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I tugged the hem of my skirt down, searching for anything to keep my hands busy.
Malcolm said, “I understand as well, Terrance. Thank you for getting everything together so fast.”
“Time is of the essence,” Terrance said. “Would you like to explain to Miss Melville the terms of the contract, or shall I?”
“I got it, Terrance. Just correct me in case I miss anything.”
The lawyer nodded, and we both turned our attention to Malcolm. He was also dressed in a suit and tie. He had on a black suit jacket that was fancier than the one he'd worn to the club, a white dress shirt that was crisp and clean, with a sapphire blue
tie that brought out the color in his eyes. He gave me a crooked smile, and my cheeks flushed.
In a few days or so, we'd be sleeping together. Just thinking about his body above me, naked and glistening in sweat, started a fire inside of me that I hadn't expected. Yeah, just a business arrangement. Right. I adjusted my position in the chair, feeling a growing ache low in my abdomen.
Malcolm ran a hand through his silky, sandy blonde hair before focusing on the contract sitting on the table in front of him.
“After talking to Terrance, I've decided to increase the payout to you, for your services, Casey,” he said. “I'm paying you one hundred thousand dollars – double what we'd discussed. But, in turn, there are some additional requirements I'll need you to agree to.”
My head started spinning. One hundred thousand. That would be more than enough for my family to start over somewhere new. Somewhere better. I opened my mouth to thank him, but no words came out. Malcolm picked up a plain, brown paper bag from the floor and slid it across toward me.
“I'm providing you with ovulation testing kits. We will monitor when you're ovulating to maximize our chances at success,” he said, his voice detached and clinical. “In addition to the testing kits are pregnancy tests, pre-natal vitamins and fertility treatments. Directions are included for the fertility drugs. Again, this is to increase our chances of pregnancy as quickly as possible, and if you have any questions about the safety of the drugs, you can ask the doctor I'm referring you too. Dr. Welch works for Crane Enterprises and will be running the STD screening prior to us being together. If anything comes back on the screening, then this contract is null and void unless otherwise treatable.”
“That won't be an issue,” I said, trying to make sense of everything he was saying to me. One question popped into my head instantly though. “Fertility drugs? Don't I need a prescription for these?”
Malcolm placed his hands on the table and leaned forward as if sharing some huge secret that only I could hear, except he wasn't close enough for that. The massive table between us kind of prevented that. He nodded to the lawyer, who stopped the recording for a moment.
His face serious, he said, “Technically, yes, but I've handled everything with Dr. Welch,” he said. “We have an arrangement, and I will require you to sign confidentiality agreements once we're done with this meeting. For her safety, of course.”
“Of course,” I said, feeling my stomach beginning to churn. “Is there anything else you require of me?”
He nodded to the lawyer again, who started the recording once more. Back on the record.
“Yes, in addition to the contract about the surrogacy, I am also asking you to sign a personal contract with me that says you will not sleep with anyone but me until after the baby is born, or if we decide to dismiss the contract,” he said. “During your pregnancy, you will also abstain from drinking, smoking and drugs –”
“I already told you, I don't do any of that,” I stammered.
He nodded. “I know, and I believe you,” he said. “But, I feel better having it in writing.”
“You don't trust me?”
My voice surprised even me. Malcolm's face fell, and he looked over at Terrance before looking back at me.
“It's not about trust, Casey,” he said. “It's just business.”
I scoffed, mostly to myself. “You trust me to carry your baby for nine months, but not to know better than to drink or do drugs while pregnant with said child.”
Terrance spoke up. “Miss Melville, is there a problem? If you're having any doubts about this agreement, please speak up now.”
One hundred thousand dollars. That was a lot of money. More than I'd probably see in my lifetime. Outside of winning the lottery, this was my only chance to get ahold of that kind of cash. Considering I didn't do any of the things they asked me to abstain from, it wasn't a problem. The lack of trust was most concerning to me, but maybe he was right. It was business. Malcolm did things differently as a business man.
“If it makes Mr. Crane feel better, I'm happy to sign the document,” I said. “None of those things are a problem for me anyway.”
Terrance studied my face long and hard and I could have sworn I saw skepticism flash in his eyes. I felt the bitter taste of anger rising up within me, but I choked it back. Now was not the time for that.
Malcolm continued, “I'd encourage you to read through the contracts yourself. If there's anything you don't understand or have questions about, feel free to ask,” he said. “Most of it is straight forward – like, once the child is born, you will forfeit all parental rights over to me.”
Terrance cut in. “Do you understand that what means, Miss Melville?”
“Yes, I'm aware that I won't be in the child's life,” I said softly. “It's been made clear to me already.”
