CHAPTER 14

While Logan's team was searching the internet, trying to dig up dirt on Jason, the man was having dinner with Evangeline in a posh restaurant. The way the waiters attended to them with courtesy and extra care gave him away. He either had been here earlier with a threat that they behave or this was his.

"So which is it?" Evan asked the man, looking at him intently. He had insisted she try their seafood and she was savouring every bit. The oysters had been well salted and Jason had taught her to suck the meat out of the shell to get the best taste. She closed her eyes and sucked the last one. This was so good she let the meat roll in her mouth a while. When she eventually opened her eyes, Jason was looking at her with interest.

"Enjoying the meal, I see." He smiled.

He hardly smiles. She resisted the urge to ask him to smile more. The poor man had just lost his wife. Saying something like that would be unethical. Instead she asked him again, "Which is it?"

"What now?" He sighed and waved over a waiter.

"Either you own this place or you've been here to warn the staff to be on their best behaviour." She went for the shrimps this time. The waiter came and he requested for white wine. The man nodded and cleared the empty plates. He smiled at her brightly. She didn't understand.

"He appreciates how well you eat," he said. "He isn't the only one though. I like a woman that eats. Makes me want to buy more. Should we order more?"

Evangeline laughed heartily, "Unless you want to carry me out of here." She teased, "I'm literally full to the brim."

"Good." He smiled as the waiter brought their wine and proceeded to open it and fill their glasses. When he left, he told Evan casually that this was one of his clubs.

She had just stuffed her mouth with a peppery crawfish. "I knew it" Her eyes glistened.

"This will help." He offered her the wine and she drank.

"Wow... the cook here deserves a raise. "Mexican?"

"World best." He confirmed.

They ate and then stood to leave. "I suppose we can discuss the contract on our way? This place isn't the place to talk about it." He said as they stood outside the club waiting for his driver to bring the car over.

"I suppose we can. Do you seriously mean we should review this together?" She asked eyeing the big folder.

"Trust me, we should." He said. The driver stopped in their front and opened the door remotely. He let her go in first and shut the door after him. The car started before he opened the file.

"So, before we do this, I wanted us to trash some petty issues. One that concerns me is your place."

"My place being?"

"I mean you stay in L.A, I live in Miami... that's too far apart. What happens when you need a help with something? I don't know" He ruffled his hair trying to come up with a good reason, "I was hoping you will move over to Miami till it's done. Plus, your family stays there."

"I'm not moving to Miami" She replied stubbornly. "I have a business here. Are you saying that I should close up?"

"No. I don't mean that. I could pay you. Buy it over and pay you monthly if that's what's keeping you here" He offered.

"I assume you know how many offers I'll get in that one year. A single deal can land me billions." She pressed him wanting to pump him for more information to be sure he really meant it. She wasn't about to give up her business or livelihood for anything

"I can afford it." He said, oblivious he was being played.

"I won't change my livelihood. Next?"

Jason sat up straighter. He had expected this but not so conclusively, "Can't we compromise in any way?"

"Not on my part." She replied, stubbornly. "I will be here. If I need help, I'm sure someone will be more than willing to do that."

"Okay. Let's both sleep on it and come up with a workable solution then."

"Good." She replied. "What's the next issue?"

"I'll prefer to pay for this. I know you don't want or need the money. But you're doing us a favour and..."

She held her hand up, "Hold it right there. First, I'm doing no one any favour. You're in this as well as me. The child is yours as well as mine. This isn't for you or..." She couldn't say his late wife, so she instead let it hang. The tension in the car was high. He suddenly sat up straight.

"I'm sorry. This is going to be our child. Still, I want to pay. It's the only way I can be comfortable with it."

"I don't think so. How do I explain it? That I got paid to birth my child?" She replied amused at the way he was seeing whatever they had going. He had just ruined every good moment they had shared earlier.

It was becoming obvious they wouldn't ever be on the same page. The way he sees things were completely different from hers. She wondered if things would change. And to think she wanted some sort of relationship with the father of the baby.

The car stopped and she peered out the window. They were at her place. "I think you should let me have the file and we both go through it separately then meet later to compromise where it needs be." She said flatly.

He agreed easily and passed her the file, keeping the other one for himself. He was probably as tired as she was about everything. She got down from the car and walked the short distance to her apartment without a backward glance.

Had she looked, she would have seen him try to reach out for her. Once inside her home, she dumped the file on her dresser and started to undress. Her ringing phone did nothing to speed up the moment.

Done and safely tucked in bed, she brought out the file and began to read. Aside the two they had discussed in the car, other conditions seemed okay. He wanted both of them in the child's life. That she wanted too. He had plans for visiting drafted already too. The man was freaking detailed. Everything was dotted and crossed to the last minute. Satisfied, she dropped the file. Her phone rang again.

