Chapter 6 Rome

• ROME
• Rome nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts consumed by Phoenix. Was she taking proper care of the baby? Was she consuming anything harmful? Was she overly stressed?
• Not that he cared about her well-being. He didn't. All he cared about was his baby. He wanted Phoenix to be in optimal health because if she wasn't, then his baby wouldn't be either.
• It had been three months since the love of his life, Georgia, passed away. He tried to distract himself with work, but her face kept haunting him. Georgia had been in a fatal car accident, taken from him too soon. They said her car collided with a trailer, claiming her life and that of the driver.
• He wished he had cherished their time together a little more. Maybe then she would still be alive, carrying their child. He wouldn't have needed a surrogate mother who seemed to be a constant pain in his ass.
• "Mr. Dante," one of his employees called, pulling him out of his thoughts.
• "We were asking about where you want the construction to be?" the employee asked. Rome looked at him before sighing.
• "Where were you thinking?" he asked.
• "Russia," the employee said, making Rome frown. Every time he heard Russia, bad memories flooded in. Georgia was going to Russia when she had that accident.
• "Not Russia," he said, his annoyance palpable.
• "But sir, Russia brings more..."
• "I said not Russia," he exclaimed cutting him short.
• "Okay, sir," the meeting continued, and the location for the new construction was set.
• He was going to pick Phoenix up today to help her choose the apartment she wanted. He couldn't wait for his child to be born so he could stop seeing her. Just her face alone made his mood sour.
• He walked into his office to see Neo sitting in his chair. Okay, Neo was another pain in the ass.
• "You were gone for so long," Neo said, making him roll his eyes.
• "Well, that's because I am working every day unlike you," he retorted, walking to sit in another chair. He needed to cool his mind.
• "Uh, I'm a model, I work too," Neo fired back, but he laughed after Rome said nothing.
• "What about your baby mama?" Neo asked, smiling. But it wasn't funny to him at all. Phoenix was not his child's mother and would never be.
• "Maybe you should use the term 'surrogate mother'; that is more appropriate and respectful," he said, trying to keep his composure.
• "Uhh, no, 'baby mama' is easier," Neo said. Rome just sighed and stood up immediately, walking towards the door.
• "Where are you going?" Neo asked, standing up too. Rome stopped and then turned around.
• "To pick an apartment for Phoenix," Rome said.
• "I'm coming too," Neo said, following Rome.
• Rome arrived at Phoenix's house, unable to hide the scowl on his face. He surveyed the environment, eager to remove her from such conditions.
• Sure.
• ---
• "Does she live here?" Neo asked, glancing at the modest apartment building.
• "Yeah, not the best for a baby, huh?" Rome replied, eyeing the surroundings skeptically.
• Neo shrugged. "Well, could be worse."
• They approached the door and knocked, waiting patiently until it swung open to reveal a teenage girl in a uniform.
• "Hi," she greeted them with a friendly smile.
• "Is Phoenix home?" Rome inquired.
• "Yeah, she is. And you are...?" the girl asked.
• "Rome. Just tell her Rome," he replied, and she nodded before closing the door.
• "Who was that?" Neo asked, curious.
• "Bro, she wears a uniform" Rome muttered, and then looked at the surrounding not impressed by the neighborhood.
• "Maybe she's 18," Neo joked, earning a smirk from Rome.
• "Right, pedophile," Rome quipped back, shaking his head.
• The door opened again, and Phoenix emerged, holding a small bowl.
• "What's with the bowl?" Rome asked, noticing her troubled expression.
• "I've been feeling sick," she admitted, passing by him.
• "Hey," Neo greeted her with a smile.
• "Hi," she responded, returning the gesture.
• Rome sighed, leading the way to the car, while Neo struck up a conversation with Phoenix.
• Once they were all inside, Neo turned to Phoenix with a question.
• "17," Phoenix said. Rome looked at Neo, giving him a look that said "I told you so."
• "Oh," Neo mouthed.
• They arrived at the first apartment, but Rome didn't like it at all, although Phoenix said that it was okay.
• "The other one is better," Phoenix said by the time they were at the next apartment.
• "I don't like it," Rome said.
• "Why?" Phoenix asked, already annoyed.
• "I just don't like it," he said, tucking his hands into his pockets.
• "Well, it's not bad," Neo said, earning a glare from Rome.
• "Why did I even come along? I thought you said I was coming to choose my apartment by myself," Phoenix said, really pissed.
• "And your choices seem to match your low background," Rome fired back.
• "Ouch," Neo murmured.
• Phoenix looked at him for a while before sighing deeply. It was just a matter of time; when the time came, she would teach this spoilt brat some lessons.
