THE BADASS BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE

CHAPTER 20

He didn't call all through the week. Neither did he call when she went to confirm the pregnancy. She had been elated when Doctor Tom confirmed her pregnancy. Excitedly, she called him to give him the good news. He didn't pick her call. Something about what her mother had said must have gotten to him. She felt sad. And to think she would be in Miami. She walked into Adriana's home a little sad.

"Hello." She greeted Noah, who had come to open the door. She forced a smile. "You're home today."

Noah hugged her warmly. "Yes. With the twins. Adriana dumped them with me. I've been ducking bullets all day. Hey, duck!" He shouted a little too late. Ethan fired a rubber bullet that stuck to her arm.

"You have to pretend you're in pain. You've just been shot on the hand." Evan laughed, then quickly held her hand and squeezed her face as the little shooter ran in.

"Gotcha!" Yelled the little boy excitedly. "Liz, it's Linne." He called to his sister, who came running out. It was a trick. He hides behind the door. As his twin came out, he shot her on the head. "And she dies." He jumped up excited.

"Oh." Elizabeth said, pretending to fall. Her brother took that as defeat and moved closer. She then shot him in the chest, "And we both die." She laughed, getting him.

Evangeline applauded them. "Well played, guys. Who taught you all these tricks." Both kids pointed at their father, and she laughed. Turning to Noah, she praised him, "You are good with them."

"I try to. They are the best thing that's happened to me in a while. I lost most of my family..." He stopped talking. Whatever he had been about to say, he let it go as he set out the table. "I was about serving lunch. You hungry?"

"Starving." She replied, rubbing her stomach, unconscious of the act. She had been so sad earlier she had skipped her meal.

Noah shook his head. Women and their acts. The baby was barely even planted, and Evan was acting all preggy already. "What's with the Tommy-rubbing?" He teased. Turning to the twins, he said, "Kids, go wash up and come for lunch."

"Okay, dad." they chorused and ran out. While they did, Evan helped set the table. "You made this?" Evan asked, tasting the food. Then taking another spoonful, she added. "It's so delicious."

"I got that delivered." Noah smiled sheepishly. "Only thing I did was mix it up with some whipped cream I learnt back in the days."

"Wow... it's tasty." She complimented him.

******

While her family was having lunch, Adriana walked happily into her mother's office to drop the file Noah had worked on all night. They had scheduled a meeting since Noah was home, and the twins would be in safe company. She walked in to find her mother in deep conversation with someone on the phone.

"I can't meet with him." Her mother eyed her suspiciously then moved farther away from her. Instinctively, she followed her.

"Look, I hate that you're bugging me all the time. I have nothing to say to your boss." She disconnected the call and turned to find her daughter right behind her.

"Let me guess. That was Jason on the phone." When she shrugged nonchalantly, Adriana's heart sank. "Why are you always sabotaging her happiness?" She shrieked. "That young woman has been through enough already. Thanks to you. Must you make this difficult for her too?"

"Sabotage? That's a strong word. And shouldn't you use that for Mr. Valdez? From where I'm standing, he did just that with my daughter's future."

"He hasn't been able to contact Evan ever since you talked him down at the hospital. He might have been feeling guilty apparently for not going through the right channel as you said." The smile on her mother's face made her step away from her mother, with a sad look plastered on. "It's been done already. You might as well accept it."

"I will not accept this." Mrs. Swiss replied stubbornly.

"What you don't know is how miserable it's making your child." Adriana said, dropping the file on her mother's table and walked out angrily. "To think I ditched lunch for this." She muttered and decided she'd rather be home than be here. Mother was being plain impossible. Evangeline wouldn't be happy with this.

"We were supposed to have a meeting." Mrs. Swiss called after her.

"The meeting can wait." She shot back.

Mrs. Swiss shrugged. Her daughter would come around. She may not understand now why she was doing this, but she had to. Someone had to.

