ViolaMy knees nearly buckled as I took tentative steps forward. I had had to psyche myself up
mentally before coming here, because I knew that if this happened to be true, then there
was no turning back.
I handed the small business card to the receptionist. Mariah had given it to me earlier-
apparently it was for the "audition". Quite frankly, I didn't want to know how she got it, but
she told me anyway. Apparently the billionaire's mother had a distant relative that she
assigned to get the word out. That relative just happened to be Mariah's co-worker. The
relative then used her discretion and selected people at random.
The whole thing seemed like a set up, and as a worker directed me to a private show room, I
was almost positive that it was a sham. Who even would go through all this stress to fine a
surrogate.
I entered the room and when I counted the other ladies, we were just seven. Of course
some people heard about this and deemed this whole charade a waste of their time. But I
didn't know whether to blame my being there on curiosity or desperation, a little bit of both
maybe.
I scanned the other ladies and while some were dressed in pant suits of neutral colours,
the others looked like they were in the choir about to give a rendition. There was nothing
casual about their dressing. At that moment I felt so out of place.
I was dressed in a cropped long sleeve wrap blouse in a muted floral print, and a high
waisted midi skirt with a gentle flow. The blouse was a light chiffon and the skirt had slits on
both sides. I spotted nude block heels and a nude cross bag. I had on a silver pendant and
silver hoops with minimal but visible make up. I packed my hair in a half up half down style
and I went as far as spraying my good perfume.
Just then, someone entered the room and made an announcement.
"The orchestrator will come into your presence in a moment. Before that, you are expected
to pick a piece of art and stand in front of it, not facing the door, but the art itself. When she
enters, do not make direct eye contact and speak only when you are spoken to. You'll know
if you were chosen ." His voice was even and clear.
I watched the pant suit girls scramble to arts on the wall even though there was a lot and I
almost kicked myself. What sort of cliche "audition" had I walked into.
I sauntered to the side of the room where a large painting hung on the wall. I chose that. I'd
signed up to carry a strangers baby, not stand in front of an abstract painting pretending
this wasn't weird as hell.I didn't see her enter, but I felt it. The air shifted and I knew from the consistent clank on the
marble floor that this wasn't the sham I had convinced myself it was. Her perfume flooded
the room in an instant and I became slightly nauseous thanks to postpartum.
I didn't know how long I had been standing, we were only seven girls, how had she not
gotten around to me at all. That thought was short lived as I felt an imposing presence
come up behind me. I was tempted to look back, but if I had, I was sure I would have been
asked out within seconds.
She came up beside me, not enough to make out her face but enough to see her from my
peripheral view. I could tell she was wearing all white.
"Beautiful" was all she managed, her eyes trained on the art piece.
I didn't know if she was speaking directly to me or not, but I replied anyway.
"I know right" I said, not daring to look at her.
" I wasn't talking about the art" Her accent that gave me goosebumps, it was too refined to
be a New York accent. Probably British.
I was taken aback, visibly.
"Why did you pick this art piece?" she continued immediately giving me no time to
acknowledge her earlier compliment.
I breathed. It was abstract art, and truthfully I chose it because it seemed out of place, like
me.
"It seemed out of place, like me.
"
"Why do you feel out of place" she said, lighting her oak pipe and turning her head to me.
The polished lady smoked.
"In case you didn't notice, I'm the only one without a pant suit riding up my ass.
" I said, a
smile evident on my lips to try and hide my embarrassment.
She let out a loud laugh, I had managed to crack her up.
"Oh please, these lasses couldn't pull off a suit if their ancestral gods hand stitched it for
them. You on the other hand..." a puff of air was blown my way. It smelled of honey, maple
syrup and molasses.
"That is a huge compliment coming from you, I'm not allowed to see your face but I did get
a good look at your shoes, I can tell you have taste." That was my attempt at a compliment,
I couldn't tell if it worked.I could hear the smirk in her voice.
"Don't flatter me girl, I haven't got that nice ass you've
got. "
She said nudging me in my lower abdomen lightly. I almost flinched, I was still sensitive
around there.
"Why do you want this job darling?" Her tone had become serious once again.
"In all honesty, I just really need the money."
"Don't we all" I could tell she gave me a glance over, assessing every inch of me.
"I can understand if that is a put off for you be-
"
"No need to be modest, I don't care for that. I just want my grand baby to have a pretty face,
long hair and nice ass."
I snorted and laughed and she did the same.
"You can call me miss C."
She handed me a business card and before I could say anything else she quite literally said,
"we'll be in touch" and sashayed off. I never once got a good look at the woman, but from
what little I saw, I could tell she was an impressive and stunning woman. The wake of
perfume that she left behind let me know that.
Viola
"Don't give me that crap! You had enough chances to tell me, but you and Mariah went
behind my back."
Cairo said storming out of the room, she was yelling and she didn't want to wake up the
baby.
I followed her into the living room. "I knew you wouldn't support me."
"And for good reason. The last surrogacy left you with child expenses and me paying the
rent."That was a low blow, I was used to it by now, Cairo didn't sugarcoat anything, especially
when you got her angry. And she hardly got angry.
"That's exactly why I need to do this, it will help me find my footing."
I chose today to tell her that I had been chosen to mother a billionaire's daughter with one
of my eggs and I got my first shot today. That and the fact that Miss C wanted to move us to
a better estate, where I wouldn't have to worry about rent every month.
She threw her hands in the air "This is madness and I can't get over the fact that you went
ahead to sign papers again, without legal advice present"
"No need to sound so condescending, I did read the contract thoroughly this time. " I knew
how stupid I sounded, and how stupid I felt so I didn't stop the tears when they rolled freely
down my eyes.
"Oh spare me the heart felt show, I'll tell you how it is. This could go horribly wrong and you
know it."
"It won't, can you just trust me on that." I said reaching out to her but she pulled away from
my touch.
"You didn't need my trust when you went for the Audition behind my back. You went on
another meeting to discuss personal details with Miss C's agent and got your first IVF shot
today! Nooo- you've needed a lot of things from me but clearly not my opinion, my trust or
my advice." She said adjusting her glasses.
"Can we just take some time to talk. You need to calm down." I bit my lower lip, my hands
fidgeting so bad.
"You know what, fuck you, fuck Mariah and fuck Miss C." Her voice had returned to it's
usual calm and eveness.
She trotted into her room and slammed the door. I heard a shriek and then a cry, she had
woken Renee.