• "See, my feet are starting to hurt," Phoenix said.
• "Well, who cares that..." Rome paused, his face softening. If her feet hurt, then the baby might not be okay.
• "Well, why didn't you say that sooner?" Rome's attention was now fully on Phoenix.
• "Why should I tell you?" She muttered inwardly.
• "We will check the last apartment, and if it's not okay, then that's all for the day," Rome said, and she nodded.
• The final apartment was undeniably stunning, and before Rome could voice any reservations, Phoenix voiced her disagreement. To her, it was perfect—a spacious layout with three rooms, each with its own bathroom, and an additional one for guests. The balcony offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.
• The kitchen was both expansive and beautiful, complemented by a generously sized living room and dining area. For Phoenix, it felt like a turning point—a step towards a brighter future. With separate rooms for her and her sister, privacy would no longer be an issue, and they could finally enjoy the comfort and security they deserved.
• "The rooms, living room, kitchen, and dining area are fully furnished," the real estate agent explained.
• "It's just a 5-minute drive from your house, sir," he added, earning a nod from Rome.
• "What's the yearly rent?" Rome inquired.
• "Um, $300,000," he replied, prompting a gasp from Phoenix.
• "Only $300,000?" Rome questioned, eliciting another gasp from Phoenix.
• Phoenix felt grateful that Rome would cover the first year's rent, but she wondered about the future. $300,000 was a substantial sum.
• "I'm not sure about this apartment," Phoenix confessed, causing Rome's brow to furrow.
• "Why not?" he asked, his frustration evident.
• "It's... it's too expensive," she stuttered.
• "$300,000?" he repeated incredulously, then remembered He was talking to a completely broke lady.
• "I'll cover the rent for 10 years," he declared, turning to the real estate agent, who grinned. Phoenix couldn't believe her luck—a decade without worrying about rent.
• She smiled, glancing at Neo, who shared her delight.
• ~~~
• "Is he always this ?" Phoenix whispered to Neo as Rome exchanged words with the real estate agent.
• Neo leaned closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "Nah, he's just in full-on dad mode because of the baby," he whispered back, earning a giggle from Phoenix because of his sincerity
• As they wrapped up the paperwork and Rome settled the payment for the apartment, they headed back to the car.
• Phoenix's stomach grumbled loudly, breaking the silence. "I'm starving," she announced, catching Rome off guard.
• Rome arched an eyebrow, his demeanor softening slightly. "And is that my problem?" he retorted, but remembered her condition.
• "So, which restaurant?" he asked, acknowledging Phoenix's need for food.
• Phoenix pondered for a moment before a bright smile lit up her face. "McDonald's, please," she requested, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
• Three weeks had flown by, and it was already time for another checkup. Rome found himself in his office, waiting for Phoenix who had insisted that she would come to his office first.
• Dealing with Phoenix had been anything but easy for Rome. Her unpredictable behavior and constant challenges made the surrogacy journey more stressful than he had anticipated.
• "Rome," a familiar voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts. It was his mother, entering his office with a warm smile.
• "Mom," Rome greeted, rising from his seat to embrace her.
• "Not your baby," he joked, reminding her of his correction from their last conversation.
• His mother chuckled and returned the hug. "I've missed you," she admitted, her hand brushing against his cheek affectionately.
• "How's dad?" Rome inquired, concern evident in his voice.
• "Just the usual," she replied dismissively, before changing the subject. "And how's my grandchild?" she asked eagerly, her eyes lighting up.
• "Fine, we're headed for a checkup today," Rome informed her with a heavy sigh.
• His mother's expression softened. "And the surrogate mother, is she taking good care of herself?" she inquired, her maternal instincts kicking in.
• Rome nodded. "Yes, I believe so," he replied, though uncertainty lingered in his mind.
• His mom sigh, she knew Rome was passing through a lot. He was going to be a single father soon. It was going to be really tough on him.
• " Don't worry everything is going to be alright" She assured.
• PHOENIX
• " He is expecting you," the receptionist said with a smile. She directed me to the elevator, and we both entered. Upon reaching the office, she knocked.
• "Come in," I heard Rome's voice from inside. As I stepped through the door, I saw him seated with another elderly woman.
• I approached them with a smile, but it faded instantly when I recognized the woman's face. It was her—the same woman from whom I had stolen jewelry weeks ago.
• My heart sank, and panic surged through me. How could fate be so cruel as to bring her here now, in Rome's office?
• Though I tried to maintain my composure, fear gripped me. What if she remembered me? What if she revealed my past misdeeds to Rome? Who was she to Rome?????
• I am sooooo cooked
• TBC