She opened the file and sat straighter. Something didn't feel right. "Did Ad see this before bringing it to me?" She picked her phone to call her daughter. Adriana wasn't going to choose. Not after what just happened. She probably thinks it was because of their earlier banter she was calling

CHAPTER 21

"I hope I have a bowl too from the tasty." Adriana said, walking into the dining room. Her hands were full of groceries, and her face had a fake smile plastered on for her sister's sake. "I was planning to cook." She kissed Noah, who noticed the off smile but said nothing when she shook her head.

"Not here, not now." She whispered in his ears and said out loud. "Thanks, babe."

The twins were back in few minutes, looking clean. "Mom!" They shrieked, sighting their mother. They ran to their mother, who struggled to drop the groceries so she could hug them just in time. Their dad set their table, and the twins each sat down to enjoy a big bowl of macaroni cheese.

After the meal, the twins with their dad went out. The ladies stayed behind to clean up. Adriana didn't let her sister lift a finger. She set out to do the whole thing herself after propping the expecting mother on a couch. She gave her a magazine and turned the TV on. Evan let her do all the setting up without saying a word.

Nothing was interesting about lying down doing nothing. The pregnancy hadn't even been long gone yet. "I can do the dishes, you know." She complained, standing up. "I don't think the doctor said I shouldn't do a thing. I'll die of laziness at this rate." She was beside Adriana, who had already started to wash. "Let me, please." She reached for the extra sponge and proceeding to do the washing.

"Okay, but you don't move or rush." Adriana dropped her own sponge then went to get a chair. "Here, Sit."

Evan chuckled, "You're something else. Thank God you're a woman and not a man. You'd have spoiled your spouse rotten."

"It's probably because I know how it feels. I was dizzy a couple of times in my early trimester. Noah was so sweet. He did all the chores."

"I wish Jason was that excited. He hasn't called ever since that encounter with mother."

"He might have a lot to do." Adriana thought about the widower and the call she had overhead earlier. He was probably feeling guilty about it all. She couldn't tell her sister that. Instead, she said, "Or he's sad about his late wife. He wanted this with her, so I heard."

She remembered how sad it was each time she saw people who had been expecting, like her, suddenly get pregnant while she couldn't. The feeling was overwhelming terribly. Several times she couldn't step out for fear of seeing a pregnant woman and crying for hers. Jason Valdez had lost his wife for this very reason. It didn't feel right to blame him if he isn't in the euphoria of the moment. While her sister looked radiant and intoxicated, he might be overwhelmed and stuck to reliving painful memories of his wife. Folks around here claims they had loved each other dearly. "It might be his late wife. Did you reach out to him?" Jason Valdez, she was sure, would have a lot going on right now.

"I did. He wouldn't pick my call."

"Give him some time. He'll come around." Seeing her sister so sad, she changed the topic. "How do you feel, though? Excited?"

"I am. It's early yet, but I feel strange. I think my mind is trying to wrap itself around the concept that I have another being growing in me. Was this how you felt with the twins." She passed her a plate so she could rinse and place it on the rack to dry.

"Yes. Later, it becomes more than just a feeling. Your body wraps itself around it. The feeling is so exhilarating."

*******

For a while, Jason Valdez stood staring at his developers' team heads. The six looked down disappointed. He knew that was all an act. The moment he exited the room, they had scream down the roof and say mean words about him. But that didn't matter right now. All that matters were he had employed the best of them.

Each team head had up to 5-6 members of developers that they managed. Their developers were Ukraine's best. Yet somehow, they were lagging. Ukraine was known worldwide for its exceptional talent in the technological world. He had been tutored personally by some of them, and he could testify that they were really good. He expected them to be updated, but they were so into coding they hardly keep up with the world.

"At this rate, all we will be developing would be second-rated technologies." He said, slamming his fist on the table for effect. They all adjusted their seats, clearly not comfortable with his unneeded anger. He wanted them shaken up, or he feared they would be far behind by the time they wake up from their slumber.

