THE BADASS BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE

CHAPTER 44

As soon as Adriana hung up, Evangeline called Jason immediately to inform him she had to leave LA the next day. Their weekend plans would have to hold or be moved to another time. Jason informed her he could have her in Miami by evening the next day. He told her to wait for him to get her. Excitedly, she woke up the following day and began to prepare for another trip with him in his private jet. The plan was to still have a good time with him in Miami. She went shopping for some new clothes. Something more complimentary and sexy. Entering the Rovers Jason had gotten her, she drove out of the compound. She saw the blue car parked across the street also going out, and for some reason, her mind registered it. Calling Zoe, she asked her to join her at the BELLS boutique downtown.

She was able to get to the boutique before Zoe. So, she made her way to the spot reserved chiefly for herself and other customers who knew this spot. BELLS was one fashion hub most celebrities and wealthy folks frequented. Their clothes and accessories were always beautiful, trendy and unbelievably expensive. The classy ladies had a spot where they sat and are served specially. Soon enough, as she waited for Zoe to come, the attendant knowing her as one of their best customers, served her some exotic wine. She could only stare at the drink. Smiling at the attendant, she told her to return it and serve her juice instead. Rubbing her stomach gently, she whispered, "See what I have to give up for months, baby?"

"Do you now?" Zoe said, walking in. They hugged and greeted so cheerfully that the lady at the cash box stopped to look at them. "Look at you!" Exclaimed Zoe.

Evangeline smiled, refusing to fall for the trick again. "Not this time." She told her friend as she pulled away, "How are you?"

"I'm good." She sat down and said, "But seriously, you're showing." The attendant brought the juice back, which she served Evan. The other wine was served to Zoe. She told them to have a good time browsing through their wears and excused herself. "How have you been?"

"I'm okay. And before you ask, I don't even feel pregnant." She raised her hands in protest seeing her friend's mocking smile. "But I've been eating like an elephant."

Zoe smiled at that and hugged her friend again, "It's been a while. I miss you."

"So do I."

Another attendant brought out two hangers of clothes for them to check. "Good day, madams." Zoe and Evan nodded at the greeting. "These were just delivered yesterday. They are the latest." she bowed and went back to her duty. Zoe stood up to check them out. "We could have these delivered home. Why did you drag us here so early?" She asked

"Well, I wanted a ride in my new car. I haven't been in it more than once since I'm always in Miami these days. Jason had it delivered last week." She said.

"That reminds me. We had a deal, right?" She smiled mischievously, "Let me drive it for how many weeks again?"

"That can be arranged. Speaking of, I'm travelling again." Rolling her eyes, "Today matter of fact. Ad needs me."

Her friend sat down again with this wicked look, "Or you can...."

Cutting her short, Evan warned, "Don't you dare say it?"

"Loan me for the time you won't be in Miami." Zoe said anyway, ignoring the threat. She stood up too when Evan stood. But her friend was distracted by something else and not their conversation. She was looking at a pink dress. Her friend laughed in amazement. She had always loved pink as a girl. Well, most girls loved pink. But then they outgrow it. And she was supposed to outgrow it as a woman like every other girl but not Evan. She still loved pink. "So, this won't let you loan me the car?" She teased, snatching the dress from her. The way Evan went after the dress was hilarious. Zoe had to let go.

"I love this." she said, turning it sideways and backwards. It was a short pink gown with a lacey front. The dress was smoked with elastic, making it super stretchy and clingy at the same time. It would be perfect for her figure, even when she starts to show.

"Please." Zoe said, showing her a lovely short gown, similar to what she held but blue. "Want this?"

"No, I have the pink already. I don't want two of the same style."

She shook her head and dropped the gown for herself. "I'm picking that." Suddenly, she remembered Mary. "Did I tell you I ran into Mary at the club?" Evan shook her head, "It was in the most embarrassing circumstance." She told her friend.

"How do you mean?"

"I was on my way into the club when Logan stumbled out with this weird smile. He didn't even see me."

"Logan?" Evan asked, remembering her last encounter with him. "Go on."

"I went in nonetheless and was surprised when a few minutes later Mary walked out of a room somewhere. She didn't look happy, and this guy I knew was all over me, I couldn't get to her on time. She drove off angrily. So, when I came back, the guy asked what I wanted with Mary" she smiled, "The way he asked, I knew he had something juicy thing to say." Her sarcastic smile said her response

Evan got the hint, "You lied; you didn't know her."

Zoe shrugged, "Did what I had to do." She continued, "He told me Mary had lured Logan to this red room they have and the waiter who had been eavesdropping said he didn't fall for it. It must have hurt her pride."