CHAPTER 15

Jason Valdez watched the stubborn, blond woman walk away from him. He wanted to reach out, explain why he wanted all these. But he didn't know how. With instructions to wait, his driver didn't drive. He stayed in the car for a few minutes before telling him to drive him home.

At home, he decided to call Evan. She wasn't picking up. He mentally went through the conversation in the car. There wasn't anything wrong in wanting her in Miami. If she was carrying his child, he wanted no stress. The procedure needed to be successful. He wasn't going to go through another tough episode like he did with his late wife. Pregnant women were delicate. Any little mistake can cause miscarriage. It would appear though that Evan was too young and naïve to see why he was insisting on this. He called her again.

"Are you okay?" He asked when she didn't say anything.

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

"About the contract, can we reach some sort of compromise? Did you read it?"

"I did." She turned on the bedside light and sat up. "Aside the two we discussed, I think others are okay."

"I know I sound absurd but trust me, pregnant women are delicate things. I want nothing happening to cause a mis..."

"Miscarriage." She breathed, getting that he was scared of her losing their child. She relaxed. Jason didn't scare easily. The experience with his wife must have edged so deep. "Okay, how about we have the procedure in Miami. Doctor Tom should do it. I'll stay the first trimester. I hear those are the danger period. After that, I'm back in LA."

He considered it and decided it was probably the best he could get, "Fine." He sighed. "You drive hard bargain Evan." He said, smiling.

"It's what's keeping me I business." She replied too, happy they had this settled. Then she remembered the payment part, "And I want no payment."

Jason didn't reply immediately, "Gifts are allowed then."

"Yes.... But."

"I give big gifts." He told her, "There's no saying no to this."

*******

Logan poured himself a drink and served his security team head one too. "Sit." He told him.

Seated, he offered him the second glass and drank his in a gulp. James didn't drink. He let the drink swirl as he watched his boss read the documents he had pulled up on Evangeline Swiss and Jason Valdez. "I can believe this man is so clean. But then again, he hires the best developer. How he pulls that off, I don't know."

"Money and power." James replied, "Like the Swiss, the Valdez are another powerful force in Miami. They are feared."

Logan studied the charts again. "He has an estranged sister?"

"Yes. Jennifer Valdez. She's rumoured to be into importing goods, most of which may not be legit but no paper trail on that either."

"Damn." He closed the folder on Valdez, "Another time, my man." He swore then he proceeded to read Evangeline's.

"So you think our best chance is to let her mother in on this?"

"Yes. Both women haven't been on good terms ever since she moved here. In a way, she'd be able to get through to her. She also has the resources to pull it off."

Good. If paying a visit to his future mother-in-law would stop Evan, he was going to take the chance and hopes she sees how she meant to him. He wasn't going to let her be tangled with a man who couldn't be trusted not to go back on his word.

"Get the jet ready. We're going to Miami."

"Now?"

Logan stared at the man.

*******

Mrs Swiss couldn't believe what the man seated across her had just told her. It had to be some sort of joke. Why would Evangeline be a surrogate mother? She picked her phone immediately to call her daughter right in his presence.

"Of course, she wouldn't pick." Then she called her other daughter. Adriana told her she was on her way to her office.

"I want you to meet my other daughter." she told Logan. The two chatted back and forth till Adriana joined them.

Though Adriana hadn't met Logan, Evan had told her a lot about him. She had also shown her his picture at one of her visit. She knew immediately who was seated with her mother. Something about them having any sort of conversation didn't look good. It would be destructive if he was here to gossip about the surrogacy. Evangeline would never forgive him. If this was the move he came up with to win her back, it was a terrible move.

"Here's Logan, Evan's man."

Adriana scoffed, "Okay?"

"He just shared a preposterous information."

Her mother was staring at her strangely. Of course I know mother, she told me. Now say it, she rolled her eyes.

"Which is mother?" she asked bent on not saying anything, she had a promise to keep.

"She wants to be a surrogate." Her mother blurted out making it sound disgusting.

The look on her face was spectacular. Evan would want to see this. She gave it to her though, her mother was taking it strongly. She had expected her to faint.

Adriana didn't try to pretend or deny the statement, instead she turned to Logan in irritation, and "I assume you came here to tell her this? Does Evan know you're here?" she glared at him, "You just made a terrible mistake."

Logan didn't dignify her with a response. He smiled at her, then at her mother and begged to take her leave. This was a family affair now. He would let the Swiss handle this situation for him. At least, one Swiss found the idea very appalling too. That done, he got off the chair and took his leave as the two Swiss bickered back and forth. He would wait for Evangeline to come for him. That shouldn't take long.

CHAPTER 16

"Logan!" Evangeline yelled as she rushed into his apartment. The annoying brute smiled on seeing her.

"The heck was that for? Who sent you to my mother?"

