The billionaire's surrogate

what do you mean Alex? I have been with you through it all. You can't just keep blowing me off! I'm your wife for god's sake!"

"Not now, V. I got a big day ahead, we'll talk when I get back today." Alex tells her casually.

"No we won't! I'm staying at my place tonight." Veronica was walking towards the door.

"Say hi to your mother for me then."

"Fuck you." She left, slamming the door after her.

Alex let out a very deep sigh. He really did have a big week ahead.

Father was coming to town for the Hotel launching. The Cooper industries had decided to expand, and he was going to be in charge of business on this side.

He knew deep down, that his father didn't fully trust him yet. That was why this business meant a lot to him. He's going to prove to his father that he is capable.

Alex walks into his office to find Kevin already in his office and chair, with legs on the table but of course he isn't surprised.

"Kev, get out!"

"Where are your manners man? Do you know who I am?" Kevin gets up laughing.

"Nope" Alex is setting his table to begin work.

"Well, I'm not just the manager of this magnificent hotel or just your best friend. I'm the gentleman who's about to bring you the best offer for our launching."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really. But you'd have to ask for this one."

"Come on Kev! Out with it already."

" Okay! This wonderful gentleman in front of you just bagged a sponsorship with Verion wines to cover our event."

Alex is dumbstruck as he stares at Kevin.

"And we just might have futuristic dealings with them after this one." Kevin drums his fingers on the table dramatically with his mouth wide open in a grin.

"This is awesome man! How did it happen?" Alex goes over to give him a hug.

"Well I just know someone who knows someone who set me a meeting with the right person."

They both laughed.

"Well have my secretary send me over all the necessary paperwork. We have a lot to do now."

"Sure." Kevin made for the door.

"Hey buddy?"

"Yeah?"

" Thank you."

" It's no worries. I know how much this means to you man."

••••••••••

"Veronica, what do you mean you're staying here for now? You can't stand him?" Her mother squealed.

"Exactly that mom."

" No, no, no. You my dear don't have a choice. You're gonna go back and apologize to him immediately because there is no room for you here."

" What? Mom but this is my house! I pay for everything. You're only here because you're my mother!"

"No I'm here because after what happened, you promised to take care of me V."

" I know mom I know. I'm just tired. He doesn't love anymore, I can tell. So when I come here, I really just expect you to give me a hug and say everything would be fine." Veronica snapped with a breaking voice as tears rolled freely.

" Come here my princess." Her mom beckoned her.

Resting her head on her mother's thighs, she cried.

"Yes he might have fallen out of love but you have to make him fall back in love with you."

She was patting veronica's hair softly.

"And how do you suppose I do that?"

"By not being so selfish."

Veronica jerked up her head.

"Oh come on! I know there's another man. But you don't need him. Focus on what you have before you lose it."

"That's enough mother. Please go to your room."

"I was just trying to help."

"Go to your room now!!"

As her mother left, veronica fell to the floor, sobbing.

She was so sick of everyone telling her what to do.

•••••••••••

_________

"Mom! Come on, I'm gonna be late." Christine yelled.

"I'm coming sweetie." Her mom yelled back.

Christine shook her head and smiled.

"How do I look?" Her mother twirled happily.

"Uhmm, maybe you should ditch the shoes?" Christine teased.

"Right? They are a little over the top?" She was panicking.

"I'm kidding mom. They're fine. Besides who goes on a date by this odd hour of the day?" Christine teased laughing.

"Oh shut up Christine. So! How are you feeling for your big day? Nervous?"

"Oh please it's just an interview and I might not even get the job."

"Are you kidding? You are going to be the hottest and best waitress that hotel would ever meet. You got this girl."

"Thanks mom." Taking a very deep breath, Christine grabbed her keys.

Right outside the magnificent building that read "Grandes Hotel (Cooper industries.) Christine made the sign of the cross one last time before stepping in.

She went straight to the receptionist.

"Hi, I'm Christine Dominique. I'm here for an interview of a waitress position at the bar in this hotel."

"Welcome miss Christine. Please wait a little over there. I'll call on you."

"Sure thanks." Christine stared around in wonder. The hotel really lived up to it's name.

"Christine? The manager will see you now." The receptionist called after a while.

"Sure. Thanks."

Christine made the sign of the cross again before walking in.

He was African American, early thirties and had a permanent smile oh his face.

"Have a seat please."

Christine made a silent vow not to fidget.

"IT says here, you're Latin American?" He stared in her face.

"Yes uhm my mom is Latin American. Her Mom is American but her dad is purely Latin." Christine stated nervously.

"So your dad is?" He probed.

"Ohh! My dad is Spanish. Just spanish. Yeah" she was nodding frantically.

Kevin furrowed his brows.

"Okayyy you live with your mom?"

"Yess."

"Okay! So your documents are pretty standard. So why here at a hotel?" Kevin sat back in his chair.

"Well sir,...

"Kevin please."

"Well, Kevin, I'm yet to graduate College as it states there. So I'm not really not interested in anything fancy for now just something to do and I happen to love this job. Used to be a waitress on Campus too till I got a place."

"Fair enough, miss Dominique. The job is yours. But you must begin tomorrow, there's a lot to be done." He stood up to give her a handshake.

"Yess the launching?" He nodded to the question.

As she made to leave.

"One last thing Miss Dominique, your last name? It's pretty unusual."

Christine laughed. "Oh yes! Well, that's actually my mother's first name.

Kevin raised his brows.

"My grandpa didn't want my mom and I going with his name and my mom couldn't remember my dad's last name. So..."

Kevin nodded rapidly. Releasing a deep sigh as she left.