"Wow." Evan said, looking a bit angry, "Why won't he just give in to her advances instead of following me around." She murmured.

"Am I missing something here? I think the guy is insisting on not having anything to do with her because she's your friend." Confused, she added, "It's the moral thing to do."

"Well, we are no longer together. He should be with her if that's what he wants."

"Who exactly are we talking about here? Mary or Logan?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"You are obviously upset. But I think your anger is misdirected. Mary is the annoying brat here, not Logan."

"From where I stand, Logan needs to move on. She ruined us already, and we aren't getting back."

Zoe let go of the blue dress and reached for another. "For one, I will never forgive him if moving on lands him in our friend's clutches. It's insane." She found a suede skirt which she held up for Evan to check. Evan shook her head, not interested in the skirt. She pointed at another instead. Zoe brought it out so they could inspect it. It wasn't anything fancy. It was beachwear. Something to wear around the house when the weather was hot. Evan picked it, knowing how hot she gets these days.

"I don't understand why Mary is all over him. She could get anyone." Evan scoffed angrily, "He should give in too." When Zoe said nothing to that, she added quietly, "Logan saw me kissing Jason."

"Now, I feel bad for him" looking at Evan, she asked, "Is that why you wanted him to move on?'

"Yes. I have. He should too. He was so upset that day."

"You would too if it were the other way round" she sat back down too, smiling, "Now, tell me what happened. How was the kiss? I want all the gory details."

CHAPTER 45

Robert Swiss sat down in the inner chamber of their home, lost in thought. A certain number had been calling him for some days now, and he didn't know what to make of it. Since getting to Miami, the number had been calling. With all the drama going on, he was worried that picking up could mean hearing threats over his family, so he ignored it. Today, he got a text from a number asking to meet. He didn't want to, especially since he hadn't told his wife about this. He wanted his family safe, and he didn't think getting them all worked up would do that. Adriana was already suffering from this, as it were. She had called last night, saying she had sent Noah out. It was a reasonable decision she had taken, but it meant she was home alone now with two kids, all by herself. Although her sister would be coming in later today, it still wasn't right. He reread the text, unsure whether he wanted to meet. He sighed heavily.

His wife stood at the entrance watching him. When he stood to walk out of the room, he saw her. "You're here?" he asked, not so surprised. His wife had always been one to walk upon anyone quietly. "Need something?"

"No." She said, "Are you okay?" He nodded in affirmation, but she wasn't convinced, "You've been staring at your phone."

He wasn't sure he should tell her. He sat down, and she sat beside him. Then he decided to let her see the message. "This number has been calling me since I got back." He said, handing her his phone. "Sounds a bit off to you?" He asked.

Before replying to him, Mrs. Swiss read out the message; Let's meet at the inn later today. Or tomorrow or any day you decide. Call.

"That's it?" Mrs. Swiss asked her husband. He nodded. "I don't see anything scary here" she handed him the phone so he could look at it again. "It doesn't sound like a threat to me."

Looking at the message too, he discovered she might be right. "You have a point. No threat here. But it's vague still."

"I just think whoever this wants to talk."

"True. But seemingly innocent acts have gotten people killed."

She agreed, "But this looks like someone with something to tell you." She read the last part. "You can decide when to meet. Even where if you so wish. Fix the time and have your men check out the location."

"Sounds like a good plan." he dialed his security team, "I'll get my men on it." He said to his wife while the phone rang on the other end.

*********

Done with the shopping, Evan and Zoe walked out of the boutique with a bag of clothes. She had been able to pick out some clothes, and Zoe had found a pink baby gown too, "If she's a girl." She said and had it wrapped up. Then she told the attendant to add the bill to hers. "My gift to my godchild." She said.

"Aww, thank you." Evan hugged her. "I love it."

"Because it's pink." She mocked as they exited the building. Zoe waved her and drove away in her car while Evan sat down to order a meal before leaving so it could be delivered about the time she would get home. Done, she started the car and moved out of the park. As she exited, she noticed the blue vehicle she had seen at her apartment earlier again. She wondered if the occupants were ladies since they came to BELLS too. This was a place women mainly visited. The store sells only women wears and access. However, some men have been known to come shopping for their ladies. Turning on the music, she forgot all about the vehicle and drove out.

Loving the healthy way the wheels felt on her hands, Evan bounced along as she drove home. It wasn't until she was about turning to her street that she sighted the blue car again. "Okay, that's odd. I have a feeling I'm being followed." She whispered to herself. Becoming instantly alert, she drove past her street and stepped on the accelerator. She needed to call someone. Her dad was the best choice. She dialed his number but, on second thought, ended the call. It would be weird asking him for favors when he hadn't been around for a long time. They hadn't even spoken since the dinner they shared.

