The Surrogate Girlfriend

Seven

It was noon, but I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. That was unusual for me. The pain was back, fresh, as the first day he broke up with me.

It felt like my body was glued to the mattress, weighed down by everything I was feeling. I was shattered, inside and out. My stomach grumbled, but I wasn’t hungry, not in the way that mattered. I knew I should be taking better care of myself, eating properly for the baby now growing inside of me, but I just couldn’t summon the energy to do anything.

Maybe I really did need that maid after all.

The doorbell echoed through the house, breaking the stillness in my room. I groaned loudly, pulling the blanket over my head. The last thing I wanted was company. It was probably the maid again, returning because I was now officially pregnant. She’d give up eventually and leave when no one answered, I thought.

But when the bell kept ringing, frustration boiled up inside me. I threw the covers off and trudged downstairs, ready to give whoever it was a piece of my mind.

I reached the door and stopped short. Leonard was already inside.

“How did you get in?” I demanded, my annoyance obvious.

“Good day to you too, Miss Eva,” he replied, a hint of dry humour in his voice. “I have a key, in case you forgot, this is my house.”

I rolled my eyes. Right. Noted.

“You weren’t answering the doorbell, so I let myself in,” he continued, placing a large basket on the dining table. That’s when I noticed what he was carrying, a basket full of fruits.

“I brought this. The doctor said it’s good for you,” he said.

I didn’t know if it was the fruit or the fact that he thought to bring it, but a small smile crept onto my face. “Thanks,” I murmured, glancing through the basket at the assortment of apples, oranges, bananas, and more.

“What did you have for breakfast?” he asked, his voice stern but not harsh.

“Nothing,” I said, shrugging as if it were no big deal.

“Nothing?” His tone shifted, a hint of anger in it. I glanced at him to make sure he wasn’t actually mad.

“Are you trying to...”

“Relax,” I interrupted, holding up a hand. “I’m not trying to starve your child if that’s what you were about to say.” I grabbed an apple and bit into it, the sweet juice reminding me of how long it had been since I ate something.

“Miss Eva, you signed a contract,”

“Yeah, yeah, I know what I signed,” I cut him off again.

“Do you?”

“Why are you so grumpy, Mr. Leonard?” I asked, changing the subject. His eyes narrowed slightly as if I’d caught him off guard.

“Your girlfriend must be a saint for putting up with you,” I added, biting into my apple again. He didn’t respond, his face blank as always, but the silence was telling.

Suddenly, he took two steps toward me, closing the distance between us. My breath hitched, and I instinctively took a step back, my eyes wide with surprise.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice quieter, as if he were genuinely concerned. “Your eyes are swollen.”

I lowered my gaze and quickly turned away, walking into the kitchen. “I’m fine,” I lied, my heart aching. His simple question had unearthed all the hurt I’d been trying to suppress.

“Were you crying?” He followed me into the kitchen, his presence unsettling.

“I said I’m fine,” I snapped, harsher than I intended. Normally, I would’ve apologized for being rude, but not today. Instead, I grabbed a glass and poured myself some water, hoping to drown the awkwardness that filled the room.

The thought of Kelvin swirled in my mind, and what once had brought me joy now only caused me pain. How could I tell Leonard that I lost the man I loved just to fulfil his desire to have a child? My vision blurred, tears welling up, but I blinked them back before turning around. Leonard was still watching me, his expression unreadable.

“I know it must’ve taken a lot for you to do this,” he said softly, his tone surprisingly gentle. “I know you were desperate for money.”

I stiffened, feeling slightly insulted, but I kept my mouth shut.

“Forgive my wording,” he quickly added. “What I meant to say was… I understand you did this because you needed the money. I know it might not have gone well with the people around you, your loved ones.” He paused as if carefully choosing his next words. “My point is, I won’t meddle in your life, and I won’t ask any more displeasing questions.”

His words left me speechless for a moment. “Thank you,” I finally managed to say.

He nodded, a slight acknowledgement. “I’ll take my leave now. If you need anything, call me.”

I watched as he turned and walked out, the sound of his car driving away echoing in the quiet house. It wasn’t until after he left that I realized I didn’t even have his number.

Great.

I trudged back upstairs, ready to resume my moping, when my phone beeped from the bedside drawer. I picked it up, my heart skipping a beat when I saw the message from an unknown number.

Now you have my number.