Billionaire's Surrogate

Chapter 5

Three years later,

"Table number six is waiting for fifteen minutes, dumb ass. What are you busy doing?" Laura walked in seething. And, Sarah nodded hurriedly before she walked out with the order. She plastered a huge smile on her face walking into the seating area. It had been two years since she has secured a job here. She was already promoted to a cashier because of her credibility but whenever her boss Miss Agatha was missing, her sister Laura makes her work as a waitress.

Sarah knew she was doing fine. Saturdays were always overflowing and even the customers were used to waiting.

Telling herself that Laura won't be here for more than a week Sarah tried to suck it up. She never complained about Laura's attitude to her boss. She knew her boss knew what kind of person her sister is.

Sarah never told her mother about her dropping out of college. She knew it won't be great for her heart. But it made things only worse. She had to send her mom a lot to make her think she is doing a corporate job. Covid had her back when she explained to her mom how her graduation ceremony won't be happening. But one lie after another had her in a tight spot.

Though her mother never asked her for money Sarah knew that working with a heart condition could be lethal for her mom. Her mother all able to look after herself was more than she can ask for.

But two months ago when her mom suggested she buy the home they were living in their hometown. Sarah had to act mean and say she doesn't like that place much. She knew her mother had so many memories in that house. But there was no way she could afford to pay for that place.

Sarah had no hope left for her future. She doesn't feel like making plans for her now. It was around the end of her twelve-hour shift now.

Sarah had to work more to make sure she is able to send more to her mother. She wanted to give her the illusion that she was doing great for herself for as long as possible. It had worked for the last three years. Making Sarah think it can go on. Some might believe the guilt of lying to her mother has lessened but more the time has passed, the more it became heavy to carry on. More fear was involved for her cover getting busted. She knew the damage will be even deeper. It wasn't only about her graduation anymore. Lying to her mother for the last three years now looks more like a mountain. Becoming bigger with each passing second.

Sarah had noticed her mother hadn't talked to her much for this week. She wonders if it was after she started giving her mom the cold shoulder. Sarah now dreaded the call from her mother. Every call meant she had to tell a lie to sustain the world that was nowhere around her. She had to laugh. She had to tell her how busy she is and hang up cutting her mother's speech.

Sarah was getting into her apartment that she shares with three other girls. Her feet were aching when she took her shoes off but got a call on her phone at that exact time. It was a call from her mother's clinic. She had saved it in case of clinic calls. And, it only meant one thing.

"Hello? Is my mom fine?"

"Miss Brown, your mother's reports didn't come fine. I don't think I should tell your mom given how emotional she is. I think it will be better if you accompany her when we tell her the news."

"What...what news?"

"I will ask you to sit down. Miss Brown..." Mr. Rhodes who was now quite regular for her mother given Sarah sends her mother a good sum was reluctant for a second before he continued, "...your mother has developed a stage three cancer. Look, I know it is going to be a long journey but knowing you and your mother. I really want you two to fight. Miss Brown...are you there?" The doctor asked when she didn't react.

"She will live, right?" Sarah's voice came out from afar. She knew she wasn't ready for it.

"Of course, given the compliance, you two will give me. I assure you we can make this work. Or get through." Sarah nodded,