The billionaire surrogate

My name is Lena Thompson. I am a 23 years old Virgin, soon to be college student, and an odd worker. Coming from a poor home, i had always known what it meant to struggle. My parents worked tirelessly, yet their combined incomes barely covered the bills.

My father was a mechanic until he had a stroke right after I finished high school and had been bedridden ever since

, and my mother, a waitress, had always put their children's needs before their own, but there was only so much that could be done. Medical school was a dream i had clung to since i was a little girl, but the financial burden has left me almost hopeless.

After my father's death, my mum had to work harder to pay the bills and take care of us which still was not enough. After that I knew I had to step up and help her.

I worked countless jobs to save money for my education. Waiting tables, tutoring, even cleaning houses on weekends. Every penny i earned went into my savings, but it still was not enough.

My family lives in Georgia whilst I live in California because of my jobs. Since I got here I have not been able to see them but I do send them money every month for upkeep.

*******

I wipe away the tear rolling down my cheek.

I have jobs, but it is barely enough for me to pay bills, feed myself and send to family. I do not have enough money to send and help. While I'm trying to save for my education, my sister needs money for her fees and my mum needs money for her upkeep.

"Life isn't supposed to be this hard." I said to myself.

Lost in thought my, my phone rings, making me jump. "Hello?"

"Lena, it's Lucy."

"Oh," I say, relieved it's not my mom or my sister.

"Are you ready? We are going to be late."Lucy said.

"Oh! I almost forgot we were going to work at the gala tonight. I'm sorry! I'm on my way." I reach for my purse.

"It's okay. I'm outside-take your time."

Lucy is my one and only friend. We met in final year of high school; she was the first friend I had in California and we've been friends ever since. When I emerge from my apartment, i lock the door behind me, and get in Lucy's car. It is almost sunset.

When we arrived at the location we parked and ran inside the venue because we were running late. This was one of my many jobs - been a waitress. I got the offer to work at the charity event gala as a waitress and I immediately jumped on it.

I was very tired. But tonight, my focus was on getting through the evening without any mishaps. I adjusted the tray of sliders balanced on my hand, making my way through the elegantly dressed guests. Although the grand ballroom sparkled with chandeliers and the soft hum of conversation, i could hardly enjoy the luxury.

I had just passed a group of guests when i felt myself bump into someone, sending a tray of sliders onto a man's suit. My heart sank as i looked up and recognized Ethan Carter, the billionaire whose name was synonymous with power and wealth. The CEO of Carter group of companies.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, grabbing a napkin to help clean up.

Ethan looked down at the ketchup stain, his jaw tightening. "Watch where you're going," he snapped, his voice cold and irritated. "Do you have any idea how much this suit costs?"

I flushed, my embarrassment turning to frustration. "I said I was sorry," i replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "It was an accident."

Ethan's icy glare made me feel small and insignificant. "An accident that could have been avoided if you were paying attention," he retorted before brushing past me without another word.

I stood there, feeling humiliated and angry. I had heard stories about the aloof billionaire, but i had not expected him to be so openly rude. Shaking off the encounter, i returned to my duties, determined not to let one man ruin my evening.

As i continued to go around the room serving guests, my thoughts drifted back to my career . My parents had done everything they could to support my dreams, but there were limits to their resources. My younger sister needed clothes, school supplies, and sometimes even food. I had taken on the responsibility of helping my parents as much as i could while trying to save for my own future. It was a shaky balance, and nights like this made me wonder if i would ever make it in life.

Hours later, as the gala ended, i was stacking chairs and tidying up after the event. I could not shake the feeling of disappointment from the evening. I had hoped to make a good impression, maybe even network a little, but instead, i had managed to spill condiments on one of the most powerful men in the room.

Just as i was finishing up, i noticed Ethan walking out of the room. His demeanor was same. I quickly left whatever i was doing and approached him.

"Mr Carter," i began, "My name is Lena Thompson".

"I wanted to apologize for earlier," i said, feeling uncharacteristically awkward. "It was a stressful night for me, but that's no excuse for my behavior."

Ethan's eyes softened slightly, though he remained wary. "Thank you for the apology. It's not every day you get apologies from people when they are wrong".

We both smile and shook each others hands.

