BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE BABY

~Kimberly~ A gallery of thoughts swirled in my mind as I locked up the ice cream shop, the sweet aroma of waffle cones and chocolate still clinging to my uniform. I was beat, my curly blonde hair a tangled mess, sticking to my sweaty face in every direction. I swiped at it with a tired hand, not caring that I probably looked like a hot mess. "Ugh, Kimberly Banks, you're a disaster," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. Nineteen years old, and what did I have to show for it? A high school diploma, courtesy of Thalia's generosity, and a string of part-time jobs that barely kept me afloat. College? Forget it. My dream of becoming an actress? Dwindling faster than my bank account. I kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk, feeling the familiar sting of frustration. Life had dealt me a crappy hand. Orphaned at sixteen, I'd had to fight tooth and nail for every scrap of stability. And then, that traumatic experience...no, I wouldn't think about that now. Not when I was already exhausted. Pediatric aversion, the therapist had called it. A fancy way of saying I couldn't stand kids. The irony wasn't lost on me - I wanted to be an actress, but the thought of working with children made my skin crawl. I shuddered, the memory away. As I walked home, the evening sun casting long shadows behind me, I couldn't help but wonder what my life would be like if my parents were still alive. Would I be in college, studying drama and performing in plays? Or would I still be working multiple jobs just to make ends meet? I thought about Thalia, my well-to-do friend who'd taken me under her wing after my parents' death. She'd helped me finish high school, but even her generosity had limits. I knew she wanted me to focus on college, but the truth was, I just couldn't afford it. Not yet, anyway. My mind wandered to my dream of becoming an actress. I'd always loved performing, losing myself in characters and stories. But now, it seemed like a distant fantasy, something I'd have to put on hold until I could scrounge up enough money for tuition. As I turned onto my street, the familiar sight of Thalia's apartment building came into view. Maybe she'd be home, and we could commiserate about our lives over pizza or something. I smiled wryly to myself - that was about all I could afford these days. I trudged up the stairs, my legs aching from a long day on my feet. As I opened the door, Thalia looked up from her laptop, a concerned expression on her face. "Hey, girl, how was your day?" I collapsed onto the couch beside her, running a hand through my tangled hair. "It was long. I'm exhausted." Thalia nodded sympathetically. "You need to take a break, Kim. You can't keep pushing yourself like this." I sighed, knowing she was right. But what choice did I have? I had to keep moving forward, no matter how hard it got. That's what I'd been doing since my parents died - surviving, one day at a time. I headed to the kitchen, Thalia following close behind. "I'm making pasta tonight, want some?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Thalia nodded, plopping down at the kitchen table. "Yes, please. I'm starving." As I cooked, Thalia couldn't stop talking about her new boss, "And then, when our eyes met, Kim. I swear, my heart stopped. I'm going to seduce him, I just know it." I chuckled and shook my head, used to Thalia's antics. "Thalia, you can't seduce your boss. That's a recipe for disaster." She waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I've got a plan." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "What's the plan?" Thalia leaned in a conspiratorial look on her face. "I'm going to wear my best dress to work tomorrow, and then...accidentally...spill coffee all over my shirt." I burst out laughing. "Thalia, that's ridiculous. You can't seriously think that's going to work." Thalia grinned. "Oh, it'll work. Trust me." As we continued eating and chatting, I got up to check the mail. I sorted through the bills and junk mail until one letter caught my eye. It was a plain white envelope with my address typed on it. There is no return address and no indication of who sent it. I opened it, and my heart skipped a beat as I read the contents. "You are invited to a job interview at 3456 Maple Street. Please arrive at 2 PM on Thursday." I let out a loud whoop of joy, and Thalia looked up, startled. "What's wrong?" I waved the letter in the air, grinning from ear to ear. "I got a job interview!" Thalia leapt up from her seat, rushing over to me. "Which job? Tell me everything!" I shrugged, still in disbelief. "I have no idea. The letter doesn't say." Thalia's eyes widened in surprise. "That's weird. What kind of job doesn't tell you what it is?" I shook my head. "I have no idea, but I'm going to find out. I need a job, and this could be my chance." Thalia nodded enthusiastically. "You have to go for it, Kim. You never know what it could be." I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement and hope. This could be the break I needed, the chance to turn my life around. As we finished dinner and cleaned up, Thalia couldn't stop asking me questions about the job interview. "Do you think it's a desk job? Do you think you'll have to wear a suit?" I laughed and shook my head. "I have no idea, Thalia. But I'll find out on Thursday." ~Aiden~ I stood before my mother's grave, the familiar ache in my chest echoing through my entire being. The lush green grass beneath my feet and the serene surroundings did little to calm the turmoil within. I'd visited countless times, yet the pain of losing her never diminished. As I gaze at the headstone, memories flood my mind, transporting