As she turned the corner, she checked her rear mirror and saw that she was still being followed, so she called the next person that came to mind. Jason picked instantly, "Hi." He said so sternly, she was forced to ask, "Are you in a meeting?"

"Yes. But what's going on?"

"I hate to do this now." Her voice sounded panicked. She couldn't get the fear out of her voice.

He sensed something was wrong. Still, he calmly answered, "It's okay, Evan. What is it?"

"I'm being followed." She told him.

Jason was at alert instantly, "Hold on." He said. She heard him dismiss the people in the room with him and was back with her in seconds, "What does the car look like?"

Evan smiled, noting that he didn't ask if she was sure she was being followed. She felt happy he trusted her judgment to know she could tell when something wasn't right. "It's blue with tinted glasses."

"Good. Are you on the road?"

"Yes."

He swore angrily, "Stay on the phone while I get James. Drive carefully." Then he whispered, "Please."

Smiling, she answered. "Okay." She loved this side of him. He called James, and she listened to him asking about the blue car tailing her. She didn't hear what James said, but she knew he was instructing the guy to be in the situation instantly.

"Evan?"

"I'm here." She replied

"Drive somewhere busy and stay in the car, okay?"

"Alright." She drove straight to Madison Park. The place was always so hectic on Thursdays, with people coming in for boat rides and other fun events the park had planned. "Found one. I'm at Madison."

"I know."

He knows! She shrugged that off but didn't let it bother her. She tried to see if the car was following her. There wasn't any blue car in sight. She released her breath. "I can't see the car."

"That should be a good thing." He said, then spoke to James on the phone again, "James will come to get you. You're coming to Miami now." His voice was firm, not taking no for an answer

"But I'm yet to pack my things. Food too." She complained.

"Evangeline." He backed into the phone, "Please stay in the car till James comes. He'll get you home, and you can get your things."

"Alright."

"Will you?" He asked, unsure she would stay put.

"I will, promise."

"Thank you." He said, "See you soon. Don't end the call. Stay until James gets there."

"Is James in Miami?" She asked, but before he could come up with any reply, James knocked on her door. She wound down and smiled at him, wondering what he was doing in Miami. She would ask Jason later. Remembering she hadn't hung up, she turned to check her phone, but he had already disconnected. It made her sad. But she turned to James happily and told him the vehicle had left.

"We saw it." James told her, "Thanks to you, we have those men now." He said something to the earplugs he had on, and Evan realized he must have been communicating with Jason. He drove her home and sat in her living room while she packed her clothes and other essentials. The food she ordered had been delivered, but she was no longer in the mood for it. She packed that too. When she locked the door, she couldn't help feeling that it might be a while before she got back.

James drove them to the jet pad, where some guy came to help drive the car to the park while they stepped in. Throughout the trip, Jason was on a call with James. She listened to the little she could make of their conversation. He appeared worried about her, asking how she was from James. She didn't understand why he wouldn't just speak with her, though. It was a very long trip and boring too. The last thing she thought about as she dozed off wasn't anything fun about Jason.

CHAPTER 46

A few hours later, a tired Evangeline stood knocking on her sister's door. When the door flung opened, and Adriana stood smiling at her, she greeted. "Hey sis." And hugged her sister, "Where are the twins?" She asked, stepping in.

"It's so good to see you." She smiled, "The twins are in their room. They should be here soon. You look..."

"Jet lag." She complained. "I need a quick bath, but I'm so tired."

The twins ran in to hug her. Dropping her bags she said, "Hey cuties." She lifted the lighter twin, Elizabeth, but dropped her immediately, "You've grown on me, Boo." Elizabeth laughed happily. Ethan punched her and tongued out at his twin. "Don't be fooled." He teased his twin, "You're still very tiny." They started pulling each other and soon started arguing

Perplexed, Evan moved towards her sister and whispered, "I can see they are still always fighting and arguing."

She whispered back. "Every freaking second they get."

"Wow." She watched them, amused. The twins continue to argue while the sisters looked on until Evan brought out the food she had ordered earlier. "Who wants potatoes, fries and chicken?" The twins ran after her as she dashed for the kitchen. Their mother was relieved. She packed Evan's bags and dragged them to her room. When she got to the kitchen, the twins with their aunt had settled down and were eating. She joined them too.

"So, how are you?" Evan asked her sister, who gave her the eye, to let them talk after the twins were in bed.

