Chapter 3

• VAUGHN
• What took them so damn long?
• I glared at Dylan and Xavi as they walked in, both of them acting like they’d just run a marathon.
• “We took Red home, bro,” Dylan huffed. “He was already knocked out.”
• Xavi laughed. “He even cried because of you.”
• I frowned. “For what reason?”
• “He felt bad for you, man,” Xavi said. “You’ve been working for your parents since you were eighteen. It sucks that you can’t have the company. And now, you even got into a tree crash.”
• I shook my head. “Did you bring my wallet?”
• Xavi nodded and tossed it over.
• “Good,” I said, flipping it open and inspecting the inside. “Let’s play for the bill.”
• We walked up to the counter.
• “You spent all my cash?” I asked after a quick scan.
• They both grinned like guilty idiots.
• “There were some ladies offering a lap dance,” Dylan said. “Who were we to refuse?”
• Unbelievable. I shook my head.
• “Here,” I muttered, handing my card to the blushing cashier.
• She took it with hands that trembled. The machine beeped.
• “Your card has been declined, sir.”
• I blinked. “What?”
• I handed her my other card. The black one with no limit. “Try this.”
• She tried again, and her frown deepened. “It’s also been declined, sir. Do you have any cash?”
• What the hell?
• “What happened, man?” Xavi asked. “Should I pay for you first?”
• I nodded slowly, still trying to understand. None of this made sense.
• “Thank you, sir. You may go now,” the lady said.
• Before I turned to leave, I noticed her slipping a piece of paper that contained her number with my cards.
• I looked at it once, tossed it back on the counter, and walked out. Xavi and Dylan trailed behind me.
• “Would it kill you to take her number at least?” Dylan asked.
• “Not interested.”
• “Are we even surprised?” Xavi said. “Alina’s the only one in this dude’s mind.”
• “Whatever.” I reached out a hand. “Let me borrow your phone.”
• Xavi handed it over. I dialed my father immediately.
• “Why are my cards all declined?” I asked the second he picked up.
• “Well, I was expecting a greeting, at least,” he said with a casual tone.
• “I’m not joking, Dad. That’s my money.”
• “It’s the company’s money, technically,” he said. “And I heard you got into an accident?”
• I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “It was minor. Now answer my question.”
• “You already know why, son,” he said. “Because you’re not listening to your mother and me.”
• “Because the two of you aren’t worth listening to,” I snapped. “I won’t break up with Alina just because she can’t give me a child.”
• “That’s not the only reason,” he replied. “She’s a bad influence. She spends recklessly. Have you even looked at your statement this month? Unnecessary expenses everywhere. We gave your card a limit.”
• I clenched my jaw. “I can do whatever I want with my money.”
• “That’s not how it works, Vaughn. Now, unless you’re calling to say you’ve found another woman, this conversation is finished.”
• “Dad—Dad—”
• Click. He hung up.
• I sighed and raked both hands through my hair.
• “Oof,” Dylan said beside me. “Your dad’s harsh as fuck.”
• “You’re not helping,” Xavi muttered, stepping closer. “You good?”
• I didn’t answer.
• “A surrogate is your answer, Vaughn,” Dylan said suddenly.
• “You’re still on about this?” Xavi rolled his eyes.
• “Think about it,” Dylan said, waving his arms around like a madman. “Everyone wins. Alina keeps her job. You two get a kid. You get the company. A struggling woman gets help. Boom.”
• “There you are.”
• That voice. I turned and saw her.
• Eloise.
• She was holding her little brother’s hand, eyes on me.
• “I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” she said, gentler this time.
• “Woah. Pretty chick,” Dylan said under his breath.
• They walked toward the taxi lane. I watched them.
• “Problem solved,” I muttered.
• “Give me your car keys,” I told Xavi suddenly.
• “I’ll drive. You just got into an accident, man.”
• “Give me your keys,” I repeated, slower.
• He hesitated, then handed them over.
• “You coming with us?” Dylan asked.
• “No,” I said. “You two go home. I’ve got something to deal with.”
• And just like that, I left them behind and made my way to her.
• I leaned against a pole, close enough so she couldn’t ignore me.
• “Ugh. It’s you again?” she groaned. “How many times are we going to bump into each other tonight?”
• I looked past her. “You waiting for a cab?”
• “Obviously.”
• “Be nice,” Cameron whispered to his sister.
• “I would if he was nice.”
• The kid looked at me, a little embarrassed. “Yeah, we’re waiting. It doesn’t look like we’re getting one soon, though.”
• “Join me,” I said, holding up the car keys.
• “Wait, really?” Cameron’s eyes lit up.
• “Nope,” Eloise said. “We’re not getting in a stranger’s car.”
• “Technically, we’re not strangers anymore,” I smirked.
• She stared at me, weighing the options.
• “You know how hard it is to get a taxi right now,” I added. “Where do you live?”
• “Down Sunshine Road,” Cameron said, earning a slap from his sister.
• “Why are you telling him that?”
• “He seems trustworthy.”
• “You heard your brother,” I said. “I’m passing by there.”
• She hesitated again, glanced at the roads, and then at Cameron’s shivering. She clicked her tongue.
• “Fine. But you better not try anything funny.”
• “I wouldn’t even think about it.”
• We found Xavi’s car quick. It was hard to miss that bright red exterior.
• “Woah. This is your car?” Cameron asked.
• “You could say that. Get in.”
• Eloise went for the backseat, but I caught her wrist.
• She glared at me, but I ignored it.
• “Front seat,” I said, opening the door and gently pushing her in.
• Before she could argue, I locked the doors.
• She glared at me the whole ride, but I didn’t care.
• “Over there,” she said quietly, pointing at the ragged little house.
• “That’s where you live?”
• “Is there a problem?”
• “I didn’t say anything.”
• She rolled her eyes again.
• “Sweet,” Cameron yawned. “Thanks for the ride, bro.”
• “No problem.”
• As he got out, I looked at Eloise.
• “Do you mind if your sister stays a bit?”
• She turned to me, surprised.
• “Sure,” Cameron said with a mischievous smirk. “See you, sis.”
• Then, I quickly locked the door before she attempted to leave once more.
• “You know this is kidnapping, right?”
• “Relax,” I said. “We’re in front of your house. Your brother knows what I look like. I’m not going to commit a crime.”
• “Then let me go. I already had a long day.”
• “That makes two of us,” I said. “So this won’t take long.”
• She sighed and folded her arms. “Three minutes.”
• I turned to her, serious now.
• “Marry me and be my surrogate.”