Chapter 25&26
🖤PHOENIX🖤
I scoffed, giving Rome a deadly glare. How dare he touch me like that? And now what was he trying to do?
“Lord,” he muttered, cleaning his hands with a towel after rushing into the bathroom.
“I know you were going to throw yourself at me,” he said, frowning.
“Me? How? I woke up with your hands squeezing my B-__-bs like it was the first time you were touching them,” I retorted.
“Oh, trust me, I have touched better ones,” he replied, making me scoff.
“I am never ever staying in the same bed with you again,” I declared, grabbing my clothes and storming into the bathroom.
“Neither would I,” I heard him mutter, but I ignored him.
We made sure to keep a very long distance away from each other after that incident. The fact that he had touched me disgusted me so much. Why didn’t he just choose to sleep on the floor? It was quite cozy, though.
—
“WELCOME BACK AND WE ARE SO SORRY ABOUT YESTERDAY,” the announcer greeted, smiling.
“AND THE BIDDING MAY BEGIN,” he announced cheerfully. I anxiously looked at the jewelry that was displayed, but none of it resembled the necklace I stole.
“This will be going for 50k dollars,” the announcer stated.
“50k,” he continued, as a man raised his bid.
“70k,” the announcer declared as another joined in.
“100k.”
Rich people and wasting money were like peas in a pod. I glanced at Rome, who had a scowl on his face. The only time he smiled was whenever we went for an ultrasound.
“200k,” someone else bid.
“300k.”
“500k,” another bidder raised the auction price. Seriously? 500k for that necklace? Oh lord. I hoped the one I actually came for wasn’t so expensive.
The next two pieces of jewelry were just a waste of time for us because Rome kept on complaining.
“Now for the one that we all came here for…” the announcer said, unveiling the necklace.
Was this necklace so valuable? Then why did Darcy pay me so little to get it?
“That’s the necklace I want,” I murmured to Rome, who glanced back at the necklace.
“That necklace looks quite familiar,” he said, still examining it.
“Well, there are 5 billion necklaces that look the same,” I quickly interjected, hoping to divert his attention.
“This necklace will be going for 5 million dollars,” the announcer declared.
The price made my ears bleed. What the…? Wait, what? 5 million what? Oh lord. It seemed like I would not get the necklace at all.
“7 million,” the announcer continued as the bidding began.
“20 million.”
I knew my hopes were gone. There was no way Rome was going to get that necklace for me. It was too expensive, just too expensive—more than my entire pay as a surrogate mother.
“Let’s go,” I said, prompting Rome to look at me.
“Why?” he asked. I looked at him before sighing.
“The necklace is too expensive,” I explained, preparing to stand up.
Suddenly, I saw Rome writing something on the auction sales. I almost stopped breathing when the announcer said,
“50 million,” he announced, smiling.
I was supposed to be happy that I was going to get the necklace, but I wasn’t. 50 million was just too much.
“It’s too expensive for you, not for me,” Rome stated, walking away.
Wow.
I held the necklace, feeling its weight in my hands, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness. Finally, I would be free. No jail time, and I wouldn’t lose the 10 million dollars at all.
As we headed back, the guilt of Rome spending 50 million on this necklace still weighed on my mind. I glanced at him as he concentrated on the road. I smiled and then looked back at the necklace.
“Hope you won’t ask me for anything segzual after this,” I teased. He glanced at me, making a disgusted face.
“I would rather go broke,” he retorted, earning a laugh from me. I found joy in teasing him.
“Thanks, though,” I said sincerely.
“I didn’t do it for you,” he replied curtly.
“Yeah, I know. You’re too wicked to do anything for me,” I said, smiling.
“Yeah, correct,” he said, his focus returning to the road.
~~
As Rome dropped me off at home and left, I found myself pondering how I could get in touch with his mother. I knew that if I asked Neo, he wouldn’t tell Rome, but I couldn’t risk it at all.
“So… what are you going to do?” Beatrix asked.
“I don’t know,” I replied, my gaze fixed on the necklace.
“I feel like you should just tell him that you want to spend more time with his mother because she is experienced in all this pregnancy stuff,” Beatrix suggested. It sounded like a good idea, but I couldn’t just tell Rome that. Would he even allow it?
I mulled over Beatrix’s suggestion for a moment, contemplating my options. Perhaps it was worth a shot. After all, his mother might have valuable insights and guidance that could help me through this pregnancy even though we are not in good terms. She would have to forgive me because I am carrying her grandchild.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right,” I conceded, nodding thoughtfully. “I’ll think about it.”
That night, I barely slept, constantly checking on the necklace to ensure it was still where I had left it. Losing it again was not an option.
Over the next two days, I struggled to get in touch with Rome’s mother. Barely speaking to Rome himself, as he was preoccupied with work. However, I informed him that I was coming to his office today, despite his inquiries.
Arriving at his office, his secretary allowed me to enter. I tapped my foot impatiently in the elevator, feeling the sudden urge to pee—a common occurrence during pregnancy. Upon reaching his floor, I burst into his office to find him seated at his desk, focused on his laptop.
“The toilet??” I blurted out, looking at him urgently. He gave me a strange look.
“Your baby wants to pee…” I exclaimed, almost screaming.
“Over there,” he replied, pointing to a door. I rushed inside, feeling relieved as I released all the built-up pressure.
After flushing the toilet, washing my hands, and giving myself a quick glance in the mirror, I smiled and headed towards the exit. As I opened the door, I was met by the cleaner entering immediately after me.
I looked at Rome who was looking back at me back in disgust.
“To avoid contamination,” he explained.
“Maybe you should have used the toilet in your house,” he suggested, but I ignored him and took a seat opposite him.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“I was bored, so I just wanted to come and see you,” I replied, flashing a wide smile.
“This is my workplace,” he reminded me.
“I know, and I was thinking,” I began, drawing his attention.
“I wanted to talk to your mom about the baby,” I explained.
“The baby? Is anything wrong?” he inquired.
“No, nothing concerning a man, just women talk,” I reassured him, making him scoff. He took out his phone and dialed his mother’s number.
After speaking with her, he hung up and informed me, “She’ll be here soon,” before returning his focus to his laptop.
Part of me felt nervous; I hoped she wouldn’t tell Rome about our conversation. She promised, though. I nodded and turned my gaze to my phone.
—
Rome’s mother finally arrived, smiling at me as if we were close.
“Can we go speak now?” she asked warmly. This woman really knew how to put on an act.
I nodded, grabbing my bag as we headed off.
“Do you have the necklace?” she inquired, her expression turning serious.
“Yes, I do,” I confirmed, quickly retrieving the necklace from my bag and handing it over to her.
“I heard you eventually used my son’s money to get it back,” she remarked, catching me off guard. How did she know? Did Rome tell her?
“I had no choice, ma’am,” I replied.
“Well…” she paused, leaving her statement hanging ominously.
“Just know I’m not done with you yet,” she concluded, walking away.
Now, what the hell does she want?
To be continued…