THE BILLIONAIRE'S SURROGATE BABY

Chapter 8

                          ~~ROME~~

  Rome stood in the nursery, surrounded by the anticipation and excitement of impending fatherhood. The walls were adorned with ultrasound images of his growing child, a constant reminder of the new life that would soon enter their world. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion as he imagined holding his baby for the first time, watching them grow and thrive under his care.

  Surveying the room, Rome noticed the array of baby items that he and Georgia had accumulated over the past few months. From diapers neatly stacked in a corner to a collection of unisex clothes hanging in the closet, every detail had been meticulously prepared in anticipation of their little one's arrival. Yet, amidst the organized chaos, Rome couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind.

  As he admired the nursery, Rome's phone suddenly rang, jolting him out of his reverie. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw Neo's name flashing on the screen and answered the call with a slight smile.

"What's up, man?" Neo's voice echoed through the phone, breaking the silence of the room.

"Just the usual. You?" Rome replied, his tone casual yet tinged with curiosity.

"I just hooked up with some girl last night," Neo boasted, his words punctuated by a hint of pride.

Rome couldn't help but scoff at his friend's cavalier attitude towards relationships, wondering if Neo would ever settle down and commit to something more serious.

"You liked her?" he inquired, his voice laced with skepticism.

"Nah, just been thinking about Phoenix's sister lately," Neo admitted, earning another scoff from Rome.

"Don't let the police hear that, or you'll be in trouble," Rome warned, though his words were met with laughter from Neo.

"I'll wait till she's 18 then," Neo joked, his nonchalant demeanor evident even over the phone.

  Rome shook his head in disbelief at Neo's audacity, unable to fathom his friend's carefree approach to romance. "You think she would even like you?" he teased, though a part of him couldn't help but wonder about the possibility.
 
"Is that even a question? Who doesn't like this handsome, sexy guy?" Neo quipped, eliciting a chuckle from Rome.

"Any girl telling you that is just joking," Rome replied with a hint of humility.

"You think you're handsome?" Neo pressed, curiosity evident in his tone.

"Well, I don't need to say it; everybody knows that," Rome asserted confidently.

"Whatever," Neo scoffed, though there was a playful glint in his eyes. Rome couldn't help but smile; Neo always had a way of lightening his mood, especially since Georgia passed away. He was grateful to have such a supportive best friend by his side.

"Oh yeah, Chris just opened a new club, and he said he really wants us to be there," Neo mentioned, changing the subject.

"Club? No. No," Rome quickly disagreed, shaking his head. Clubbing and social events were never his scene; he much preferred the comfort of his own home. He was an introvert.

"Ah, you're boring," Neo teased, though there was a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"You can say that again," Rome retorted, unfazed by Neo's playful jabs.

"Please, I want you to be there," Neo pleaded, his tone sincere. Rome sighed deeply, feeling a pang of longing for Georgia. They always said in every introvert life, they must be an extrovert firend or partner and Georgia has always been the extrovert in hie life,, She had always been the life of the party, and he couldn't remember attending any social event without her by his side.