The Surrogate And The Billonaire's Secret

Mr CEO

Conrads POV

I moved through the glass doors of the building with my usual dominant Calm. Ashford Callahan my bestfriend follow beside me as we traded easy banter on the morning schedule.

" The Bella van couver painting would be ours by the end of the week....I am about to close the deal with Mr Dunphy" I said to him as we approached the private elevator that only I and my visitors rode.

I watched as the company staffs began to move in different directions as soon as they notice me.

" Hmmmmm" Ashford Commented. " I must ask how you did it, I heard Dunphy is a hard headed man that is very difficult to please" he added

" Trust me.....he is definitely stubborn but then, leverage is all that matters...and it did speak " I replied him firmly

Ashford let out a soft laugh just as we got to the elevator. " Are you sure it is worth that money? Ten million is a lot of money you know " he stated. " That is a modern risk number, even for you Con"

"Risk is what differentiates the cautious from the decisive" I shrugged my shoulders as I spoke. We were already inside the elevator. " Once we close this, we are definitely going to land a bigger player..... it's not about vanity, it's leverage Ash....I need you to trust me " I said to him

" Well, I've never once doubted you.... even though some of your decisions can be ridiculous sometimes, but I trust you to making the right calls " he replied calmly as a satisfying smirk appeared at the corners of my lips.

For a silvery second my thoughts wandered,.... towards the painting, towards the deal that could tilt the market in our favor....and then, memory of last night came flooding back. My conversation with Jason, my encounter with the surrogate and most importantly, the phone call that gave me sleepless night.

The unwanted and sharp piercing in the heart call. The fact that the secret I had thought was long buried was no longer a secret...at least not to this person. The Incident that started my anxiety and hallucinations, the incident that almost drove me insane due to the guilt that weighed down on me!

" Con?. ....are you alright?" Ashford asked as he interrupted my intrusive thoughts. " You seem distant" he added

" I'm fine Ash, it's just stress" I lied.

Of course I had to! Ashford doesn't know about the incident, he doesn't know about the one thing I'd buried and made sure never to surface again...why then would I add to the list of people that knows about it?

I don't think I want to pull more people into the orbit of my private mess.

I need to get my act together and focus on work. If anyone has anything to say to me they should do it to my face and stop hiding behind a f*****g automated phone call.

The elevator ding open.

Esther Jones greeted us, it was her last day at work before her maternity leave. I noticed Frances but didn't spare her a second glance. I gave Esther a slight nod and then headed into my office.

I really wasn't sure why I ignored Frances but I think I needed to let her know that the Conrad King she'd be getting at the house is way different from the one she'd get at the office.

I listened as Ashford clapped his hands as he shifted into a comfortable chatter with Esther. A moment later he walked into the office and settled into the chair opposite my large mahogany desk while I sat behind it.

" So that Frances you mentioned,... she's the surrogate?" Ashford asked as he released the buttons of his suit jacket.

I had briefed him on the swap earlier and the logistics has been clinical in his mind. " Yes she is the surrogate and also the temporary secretary while Esther goes on maternity leave" I replied him calm

I watched as Ashford whistled in a low voice. I knew what that meant but remained silent. "Pregnant and working as your secretary.... Conrad, isn't that asking for drama?" He asked

" It's business " I replied firmly. " She fills a need, end of story."

He raised his eyebrows as he spoke. " You're sure you are not being dominant and overprotective? ...Con you made her move in with you! I mean is that really necessary?"

" She's pregnant with my child Ashford. The heir to the kings corporation, it's only sane that I keep her under my watch " I replied him as I began going through the files arranged on my desk.

" Oh Conny Conny, " he teased. " Who's to say that the arrangement doesn't turn into something else... she's pretty young and...."

" If I wanted complications I wouldn't tie it to a contract Ashford....I am a business man and you know it " my voice was stern and flat. " This is strictly professional...if I want s*x I'd get it elsewhere , I don't mix personal with business!"

Deep down, I wasn't sure if I was lying to myself or telling the truth because in as much as I wanted to believe the words that came out of my mouth, my thoughts keep taking me back to my encounter with Frances last night and how I had left her breathless.

I watched as Ashford snorted softly but let the conversation drop.

But a moment later, he changed the subject. " So about the deal with the German company..." He started

" Oh good lord Ash... What's soo f*****g impressive about this deal?" I asked out loud. At this point I was getting tired of him trying to sell me the idea like he was their brand ambassador. I had lunch with them the other day just as he had requested, so what more does he want?