"Koreans have managed to make good use of their AI. They use it for facial recognition, which is helpful in criminology. With that alone, do you know how many unsolved crimes can now be revisited and solved?" He looked at each of them when no one said anything. He answered his own question.

"Over 70%. The same AI is used in Korea also as an image recognition guide for impaired users. Can you believe that?" He laughed in a way that made them stare at him strangely. He continued talking regardless.

"Their guard dogs also use it to navigate and speak; so amazing. Those are genius inventions. Now, I've been hinted that they are working on self-driving cars, another masterpiece of AI imaging. Amazing, right?" Now they looked impressed. Good.

"Now, tell me again what we've been able to do with ours aside from handwriting detection, which thankfully is useful in crime detection two for suicide cases with manipulated notes?" He asked. "It's a genius invention too. We've helped solved over 50% of murder cases. Still, I want more." he sat down in his chair and asked. "Aside from that, what have we made again?" He asked. They all looked at each other for answers.

He knew he was unnecessarily harsh on them. They were the best, as far as they come. He was, however, hoping they come up with something to keep the firm busy. Something he could be engrossed with so he could dull the ache he felt. Something to help him understand why Evan's pregnancy news made him excited when he had been against it from the beginning.

He may be one of the best in the technology field, but when it came to studying his feelings, he did a terrible job of it. All through yesterday, he had been excited when Doctor Tom shared the news. Then he remembered Ellen, and he became depressed. She wanted this. This would have made her happy.

But she wasn't here. He wondered why he should be satisfied. Perhaps because Evan had been so excited? He had been at the clinic when she stepped out. Even before the doctor told him, he had known from her expression. Ellen had been that way when she first got pregnant. Then they lost the baby.

Mrs. Swiss' confrontation the other day also left him confused. If he had known she would oppose the idea, he would have dropped it. All these wouldn't be happening too. Why hadn't he thought about Evan's family and their take in all this when he decided to fulfil Ellen's absurd wish?

"I want something wow.... And I want it fast." He told his team as he took his leave. Before closing the door, he listened to their little talks. They criticized each other for not keeping up and started to bet on whose idea would impress him. He smiled at that. They were just where he wanted them to be. Hopefully, they will have something for him before the week runs out. "James." he said to his phone, "Please get in touch with Mrs. Swiss."

"Yes, boss. But she's turned us down twice already."

"Try again." He instructed. He wished she would get on board already. He hated not having control. Mrs. Swiss wasn't making things easy. He should speak with Evan. He stared at his phone, considering what to say. Nothing came to mind. He was better off showing up at her house instead. Her sister's house. He corrected. Then he remembered Adriana. She was one Swiss he could relate with. He better call her instead. She picked immediately, "Good day to you too." He smiled when she called him a soon to be father. "Can we meet?" She agreed.

*******

"Thanks for dinner." Jason said. Though he had called for the meeting, Adriana had insisted on footing the bill. It was their company's restaurant, and she didn't think he should pay. They were served the best three-course he had had in Miami. Then they were done with the meal. He looked at her as she told him she had been here because her husband let her.

"Thank my husband for being the perfect gentleman. If not, I'd have to go home to my twins, a messed up house and one heck of an irritating pregnant woman." She told him while pouring herself a glass of white wine. He did the same.

"Irritating, huh?" He asked. "Is she okay?"

"What do you think?"

Jason sighed.

"You've been trying to speak with my mother." Adriana commented dryly. When he nodded she added, "Why?"

"To get her on board, maybe. Let her know I have no intention of soiling her child's future as she insinuated."

Adriana laughed at his choice of words, "Soil? Evan would skew you if she hears this." She sipped her wine, "I'm worried you haven't figured her out by now. Evan and my mother will probably not see eye to eye ever. You, trying to get my mother on board while avoiding her, will not get you any point with her. She wanted to do this. Don't make her regret the decision." she advised him.

"Is she..."