********

Ethan Carter walked into the grand ballroom, his presence commanding attention. He is known as the youngest billionaire in the city. Even with his families wealth, he ventured into entrepreneurship and has been doing well for himself. He is always invited to charity events because they know he always do so well that he leaves people amazed. This charity gala was one of his few indulgences,but tonight his mind was somewhere else.

His mind is clouded with the future he desperately wanted to secure, which is getting a child and he has not had any luck getting a suitable surrogate.

Dressed, in a perfectly tailor suits, he carried with him, air of confidence and authority that intimidated people around him with his constant administration,coupled with the void he feels in his heart.

Across the room was Lena Thompson. A young girl in her 20s who came to work at the gala to save up for her medical school dreams . Although she was far from rich, she was determined to fulfill her dreams and also needs to take care of her poor and aging parents and her younger siblings. As Lena went across the room around the room guests. She mistakenly bumped into Ethan. And spilled the tray of sliders on him, she gasped mortified.

**********

Ethan's POV

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" Lena exclaimed, grabbing a napkin to help clean up.

I looked down at the spreading stain, my jaw tightening. "Watch where you're going," i snapped, my voice cold and irritated. "Do you have any idea how much this suit costs?"

Lena flushed, her embarrassment turning to frustration. "I said I was sorry," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "It was an accident."

My icy glare made her feel bad which was what I wanted. "An accident that could have been avoided if you were paying attention," I shouted at her before brushing past her without another word.

As the night went on, my irritation lingered. I tried to focus on speeches and auctions, but my mind kept drifting back to the waitress. she was the first person as a peasant to talk back at me in such manner and it's kind of got under my skin , I saw her continue to circulate the room serving guest. Our eyes kept meeting and she always turned away.

Hours later, as the gala wound down, i found himself alone on a balcony, looking out over the city. The cool night air did little to calm my restless thoughts. I was a man who is used to getting what i wanted, and the encounter with the waitress had reminded him of how isolated i had become in my pursuit of success.

Just as i was heading back inside, i spotted her talking and laughing with another lady. I knew she meant the apology and decided to make amends.

Deciding i needed to make amends, i entered into the ballroom, searching for her. When i finally spotted her, she was busy stacking chairs and tidying up after the event. But i noticed she stopped and walked towards me.

"Mr Carter," she began, "My name is Lena Thompson"

Her tone softer than before.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier," Lena said. It was a stressful night for me, but that's no excuse for my behavior."

My eyes softened slightly, though i remained wary. "Thank you for the apology. It's not every day someone in your position admits they were wrong."

We both smiled and shook hands.

******

LENA'S POV

At my work the following week as a server at the local cafe, I got caught in my thoughts again whilst wipping the tables and my mind drifted off to my encounter with Ethan Carter the previous week. For now, i had to focus on my shift, and how to raise money for my upcoming expenses.

The café was busy as usual, filled with the hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I enjoyed her job here; it provided a steady income and a chance to interact with a variety of people. Today, however, i was distracted,because the application for medical school was coming to an end.

As i refilled a customer's coffee cup, the bell above the door chimed, signaling a new arrival. I glanced up and froze. There, standing in the doorway, was Ethan Carter. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on me with a look of surprise.

"Miss Thompson?" he asked, approaching the counter. "Do you work here?"

I nodded, trying to mask my unease. "Yes, Mr. Carter. It's one of my jobs." I replied him.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "I see. May I have a coffee, please? Black."

I moved quickly, preparing his coffee while trying to steady my nerves. I handed him the cup, and he took a sip, his expression thoughtful.

"This is quite the coincidence," Ethan remarked, leaning against the counter. "I did not expect to see you here."

I shrugged, wiping my hands on a towel. "It's just another job to help me save up for school and feed my family. What brings you here?"

"I was in the area for a meeting and needed a break," Ethan replied, glancing around the cozy café. "But I am glad I ran into you. Can you sit with me and have a cup of coffee please?" He asked with sincerity marked on his face.

I bit my lower lip, choosing my words carefully. "I would have loved to but I am in the middle of work right now.

Ethan nodded, his expression serious. "Of course. I understand. How about dinner tonight after your shift?"

"I am sorry but I can not do that". I responded.

"Why?. Ethan asked, curiosity picked on his face.

"I have a job to do which is important. But maybe next time." I responded truthfully.

"Okay, I understand." Ethan said.

