THE BADASS BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE

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

CHAPTER 23

Mrs. Swiss stared at the file the company's Private Investigator just tendered to her in utter shock. If she was reading this right, something was wrong. The numbers didn't add up. She had suspected something wasn't right for a while now and had an external auditor look into the company's financial record.

He confirmed her suspicion. A huge amount of money was being moved from the law firm every month. But to where? The paper trail was cold. Everything was done in a clean and untraceable cut. Whoever was moving the money was smart in not using the bank. That could easily be tracked. The money was being moved the old way, in cool, minty cash. It was impressive! What was more shocking, being the fact that this had been happening for close to five years and no one had suspected a thing? In the books, the account was balanced, but in the actual bank details, it didn't tally.

"Are you sure of this?" She asked the young man again, who stood a few feet away from her. He was dressed in all black and a bullet vest on his chest. Though he looked mean and intimidating, his stance right now looked sober. He, like Mrs. Swiss and every other management member, were as guilty as anything for failing not to notice this.

Standing straighter he confirmed. "Yes, ma'am."

"Then till we have someone and the evidence is solid, this stays between us." She warned him, "Not even Adriana must be told. Clear?"

"Absolutely."

"You may leave." She dismissed him. The young man left her office, leaving her to ponder about her situation. She adjusted her crested top and removed her suit, feeling a bit too clothed. Who could be doing this? Her husband had always believed the answers lies in following the money trail. She was going to trust him with this and follow the money. But how does one follow the money being moved without any valid trial? She wasn't sure this was what he meant when he said to follow the money trail. But it had to be.

Picking up her phone, she stood up to pair at the mapped wallpaper of her office, a view of the suburb of Miami. She traced a line up the map as she dialed a number she hadn't called in a while. It was safer now to call.

The calls were no longer being monitored. The company's team had done a thorough swipe of the whole place some years back. Robert had been right about that. The moment he was out of the picture, the threats, the phone tap, everything stopped. But to be safe, she had asked the team to swipe the place again. "I think we have a big problem, husband." She said,

"You said when the money trail begins, I'll know it's time. Well, I believe it's begun a while back."

Audrey sat down in dismay when she discovered she had made a terrible mistake. The meeting she had called her boss for wasn't with an investor. It was Logan Thames who walked in and sat down in the reception. She eyed him warily and asked again if he was there ten 0'clock. When he confirmed it, she went into the room farther from him to call her boss.

Everyone read the gist on the internet, and though Evan hadn't said anything to her, as her PA, she knew Logan would be the last person her boss wanted to see. The man was caught pant down with her best friend. The lame trick he played on her now was an indication Evan didn't want to meet him. He was forcing this meeting. Have some shame! She eyed him as she tried severally to get her boss on the phone to cancel. But she must have been on air already. Her call wasn't being connected.

Angry, disorganised and fidgeting, she went back to her seat and began to type haphazardly. She was still in that confused state when Evangeline and Jason walked in. "It's getting better." Audrey muttered while ushering them in. Wordlessly, she called Logan Thames in and closed the door. The meeting should start as scheduled. She had tried to stop it, but it was no longer in her hands. Then she went to her seat to continue typing a query letter for herself. Damn Logan for cornering her this way.

Behind the closed door, Jason went to sit on the couch away from the meeting seats and centre table. But before he could sit, he turned when he heard, "Hey, honey." Just as Logan sighted him too.

Sighting her 10 o'clock, Evan also stood up, "You called for this meeting?" She asked angrily, "I had to rush my meal and almost skipped my bath for this? For fuck's sake, what is wrong with you?"

Logan didn't reply immediately. He was in a battle stare with Jason. When he called for this meeting, he didn't calculate Jason would turn up. This was a major setback. He had wanted alone time with his woman. Nothing would be said or done with the man looming over her. All he needed was a few minutes with Evan to make her remember what they shared, and he was going to propose again. This time, he was sure she would accept his proposal. Now, he had to cancel again. He glared at Jason, "Why are you tailing her everywhere? You're a bodyguard now."

Jason decided to sit this one out. He sat down, looking so pleased. He could sense his presence had disorganised whatever the other man had planned for Evangeline. "Can we begin the meeting?" He asked arrogantly. Logan menacingly took steps towards him. He was ready to punch the smug look out of his face. Then he probably realised Jason could ruin him with just a call and retreated. He instead turned his charm on Evangeline. "I needed just a few minutes. Can we go out somewhere?"

Too angry to even consider doing him any favour, Evan screamed, "Seriously? Leave."

"Another time then." He wasn't going to back down, not when Jason was here. He looked at the man with pure hatred.

Evangeline shook her head at the sore look Logan had for Jason. "Okay." She conceded, "Another time. Please leave, now." She said, knowing she had no intention of meeting him.

"Thank you." He said and walked out reluctantly.

"You need to tell me why he hates you so much. Something about you brings out his dark side." she said to Jason, who sat so confidently she knew underneath the cool façade was a steeled man who could make someone like Logan Thames, billionaire and LA's best bachelor out of his game.

"I will. Maybe later today. Do you have some other things to do before we leave?"

Evangeline looked around, "I'm not sure." Raising her voice a little louder, she called. "Audrey?"

Her PA walked almost immediately. She had a letter clutched in her hands which she extended to her boss. "I'm so sorry." She started to apologize.

Evan read out the title; "Query Letter? Who gave you a query Audrey? What's this?" She asked, confused.

"I didn't know it was Logan Thames who called for the meeting. He posed as the Mark Investors, and I know I should have verified. The instant I knew, I tried to call it off, but I couldn't get in touch with you."

"It's okay. I'm not blaming you for this. If anything, he's the one to pay. Discard the query."

"Thank you, Boss." Audrey sighed, relieved her boss was taking it cool. She mentally slapped herself for letting something like this happen. Every good PA knows to verify meetings before scheduling them. And her boss had flown miles here for this. "I'm so sorry, Boss." She pleaded again.

"It's okay." Tapping her head, she looked at Jason. "Why did I call you in again? Do I have any meetings again?"

The young woman shook her head vigorously. "No, ma'am."

Evan turned to Jason, "Then we're done here." She told him

"What do you say to give me a tour of LA? We can have lunch here, and I'll tell you why your boyfriend hates me so much and I, him."

"Ex-boyfriend. That sounds fine to me." She replied happily, already feeling hungry again.