me back to our last moments together. I remembered the hospital room, the beeping machines, and the faint scent of disinfectant. But most of all, I recall her frail hand in mine, her eyes pleading with a deep longing. "Aiden, promise me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. I recalled the desperation etched on my face, the tears streaming down my cheeks. I would have promised her the world to ease her suffering. "Anything, Mother," I replied, my voice cracking. "Have a child, Aiden," she continued, her eyes locked on mine. "Continue our family's legacy. I need to know if our name will live on. And I need to be sure you'll get married and be happy. You deserve to be happy, son." I remembered the anguish in her eyes, the fear of leaving this world without ensuring our family's continuation. I felt her pain, her desperation, and I knew I had to ease it. "I promise Mother," I said, my voice firm. "I'll have a child, and our family's name will endure." "I don't mean just to have a child. I need to know that you will get married soon. You need a woman in your life." "I... I will do that," I had murmured. But that was the only promise I made to her that I wasn't sure I could keep. Maybe I'd do something like a contract marriage and then divorce later with the excuse of her not meeting up to the standards of a wife, who knows? "And your sister, you'll forgive her... Right?" Mother had asked, I had sighed but nodded nevertheless. Mona didn't deserve my forgiveness but what to do? My mother was dying. And I'd do anything to keep her safe. A gentle smile graced her lips, and a sense of peace settled over her face. I recall the softness of her hand, the warmth of her touch, and the love in her eyes. "My dear Aiden, I can rest now," she whispered. "You will make me proud." As the memories faded, I was left standing before her grave, the weight of my promise bearing down on me. I thought of my own life, the wealth, the success, the emptiness. None of it mattered without a family to share it with. My mother was my everything, and now she was gone. I glanced around the cemetery, the surrounding graves a reminder of the impermanence of life. I realized that time was slipping away, and I had yet to make good on my promise. A sense of determination ignited within me. I would find a way to fulfil my mother's wish, no matter the cost. The family name would continue, and her soul would finally rest in peace. I took a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs. I could almost hear her voice, whispering in my ear, urging me to keep my promise. I knew I must, for her sake, for our family's sake. As I turned to leave, I whispered a vow to her memory. "I will keep my promise, Mother. I will have a child, and our family's legacy will live on. I swear it." The words hung in the air, a promise to the woman who gave me life, who taught me love, and who entrusted me with our family's future. I would not fail her. Leaving the cemetery, I drove back home, not before giving Marcos a call. If anyone could help me do this, it was him. I couldn't trust anyone more than I did with Marcos. Well, well... I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Aiden Everest, currently the eldest heir to the Everest Families Empire. I'm a billionaire alright, but not yet the CEO of the Families Companies. For some reason, my grandfather has refused to make me the CEO. The old man has something about that position, and I'd have to see him soon enough. I walked into my study, Marcos already seated in the chair across from my desk. As I said earlier, Marcos was my friend, my confidant, and the only person I could trust with my personal life. We had grown up together, and he had been by my side through thick and thin. "Marcos, I need you to find the most suitable candidate for the surrogacy," I said, getting straight to the point. Marcos nodded, his expression serious. "I've already started looking, Aiden. I think I've found someone who fits your criteria." "Who is she?" I asked, leaning forward in my chair. "Her name is Kimberly Banks," Marcos replied. "She's 19 years old, healthy, and I don't know if she's willing to carry a child to term. She's also in need of the compensation, which makes her a strong candidate." I nodded, considering the information. "What's her background?" Marcos hesitated. " She's perfect for the job because she has pediatric aversion, according to her therapist. Meaning, she wouldn't be interested in what happens to the baby when it's born. Should I look into her family background, Aiden? Make sure there are no...issues?" I shook my head. "No, Marcos. That's not necessary. I just need someone healthy and willing to carry my child. That's all that matters." Marcos raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, Aiden? Don't you want to know if there's any...history?" I leaned back in my chair, feeling a sense of unease. I didn't want to know about her family background. I didn't want to know anything that could potentially complicate this process. "No, Marcos. I'm sure. Just make sure she's healthy and willing to carry my child. That's all I need." Marcos nodded, making a note on his pad. "Alright, Aiden. I'll proceed with the arrangements." I stood up, pacing around the room. I felt a sense of relief wash over me. This was it. This was the solution to my problem. "Thanks, Marcos," I said, turning to face him. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Marcos smiled, his eyes warm with friendship. "You'll never have to find out, Aiden. I'm always here for you." I watched as he left my office, feeling a sense of hope. This was it. This was the start of something new. Something that would change my life forever.