"I thought she should know and speak sense into you since you're bent on dining with the devil" He replied standoffishly. He had been reading a file when she came in. Though he expected a visit, he hadn't prepared for this early attack. Evan had been aloof lately and unbothered. He was happy to see her fight him now. There was a little spark of hope there. That he could exploit. He pocketed his hands and stared at her, coolly.

Evan noticed the stance he took and got further angry, "What do you mean, the devil?" She laughed in derision, "Even if he is, why care?"

"There are things about Jason Valdez you need to know. If only you'll seat and let me explain."

Did he know something? Unsure, she eyed him warily, "I don't need to listen to you" She started to leave. Logan ran after her and held her back.

"You should know he is as brutal as they come. Jason is no gentle man. He's a cheat and a psychopath."

He noticed Evan flinched, but continued. He was past caring. "Why would you want to be tangled with such a man?" He threw his hands up in frustration.

"I wish you hadn't done that. If there was any hope of us getting back, this bold move you made ends it."

In a smooth stride, he pulled her to himself and crushed his lips on her. Evan hit him and tried to free herself. He didn't let her go. He continued to kiss her in the most brutal way. She bites him hard and he let her go. Shocked at the force with which she bites. He could taste his blood.

"Try this again and I'll be pressing charges." She threatened and left. At the door, she almost stumbled into Mary. The look on her face was pure hatred. For someone who had betrayed a friend, she definitely didn't look remorseful. She tried to get it. It was pointless talking to her. Mary was in no way ready and neither was she.

Forcing Evan back into the room, she asked. "What's going on here?" She noticed the blood stain on Logan's lips, and the implications wasn't lost on her.

Still, she taunted her friend, "Was she forcing herself on you?" She smirked at Evan, obviously twisting the narrative to hurt her friend.

Oh, two can play this game. "You mean he...." She stressed the word 'he' for emphasis and said it again, "He forced himself on me," then turned to her betrayal of a friend, "It appears you haven't been giving him what he wants."

Logan watched both women throw shades at each other. Helplessly, he tried to stay in the middle. Mary stood blocking the entrance and wouldn't let Evan get out.

"Keep your filthy self from my man." Mary warned.

"Your man!" She smiled wickedly, "I wonder why he bothers me so much then. He even travelled to Miami to meet my mom." Seeing the last punch worked, she forced her way out grinning from ear to ear. Mary watched from Logan to Evan's retrieving back.

"And what do you want now you she-demon. This is all your fault." Logan turned to Mary. The look in his eyes were pure disgust. Mary cowered back, hating that look he had on.

"So you went to Mama Swiss huh!" She said mustering up enough strength the face him. She knew he was angry. Yet she needed him to understand she was in this with him.

Logan stepped closer with an intimidating stance. She didn't let that deter her. She stepped in his front and placed a leg on the table, irritated.

"Why don't you leave that bitch and let's keep what we have going?" She bit out.

"Nothing is going on between us. Nothing ever will." He barked at her and left her standing. Mary stewed as he walked away. She was in no way done with him. Now, she decided she needed to make Evan hurt more.

"I don't need to take you through the procedure again. Do I?" Asked Doctor Tom. He pointed at the chair so she could sit. He was casually dressed in pant and cheered shirt and looked relaxed, contrasting Evan, who looked worried.

Evangeline nodded in affirmative, "I think we covered all the basics the last time." Even her voice was failing her.

"It's not a big deal, relax." She found that amusing.

"Then let's do this." Said the excited Doctor. "First, we test your eggs for viability, then we check your womb to be sure it's in good shape for the incoming fetus. Which of course, shouldn't be any problem, considering you're young and the womb hasn't carried any child before. Still, the test has to be done to be certain."

He walked her to the Test room, where some tests were carried out. Her vials were taken alongside blood and urine sample. Evan allowed her mind to wander off as the tests were done. She had agreed to have Doctor Tom do the procedure and stay the first trimester in Miami. While the doctor runs the basic tests, she intended to go house hunting. Though Adriana had asked her to stay with her, she had always been one to want some privacy. The family had an old cottage which she could use instead. Thankfully too, it was close to Adriana's. But it's been a long since anyone used the place. So, she would be checking that place first. If everything worked right, there might be no need for house hunting. Adriana had volunteered to go there with her. It was obvious, though, that her sister was fishing for some talk time and information, not interested in the house hunt. She also wanted to discuss Logan's visit in details.

"All done here." The doctor announced and she stood up, ready to leave. She pulled down her clinging gown that had worked its way up when she sat down.

"I'll have the results ready tomorrow. I'll be needing you to rest. I'll give you some food preferences to take and what to avoid for the time being. Then we can begin the actual procedure next week."

