I know just how hot Jason is but she isn't getting the point yet.

''I know he is hot, Lucy but I am not ready to get married. I don't want to get married. I am still so young and I haven't even found 'the one' yet. I don't want to get married to someone I am not in love with. I want to experience all those things that come with being in love... The butterflies, the toe-curling kisses, the goofy smiles...everything. I want all those things but I will never be able to experience that because I am getting married and...'' I trail off.

''Shit. I am so sorry for acting so... I don't know. You have always talked about getting married to someone you loved and I acted so...'' She says looking everywhere but me

"I understand Lucy. I just need you to help me out. Think of something, anything. We just have to stop this wedding from happening. '' I plead with her.

''Huh-uh, you know I would do anything for you but I don't know how I am supposed to... Wait, should we elope?'' She asks her black eyes twinkling with excitement.

''I can't go anywhere without Neo,'' I tell her.

''Ohh... That explains why he is standing outside your room.'' She says pointing at the door.

Just great, my dad isn't taking any chances.

''What do I do?'' I ask her.

''I think eloping is out of it now. Have you asked your mum to talk to your dad?'' She asks.

''Done that, but she said there is nothing she can do about it,'' I tell her.

''Okay. I have another idea.. '' She says warily.

''What?''

''How about you talk to Jason? I mean you can...''

''How is talking to Jason going to help me. I have never met the guy personally before and I don't think talking to him will be of any help.'' I say and she shakes her head at me.

''Listen to me, Zara. You can just talk to him about how you feel about this marriage thing, tell him you don't want to get married and I am pretty sure he doesn't want to get married either. All you have to do is to get him to call off the wedding.'' She explains.

''I could do that. I mean he wouldn't want to get married. Why will he want to settle for one woman when he can get the whole New York.'' I exclaim. I am starting to feel good about this plan of ours.

''Exactly. So get your ass off that bed and get ready to meet your future husband.. I mean, not future husband..or soon to be ex future husband... What the fuck am I saying?'' She says and I burst out laughing.

I guess I will be going with Lucy's plan. I just hope this works.

Zara's POV.

"What about this?'' I ask Lucy.

This is like the fifteenth dress I have tried on in the last five minutes.

Okay, I am exaggerating.

''Not that. You look like you are going for a burial or something. I mean you are wearing a white dress and it is so long and you look like...an angel? Just change, you are not wearing that.'' She says waving the dress off.

An angel? Really Lucy?

''Look, I know you are fashion model...''

''The best model at that.'' She interrupts.

I shoot her the stink eyes.

''I just thought to add that... Since you forgot to.'' She says shrugging her shoulders casually.

''But you seem to have forgotten that I am not going for some fashion show.'' I remind her.

''But you are going to meet The Jason King...''

''Well duhh'' I interrupts.

''There is no way I am letting you go there in there in that dress. You are a fashion designer for goodness sake but you want to go and meet your future husband...''

''He is not my future husband.'' I correct her.

''Sorry, it slipped out. Anyways, you won't be going in that dress. I won't allow it.'' She says, quite sternly might I add.

''I guess I will just have to change, again... Like I have been doing for the past five minutes. '' I say out loud. The last part was an attempt to guilt trip her but she just flipped me off.

I pick the next dress in my closet. It is a black backless dress and it stops right on my thighs. I put it on and turn to Lucy.

''And this? '' I ask turning around a little so she could see the back.

''This is the dress. Pair it with that hot shot shoe we got the last time we went shopping.'' She says and I nod my head.

Finally.

I move to the shoe section of my closet and grab the black heels.

I put the heels on and tie the straps. The straps stops right on my calf.

''Your hair. You have to pack it up so you can show off the back of your dress and then you let some down at the front so it can frame your face. You always look pretty that way.'' Lucy orders from where she is seated on the bed.

''Hold up Lucy. I shouldn't be looking pretty... I should rather look...''

''Like a hobo?'' She interrupts

I roll my eyes at her ''Like a desperate person. He has to see how desperate I am.'' I say lifting my eye brow at her.