" All I'm saying is that you give them a chance....... this is good business Conrad, you know me, I wouldn't bring a business that I haven't vetted properly" he replied me professionally.

I contemplated on it for a few seconds before giving a reply.

" You know what.... let's hear their pitch" I blurted out loud.

" Great!" I could sense the excitement in his voice as he spoke

" But they had better not waste my time Ash.....I'm serious, I'm giving them just one chance and that's because of you" I said to him

" I understand.....and I can assure you that you'd be impressed " he replied

I had better be impressed.

My phone then began to vibrate. It was a call from my father.... Mathew King.

I answered it with a little bit of hesitation. " Hello dad"

" Conrad, hiii" Kristen, my stepmother's voice was heard instead

" Oh Kristen" I replied as I wondered why she was calling from my father's phone

" Oh Conrad, is that how you greet someone you haven't spoken to in weeks?" She asked and then added. " Your father is here, say hi "

" Hey Son" My father greeted

" Hello dad " I replied

Ever since what happened to my mother, I had deliberately separated myself from them because I blamed them both for my mother's death. If not for Kristen, my mother ought to be alive.

" You hardly call anymore...is that how to treat your old man?" My father asked

" When next are we seeing you?" Kristen asked out loud.

I hated the fact that she thinks I was cool with her. I hated everything that happened ever since she came into our lives, but then, she's my father's wife after all. I didn't have a choice but to keep tolerating her.

" I'm not sure yet Kristen.... work is a bit hectic right now" I replied her

" You should be able to manage your time well....you need to create time for family " dad chipped in.

I wanted to defend myself but then, I decided against it. I still haven't told them about Frances and the baby and perhaps visiting them would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

" I will create some time to come see you" I concluded as I was very eager to end the call.

" That would be great! " Kristen replied " I will make sure to prepare your favorite meal " she added

" Don't let us keep you from attending to your work... talk to you later son " My father said

Grateful that the call was finally coming to an end, I replied. " Alright dad...."

I placed my phone on the desk as soon as the call ended only to lock eyes with Ashford's mischievous ones.

" Don't give me that look Ash...you know I tried" I blurted out

" Yea..you sure did. When are you ever going to fully accept her?" He asked

" Uhhh... maybe never." I replied

" Okay okay.....who am I to force you" he raised both his hands in surrender as he spoke. But speaking of favorite meals...I'm starving Con, let's go get breakfast " he continued

I gave him a look of disbelief. " We just got here Ash, I've got a ton of files to look at " I said to his face

" Oh c'mon, we can get breakfast at a nearby place........" He urged.

" Fine.... just 30minutes" I stated as he immediately rose to his feet.

As we passed through my secretary's office, I made a mental note of Frances absence. As soon as we got to the ground floor and stepped out of the elevator, the sight in front of me made my blood boil.

A man's grip closed on Frances arm tightly and the way it felt familiar made sharp flares under my composure. The sight was enough to twist something inside of me.

His face was arrogant as I watched as he called her name " Frances"

My jaw tightened as I walked towards them. I didn't say a word, I didn't need to because as soon as he locked eyes with mine, he immediately turned white. It was obvious that he wasn't expecting to see me.

" Mr ....Mr King" He stuttered .

I watched as he immediately let go of Frances arm.

" Mr King I..." He tried to explain but I cut him off by reaching for his ID. I needed to know his identity in order to take action.

" You will explain yourself to HR and security later, leave now" My voice was cold and intimidating.

As soon as he left, I faced Frances.

" Why was he grabbing you?" I asked. My voice was fierce. It was obvious that I wasn't pleased with what I saw. Not only did he grab my staff, he dared to lay hands on the person carrying my child!

I noticed the hesitance in her actions. " Speak" I propped further, I hate when people waste my time.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally replied. "Hes my ex"

My eyes immediately darkened as soon as her words registered into my brain and that was all I needed to hear.

" Go back to the office" I ordered as I began walking towards the lobby with Ashford following behind. He had silently witnessed the whole thing.

I brought out my phone and called David.

" Hello" he answered on the first ring.

" David, I need you to pull everything on Steven Anderson" I said to him "background and work history, complaints and who they might be connected to " I added

" I understand " David replied

No one dare messes with anything that belongs to me and now, I am definitely going to destroy Steven Anderson.