My surrogate lover

Chapter1

….. to love and to cherish in sickness and in health, till death do us part…

That's the hundredth time Leah has watched that movie.

She picked up the remote, switched off the TV, and then picked up her phone to see what the internet had got today. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I've been trying to search for reasonable jobs, but the only thing that seems to pop up is to be a surrogate mother for a billionaire. The reasons were private. Hmmm…. How's that even going to work? Mom would never agree to that. Argh! Leah screamed out her lungs.

“Oh! God. Please help me, how will mom even take this? Talking about my mom, I'm sure she will be home soon. I need to prepare dinner”.

Selena is a single parent, she began raising Leah and Lilith all by herself after her husband died in a car accident. That happened when Leah was 7. Shortly after Lilith was born, he passed away.

So ever since then, it's just been the three of them, Leah, Lilith, and their mom, Mrs. Selena Anderson. No relatives, just us.

Mrs Selena has worked in a supermarket down the road for the past 10 years. The owners have been super nice to them, and everything has been going well, not quite well, but at least they've been managing until February this year, when Lilith school called Mrs Selena and told her she passed out.

Hello! Mrs. Selena, yes, that’s me, we’re calling from Sun Bridge high school to let you know that your daughter just passed out.

What! What did you say… Selena stuttered. I’m sorry to say this, but your daughter passed out not quite long although she’s been admitted to the school’s clinic.

The school admin said and paused, waiting for a response.

Alright! Alright! I’ll be on my way right now. Selena dashed out of the store after calling her boss to get permission, which she gladly did. Her colleague, Mr Bradley, was available to fill in for her.

On getting to the clinic after many checkups, Lilith was later transferred to the government hospital where she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The doctor said she needed surgery and that would cost a lot of money. That broke Selena.

Lilith is a sweet girl, who can be super annoying at times, but she is sweet and very caring too. She’s smart too, that’s how she got the scholarship at her school. I mean how else will she get it when we definitely can’t afford it?

She'll be turning 16 this December. I hope she makes it. She's a strong girl. I know she'll make it. I try to encourage myself.

After carrying out several tests, the doctor confirmed that Lilith had kidney cancer and would need a kidney transplant. They were both shocked.

While Selena was on her way to the hospital, she hurriedly picked up her phone and called her daughter Leah to inform her and meet her at the hospital.

Meanwhile, they both stared at the doctor waiting for more explanation. Well, thankfully, it’s in her first stage. If she gets the surgery done early enough now that it is still localized to the kidney and the immediate surrounding tissue, then there’s a chance she’ll survive, the doctor said, trying to encourage us.

So how much will it cost us? Mrs Selena asked with a very low voice. Well, luckily for you, the price is subsidized, so all you have to pay is $19500, the doctor said as he peeped at Selena through his glasses. Selena’s eyes protruded out of the socket as if they’d fallen out.

And then she froze. Selena couldn't say a word. All she did was stare at the doctor.

I can see you are exhausted, ma’am. You can go home and freshen up, try and make a few calls for now. See how you can raise the money for your daughter. She is under intensive care. You don't need to worry too much. The Doctor added and stood up, reaching for the door.

The trip back home was boring, Selena didn't utter a word and all Leah did was look out the window. They got home in no time, as time flew past. When they got home, they both freshened up and went straight to bed.

That was the first time I saw my mom so quiet. It was like all her feelings had been numbed. Even though we do not sleep in the same room, I can tell that she’s not sleeping. Leah was busy talking to herself like she'd become bipolar.

….

Leah woke up the next morning, took a deep breath, and brushed her teeth. And all she could smell was pancakes. Good morning mom” Selena smiled and responded to the morning sweetheart.

I couldn’t help but stare at her, she had black eyes. I was itching to ask her if she slept at all but it was obvious. No need to put her in a tight corner I told myself.

Oh, nice! Very crunchy, exactly how I love it, Mom. You're welcome. Selena smiled at her daughter. Alright! I’m late for work clear the mess when you're done, I’m off. Bye hun, and she gave Leah a light kiss on the head and dashed out of the house.

Hi, Bri! Brittany is Leah’s best friend she’s been my friend ever since the first day we relocated to this area. She was so close at some point I thought she lived next door, but that changed when I found out she lives five streets away from us.

Leah picked up her phone and called her best friend. Oh! finally, Brittany screamed over the phone, what happened? I've been trying to reach you for God knows how long, wait hold up don't answer I'm coming over.

Brittany arrived in no time, storming the house like she always does. You have to give me a valid reason why you've been ignoring my calls or it's over, Bri said with her hands folded across her chest.