The Surrogate's Reckoning

Chapter Three

3

Evren's POV

I'm sitting in my office, tapping my pen on the desk. It's been 15 hours, yet my mind refuses to rest. Thoughts keep filling my brain, and it's giving me a damned headache.

I had only wanted to ask why there was a holdup in serving some of my most important guests, even after I'd personally assigned some servers to do so. The men were hard to please, so any delay was going to cost my company a shitload of money.

The plan was to go into the kitchen, scold the waiters and chefs, ask about their manager, and tell him or her never to handle anything related to my family.

But getting grabbed by a random woman, kissed so hard, and then scolded... scolded and ordered back to work was unimaginable. I give orders—I don't take them.

“Levi!“ I scream, the sound echoing off the walls of my office on the 43rd floor of the building.

He comes running in, panting hard as if he'd run a marathon. “I have it, sir. Finally, I can rest. Phew.” He smiles, but it drops as soon as he notices my glare.

Raising a brow and leaning back in my seat, I ask, “Rest? Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?“

“Uh, yes, sir,” the i***t responds. “Forty-five minutes.“

Levi is testing my patience. He's lucky I have to handle this important document. Pulling the file from his hand, I open it, my heart racing as I anticipate seeing her face.

The first picture I pull out has my eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets. My breathing stops, and I grip the paper tight as my lips part. Good heavens.

Amber eyes stare back at me, deep auburn hair flying around as she plays by the beach with a little girl who looks just like her. Shoot.

“She’s married,“ I whisper. Or so I think—until the i***t in front of me answers as if I asked him.

“She’s not, sir. I made sure that was the first thing I checked,“ he beams as if he's telling me something I should be really grateful for.

“Levi. Why was it the first thing you checked?“

“Obviously, sir. For the first time ever, you’re interested in a woman. I had to make sure she was yours for the grabbing.“

“...“ I stare blankly at him. Who told him I’m interested in her? I want to make her pay for what she did to me.

Nobody orders me around. Or kisses me without my permission. Even if they have the softest lips ever... or that faint scent of vanilla and strawberries that's making my mind go haywire.

And yet. She barely kissed me. She didn't meet my lips well.

“Levi, are you working for me or my grandmother?“ I ask the 32-year-old man in front of me.

“Uh... you... you, sir.“ He stammers, scratching the nape of his neck.

“Then a word about this extends beyond this room, and you're dead meat. Understood?“

He freezes, eyes darting nervously toward the door. Mine narrow, and I'm just about to ask what the hell he's done when none other than my older brother, Marek, walks in, a daunting smirk gracing his lips.

My murderous glare is directed at Levi, who refuses to meet my gaze but focuses on the bookshelf beside me.

“Oh, come on, brother. Don’t kill the poor guy. He did you a favor.“

I scoff, walking toward the counter to pour him a glass of wine since he can’t seem to do without it. He also can't do without taunting me. Now Levi just gave him the perfect opportunity.

When I hand it over, I notice Levi is still standing in my office. The damn snitch.

“Levi, what are you waiting for?“

His eyes dart toward the folder on the table and back to me. “I’m waiting for you to give the folder and tell me what you need me to do.“

“Did I tell you I was done staring at he.. I mean, reading through it? I'll call you if I need you.“

He nods, running out as fast as his short legs can carry him.

Marek chuckles, making me glance at him.

“...“

“What’s funny?“

He smiles, his grey eyes gleaming. “Talk to me, kiddo. What has you so worked up? A girl? Damn, I never thought I’d see the day.“

Rolling my eyes, I mutter, “at least I’m not the one who’s never been kissed. Stupido.“

It’s his turn to glare and mine to smirk.

“Stop the bullshit. Why are you so invested in knowing about a girl that you called your assistant five times in 40 minutes?“

“It’s his job.”

“Not the answer to my question. Plus, nobody can find out information about another in 40 minutes. What happened?“

Knowing he isn't going to back down, I tell him everything that transpired at the party.

Marek doesn’t reply when I’m done. Instead, he walks to the shelf and pours more wine, twirling it in his cup as he gazes out through the floor-to-ceiling glass window.

“Marek... say something.“

“My younger brother got kissed by a random bold woman and is intrigued... what more should I say but damn, bro. You’re a magnet or what?“

I facepalm, regretting my decision to tell him this. I should have kept my mouth shut.

“Firstly, I’m not intrigued by her... not. At. All.“

He raises a brow, a hint of a smile dancing behind his eyes. Then he motions toward the file on my desk.

“Not intrigued, huh... what’s that doing there? Why are you trying to find out more if you don’t want to taste more?“

“Stop being silly, Marek. Everyone will try to find out more. Plus, I need to make her know her place. She can’t just order me around like I’m her servant or something. I’m the CEO of—”

“Spare my ears the rambling, Evren. Don’t you see you’re trying to deny the truth? There’s nothing wrong with being infatuated with a woman... I think your grandparents will appreciate this.“

I grip the edge of my table, trying hard to keep my calm. I hate that he's right. I could just let it slide. She was clearly trying to get away from the man in the corridor and used me as a shield, thinking I was her employee.

Marek’s hand lands on my shoulder.

“Brother. I know feelings are new to you here. But if you like her... go get her... if you don’t and really just want to show her 'her place,' then it’s okay... still do it.“

I nod, accepting the last part of his sentence. I am not infatuated with her, but I have to show her the basics of respect.

He slams his glass down on the table and picks up his bag. “I am going to my office. I’m working on getting a new assistant since the last one got fired yesterday. Do what you must. Just remember: nobody says no to a Valesca.“

Once he leaves, I stare at the folder on my desk. He’s right. I shouldn’t be doing this. It’s not a big deal.

I pick it up, flipping through the pages. Just one last look, and I’ll have Levi discard them.

Name: Liora Wilder

Age: 25 years old

Occupation: General Manager of Marina Catering Services.

Marital Status: Single. Has a six-year-old daughter, Selina Wilder.

Child’s father: Unknown

Yeah. She’s not worth my time. I’m getting rid of this.

“Levi!“

He rushes in again, and this time, I hand him the folder, albeit reluctantly.

“You can, uh, discard it.“

Her face flashes before my eyes again, but I shake my head to get rid of the thoughts.

Levi’s face falls, his lips pulling into a pout, making me wonder how I employed a child instead of a grown man to work for me.

“Oh, really, sir?“ He furrows his brows. “Did you glance at the last page... I thought it could have you interested.“

I flip to the last page.

Liora Wilder was recently seen at the fertility clinic and, after further investigation, has been found to be a surrogate.

Status: Not signed with any couples or families.

Oh. Now this, is what I call luck.

“Levi, I want you to do something for me.“