**********

ETHAN'S POV

I sat in my car, staring at the café's entrance. I had known Miss Thompson worked here for a week now, all thanks to the private investigator i had hired to do a background check on her and to check in on all her activities and work schedule.

I had to orchestrate this "coincidental" meeting, because I needed to see her in her element and understand more about her life outside our initial interaction at the gala.

I got down from my car to go in. As I stepped inside, the familiar scent of coffee hit me, and i scanned the room, immediately spotting her. She was wiping down tables, a look of deep concentration on her face.

For a moment, i felt a pang of guilt for spying on her, but i pushed it aside. I had to know more about her and her element because I wanted her to be the future mother of my child, and this was the only way i could think of to do it.

"Miss Thompson?" I called out as i approached the counter. Her eyes widened in surprise, and i noted the slight tremble in her hands as she nodded."you work here?"

"Yes, Mr. Carter. It's one of my jobs," she replied, her voice steady despite the nerves i could sense.

I raised an eyebrow, masking my own surprise at how composed she seemed. "I see. May I have a coffee, please? Black."

As she prepared my coffee, i could not help but watch her closely. She moved with a practiced efficiency, clearly used to the demands of her job. I wondered how she managed to balance everything from work, to taking care of herself , and taking care of her family without selling her body because I learnt from my Private investigator that she was still a virgin. When she handed me the cup of coffee, i took a sip and leaned against the counter, trying to appear casual.

"This is quite the coincidence," i remarked, though i knew it was anything but. "I did not expect to see you here."

She shrugged, wiping her hands on a towel. "It's just another job to help me save up for school and feed my family. What brings you here?"

I glanced around the café, buying myself a moment to think of what to say . "I was in the area for a meeting and needed a break," i lied smoothly. "But I am glad I ran into you. Can you sit with me and have a cup of coffee, please?" I asked, attempting to sound sincere.

She bit her lower lip, hesitating. "I would have loved to, but I am in the middle of work right now."

I nodded, feigning understanding. "Of course. I understand. How about dinner tonight after your shift?"

"I am sorry, but I cannot do that," she responded, her tone firm but polite.

"Why?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I have a job to do which is important. But maybe next time," she answered truthfully.

"Okay, I understand." I said, feeling a mix of frustration and admiration for her dedication.

I finished his coffee, paid and left, heading to my supposed meeting.

As i drove away, I could not stop thinking about her. She was resilient, determined, and fiercely independent, qualities I had started to admire and kind of found frustrating. I knew i had to find a way to talk to her about my proposal without overstepping my boundaries.

******

A WEEK LATER

LENA'S POV

I closed from my tutoring job and hurriedly walked to my waitressing job hoping not to be late.

I walked out of the school and walked to work brushing the surface of the pavement with her shoes.

"Good morning." Stella, my co worker greeted.

" Good morning Stella." I responded.

I clocked in and immediately went to the locker room to change into my uniform. Whilst i was changing Stella came in.

" Lena. There is a man here and he insists to be served by you only." Stella said.

"Do you know him.?" I asked curiously.

"He is the man from last time that wanted to take you out to dinner. So hurry up.". Stella replied whilst walking out to the locker room."

"Hi, and welcome to our coffee shop. May I take your order please ?" I said to Ethan.

"Hello Lena. Good to see you again." Ethan responded.

"What will you like to have?" I asked him.

"I would like some coffee and also to take you to dinner. And I am not taking a no this time around." He said whilst staring at me.

I hesitated for a while , then decided to take advantage of the opportunity. " Dinner is fine.

Ethan agreed, and i walked back to the counter to continue my work.

As Ethan walked out of the cafe, i wondered as to why he wants to have dinner with me later that night.

I pushed the thoughts aside and decided to focus on my work.

The rest of my shift passed in a blur. I kept myself busy, taking orders, serving customers, and cleaning. As my shift ended, i hurried home to prepare.

I got home and immediately ran into the shower. Took a quick bath and got dressed. I chose an old dress i had in my wardrobe, although old but elegant.

As i was getting dressed, i got a message from Ethan for my house address so he could send his driver to bring me a dress and also pick me up to the restaurant where we will be having the dinner.

I applied a light touch of makeup and brushed my hair. I could not help but feel nervous and was looking forward to what Ethan wanted to talk to me about during the course of the evening .

Just as i finished getting ready, my phone buzzed with a message from Ethan: "The driver is waiting outside your building. He will take you to the restaurant."