"You should be speaking with her. Not me Mr. Valdez."

"Jason, please."

"Okay, Jason. I can arrange a meeting. Knowing my sister, she wouldn't listen to you right now. She's pissed."

"That bad?" Jason whistled

"Yes. That bad. I came out of courtesy, and of course, I heard you trying to get through to my mother. While I'm not against that, I think you started this with my sister first. Then don't lose sight of that. Together, you can bring mother on board. If..." She raised her hand, "If you get that defiant sister of mine on board first."

"Thank you, Ad."

CHAPTER 22

The following day, Adriana was able to drag her sister out in the evening. Evangeline had been about turning in for the night ,even though it was barely six in the evening. She was feeling sleepy these days. Her sister had noted how much she eats and sleeps. When she complained to Adriana about it, she had said it was all part of being pregnant.

But this evening, Ad had scolded her, saying it was too early to be that way. So, it was a surprise when she said sleeping this early was so wrong. She then gave her pep talk on why she should resist sleep and go for a stroll. A stroll when she wasn't even two weeks gone. Imagine! Still, being the first time pregnant woman, she listened to the voice of reason and followed her out. The twins had hopped into the car, too, but Noah dragged them out, insisting he had a chore for them. The twins grumbled but went with their dad.

"Okay, you guys are weird." Evan said to her sister. "They want to come. Let them."

"I can't handle their excesses. Moreover, they stay with me all day when Noah travels. When he's home, I let him have at them. That way, they can catch up on the lost time. It's cool for both of us." She adjusted her seat belt then leaned over to help Evan with hers.

Evan slapped her hand away. "I can do my seat belt, mother." She teased, "You've been acting all mother hen around me. Back off."

Her sister threw her hands off in mock surrender and started the car. "Now, where do we go?"

"Let's eat." Evan said excitedly. The thought of food already making her feel excited.

Perfect! "Let's go to the Kicks." She started the car. The drive to the restaurant where Jason was waiting was long. But it had to be there. He had called earlier to say that he was there already. That was when she had noticed her sister about to go to bed so early.

"Why are we going so far away? Are you trying to make me lose my appetite too?" She started to complain after a long drive.

"No. Here, we're there already." She swerved the car into the restaurant's parking space and turned off the engine. As they walked in, a waitress took their coats and hung them on the hanger while another showed them to a table. Jason Valdez spotted them instantly. He waved.

Adriana smiled widely. "Oh, fancy running into you here." She said, deliberately stressing about their meeting being coincidental.

Evan looked at her, acting weird and knew instantly that this was planned. "You conniving ..."

"Watch it." Adriana cautioned. "You can spend the night outside if you make me angry."

"See why I insisted on getting my own space." She lamented and eyed her as Jason came to their table.

"I should take my leave now. Noah just texted. The twins are a handful. I should go home."

"Don't you dare leave me with him." Evan muttered under her breathe. Jason was already at their table. He sat down on the seat Adriana had pulled out. She told him she had to leave for something urgent. "Ad." Evan called again through gritted teeth

"I'm worried about how she's going to get home. I drove us here."

"Not to worry. I'll get her home and safe." Jason promised her.

"Oh, thank you." She said, kissed her sister who was pouting, then whisper. "Be nice." And she was gone.

In between sitting and trying to get her sister not to leave, Jason had ordered some wine and appetizers. The waiter brought the order and began to set the table. "Would you like to order the main course now?" He asked, looking at Evan. She nodded, not sure what she should order yet. The appetizers would jumpstart that. Maybe she would be able to work up something she craved after these. "Bon appetite." He said and left them to it.

The moment they were alone, Jason greeted her. "Hey."

She didn't bother looking at him, "Hello." She replied and stuffed her mouth with the sweet cake on the table. It was lovely, so she reached for another and another, forgetting she wasn't alone. Then she ate the broccoli and meatballs.

