Chapter 4 Phoenix

• PHOENIX
• I looked at the guy from earlier in shock. He was the baby daddy!
• I knew for sure that I was not going to be picked. I harassed him, for goodness sake. I wished I had apologized instead, but he was wrong though.
• Oh, shit!
• "His name is Rome, and he is the one that you would be living with, only if he wants it though," Camilla said, smiling. It was so obvious that he wouldn't pick me after what I did.
• "Please, can you all introduce yourselves?" Camilla prompted. The first lady introduced herself.
• "My name is Phoenix, and I have been a surrogate mother two times," a lady said, prompting me to look at her. We had the same name.
• It was my turn, and everybody's eyes were on me, including Rome's.
• "My name is Phoenix, and I am a graduate. I'm 25 years old, and I have been a surrogate mother once," I said, feeling the weight of Rome's gaze on me.
• "Your blood test will be taken; please have a seat," Camilla instructed, and we all took our seats.
• Throughout the process, I couldn't shake off the feeling of apprehension. Maybe I should just go home because I knew that Rome wouldn't choose me at all.
• They took our blood samples and then informed us that they would get back to us. But deep down, I knew they wouldn't get back to me.
• ~~~~
• "So, who are you picking?" Camilla asked Rome, who looked over all the reports. Two almost looked perfect. He remembered how shocked that crazy girl was when she found out he was the baby daddy. He was never going to pick her to be the surrogate mother. Never.
• "This one," he said, handing the paper to his sister.
• "Phoenix?" Camilla asked.
• "Yes, I am not talking to the last one on the line that came late the other time," he said, referring to the crazy girl.
• "Okay, noted," Camilla said, smiling. "I will inform her so we can take her to the hospital immediately."
• Rome sighed deeply. He couldn't wait to see their child. He missed Georgia so much, and he wished she was still here and had never left him alone in this world.
• He was at least grateful that they were able to save their child. As much as he tried to look strong on the outside, at night he cried, hugging her clothes. He had left their room and slept in a new room now. He could still smell her scent in their room, and he couldn't bear it, so he started staying in the guest room.
• Sometimes he looked at the room they were preparing for their child and just broke down.
• He sat on the floor in his room, knowing he would have done something harmful to himself if not for the sake of the baby. He tried to eat and take care of himself. That was his only source of happiness, and he would do anything to make his baby happy.
• ~~
• 🖤 PHOENIX🖤
• " What job?" I asked Darcy, who rolled her eyes.
• "Smuggle some stuff," she said.
• "The pay?" I inquired.
• "3k dollars," she replied.
• "Smuggling costs more, 4K Dollars," I negotiated.
• "In or out?" she asked.
• "Out," I confirmed, making her gasp.
• "4k then," she agreed. I smiled and proceeded to shake on it when my phone rang.
• "Sorry, I have to take this," I said, retrieving my phone from my pocket.
• "Hello," I answered immediately.
• "Congratulations Phoenix, you have been chosen to be the surrogate mother." It felt like a dream. Was this really happening?
• "Please come to the location that will be sent to you tomorrow," she instructed.
• "Yes, I will," I stammered before the call ended abruptly.
• He actually chose me after what happened? Oh, he's so... nice.
• "Be here tomorrow by 10 p.m.," Darcy said, snapping me out of my daze.
• "You can keep your job," I said, laughing.
• "What?" she asked, already annoyed.
• "What?" I mimicked her, earning a scowl.
• "We no longer have business with each other."
• "What? NO!" she protested.
• "Yes," I said, laughing.
• "I'll pay you 10k dollars," she pleaded.
• "Even 1 million dollars won't make me stay," I retorted, then walked away. I could hear her pleading behind me. So she wanted me that much. Wow!
• I shared the news with my sister, and she was overjoyed.
• "I thought you wouldn't get it, it's been three weeks now," she exclaimed happily.
• "I was shocked too," I admitted.
• "Me too," she agreed. I stood up from the bed, taking her hands and urging her to stand up too.
• "We're going to be rich, Beatrix, finally," I said, embracing her. She hugged me back, and we lingered in the embrace.
• "All this is because of you, Phoenix. The amount of work you've done for the family is just too much, and now you're even going to the extent of carrying a baby," she praised me, pulling away slightly.
• "You're the best," she added, and we both chuckled.
• "I know you'll do even better when you're my age," I teased.
• "And I'll pay you back for all you've done for us," she offered, but I frowned.
• "I'd do anything for my family, even if it means going to prison for it. I don't need any payments," I insisted. We smiled at each other, sharing a moment of understanding.
• "Thank you," she whispered sincerely.
• ~~
• The next day came and I quickly had my bath and went to the location I was sent, This time I was early like super early.
• Camilla smiled when she saw me before taking me to the doctor's office. And then to a room.
• As I lay on the hospital bed, surrounded by the sterile scent of antiseptic and the gentle hum of medical equipment, I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach.
• The journey had been long and arduous, filled with countless appointments, injections, and tests. But as I felt the cool touch of the ultrasound probe against my abdomen, I couldn't help but marvel at the miracle unfolding within me.
• With each step of the procedure, from the delicate retrieval of my eggs to the moment the embryos were gently placed into my womb, I felt a profound sense of responsibility mixed with awe. The weight of carrying someone else's hopes and dreams pressed against my heart, a reminder of the profound trust they had placed in me. Still can't believe that I was chosen though.
• And as I waited in the quiet stillness of the hospital room, my mind raced with questions and uncertainties. Would the embryos take hold? Would I be able to carry this precious life to term? But amidst the doubts, there was also a quiet resolve, a steadfast determination to see this journey through to its end.
• For in the midst of the needles and the medical jargon, I found a sense of purpose unlike any other. To be a vessel of life, a bridge between dreams and reality, was a privilege I would not take lightly. I knew I should not have any connections with this child and I would try my best to not.
• And so, as I closed my eyes and whispered a silent prayer into the darkness.
• "Done, You would have to wait 10 days beforeyou take the pregnancy test," the doctor said, and I nodded in response.
• "I believe you already know that, considering you've done it before," she said, making me nervously laugh.
• "Yeah," I replied, and we both chuckled.
• As I stepped out of the room with the doctor, we engaged in small talk about the situation.
• "Wait, what?" I heard someone say, causing me to turn and see Rome looking furious.
• "What?" his sister asked, clearly confused.
• "I said the other Phoenix, not this one," he said. Okay, that completely shocked me.
• I wasn't the Phoenix they had been expecting.
• Wow!!!
• TBC