The Billionaire's surrogate

Reuniting

"okay ladies and gentlemen! Let's get into formation!" Nadia addressed Christine and her coworkers in the locker room.

"Good day! I'm Nadia Shah, Assistant detective to Detective Lucas Blake on the ongoing investigation in this hotel. And as you might have heard, we are conducting a private questioning session for all the workers and owners of this hotel." She explained.

"So, I'll be handling the workers and my colleague would be handling the owners okay? So we're gonna keep this quick. We were given one of the hotel rooms for this. I have a list of everyone on duty that night. So I'll call your name and you walk with me." Nadia continued.

"I bet the arrangement was Lucas's idea. Y'all broken up yeah?" Maria whispered to Christine.

"No we're not broken up yet. We're just going through a rough phase. And it's best if we stay out of each other's way, so I have no problem with the arrangements." Christine whispered back.

"Shhsh!" Steve hushed.

"Anything you'd like to share, Miss Dominique?" Nadia drew attention to Christine.

Christine smiled awkwardly and shook her head.

"Okay then! You may be dismissed and get to work" Nadia clapped her hands as she walked out.

"b***h!" Maria hissed.

Christine nudged her away, laughing.

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"That's it? I expected more grilling, you know? Like the way they do it in movies." Maria said sarcastically as she played with her fingers.

They were at the bar.

"Oh! You wanna be a suspect?" Steve teased.

Maria eyed him and shook her head. "But aren't we all suspects? Anyone present that night is a suspect, isn't that how it works?"

Steve shrugged. They both turned to Christine who was deep in thoughts.

"What? I have nothing to add to the chorus. Carry on without me, please." Christine stated tiredly.

"Girl! Suck your s**t up already. You're being this moody over a man?" Maria teased.

"Shut up Maria" Christine muttered.

"Yes and get back to work." Steve added.

"I have an idea! I know a really cool pub and the bartender has been flirting with me all year, so free drinks! You should come, Chris. Help you clear your head." Maria offered.

"Tempting offer but my mom is playing tonight at a bar and I want to be there to support her." Christine grinned.

"Aww that's cute." Maria said sarcastically.

"f**k you!" Christine pushed her, laughing as they both got up to get back to work.

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"Hey" Alex said softly.

Christine turned around sharply. She was alone in the staff locker room, she had come to get something.

"Hi" she replied.

"How are you doing?" He rubbed his hands awkwardly.

"I'm okay? Is everything okay?" Christine asked confused.

"Yes. Yes. I just wanted to talk to you."

"Oh suree. Is everything okay?" She moved closer.

"It's about Veronica and I, Christine. We are getting divorced. Well, we've both kinda seen it coming but it just started getting official today." Alex stated. His voice throaty.

Christine blinked.

"I just wanted to let you know. I know how much it means to you that Veronica and I are a team to raise the child but that won't be the case anymore unfortunately." He continued.

Christine heart rate spiked. And there it was, again. Each time she was this close, her heart spiked shamelessly and she wasn't stupid not to know what that meant.

Focus, Pregnant lady! Important business over here!

"Well, wow! I... Uhmm.. don't actually know what to say. It's been a pretty comforting thing for me, knowing the baby was gonna have two parents, be in a stable home, grow up normally. And now, you're telling me that's not gonna happen?" Christine's voice was low.

"Yes. And I'm sorry but I had to come clean to you."

"So, what? You're gonna raise the baby yourself? Just you?" Christine stammered.

"Yes. I know it's huge and personal for you but I can do this. I'd have a lot of support from my family." Alex replied.

"Look, Sir, I...

"Alex. Call me Alex" Alex interrupted.

"Well, Alex I really appreciate your honesty. I do, but this is a pretty huge thing for me. Just give me some time to..uh.. process this okay? Please." She said turning back around.

"Suree. Of course." He replied leaving.

Christine sighed.

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{ I searched for you over land and sea

{I tried to find you but I got lost

{But I got lost

{I tried to hug you and end the war

{Get you back and run away from here

{ And run away from here

{But it was too late

{ And I didn't see it coming

{ I know I couldn't give you what you gave me

{I know I lost you,I know I lost you, I lost you.

{Lovely nights, kisses hurt eternally

Dominique ended her Spanish song with her eyes closed.

Everyone applauded as she came down from the stage.

"Mom! That was amazing. I'm so proud of you." Christine squealed excitedly as she hugged her mother.

"Muchisimas gracias, mi amor." Her mother smiled back at her.

"Let's go get a few drinks, to celebrate." Dominique gestured to the bar.

"I would love to, mother but I got work tomorrow. I'm covering Maria's morning shift, so I have to be in bed right now but I'll see you at home?"

"Of course, princess." She kissed Christine goodbye.

Dominique was beaming with pride all over.

"Whiskey please." She ordered as she took a seat at the bar.

"Coming right up. " The bartender replied.

"Your Spanish has definitely gotten better over the years and so has your music." The voice was gentle beside Dominique.

"Gracias" she answered absentmindedly as she sipped her drink.

And then suddenly stopped and turned around.

"Guzman!" She screamed startled.

There he was. The only man that had brought butterflies to her belly and clearly still did. Dominique has had a lot of relationships since him but...

There he was. Still looking as attractive as ever, in plain khaki pants, perfectly ironed sky blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up his elbow and two buttons undone.

His slightly freckled face and piercing blue eyes still made her wet. He had aged though as Dominique could detect traces of grey hair in his once perfectly raven coloured hair.

What were the odds? That she composed that song a few years for this exact man? That while on that stage, all she could think about was him? What were the odds?

"What are you doing here? How are you even here? Wait, how did you know I was here" Dominique panted shocked beyond

measure.

Mr Guzman chuckled. "Encatado de conocerte también."

Pleased to meet you too.

"Well, I'm not exactly pleased but wow!" Dominique defended, clearing her throat.

"Ouch" he teased and laughed.

Dominique smiled, too nervous to laugh. "So what are you doing here? It's been what? 22 years?"

"Sí sí. It's been a very long one. I'm in Miami for a couple months for business. Heard there was a performance from an opening artist here, so I decided pór què no?

Dominique nodded, sipping her drink.

"Sí. ¿Cómo le va?" Mr Guzman was smirking at her.

How's life?

"Not bad. Still alive." Dominique shrugged.

"But what about you? You're certainly looking good. So life has been fair to you, I assume?" Dominique watched him.

Even after all these years, Dominique still didn't know how to act around him, he drove away all her resolve. She couldn't contain the way her heart thumped.

"Ah, Just a few successes over the years. A little legacy to pass to my children but that's it. Nothing much to brag about, really." Mr Guzman shrugged, chuckling.

"Children?' Dominique shifted uncomfortably.

"Sí. Two daughters. Married twice, divorced twice. Not much success in that department." He chuckled nervously, sipping his drink.

Dominique nodded.

"What about you?" He asked.

"Me? Well, uhmm .. never been married, and just a daughter."

She immediately regretted saying that and gulped the remaining of her drink.

Mr Guzman watched her.

"¿ Cómo ?" He asked nonchalantly.

How?

Dominique avoided his gaze nervously.

He caught the memo. "Dominique, is she...?" He words slurred as he trailed off, too embarrassed to continue.

Dominique nodded.

"Yes Guzman. Yes. She's your daughter. Her name is Christine." Dominique said with tears in her eyes.

He bent his head in exasperation.