Jason watched her eat. Her appetite was infectious. He immediately signaled the waiter and asked him to bring his order. He had placed his order before she came in with her sister, and from what he remembered, she was going to love this. Evan continued to eat and had finished all the appetizers in less than a minute. Done, she lifted her head. Embarrassment made her blush. "I'm sorry. I totally forgot it wasn't for me alone." She apologized.

His smile made her more embarrassed. "It's okay. I had my fill earlier too. I loved them. It's why I asked him for another."

"So, they were mine."

"Yes. Would you eat now? I ordered while you were eating."

"I didn't see anyone here." She started to say, then remembered he had been here a while. "Before we came in."

The waiter brought over their food. Fettuccine Carbonara served with chicken and mushroom Ravioli and tomato sauce.

"I hope you don't mind Italian?"

"No." She said, already going for the cutlery. She ate enthusiastically for a while. And he watched her eat. Satisfied, she relaxed back to notice he had barely touched his. "Why?" She asked, then nodded at his plate when he looked confused.

"I dunno. Watching you stole my appetite." He joked.

"Then let me remedy that. Eat while I watch."

Laughing, he started to eat. She continued her meal too. They ate in total silence. Jason waited for the table to be cleared before saying anything. "I haven't congratulated you...."

"Us." She corrected. "We are going to be parents."

"Congratulations to us then." He said, raising his glass. She picked hers, clinked with his and took a sip. "Should you be drinking?"

"I checked. It's safe."

"I intentionally ordered it. Zero alcohol."

She relaxed back in her seat and eyed him warily, "From the long silence, one would think you haven't been paying attention."

"Oh, I have. And I am so sorry for staying away."

"I get it." She dismissed casually even though she didn't get it. Sudden rain patter made her look up. "Rain?"

"So it seems."

"We should head home. It's late already." She said, standing up. He stood up too and called his driver to bring the car around while he sorted the bill. As they stepped out, both turned back in. This wasn't any rain patter. It was heavy rain. Sighing, she went back to sit down while Jason told his driver to hold on. "I wanted a boy." She said suddenly. "Doctor Tom says we're having a boy. But then again, who knows?"

"I don't mind any. I just want a child. My own." Jason replied her sincerely.

"I want you in his life, like his father. I don't think I want all this silence and distances. I don't think I can cope with that."

"I will be in his life. I promise. I'm sorry for not calling earlier. I was overwhelmed by it all. It was something Ellen, and I wanted for years. And we do now...easily too."

She nodded. Her sister had said that could be the reason for his not being involved. She rubbed her stomach casually, longing for the bump to be visible. Aside from sleeping and eating much, nothing seems to have changed. Both sat in companionable silence, waiting for the rain to stop. Other customers were becoming restless too.

"Do you think we can head out too?" She asked, seeing they were the only ones left. He nodded, and they both stepped out. But the rain wasn't easing up. "Adriana's house is quite far from here." she yelled so he could hear her.

"Mine is closer. We should go there so you don't catch a cold." He said and called his driver to bring the car over. They hopped into the car, and he offered her a handkerchief his driver had passed him to clean off while the car zoomed off in the rain. The driver had to make quick stops here and there in the flooded area until they were in Jason's house. Once in, the driver stepped down with an umbrella and helped Evan into the house while Jason ignored his order to get him an umbrella.

"Warm tea, please." Jason called to Cora, the chef. In few minutes, the tea was served while they had both managed to get out of their wet clothes. Evan took the tea thankfully and slowly sipped. She was warm immediately. Jason came in to announce her room was ready.

"I need to call Adriana."

"Already sorted out. I called her when I went to get your room ready" He walked her to the room. It was a master suite-his room. The room was linked to another room painted in white. From what she saw, it looked very feminine. It was Ellen's.

"Is this yours?" She asked, looking back at him.

"Yes. This room is the only one adjourning to the other room. I thought it would be better in case you need help with anything at night. The guest rooms are downstairs. Too far for me to get to you quickly."

