Chapter Four

"Have you made a decision?" Elizabeth asks.

It has been a week since my meeting with Colton, but I have been thinking about it constantly. Add that on top of that my worries about my dad and I feel like I am going crazy.

"Yes," I say. "I'm not doing it. You were right-I don't think I can do it."

She places her hand over mine. "We'll find another way to get the money."

I nod but know I will not, so I decide to change the subject. "have you picked a date?" I ask and take a sip of my coffee. I pick up a book of wedding gowns and flip through the pages.

"Yes," she says, smiling. "October fifteenth."

Elizabeth lives with her fiancée. Sam. They were high school sweethearts and have been engaged for a few months now, and I have the best job as her maid of honor.

I raise an eyebrow at her. "You still haven't picked out the dress?"

"shut up! It's not that easy." She places another book on the table. "Epically when Hannah Collins just released her first gown collection."

"who is Hannah Collins?"

She rolls her eyes at me. "you really need to make more time for the real world. Hannah Collins designs wedding gowns. The Collins are the most famous family- they are like the Kardashians minus the sex tapes and reality TV show…and they are actually talented.

"these are pretty,' I say, looking through the book.

The front door suddenly opens and Sam walks in. "Hey, Emily." He smiles at me.

I nod. "Hey. Wait-what time is it?"

"One thirty," Sam says, kissing Elizabeth's forehead.

I stand. "I have to go. I work at four and still have some homework."

"I'll take you," Elizabeth says.

"No, thank you. I could use the walk.

I say bye to Sam and make my way out. When I get to my apartment, someone is outside waiting. I stop when I see him; he is leaning against the wall, wearing a suit.

"Colton?"

He smirks at me. "Miss Valdez-about time you got here.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, unlocking the door. "how do you know where I live?"

"From your application."

I step a foot inside my apartment grateful for the quiet-it means Peter is not home. I open the door wider so Colton can walk ahead of me, but he waves his hand. "Ladies first."

He looks so big in my small apartment. This place is nothing compared to his fancy condominium.

"What are you doing here?" I ask again, both annoyed and nervous. He came to find me at my home-this is a violation of my privacy.

"You live alone?" he asks, looking around.

"I have a roommate."

He pauses for a moment, staring at me intently. "You didn't call."

"My answer is no."

"Why?" he asks calmly.

"This is a pregnancy-a baby­-you want me to give you, Colton. That is something big, I can't do it-I'm sorry-but you should look for someone else."

He does not say anything for a moment. "How much money do you want? I can even bring your father here. Just say the word."

"Why would you pay more when you can get someone else for a much lower price?"

"Money isn't a problem. I don't want just any women to carry my baby, Emily, and I don't think you understand who I am."

"Then who are you, exactly?"

He clenches his jaw, his calm demeanor slipping. "I'm someone with a lot of influence."

"Like a celebrity?"

He sighs impatiently. "What matter right now is that money isn't a problem for me. I want someone decent and clean to carry my child and you are that person. Is that so hard to understand?"

"I don't know, okay?" I sit, trying to wrap my head around this conversation. "This isn't easy."

"you wouldn't have to worry about anything, Emily." He walks towards me, clearly on a mission. "You won't have to worry about money or the doctor's appointments…all you have to do is show up. I won't leave you alone in this while you're carrying my child."

"Why do you want a baby?" I ask, looking up at him.

"I told you, I don't like questions."

I rolled my eyes. "you're asking me to carry your baby, but you won't answer a simple question?"

He does not look happy, but he reaches for a chair and sits in front of me. close. "I want to have a purpose in life. Kids do the trick."

"And you don't have a girlfriend or anything?"

He raises his eyebrows. "Do you think I'd be here if I did?"

"Probably not."

"I know you just met me, and I know you probably don't trust me, but I'm serious about this. I want a baby and I want you to carry it."

I stare into his mesmerizing blue eyes frozen. How does he not have girlfriend? He is obviously a wealthy, powerful person…and it is impossible not to notice how attractive he is. God, he has some dark and secret past or something-it is the only explanation.

Could I really do this? It is nine months of my life; nine months carrying a baby I have to give away in the end.

Colton pulls something out of his coat pocket, and it takes me a minute to realize it is a checkbook and pen. He scrawls something on it. "this will be yours the moment you're pregnant."

I glance down at the number on the check and my eyes widen. "Two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand dollars?" Colton, this is too much."

"It's only the beginning, Emily. Trust me: you won't regret doing this."

"if I say yes- "

"you'll stop working today and you'll begin screening tomorrow."

"I won't' stop going to school."

He nods. "We can work around your schedule."

"I would also like to keep working." He is already shaking his head, but I continue anyway. "I have bills to pay."

"I'll pay them."

I shake my head. "You don't understand. What do I do of this is over? I can't give up everything in my life."

"don't worry about that. After you give birth, if you want a job, I can help you get one. Trust me."

Nine months is a long time; I will have a degree by then, so I should be able to find a decent job. Am I really thinking about this? I look down at my phone at the picture of my family on the screen. My dad is smiling, and my mom is laughing-that' how I want them to be again. I cannot let my dad die because we do not have enough money to pay. He needs me. there really is not a choice. I have to do this for them.

I sigh, wishing the anxiety away. "I'll do it."

"thank you, Emily." He smiles, and even though I am nervous, a jolt rushes through me as his blue eyes meet mine.

No going back now.