"But, I am okay." She replied out loud for the twins' sake, "Work is hectic, though. Mom and I still haven't figured out the missing dough part. He claims he knows nothing about it. But he's linked to it all."

"Interesting." Evan said as she passed the chicken laps. "I had an interesting moment some couple of minutes ago. I wasn't supposed to be here till later tonight. I'm still pretty shaken up about it."

"Later tonight? It's late already." Adriana said, checking the wall clock in the kitchen. It was 7 pm. "What happened, though?"

"I'll fill you in soon as I get a shower. Do you know anything I could do? My backaches. I think from the travelling here and there."

"Definitely go shower." Adriana advised. "You could use a massage too. I can help with that."

"I'll do it." Ethan said, butting in. "I'll do it, Linne." Elizabeth said too.

"Aww." She rubbed Ethan's hair and patted down Elizabeth's. "Aren't you cuties a darling! Maybe I'll let you both do it."

Adriana rolled her eyes, "Trust me. You don't want that."

Evangeline smiled and stood up, "Don't I know that?" She excused herself and went to shower. The bath was so warm she started to doze off in the tub. Tiredly, she got out of the tub and dried herself, then slipped into the bed. It wasn't until later, when she felt someone enter the room that she woke up.

"Hey! Sleepyhead, You okay?"

Evan sat up, rubbing her eyes, "I'm sorry. Look at me, I'm supposed to be here to help, but I'm so tired."

Adriana nodded, understanding her sister's plight. She sat down beside her. "It's okay. Your presence is all the help I needed anyways."

"The twins?" She checked the time. It was late into the midnight

"They slept after getting another bowl of food. Ethan eats as an elephant." Evangeline laughed, then covered her mouth so she wouldn't disturb the children sleeping down in the other room. "I was so raw last night." Adriana told her, "When he left, I cried myself to sleep, along with the kids."

"I'm so sorry about that."

Her phone started to ring. Adriana reached for it and gave her the phone, "it has being ringing for a while now."

"Oh." Checking her phone, she saw it was Jason. He had called four times already. She dropped the phone on the dresser.

"You won't call him back?"

Remembering how during the trip, he had continuously ignored checking up on her. Instead, James had been the one he spoke with all through, she didn't think he wanted to speak with her. "No."

"Did something happen?"

"Matter of fact, yes." Then, smiling she dismissed the urge to speak about her uncertain issues when her sister was in a dire situation, "But leave that for now. Let's talk about you."

She sighed heavily. "I'm devastated."

"Did he tell you everything?"

"Yes. He did. Every irritating bit." Her eyes got misty again, "I was a pun in their plan. Apparently, his cousin saw me in the news when I got called to bar, and Noah was made to get me." Laughing hysterically, she said. "I fell for him" she rubbed her eyes as the tears began to fall.

She patted her sister's back as she pulled her in for a hug. "I'm so sorry this is happening to you right now." They stayed that way until she had quietened. "It's alright. You'll be fine. Everything will be alright." Her phone began to ring again, seeing that it was Jason, she ignored it.

"Okay. You really need to tell me what's going on." Adriana said, picking the call, she said, "Hey you. No, it's Adriana." She eyed her sister viciously, "Yes, she got in safe. Thanks for the ride." smiling at what he said, she replied, "I'm fine. They are okay too." When she dropped the call. She chastised her sister. "He just wanted to know how you were doing."

"It didn't look like it from the drive here. We were in a good place. I think." confused about the drastic change in him. She told her sister about the kiss. "We kissed, and it was intense. We probably would have had sex."

"Wait, what? When?"

"Never mind. It meant nothing to him. Anyways, he looked at me with those guilty poppy eyes like he regretted it and we haven't spoken about it. Then we kissed again. I pulled away."

Her sister murmured "wow!"

"We were good, you know. Planned a weekend getaway."

"When?"

"This weekend, before you called. So I had to cancel."

"No. no, wait. You cancelled?"

"Yes. He completely understood. I told him why and he agreed to reschedule. But then, the drive here, he completely neglected me. He was only asking James about me. Like he could have asked me. Instead, he spoke with his staff. It kinds of made me feel neglected."

"He might have his reasons. It would be best if you spoke with him." Suddenly smiling. She said, "Tomorrow, you go over there and speak with the man, okay?"

"No. I'm here for you. Not him."

She wasn't going to let her ruin her relationship this time, "Either you go, or I get him here." She threatened.

"I'll go, mother." She smiled and threw a pillow at her. When she threw it back and stood up, Evan asked, "Good night?"

"Yes, goodnight."