The Surrogate And The Billonaire's Secret

Chapter 15

Conrads POV

" Conrad... you need to rest" David said to me as I walked back to my seat behind the desk. "You've been consuming yourself in work for months.....I think it's about time you took time off work" he added

" I'm fine David.... resting won't change anything " I replied him firmly. " It's not going to stop the threats and blackmails and besides, now is not even the best time, we only just acquired the Bella Van couver painting today " I explained to him as I began going through the files on my desk. " I have to stay productive"

" That's exactly your problem Conrad. You bury yourself in work anytime something gets to you " He counters firmly

My jaw tightens as I listened to him. He of all people should understand why I've become like this.....he of all people should know all that I went through to survive the accident and the trauma that followed. He knew all I went from one shrink to another.

Working was my coping mechanism. Burying myself in work had been the only thing that helped me survive the past 6 years. It's bad enough that I had to cancel all my appointments due to Jason's disruption, now I can't work alone in peace?

Oh c'mon!

" Conrad" David called out

" I said I'm fine David" I snapped at him.

I wasn't really pissed with him, no he wasn't the problem, I was mad at myself for allowing a simple text affect me that much.

" No you're not." His voice was calm and fatherly this time around. " Just take the day off.... that's all I'm asking for" he added.

I hate when he uses that tone... because I always lose against it and ofcourse as always, after a long stare down at me, I finally gave in.

" Fine." I surrendered

I glanced at him and saw the look of satisfaction on his face. He nods in response and then spoke. "Good, I'd have Vera being you something to eat later"

" I'm not hungry David... she doesn't " I tried to decline but the expression on his face made me change my mind. " Okay fine "

By the time I woke up hours later, it was getting dark outside. Oh boy, I must have really slept for long. Longer than I had thought I would. I really haven't been able to sleep well for years. Not after the incident, not when my every dream was filled with nightmares and threats. They might have reduced with the help of medicine over the years... but it still wasn't the same thing.

My head felt heavy when I tried to get up. Ofcourse, it was probably another useless nap. I knew taking a break wasn't going to make any difference on how I feel. Instead it only turns invisible for a second like an intoxication and then comes back with a big rush.

That was exactly how I was feeling right now.

A soft knock at the door brought me back from my wandering thoughts. " It's me " I heard Vera say from outside and within seconds, she pushed open the door to my bedroom and walked in.

" I brought your dinner" she replied, carrying a tray of food.

" I'm not hungry " I replied her firmly. The last thing on my mind was food. I mean how could I enjoy my meal when I know that there was an enemy out there to get me?

As if on cue, my stomach betrayed me. The rumbling was soo loud that it made Vera give me the ' oh really?' kind of look.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?" She asked even though I could hear the mockery in her tone.

" Okay , maybe just a few bites" I replied her grudgingly

I looked at her to find a familiar look on her face. The one that said that she wasn't buying it and reminded me of the fact that she helped raised me.

" Make sure you finish it Conrad" she stated firmly as she placed the tray on the mini table in my room and then walks away.

I finished the food within 6 minutes. Man I didn't even realize how hungry I was until I took the first bite. I really should stop punishing myself and start eating more, especially when I had someone like Vera around.

After the meal, I layed back in bed to relax a bit, only for my thoughts to be clouded by that of a certain someone.

Frances.

Damn it! Why her again? Why does she seem to always invade my thoughts?

I haven't seen or heard from her all day. I reached for my phone and was about to call her when I stopped myself.

Pull yourself together man! You shouldn't be doing this! But then, why do I feel bothered by this? The fact that I hadn't seen or heard from her all day . Why does my chest feel sore........ empty?

Why do I keep replaying her voice in my head? And why on earth am I bothered by the way she looked at me that night? Hurt? Angry? Sad....I just couldn't place it.

"Oh f**k!" I dragged my hand down my face as I blurted out in frustration.

This is ridiculous! I shouldn't be bothered by her....I shouldn't even care less!

I need to understand that Frances was nothing but a mere employee. Both my secretary and surrogate. When am I going to fully accept this fact? I never wanted to get involved with anyone, that is why I was using a surrogate to produce an heir.

Not after what happened to my mother, not after what they did to her, how they treated her and how she eventually lost her life.

I have my father's blood running through my veins and there's every possibility that history would repeat itself. I didn't want to treat any woman the way my mother was treated. I don't even think I have the emotional capacity to treat any woman well.

So it's best to bury all of these thoughts that keep invading my head. Nothing is ever going to happen between us.

