“I understand. Life always does,” she murmured, her tone reflective and almost melancholic.
I cleared my throat. “Well… if you have no more questions—”
“Actually, I do have one… well,two,” she interjected softly, her lips curving into that thoughtful smile that seemed both innocent and probing. “How long have you and Mr. Belvior been engaged?”
Caught off guard for an instant, I hesitated before responding.
“Almost two years,” I replied smoothly, crafting my lie with practiced ease.
Talia tilted her head slightly, a curious glint in her eyes. “Almost two years? And y’all still aren’t married?”
The question hit a nerve I wasn’t prepared for, but I kept my expression controlled.
“The wedding’s coming up. We’re finalizing details now.”
“Mmm.” Talia’s smile barely moved, hinting at skepticism like she didn’t believe a word. “I’m curious. Why are y’all looking for a surrogate before the wedding? I mean… what happens if you choose a surrogate, she gets pregnant, and then the marriage doesn’t happen? That seems pretty risky.”
My grip tightened slightly around the pen.
Oh, this bitch is sharp… not nosy in an obvious way either. She’s the calculated type that quietly connects dots while smiling in your face. And unfortunately for her, she’s connecting a little too many of mine.
I kept my expression composed even while irritation crawled up my spine.
“Merge and I aren’t concerned about that. Our relationship is solid. We’re simply trying to get ahead of the process since these arrangements can take time.”
Talia nodded slowly. “Smart. A lot of people wait too late to secure what they want. I do have one more question. Why isn’t he here today?”
I wanted to tell Talia that she was getting a little too comfortable asking questions that had nothing to do with the position, but if the roles were reversed, I probably would’ve been curious too.
The tapping of my pen stopped immediately.
“He’s a very busy man,” I responded, sharper that time. “He trusts me to handle things without needing to hold my hand through every appointment.”
“Must take a lot of trust to manage all that for him.”
Okay… what exactly is she fishing for?
Talia’s questions sounded harmless enough, but she noticed too much. It felt less like an interview and more like she was quietly peeling pieces off my life one layer at a time.
“Merge and I have an understanding,” I replied coolly.
I stood abruptly, smoothing down the fabric of my skirt in a clear signal that the interview had reached its end.
“Thank you for coming, Talia. I have everything I need.”
She rose gracefully. “Of course. I hope to hear from you soon.”
As I walked her to the door, I maintained a polite smile.
“We’ll be in touch,” I replied, forcing the professionalism through gritted nerves.
She nodded, then walked off.
I hastily closed and locked the door. “Absolutely the fuck not! Not that one!”
Talia’s answers had beensomewhatperfect, but her eyes told a completely different story. She bore the kind belonging to someone who could fall hard, become dangerously attached, and still smile calmly while everything burned around her.
I leaned against the door and let out a frustrated sigh.