"Well then, will you be comfortable in the other room? I'd hate to...."

"It's fine." He said, "I left a nightdress for you." He saw the concerned look on her face. "No, it's new." He clarified. "All Ellen's clothes have been moved to the guest room by her sister immediately after the funeral."

"I didn't mean any offence." She pleaded

"None taken." He started to leave. "I'll be in the other room. Just call if you need anything."

"Okay. Good night."

"Night." He responded and gently closed the door.

Evangeline changed into night clothe and went to bed. She was so tired she was soundly asleep the instant she hit the bed. The rain continued to fall heavily then the torrent started to reduce. Evangeline thought she heard a sound. She jerked awake instantly. Something wasn't right. Something cold held her hands.

Scared, she tried to withdraw her hands. The room was so dark. "So dark." She murmured. Whatever held her hands pressed tighter, forcing her to open her eyes. "Ellen?" she called the dark hooded creature sitting beside her bed. "Ellen." She whispered. The creature was saying something. Evan moved closer to catch what she was saying, "Ellen." She whispered again, trying to tell her to speak louder. It was freezing. Evan shivered at the coldness.

Jason walked into the room to find Evangeline sitting up and shivering. The bed cover had dropped, and she was muttering his late wife's name. Strange, he thought, stepping into the room. He moved to the bed and sat down with her. Gently he made her lie back down and covered her up. She was so cold. She shivered again.

"Shh, it's only a dream." He cooed. Feeling the warmth radiating from him, Evan held him and curled over him while she drifted off to sleep. He was trapped beneath her. He shifted until he found a comfortable position and so dozed off too.

The next morning, Evan woke up to find herself curled over Jason. She stood up immediately, almost tripping backwards. Jason caught her hand. "It's okay." He told while trying to get himself up. "Good morning."

"I'm sorry to ...."

"I told you, it's okay." He said, gently rubbing her hand.

Suddenly feeling warm on the spot he rubbed, she withdrew her hand. "Let me wash up and get home."

"Audrey called while you were asleep. She says she's left you a message. You have an urgent meeting scheduled for this morning. So, I think you should bathe and get dressed here. My jet will take you. I'll be with you all through the meeting and get you back in Miami in no time."

Evangeline sighed, "I didn't know about schedule any meeting. Who could it be?"

"Your PA said it was a last-minute schedule she had missed last week. The meeting is in 5hours." He said, looking at the time. "You barely have time. Cora is fetching breakfast."

"I still need to get my cloth." She realized

"I got you a dress." He pointed to the hanger. A curvy wine colored jewel-neck gown hung in an exotic way on the hanger.

She went over to touch the fluffy material. "But you couldn't move." She pointed out, remembering how he had been trapped underneath her.

"My PA is on speed dial." Then, raising his voice, He said. "Spence, where is James now?" His android replied instantly that the PI was standing right in the living room.

"Okay..." Evan noted.

"He called James for me, and I did everything from here." He explained further. "You should bath. He said, leaving the room, "I'll be right back."

While she dressed, Evan wondered who it could be that wanted a face time so urgently. Then why was Jason staying with her again? She showered fast and dressed up. Aside from the cloth, he had gotten her favorites body spray; Deja, underwear and some slip-on.

"Detailed." She noted and was in time to see him seated at the dining. He was dressed in white pant with a black dotted shirt. He looked every bit of a billionaire. Her gaze fell on his shiny black shoe. "Nicey." She commented.

"Thank you. You look breathtaking in that." His gaze slowly rolled down her body in the most appraising way. Evangeline felt her face heat up.

"Thank you. It's a perfect fit." She loved the way the material clung to her body. They both settled down to eat. Breakfast was a simple dish of Parmesan Pasta, Bacon and Broccoli. They ate and were ready to leave.

"Shall we?" He said while taking her to the plane pad at his rooftop. The pilot was already waiting. They stepped in, fastened their belt and were on air.

$CHAPTER