Adaline sat by her mother's bedside in the ICU. The doctor had informed her that her mother's surgery went smoothly, but due to the lingering effects of anesthesia, her mother remained unconscious. It had been more than twenty-four hours since her mother came out of the operating room, and it made Adaline worry.
Adaline and Emma took turns caring for her mother. Although Altezza had granted her leave until her mother recovered, considering her loan from the company and the embarrassment of continually burdening others with her work, Adaline decided to return to work as soon as possible.
For the past three days, Adaline had been anxious, not only about her mother's condition but also recalling Altezza's words from earlier. Adaline realized that she had entered an unwritten agreement with her boss, and she was waiting for the continuation of his plan.
Surrogate Mother. That phrase kept echoing in her mind. While waiting for her mother's surgery, she finally quenched her curiosity by searching the internet for the meaning of Surrogate Mother as referred to by Altezza. She was shocked when the search results explained what a Surrogate Mother was. So, Altezza proposed marriage just to rent her womb? Why didn't he marry and have a child with his wife? Why was he so desperate to have a child?
And what were they going to do? Go through insemination? In vitro fertilization? Those were the decisions she wanted to know from Altezza today. However, until the lunch hour passed, she didn't receive any calls from her boss or Duncan, his assistant and the boyfriend of her friend Tessa.
Adaline recalled their conversation from two days ago.
Flashback
After receiving the transfer from Altezza, Adaline rushed to the hospital and completed the paperwork for her mother with the hospital staff. Upon returning to the ICU, she found her close friend Joanna sitting with Emma. When Adaline reached them, Joanna showered her with a worried and puzzled look.
Her friend joined her in tears, apologizing for her absence during Adaline's confusion and need for support. Joanna had been working out of town for the past few days on a project.
"Where did you get that much money?" Joanna asked, curious.
"The company gave me a loan," Adaline replied, not entirely truthful. To her, the money from Altezza was considered a company fund that she had to repay.
"How could the company give you such a huge loan? You're not lying to me, right? You didn't do anything strange to get that loan, did you?" Joanna's forehead wrinkled sharply. Her hands gripped Adaline's arms tightly.
"I can't tell you yet because I'm not entirely sure. But what's certain is that I got the money from Sir Altezza, you know, the COO of Coskun Company?" Joanna nodded. "He gave me a loan, and I don't know if it's his personal money or company funds. But he sent me the money directly from his bank account." Adaline reopened her phone and showed the transaction she received.
"He couldn't just give you a loan like that, right?" Joanna returned Adaline's phone. It was clear that a businessman of Altezza's caliber wouldn't provide a loan without careful consideration, especially considering the substantial amount involved.
Adaline looked at Joanna with fear, but confusion was also evident on her face. "He..." she said after a considerable pause. "He said I have to marry him and bear his child."
"What?!" Joanna's eyes widened, staring at her in disbelief. "Did I hear it wrong?" Adaline shook her head.
"I also don't know exactly what he meant. I'm just thinking about how I can get that money, and I thought what Sir Altezza proposed wasn't something strange. He said..."
"What did he say?"
"He said he needs me to be a Surrogate Mother." Yes, Adaline thought that was the main purpose of Altezza's assistance.
" Surrogate Mother? What does that mean? Are you saying she wants you to be a stepmother?" Joanna furrowed her brow.
"N-no," Adaline replied. "Being an 'surrogate mother' is different from being a stepmother." Adaline pulled out her phone again and showed Joanna an internet search about " Surrogate Mother." After reading it, Joanna covered her mouth to stifle a scream.
"Are you out of your mind? Do you mean she wants you to carry her child?" Adaline shook her head. She herself didn't understand and didn't know what Altezza meant by " Surrogate Mother." "And what happens after the child is born? Do you separate? Does the father take the child?" Adaline shook her head again because she didn't know what Altezza wanted from her.
"I don't know. I really haven't thought that far. I just agreed to whatever Sir Altezza said earlier," Adaline admitted.
"Are you crazy?!" Joanna sharply exclaimed. "Even if your mom knew that this is to save her life, do you think she would be happy?!" Joanna looked at her with anger and disbelief. Unintentionally, tears welled up in Adaline's eyes again.
"Jo..." she uttered with a pleading tone. Adaline knew what she did was wrong. She even entered into an agreement without clear terms. She didn't know if she would be the one disadvantaged or benefited. The only thing on her mind when she accepted Altezza's help was her mother, how she could get the money to save her. Nothing else.
And now, after hearing her friend's reaction, she felt that she had made an incredibly fatal mistake, and she didn't even know where the mistake was.
"Meet him and fix the situation. If he asks you to do something absurd, tell me. We do need that money to save your mom. But it doesn't mean you have to be the one at a loss, Adaline. If he asks for the money back, I'll help you find a loan elsewhere," Joanna said firmly. Adaline could only nod her head.
Flashback off
Until the end of the workday, she still didn't receive a call from Altezza. Adaline wanted to contact him first, but she didn't have his phone number. She could go upstairs to his office, but immediately dismissed the idea. She didn't want to come across as presumptuous or disrupt his work. Maybe today wasn't destined for her to meet him, she thought.
As she was organizing her desk, she noticed Tessa. Suddenly, her thoughts turned to Tessa's boyfriend. "Tessa," she called. Tessa lifted her head from her cubicle. "Is Duncan busy?" she asked.
"It's not usual for you to ask about Duncan. What's up?" Tessa looked at her with a furrowed brow. Not out of jealousy, more out of curiosity, it seemed.
"I need something from him. Can I get his phone number?" she requested.
Tessa just nodded and played with her phone. Shortly after, Duncan's contact appeared in her messages.
"Thanks," Adaline said, acknowledged by a nod from Tessa. Initially intending to leave, Adaline now chose to sit back down and try contacting Duncan.
**Adaline:**
Hey, Duncan. It's Adaline.
I wanted to ask, is Sir Altezza busy?
The message was sent. One checkmark, two checkmarks, then turned blue.
**Duncan:**
Hey, Adaline. Sir Altezza is currently not in. He's got business in Kansas.
He'll be back the day after tomorrow. Is there an issue?
**Adaline:**
No. Just something I need to discuss.
Duncan sent the contact. The name 'Sir Altezza' was clearly displayed on the screen.
**Duncan:**
Just chat or call directly. Sir Altezza won't mind if it's urgent.
**Adaline:**
Ok! Thanks!
**Duncan:**
Yup!
Adaline put her phone back in her bag. She then stood up, bid farewell to Tessa, and decided to head home.