My Sweet Escape

Lollipop

Dave's POV

I opened my eyes and everything is a blur. My head is spinning and I feel like I want to puke. What did I drink last night? Did I go to a bar? Is this a bad hangover? I can't seem to remember anything. I tried to get up from bed but I feel dizzy so I just sat...trying to recall what happened. Then, I saw a piece of not on my bedside table. It has a red kiss marked from a lipstick. A note says, " I had fun last night. You were still so good." - Lisa. 

Then, I recalled. Yes, Lisa was here. We were just having a few drinks but why do I feel so heavy. What did she make me drink? I took my cell phone and called her. To my surprise, I saw a lot of photos of us in a very intimate way. Is this blackmail? Is she going this far to get me? I decided not to call her cause I just hate her so much. 

How can my dad put me in this situation? All I want to do now is run away to Russia and marry anyone there. Anyone but Lisa. That snake is so vicious. I know she has bigger plans to eat up our company. Her family owns a chain of businesses. But they are well-known for their pharmaceutical brands. Lisa is a smart woman, a pharmacist and chemist. She makes new patents of the drugs that they sell but recently, they got involved in some illegal drug manufacturing and they need our company to change their identity. Partnering with a chocolate-maker will make their image more pleasant to the market again. I know that she still has a lot of dark plans under her sleeves. 

"Alex, you need to hire a private investigator to watch over Lisa. I know that she has some dark plans going on." I told Alex what Lisa did to me. 

"Sir, I think she drugged you last night."

"What for? If she wants s*x, I could have given it to her but why did she have to drug me?" 

"Well, maybe she wants you all for herself and you will never do that if you are in the right mind."

I think Alex is right. She will never have me if I was in my right mind last night. Well, she will never have me again.

I stood up and called my dad.

"Dad, I think that we should stop the deal with Lisa's..."

"Son, good thing you called. I just spoke to Lisa's dad and the engagement will be this Saturday."

"But, dad!"

"Don't mess this up. I need you to be there." My dad said firmly and hung up.

Candy's POV

The situation with my patient's husband was finally settled. He signed a quit claim and will never get to me ever again. I hope that my guilt will just go away together with the man. But it is still lingering in me. I usually have nightmares. I see the woman drowning in her own blood as her baby comes out and splashes blood on me. It is haunting me. I don't know what to do. I want to see a psychiatrist but it will cost me a lot and I am now penniless. 

Suddenly, my phone rings.

"Is this Candy Park?" An unfamiliar voice of a woman spoke. 

"Yes, this is. May I know who you are?" I asked curiously.

"This is someone who can help you. I got your number from Ryan."

"Oh. How can you help me?"

"I have a business proposal for you. I heard about what happened in the hospital and I think you are the one I am looking for. Number 1, you used to be a doctor who knows a lot about pregnancy and you are in great need. Am I right?"

The woman on the other end is mysterious but knowing that Ryan gave her my number means that she is trustworthy. So, I got hooked up in the conversation. 

"To cut to the chase...I am willing to pay a big amount of money if you help me. I am sterile. I cannot bear a child."

"But, I am no longer a doctor so I cannot help you anymore." I said feeling sorry for her. 

"That's not what I meant. I have a bigger plan and a bigger work for you to do. Not as a doctor but as a surrogate mother."

Her words sounded hurtful, insulting and immoral. It is against my belief as a doctor. I cannot play God. But at this point in time, I felt a sudden whisper from my conscience. Is it pity for the woman who long to have a child but cannot? Is this pity for myself for not saving another life in need? I am confused. My conscience is battling with my brain and my heart is telling another story. Is this the chance that I am waiting for? To pay life with a life...is this the answer to my prayers? Is this how I can wash away my guilt?