Christian's POV.
I stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, the city skyline stretching before me like a canvas of endless possibility. Yet, that view offered little solace. My mind was consumed by the weight of expectation, the burden of legacy.
"Chris, your parents are here," my assistant John's voice broke into my thoughts.
I sighed, realizing that their visit today was no coincidence. I had been avoiding them for weeks, ignoring their calls and texts like they were an unwelcome tide.
"Tell them I'm in a board meeting," I replied, hoping to buy some time. But my mother's voice cut through the air, sharp and familiar.
"What a very lonely board meeting you're in," she said with palpable sarcasm.
Cursing under my breath, I turned from the window, forcing my expression to remain neutral. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad," I greeted, though the dread coiled tightly in my stomach.
As they entered, their stern expressions deepened my unease. My mother, a petite woman with a commanding presence, took the lead. "I believe you know why we're here," she stated, her tone leaving no room for interpretation.
"Do I?" I feigned ignorance, hoping to shift the conversation elsewhere.
"Why have you been avoiding us for weeks now?" She asked, her glare unyielding.
"I never did; you just never call at the right time," I deflected, feeling my own frustration rising.
"Oh, so there's a time for your parents to reach you now?" Mom shot back, crossing her arms.
"Yeah. You know I'm a very busy CEO," I retorted, though the words felt hollow even as they left my lips.
"Honey, I think it's time we laid him off his duties," she said to my dad, her eyes narrowing.
"Yeah, I'd appreciate that," I muttered, bracing myself for their next move while earning a sharp glare in return.
"Chris, like we discussed before, it's time for you to produce an heir," Mom finally stated, cutting to the heart of the matter.
My heart sank as I nodded, knowing this conversation was inevitable. "I understand, Mom."
But my father's voice broke in, firm as always. "Understand? You've been putting this off for far too long, Christian. The Blackwood name demands continuity." He finally spoke. He's a man of few words.
The weight of their expectations settled heavily on my shoulders, pressing down like a lead blanket. I knew compliance was non-negotiable, yet the thought of inviting someone into my life, of peeling back the layers of my guarded heart, filled me with trepidation. Memories of Melody washed over me, unapologetic and unkind, the first woman to claim my heart and soul. She was my first in everything; first kiss, first time, first love… and then, like a cruel twist of fate, she shattered me without a second thought. The sting of that heartbreak still lingered, a raw wound that refused to heal fully. I pushed the memories aside, forcing myself to focus on the task ahead.
"I'll take care of it," I said, my voice steady, though the tremor beneath belied my confidence.
"You better," Dad warned, his eyes locking onto mine with a steely determination. "I want a reply first thing Wednesday morning."
"First thing Wednesday morning?" I echoed, incredulity creeping into my tone.
"Yes, or be prepared to marry Jessica whether you like it or not." He gave me an ultimatum, the finality of his words hanging in the air like a noose.
Jessica. Just the thought of her sent a wave of disdain coursing through my veins. I detested her with everything in me, yet her parents were our business partners, creating a tangled web that kept me in this unfathomable dilemma.
"Fine!" I agreed reluctantly, frustration boiling beneath my surface.
My parents exchanged a satisfied look, as though they had orchestrated this entire scenario for their amusement. "Good," my mother remarked with a smile. "We expect to see progress soon."
"And remember," she added, a hint of concern clouding her eyes, "time is no longer on your side."
What does she mean by time is no longer on my side? I'm only thirty-six. I have plenty of time on my side, or don't I?
As they left, I felt a sense of dread wash over me. I knew I had to find a way to fulfill their demands, but the thought of it was suffocating.
"Next item on your schedule is..." John began before I swiftly cut him off. "Clear my schedule for today. I need to think."
My dad wasn't joking about that ultimatum he set for me. It was either I come up with a solution, or I risk being stuck with Jessica for the rest of my life. And with Wednesday looming just a day away, time slipped through my fingers like sand.
"Whatever," he shrugged, sinking into the sofa.
As I sat there, wrestling with anxiety, John had already immersed himself in a movie on his phone. The volume blasted through the room, creating a dissonance that clashed with my thoughts.
"John, I'm trying to think, please," I pleaded, my voice laced with frustration.
"Okay, continue. I'm not disturbing you," he replied, eyes glued to the screen.
"Your movie is. The volume is too high," I explained, feeling my patience wear thin.
"Oh," he said sheepishly, lowering the volume. "Sorry. It's just that this one is really interesting. It's about a girl who agreed to be a surrogate mother for..." I didn't hear the rest of his statement because the word 'surrogate' caught my attention, cutting through my fog of despair and sparking a flicker of hope.
"Right! Surrogacy!" I sprang up from my seat, my heart racing with excitement. "John, you're a genius!"
"Surrogacy is the best solution!!" I squealed happily at being able to grasp a solution to my problem.
He blinked at me, clearly bewildered. "Best solution to what?" he asked, confusion marking his features.
"To get an heir without marriage or commitment!" I replied, giddy at the prospect. I could practically feel my worries lift as the idea took shape.
His eyes widened in realization, but then a shadow of concern crossed his face. "But will your parents accept it?"
"They want an heir, I'm going to give it to them. The process doesn't matter, as long as they get what they desire!" I said, determination flooding my voice.
"Let's hope so," he shrugged, a hint of uncertainty lingering in his voice.
He was right, though. My parents could be incredibly unpredictable but who cares? I'm gonna give them exactly what they want and close my ears to whatever thrash they'll complain about.
I spent the next few hours researching surrogacy, weighing the pros and cons. It seemed like a viable option, a way to fulfill my family's demands without the emotional entanglements.
Finally I submitted an application at an online Surrogacy Agency. Now all I need to do is wait for a reply alongside my Surrogacy applicants.