She is just an employee. A deal and a means to an end. Frances Becker shouldn't matter but even I know that she does and it's beginning to piss me off!

What the hell is wrong with me for christ sake?!

I felt restless and out of control. What on earth is she f*****g doing to me?

I immediately stood up in frustration. " Enough thinking about her Conrad. You need to f*****g get your priorities straight!"

And as if on cue, there was another knock at the door.

" Kylie Prescott is here" David spoke from outside.

Wait what? I immediately freeze as his words registered into my brain.

Kylie? Now? Of all people and of all times?

My brows pulled together as memories start to flood back in a quick flash. Family dinners, runways, parties where she smiled like she owned the place.

My father adored her, even my step mother worship her because she was the perfect daughter in-law candidate for the King's boys. For me....but then I wasn't interested, I never was.... not after my vow to never marry........ and I couldn't just toy with her which was why I let her go to my half brother. Jason.

They were the perfect couple with the golden image for about 3 years until it blew up.

"He is probably still asleep Miss Prescott, he had a really long day" I heard David say to her from behind the door. It was obvious that Kylie was trying to force her way in...as always.

" Move David" she snaps and then continued. " I haven't been around for 7 months and this is how you'd behave?" She asked rhetorically. " I can assure you that Conrad would be excited to see me" she added with her British accent.

I walked to the door, exhaled sharply and then opened it before she created a scene.

" Conrad!" The second Kylie sees me, she lightens up and within seconds, she throws herself around me, around my neck with perfume everywhere.

" I've missed you !" She said in a high pitched tone and then added dramatically. " David wouldn't let me in"

" Because you didn't wait to be announced" David defended as he stood behind her.

" David" I said quietly as he nods and then leaves us alone.

I slowly removed Kylie's hand from my neck as I came out completely from the room and shut the door behind me. I obviously didn't want her in there. She's still my half brother's ex afterall.

" Didn't you just arrive in the country yesterday? Shouldn't you be with your family?" I asked

"I already stayed with them last night" she replied as she waved her hand. " ...and I thought I'd come see you today " she added

Ofcourse.

" Did you miss?" She teases with her million dollars smile as she placed her hands on my chest.

" You were gone" I shrugged in response

" Wow, such emotions " she pouts as she tries to hide her disappointment.

She already knows that I am a man who hardly shows my emotions and there was nothing new about it.

" I heard about your break up" I stated, obviously trying to change the subject.

" Oh please don't remind me about it" she replied as she released her grip on me.

" What happened" I asked.

Usually this wasn't the kind of questions I'd ever ask, especially when it involved my half brother.

" I really tried to make it work between us but apparently he was never the one for me" she continued. " His addiction was getting worse and it was only a matter of time before it became public, I have a reputation and career and I can't let him ruin it for me ...I wasn't going to let that happen "

I blinked twice as I processed her words. And for once I agreed with her. Jason seriously needs to get his act together.

" I thought you guys would get married and have mini versions of you and him" I joked

" Oh please Conrad.....you of all people know that I was only with Jason because a certain someone didn't want me " she said in sly tone and I knew exactly what she meant.

I had been the one she always wanted, but I pushed her away.

As we walked down the hallway, towards the stairs , she clung to my arm and it felt too close, too familiar and too intentional.

" I was thinking, you could take me out to dinner tonight, as a welcome back gift" she said lightly like it was the most natural thing to say.

" I don't think that's right Kylie" I said to her

" I don't see anything wrong about it. I mean, I not seeing anyone presently and most importantly I'm no longer with Jason " she defends

Exactly my point! She was my half brother's ex and I didn't want to start a rumor of being seen out in public together. I have a lot going on right now and the last thing I want is to add more to it.

" I'll think about it" I replied her firmly as we began walking down the stairs.

" No Conrad, don't think..." She insisted firmly. " Two or three hours wouldn't kill you now, would it? Besides, I'm starving" She laughs softly

I remained silent.

It was obvious that she was back to making advances at him and if by any chance the media finds out about this, they would explode.

I can already imagine the headlines and chaos.

* Conrad King with his brother's ex*

* Conrad King betrays his brother for Kylie Prescott*

No. Absolutely not!

But Kylie doesn't let go of my arm as we approached the ground floor. She made a light joke about Jason's terrible taste in music and laughs loudly.

And I almost ...... almost allowed a smile form at the corners of my lips until I saw her.

Standing beside David was no other but the woman whose thoughts has refused to leave my mind.

Frances Becker.