My Five-Year Relationship Made Me a Surrogate

Chapter 2

Five years ago, I met Leo at a high-end club. I was just eighteen, a fresh-faced college student, while he was already a successful businessman.

My parents had passed away when I was young, leaving me alone in the world with no relatives to rely on. To pay for college, I had no choice but to work in places like this where tips could be generous.

Though the club wasn't a place for prostitution, it was impossible to avoid being taken advantage of. Others pressured me to drink and made lewd comments while they groped me with their hands. But Leo was different. He was the only one who smiled at me.

Yet, he always felt unreachable, and I never dared to hope for anything more. I had never spoken to him. Our real connection came one fateful night.

Earning money at the club was tough. I often worked until midnight, drinking until I felt sick, then walking home along dark streets to my rundown house.

I feared the dark and worried about thugs, but I had no other way to make a living.

That day wasn't any different. I staggered out of the club, reeking of alcohol after my shift when someone suddenly covered my mouth and nose.

"Hey, gorgeous, I've finally found you. Tonight, I'm going to make sure you have some fun."

His words, mixed with a foul stench of alcohol, made my stomach turn.

I recognized him as a regular at the club, known for his shady dealings. I had no idea how long he had been lurking.

Fear gripped me, and I started to cry, desperately trying to pry his hand off me, but it was no use.

He dragged me toward a nearby alley, and I knew that once I entered, escape would be impossible.

Then, out of nowhere, Leo appeared.

I watched him get out of his car and stride toward me. In an instant, he pried the man's hand off me and ordered his bodyguards to give him a beating.

I had narrowly escaped. Trembling, I crouched on the ground, still in shock.

Leo leaned down to speak to me, "Can you walk? It's so dark. Let me take you home."

He had just saved me, and despite my desire not to trouble anyone further, I was too scared to refuse. "Thank you. I'm sorry for bothering you again."

Leo smiled softly, "No need to apologize. Any man would step in if a pretty girl like you were being bullied."

His words drew a chuckle from me, easing the tension that had gripped me. "Mr. Carlson, will a man like you be tempted by beauty?"

"Of course. I'm a man too."

Just like that, this typical hero-saving-the-damsel-in-distress scenario marked the beginning of our acquaintance.

In the days that followed, Leo often came to the club to see me. He didn't engage much, simply ordering drinks and quietly watching me.

He took me out to enjoy various activities—amusement parks, movie theaters, shopping malls. At the cinema, he confessed that he liked me, and we shared our first kiss.

I knew I didn't deserve someone like him, yet he treated me so well. Since my parents had passed away, it had been far too long since anyone had shown me love.

I never wanted his money and never thought about marrying him. I just wanted to be by his side. But I couldn't have imagined that all of this was part of a larger conspiracy.