''You work on your expression. Give him that eyes you always give me when you are trying to steal my favorite pair of sneakers. That will work just fine. '' She says giving me the stink eyes.

''Don't give me that look Lucy. It was only one time. ''

''Really. What about the pink and white sneakers that had...''

''Okay, twice.''

''Not twice boo, thrice. You want me to remind you about the one that Renia got me for my...'' She starts.

Renia is Lucy little sister.

''Okay okay. I get it.''

''I wonder why you steal from me when you can just get it. I mean you are frigging billionaire daughter and you steal from me all the time.'' She says jutting her lips out.

''Where is the fun in buying when I can just steal from you.'' I say smiling at her.

''But I loved those sneakers so much.'' She complains.

''You could get another one. I mean you are a frigging billionaire daughter too.'' I say laughing lightly.

''Whatever. Just do your hair.'' She says shrugging me off.

I sit down in front of the mirror and started packing my hair up. I pick up some pins and attach it to my hair, to hold my hair up. I let a few strands of hair down at the front so it is framing my face.

''And now the makeup.'' Lucy announces as she gets up from my bed.

''No way. You are not doing my makeup.'' I tell her crossing my hands in front of my face.

''Come on, I will make it really light. I promise.'' She says, giving me the puppy eyes.

''I know you Lucy.'' I state.

''Just some mascara and eyeliner and some eye shadows and we definitely have to gloss that lips up.'' She says, ticking her fingers.

''There were a lot of 'ands' in that sentence of yours, it scares me.'' I tell her as she walks closer to me and place her hands on my shoulders.

''It will be over in five minutes tops. Just close your eyes.'' She says as she grabs my makeup kit from my drawer.

I know you are wondering why I was so wary of Lucy doing my makeup. Lucy is a makeup freak, she lives to wear makeup. She doesn't wear makeup all the time but whenever she does wear makeup, she goes all out.

She starts by cleaning my face with baby wipe- a wet tissue. I tune her out when she starts applying eye shadows on my face.

How the hell am I going to face that guy? I am not one to shy away from confrontations but I am really nervous right now and I haven't even seen Jason face to face yet. What will I do when I see him? Pass out?

Really Zara? Pass out?

Okay maybe I won't pass out but what if I my tongue refuse to work when I see him or I just end up doing something embarrassing.

''I don't think this is a good idea.'' I mutter out loud and Lucy pauses in shock.

''What do you mean?'' She asks, raising her perfectly carved eyebrows.

''I mean what will I even say to him? What if I end up embarrassing myself?'' My voice comes out as a whine.

I can feel Lucy's eyes on me but I can't bring myself to look at her.

''Don't tell me you are nervous.'' She finally speak up after boring holes in the middle of my head.

''Okay, I won't.''

''Don't be a smart ass. Come on Zara, you never get nervous. What is up with you?'' She asks as she forces me to meet her eyes.

''I don't know okay. I am just nervous and scared that I will end up messing up. What if I get there and my tongue fails me?'' I ask in frustration.

''I don't know what is going on in that head of yours but this is the only option you've got. It is either you do this or get married to Jason and I know how much you don't want to get married.'' She says. I hate it whenever she is correct. This is the only option I have and I need to stop over thinking.

I sigh in defeat ''Fine.'' I take in a deep breath and let it out ''Let's do this.''

''Good. Apply your lip gloss and you are good to go.'' She says handing me the tube of lip gloss. I apply some lip gloss, I apply enough to make my lips shine.

''You look good...good enough to eat.'' Lucy says chuckling lightly.

I stand up wavering a little. I grab my bag from the bag racks and then do a spin for Lucy.

''Jason is going to fall in love when he sees you.'' She mutters giving me a smile of approval.

''What the fuck? That is not what I am aiming for Lucy. Will you just focus.'' I literally scream at her.

