"I can help you," Altezza repeated his words.
Adaline froze, unable to believe what she had just heard. Was Altezza offering to help her personally? It was the longest time Adaline lifted her head and looked directly at Altezza. He observed her from his seat.
Adaline's eyes were golden brown, framed by long and curly eyelashes, along with thick black eyebrows. Her nose was small and perfectly placed on her face. Her lips were not too thin, nor too thick, but sensual. Yes, Adaline was indeed beautiful, very beautiful. And even though the girl now looked at him nervously, it didn't diminish her beauty.
"But there are conditions," Altezza said after a considerable pause. The girl seemed to straighten her shoulders.
"W-What conditions, Sir?" she asked, sounding concerned.
"Are you currently in a relationship with someone?" Altezza's question surprised Adaline, but without returning the question, she shook her head.
Adaline did like someone, but she didn't have a special relationship, so no, she wasn't currently involved with anyone.
"Do you plan to get married soon?" Adaline shook her head again. "Do you have any hereditary diseases?" Once again, Adaline's answer was a headshake. "Are you okay with getting married and having children with me?" Adaline shook her head again before realizing the implication of Altezza's question.
"Huh? W-what?" Adaline stared at Altezza in disbelief. Did she hear it correctly?
Instead of answering or explaining, the man patted his thighs and stood up.
"You've given me the answers I need, Miss Adaline Scott. And I won't repeat my question. I will send the amount you need. In return, you will do what has already been your answer. That you will marry me and bear my child," Altezza stated. Adaline tensed even more upon hearing Altezza's words. Marriage? Child? What did that mean?
"Relax, it's not the kind of marriage you're thinking about, actually. Have you ever heard the term 'a life for a life'?" Altezza asked, and Adaline nodded. "That's what we're doing. I'm helping you by saving your mother's life, and in return, you give me another life, which is a child for me. Or the term used by people nowadays is, you will be a Surrogate Mother."
"But, Sir?" Adaline stood up, looking at her boss with panic. Why was it turning out like this? Marriage? Giving birth? Surrogate Mother? Adaline didn't understand any of the words Altezza was using.
"Yes, or not at all, Miss Adaline Scott?" Altezza seemed to be holding his phone and waved it in front of Adaline.
"But, Sir?" Altezza only answered her confusion by raising an eyebrow. He was about to put his phone back into his suit pocket, but Adaline's hand reflexively reached out and grabbed the man's arm with an unexpectedly quick and aggressive movement.
Adaline was surprised by her own aggressive act and quickly let go of his arm. Her fingertips felt like they were shocked by a small electric current when their skin touched, making her nervous.
"So...?" Altezza asked, one eyebrow raised.
"I-I agree, Sir," she said nervously.
"Agree to...?" he hung his sentence. There was a teasing tone in his voice, and Adaline was sure he was holding back a smile.
"Agree to marry and bear your son, Sir," she said with a more determined voice.
Altezza smiled sweetly, so sweet that it made Adaline's legs feel weak. He nodded without taking his eyes off Adaline. "Alright, state your bank account number," he commanded afterward.
Adaline grabbed her phone from the pocket of her blazer and recited her bank account number. In less than a minute, a notification popped up on her phone stating that she had received a transfer from an account, and the amount was surprisingly staggering. It was twice the amount Adaline needed.
"S-Sir," she stammered, still holding her phone in disbelief. "This is too..."
"Consider it as an advance payment," Altezza said flatly. "And from now on, you are officially my fiancée, Miss Adaline Scott." He said, patting the top of Adaline's head.
Adaline, who was half a head shorter than the man, had to look up involuntarily. Altezza, in turn, was leaning down towards her, meeting her gaze with his golden-brown eyes. The corners of his eyes seemed to crinkle, and he smiled kindly at her.
"Go on, I'm giving you leave until your mother is declared completely healed," he said, using a more casual tone and a softer voice. His left hand was still on the top of Adaline's head. His gesture reminded Adaline of her late father, and somehow tears welled up in her eyes again, flowing freely.
"Th-thank you, Sir," she said softly. The man simply nodded and stepped back.
"Go, and I hope my future mother-in-law's surgery goes smoothly," he said with his back turned to Adaline. Adaline nodded her head and wiped away her tears, which seemed to fall for the umpteenth time today.
"Once again, thank you, Sir. I swear I won't break my promise," she said and then left Altezza's office.
There was no one outside Altezza's room. Adaline rushed to the elevator. Her heart was pounding, and she couldn't hide her happiness even though tears continued to fall from her eyes. In the elevator, she continued to pray for the success of her mother's surgery. She even forgot about the promise she had made with Altezza about marrying him and giving him a child. That matter could be postponed. Now, what mattered to her was her mother's safety.