"Sooo?! How did it go??! Details!!" Dominique screamed into the phone causing Christine to push it away.

"I got the job but I gotta start tomorrow."

"I'm so happy for you mijá."

"Thanks mom but I gotta go. I'll call you later. I'm on the bus."

Christine sent a text to Lucas her boyfriend and said a silent prayer.

Thank you grandma for I know you're always looking out for me.

•••••••••

Everyone scurried away as Veronica walked into the office. She walked straight to Alex's office.

"I'm so sorry mrs Cooper but the boss is currently in a meeting." The secretary hurried to stop veronica from going in the office.

"What was that ?" Veronica turned to stare at her.

"Nothing. I'm so sorry again." She hurried away.

Veronica pushed the door and walked in.

"You two! Out!" She snapped her fingers at two of the staff in the office.

"Veronica what is the meaning of this?" Alex breathed.

"Hello baby." She walked over to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Hello Kevin." She stared at him.

"Hi! Veroni...

"Could you excuse us?" She cut him off as she took off her coat.

"Sure." He took a brief glance at Alex who smiled at him before leaving the office.

"I'm so sorry sir. I tried but she just blew me off." The secretary was explaining to Kevin.

"It's okay. Just have Lilian send over the minutes and reschedule the meeting.

"Veronica, what is this? You know I don't tolerate insult to my employees." Alex was basically fuming.

"Ohh but you tolerate insult to me from your staff?" She bit back.

"What?"

"That your half baked, dead beat Canary secretary better learn to stay in her way."

Alex sighed, rubbing his forehead tiredly. "She was just doing her Job V. You don't barge into offices like that."

"But baby I wanted us to talk. About us. Something is wrong and we need to fix it."

" Veronica, I suggested this talk when I get back didn't I? You blew me off!"

"I'm sorry. I was mad okay? You blow me off all the time, Soo.. besides I felt you'd be too tired at night."

Alex collapsed into his chair.

•••••••••

The doorbell rang.

"Coming!!" Christine yelled from the kitchen.

She was so surprised to see Lucas standing at the door with flowers.

"Lucas! .. how did you...

He cut her off with a deep kiss.

"I got your text and decided to come congratulate you in person."

"Ohh Lucas you really didn't have to. What about work? How did you get off? I mean.."

"Calm down Chris. And yes I had to. And about work, I already had someone cover me." Lucas chuckled.

"I love you Lucas."

"I love you too."

His phone pinged.

"Uhmm I really have to get back to work." He stated.

Christine laughed. "Yeahh you do."

"But how about dinner tonight? Somewhere fancy to celebrate mmm?"

"Uhh I already got take outs actually." She scratched her hair with a cocky grin.

"Take outs? Really?" Lucas raised a brow.

"Heyy! I was just stocking up the fridge because I know my mom won't be cooking much and I don't want her starving okay?"

"You sound like you're married and moving. She'll be fine." He laughed

She pinched his arm.

"Pick you at seven?"

"Sureee"

He gave her a quick cheek kiss.

•••••••••

"Veronica I promise I have heard all you have to say but I really need to get back to work."

"Alright baby I trust you."

"Great. I'll uh see you at home?"

"Yess Alex." She was smiling as she put on her coat.

"Kiss me."

"What?" Alex snapped his head up.

"You heard me."

He got up and kissed her cheek.

"Bye Alex."

"Mmm!" He let out a deep breath.

••••••••••

"How do I look mom?" Christine twirled.

"Amazing baby!" Her mother squealed.

Christine was in a white, turtleneck, fitted dress that did tremendous justice to her wide curves.

Letting her raven coloured hair to fall drew so much attention to her slightly freckled face and deep piercing blue eyes.

"Oh my! You are indeed a Spanish goddess mijá." Her mother was hugging herself.

"Stop mom. Now you're making me nervous." She chuckled nervously.

The doorbell rang.

"Whoo! Here we go!"

Lucas was looking not so bad in his plain white shirt and trousers. His blonde hair too perfectly brushed and his cocky grin.

"Hi Lucas" Christine was staring at him, chewing her lower lip and pulling her hair slightly.

"Heyy uhmm... You uh.. you look beautiful." Michael was struggling to keep eye contact.

"Thank you." Her smile widened.

"Shall we?" He extended his arm.

"Of course." She took it.

"Bye Mom!!"

"Bye princess."

It all looked so surreal to Christine. The lights, the sound of the water as it swayed slightly. The smell of fresh air, the deathly feel of the cold on her skin.

They were at the marina docks.

"I'm so sorryyy, I should have hinted you a little so you could cover up." Lucas stated when he saw Christine rubbing her bare arms.

"Lucas... This is beautiful, perfect. I'm fine."

Lucas rushed towards a fancy speedboat.

"Well, I'm glad you like it because this is all ours for tonight." He gestured proudly.

Silence.

"Uhmm.. I know it's no fancy yacht or anything but.." he scratched his hair awkwardly.

"Shhh.." she placed a finger on his lips and kissed him.

She led him on to the boat so they could eat.

"I think I'm going to explode in this dress." Christine caressed her belly after dinner.

Lucas laughed.

"Look at those" Lucas pointed in the direction of a group of swans behind her in the water.

Christine turned and gasped. Just when she thought the night couldn't get any better.

"Christine?"

She turned to back to Lucas on one knee, with a ring to her face.

"Will you marry me?"

Christine wasn't freaking out, Instead she was confused.

Where was the butterflies in the belly? Where was the time stopping? Where was the erratic heart beating? Where was the insurmountable surging of love within her that she'd read all about? Watched in movies? Why wasn't all these happening to her?

Either she didn't love Lucas or all those don't happen at all.

But she did love Lucas Soo...