"Okay, Doc, thank you." She said as he walked her to the door. He bid her farewell and went back to his office. Done with one phase, she called her sister for the ride to their old cottage. Adriana asked to be picked up at the company's parking lot. Their mother had gone home and wouldn't spot Evan. She had left series of annoying messages and calls for her younger daughter. She had even threatened to visit if she didn't return her calls. But Evan was past caring, and Swiss probably know better than to visit.

"The look on mom's face was divine. You should have seen it." Adriana told her sister as soon as she picked her up from the company. Earlier she had left the twins with their mother, who didn't suspect the reason she was playing grandmother was so her daughters could bitch about her. She wasn't even aware her youngest was in town.

"Belt, please." Evan scolded her sister. "I honestly don't care what she looks like. It's no surprise there. I expected worse." She started the car, and they began their journey to the cottage.

"Like fainting? She had me there too."

Sighing, Evan complained bitterly, "She threatened to visit. Like what the hell? She didn't visit when I moved out. Why now?"

"Well, this is something scary for her. Being old and all. She must think you're doing the most despicable act of all. Like sin."

Her laugh made Evan chuckled, "She sees it as you having a child outside marriage. I'm not sure she realizes this is the 21st century, where things are done differently. She still thinks everything follows the normal pattern."

"Imagine?"

"Still, you need to talk to her. Okay?"

She shrugged, not willing to make peace with her mother just yet. After a while, she commented dryly about Logan's role in all this, "And Logan... I expected more, you know. He's always been cool-headed. But something about Valdez just brings out this new stranger in him. It beats me." she told her sister, sliding her a quick look before turning back to the road.

"Seeing him with mom." She hit her head for effect, "Shocked me." Then remembering how he looked, "He had this menace about him. Wait, you took the wrong turn." Adriana cautioned her sister. "The cottage's turning is the next. Not this."

Stopping the car at a safe parking spot, Evan sighed, "I might have to reverse then." As she backed the car a few distances, she was able to get back on the road. The drive to the cottage continued with a few bantering here and there. Then they got to the cabin. The place looked anything but inviting. "It's so old. You think anything works here?"

Stepping down, Adriana replied casually, "Only one way to find out."

The minute they stepped into the cottage, Evan knew this wasn't going to work. The door creaked loudly as they opened it. She tried unsuccessfully to flip the light, but even that wasn't working. They had to use their phone's flashlight to navigate around. Everywhere was dusty, and the metals were rusty.

"Even the heating system is gone." She complained. "I'll probably just freeze to death here."

"We can get someone to work on it, though. I'm sure a couple of dollars will get it up and running." Adriana teased wickedly, "So you can have your privacy."

"Don't be so excited about this. I'm going to look for another." She stepped on metal and jumped, "You're right, though. We can pay to have this old building running again. And we should. Why leave it to rust?"

"I still think you can have better." Her sister insisted as they ascended the stairs. Everything in the upper room seemed okay. The rooms were dirty, of course, but not so bad. The lights flipped, and they could see everywhere. "You can stay here." She laughed.

Evangeline pulled a cloth cover to throw at her. The dust that brought on made both ladies dash out.

The two women came out coughing. There wasn't much to salvage from the building. Nothing seems to be in good condition.

"Will you stay with us now?"

"Ad, I don't know. I just don't want to bother you and Noah. The twins too."

"You know none of us minds. We're family, Evan." They entered the car and sat down to talk. She didn't start the vehicle. "I still don't know why you can't stay with Mr. Valdez for the first trimester anyway. Since he offered."

"That's not even an option."

"Why not? He's going to be the father. He might as well see why he's putting you through."

"Aside from being the sperm donor, there's nothing."

"He's going to be your baby's daddy. The sooner you let that sink in, the better. And then again, he's single." She shrugged, "Why to be a surrogate for him when you can have..."

"Don't even complete that sentence, Ad." She cut in, "He's just lost his wife. A widower is what he is."

"Still, nothing stops you both from coming into each other's life. His wife wouldn't mind since she insisted on this in the first place."

Evangeline started the car, "I say we go house hunting, puh-lease."

Adriana laughed, "And he's your type too, tall, brownish, sexy hooded blue eyes, and. ... Just saying." She ended seeing as Evan eyed her warily. She watched her sister meaningfully as they drove off. She was proud of her in so many ways. Evan, unlike her, had always been so strong and resilient. She was always the way to take bold steps. "Can't believe you're having a baby." She commented awry after a while.

"I can't believe it either."

For hours, they looked from house to house. Nothing was good enough. There was something either wrong with the house or the neighborhood, sometimes even the neighbor. Eventually, they had to give up. Adriana thanked the Realtor, and both went back home tired. "Do you still want to stay away from us?"

"I think I'll just stay with you guys. If you'll have me."

Sarcastically, she replied, "Of course, I'm glad it didn't take you long to figure that out."