My best friend here is a hopeless romantic. She always watch this sappy romance movies on Netflix and then ends up crying river halfway through the movie. I love romance too, I mean I want to fall in love, I want all those mushy stuffs that comes with being in love but I can say it anywhere that I am way better than my best friend.

''Sorry, sorry. So I made my research and it says he is currently in one of his hotel that is located at Rochester. I don't know how you plan on getting in though. I only did a shoot with him once so I don't think I can help. You will have to figure that out yourself.'' She says typing away on her phone.

''That is simple. I just have to tell him his future wife is here to see him.'' I say smiling smugly.

''Not bad Zara, not bad.'' Lucy says.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

''And who are you ma'am?'' The receptionist asks for the hundredth time in the last ten minutes.

I have been standing here in the reception trying to get Jason's bitchy receptionist to let me in but she seems hell bent on not letting me in.

''You tell him Zara Meera is here to see him'' I repeat for the hundredth time.

''Do you have an appointment?'' The bitchy receptionist asks without even bothering to look at my face.

''I don't need an appointment to see my future husband now, do I?'' I ask her and her head snaps up so fast that I fear it might have broken. She eyes me from head to toe before bursting into laughter.

''Really miss?'' She asks and I could literally see the sarcasm dripping.

I slam my hands on her table and bent a little so my eyes will be leveled with hers.

''Do you want to lose your job?'' I ask firmly. Her eyes widens and then she glance back at the closed door behind her before turning back to me with wary eyes.

''Don't try to scare me miss, it won't work on me. I know you are just one of his many girls and...''

''That is his office right?'' I ask her gesticulating towards the back door.

''Yes but...''

''Good.'' I stare before walking around her and barge into the office with the receptionist hot on my tail.

''You can't go in there Miss.'' She cries.

The first room contains a couch and a coffee table. There is a little glass table in the middle of the room. It didn't look like an office, it looks like a lounge. I look around and spot another door in the right side of the room.

''You can't go in there. The boss will be so mad and...'' I shut her out and walk to the door. I open the door without even knocking.

My breath hitch a little when I saw his office. I have seen a lot of beautiful rooms and offices but the view in this particular office is jaw dropping gorgeous. There is glass instead of walls, the glass gives a clear view of the city and every furniture in the office is in one color, grey.

Jason's head snaps up from where he was sitting behind his big gray desk at the sound of the door opening. His eyes locks with mine for a while before roaming down my body. I try not to squirm at how intense his stares were. His eyes lingers on my bare legs before he drags his eyes back to my face.

''I am so sorry sir. I tried to stop her but... I am so sorry.'' The receptionist apologizes.

''It is fine. Leave us.'' Jason says without breaking our eye contact. I hear the door close behind me.

''How may I help you, Zara?'' He asks in that thick and sultry voice. I almost shuddered at how he pronounced my name.

So he knows my name.

I walk into his office properly without breaking eye contact. I know I should just break our eye contact but there is something about those baby blue eyes of his that makes me want to stare right into them until I drown in his eyes.

What the fuck are you thinking Zara?

''Won't you ask me to sit down?'' I ask him raising my eyebrows the way Lucy does.

I hope I did it right.

''Forgive my manners. Please sit down Zara.''

There he goes again, saying my name.

I smile at him before shaking my head ''Thank you but I would rather stand.'' I say smiling sweetly.

Stop smiling and get straight to the point.

''Suit yourself. What brings you to my workplace? I wasn't aware of your intended visit.'' He says closing the file that was sitting on his desk. Finally breaking our eye contact.

I turn to the glass to admire the view. How do I go about this? Do I just say it or...

Oh fuck it. Imma just say it.

''I want you to refuse to get married to me.'' I say turning back to face him.

His expression is blank but his eyes are shining with amusement.

What the fuck is amusing about this?

''No.'' He finally says.

"No?" I ask in confusion.

He smile at me flashing those damn dimples. I swear my heart skipped a beat at the sight of those dimples.

Don't be an idiot, Zara.

"I am not going to refuse. I want to marry you Zara.'' He says firmly.

Ohh Shit!