Ties That Bind Us

The Contract

"What? What do you mean a baby? I don't understand." Allegra asked, confused. "It's simply really. I need you to sign a contract of surrogacy for me. I'll pay you the fifteen million dollars which you need only if you bare my child." He said, not mincing words. 

Allegra couldn't understand this. He was handsome, captivating in fact and he appeared to be very rich. It was apparent he could get any woman he desired so why didn't he just get married and have children instead of paying someone to have a kid with him outside wedlock? She couldn't hold back her curiosity so she asked.

"Why do you want a surrogate? You're an eligible bachelor, aren't you? Why don't you just get married and have kids instead?" She asked and he frowned at her. He hated it when women asked too many questions. He only expected her to be happy and quickly accept his offer,he needed a child and she needed the money. Why was she asking about things that weren't her business?

"I don't think I'm inclined to tell you anything. My personal life and the reason why I do certain things should only remain my concern. I'm offering you such a generous offer,you should know you won't have such an opportunity like this. Are you willing to accept my offer?" He questioned with a straight face.

Allegra thought about it. Did she really want this? Could she do this? Was it really worth it? Losing her virginity and baring someone's child out of wedlock just because she needed money. She was only 18 and was still so young, was she really ready for this? She thought about it deeply and instantly made her decision when memories of her mother came flooding into her mind. She just had to do this, nothing was as important when it came to saving mum.

"I'm willing to accept your offer but I have my conditions. First off, I don't want a love relationship. If we're going to have s*x,it's only so I can get pregnant. Secondly, you'll give me the money soon. You don't have to worry about my not keeping the end of the bargain. I promise I will,I just need the money to secure my mother's release. Do you accept my conditions?" She asked.

Callum smiled knowing he had found the right girl for the job,someone who wasn't interested in love or marriage like him. "I believe you've spoken my mind so I'm willing to accept your conditions but I also have some of mine. One, you'll sign the surrogacy contract and you'll have to abide by the terms of the contract. Secondly, you'll be living with me during your pregnancy and immediately after you birth my child, we'll part ways. You'll go far away and never come back. You must never come back to claim the child and partake in the life of the child. Do you agree to this?" He asked.

Allegra thought about it,giving birth to a child she would never have to see or even raise seemed kind of harsh but it was somewhat fair in a way. He was buying away her rights over the child with the 15 million dollars. "It does seem fair so I agree to your conditions." She accepted and he smiled, exposing a pair of pearly white teeth.

"Wonderful. Since it's settled, I'll give you the money in three days. My lawyer will prepare the contract during that time and we'll meet up so you can sign it and after that, I'll hand over the money to you. Is that OK with you?" He asked and she simply nodded. Allegra found it funny that this man treated something as serious as a child like a business deal,it just felt really weird to her.

She had never really thought of having children in the past due to her fear of marriage and even if she did,she never would have imagined it would be under such circumstances but what was she to do? Fate was such a merciless and cruel thing.

She was discharged from the hospital about an hour later,after the doctor had given her one final check up. Callum drove her home and she refrained from having a discussion with him. They exchanged contacts before he finally left,after dropping her off at her house. The three days felt like eternity to Allegra. Every minute not spent with her dear sweet mother felt like torture,she couldn't help but feel afraid for her mother. She wondered what they could be doing to her mother,were they treating her right? Were they torturing her? Was she locked up and starved? Such vile thoughts were what ran through Allegra's mind and it only helped to strengthened her resolve on becoming Callum's surrogate.

Though agonizingly slow, the three days finally arrived and Callum met up with her at a fancy restaurant which he booked just for their meeting. There he offered her the contract and she signed it but read through it first. It consisted of exactly the terms he had mentioned to her. There was to be no form of relationship or marriage between them,she would live with him for the nine months of her pregnancy and after that, she would go far away from him and their child or children, in the case where she had twins.

After signing the contract, Callum handed over a briefcase to her and her mouth went wide open with shock when she opened the briefcase and saw hundreds of dollar bills,neatly arranged in bundles. "Fifteen million dollars cash,you can count it if you want." He said cockily, smirking at how vividly she expressed her surprise.

She quickly tried to regain control. "I believe there's no need for that. The most important part of business is trust and I trust you." She said and closed back the briefcase. "Another important factor is punctuality. This contract will take effect as of today so I want you to get your things ready,I'll come pick you up tomorrow. You're moving in with me as per the contract." He said and she nodded.

"Thank you so much sir." She thanked, grateful to him for giving her a chance to save her mother. "Please don't call me sir,my name is Callum and you should only address me as that. There's also no need to thank me,I'm only keeping to my part of the agreement and I hope you can keep to yours." Callum said.

"I promise I will sir........ I mean Callum. I'd like to leave now,I need to attend to important business and get my things ready for tomorrow." She said,seeking his permission. "Of course, you're free to go. I guess I'll see you tomorrow." He said, granting her permission to leave. "Same here." She said and stood up to leave but then he stopped her.

"I haven't really asked yet so I'll ask now. How old are you?" He questioned and she bit her lip softly. She really didn't like it when people asked about her age,it made her feel awkward. "I'm 18." She simply said and Callum nodded. "You can leave now." He said and she thanked him once more before taking her leave,not forgetting to take the briefcase with her.

Callum felt like he had reason to feel guilty. He was involving Allegra in such a serious matter and she was only 18,barely an adult. She was still so young and she would have to become pregnant by him and birth his child, he didn't even want to think about the age gap or he would likely change his mind about the contract. He tried to shake off the thought and handed the contract back to his lawyer.

He returned to his car and drove to work. What's done is done,there was certainly no time for regrets or take backs. All that was left was to fulfill his mother's wish by looking to the future. A future of nine months with Allegra and the rest of his life with his child, trying to be the best father he could. He could only hope that it would all work out.