Thorne III

"Okay, I think I scared you. Let's start it this way." He started talking without looking at her.

"I heard you talking with the cleaner that you are in need of money for your mother's surgery, is that right?" He asked.

From his peripheral vision, he could see her nods.

"I could help you, but I need your help too," he continues.

"What kind of help?" She asked, now she's staring at him.

"Very simple. I will shoulder all your mother's surgery expenses and all of her medication if you will agree to carry my child," he said directly.

She gasped.

"What? That's not easy. I—I don't even have experience, and—and how could—never mind. Thanks for the offer, but your condition is too—not reasonable. Goodbye." She said and stood up abruptly.

"Think about your mother's life. If you will agree with me, I will call the hospital right away to have your mother have her surgery as soon as possible. You will never think about the expenses. I will cover them all. What is more important, your pride or your mother's life?" He said louder, which made her stand aback.

"Of course my mother's life, and I really desperately needed money for her, but the condition is unacceptable. I'm only twenty-three, and carrying a baby for nine months is too much. What will the people say when they see me? How did I get pregnant without a boyfriend? It's ridiculous." She said, walking forward towards the door.

He's trying his best to convince her. This is good that she has no boyfriend. Hassle-free.

"I won't touch you; it will be through artificial insemination. And don't worry about what the people say. I will take you out of here. I will arrange a place for you to stay. You can tell your friends that you're working abroad. Even to your mom. You can come back after the baby is born, and you can start a new life. I will deposit two million dollars to your account the moment you conceive so that you will have money to start with," he said abruptly. 

He needs to get her attention.

And yes, he caught her attention because she turned to face him.

What a turn. So elegant. Hey! Focus shouted his brain.

"You're going to give me money after I conceived your baby?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yes, that would be enough to start your business. Or do you think it's not enough as payment for carrying my baby?" he asked.

He's willing to add if she will agree to carry the child his grandfather is longing to see. A few more million can't make any dent in his accumulated wealth.

"No, no, actually that's too much. If you'll pay for my mother's surgery plus her other medication, I guess it's more than enough," she said.

He likes her attitude and character. This kind of person he wanted to carry his child. No greediness in her vein. He must convince her to accept his offer.

"You mean you agreed?" He asked with hope.

He is waiting for her reply. After a few seconds, she looks at him. His heart skipped a bit.

"When are we going to do this?" she asked.

Because of her response, he hugged her tight.

"Thank you!" He said.

"When are we going to do this?" she asked again, not looking at him.

He let go of her and replied.

"Right now, we'll go to my doctor. But first I will call the hospital to schedule your mother's surgery," he said.

"Okay," she said.

It feels like something heavy lifted up from his chest. He heaved a sigh.

"What's the name of the hospital?" he asked.

She gave him a hospital's name; she searches it in the directory. After the conversation, he put down the phone and looked at her.

"The hospital needs your consent for the surgery as well as your deposit. We'll go there right now," he told her.

He stands up and walks out the door.

"Are you not going with me?" he asked when she was not moving.

He knew that she's trying to grasp what she is going into. Of course, if he were in her position, he too would have difficulty grasping it. But if your loved one is at stake, do you think you have any option?

She slowly stands up from her seat and walks past him. He closed the door and followed her. She must have pressed the button because the lift is now open. They both step inside. He presses the G.

"This way," he said, walking to the other lift going to the basement car parks.

She followed him without a word. He presses the P1, and when the lift comes to a halt, he walks out first. She followed him.

He opened his golden gray 2016 McLaren P4 Supercar.

She's in awe of his car, he thought because of her reaction.

"You have a very nice car," she said.

Finally, she spoke, he thought. She's gone mute since they left his office 'til they reached the carpark.

"Thank you! Get in," he ordered.

She slid inside the car. And he moved to the driver's side and got in. He buckled up and turned on the engine. His car's strong engine revved up, making a loud noise all over the car park.

He drives out of the basement towards the wide road and in the hospital direction where her mother is admitted.

"Will your wife also be there when we're doing the insemination?" she asked.

"No, I don't have a wife," he replied.

"I thought you needed a surrogate mother because your wife couldn't bear a child," she said, frowning.

"This time it's only me who needed a child. Not me, actually. It's my grandfather who keeps on nagging me that I should give him a great grandchild before he dies," he said.

He's not sure if his alibi will be reasonable. It's not an alibi, but it's the truth. It's his grandfather's wish.

"So whose egg will be going to be combined with your semen?" she asked.

"Yours?" he replied.

"What? You don't even know me. What if I have a criminal gene?" she said.

"That doesn't matter. I have strong, good genes that will cover up your genes," he said, laughing.

He could see from his peripheral vision that she was glaring at him. He doesn't care. All he wants is to grant his grandfather's wish.

They arrived at the hospital. He finds a place to park his car. When he fully parked his car, they both emerged from it and walked inside the hospital.

"We are here for Cleofe Lorenzana," she said to the nurse at the customer service desk.

"Your name, please," the nurse asked.

"Ayinah Lorenzana, and this is---"

He cut her in.

"Thorne Muller III," he said.

The nurse eye's widened.

Of course he knew that many women are actually into him.

He could see from their reactions.