A Wrong Surrogate for the CEO-Chapter 17: Unforgiven?

Waking up groggily, Curtis Rodney stepped out of bed but his heart was heavy. What would he do to get this stubborn woman to come to terms with his request?

He could walk away from her and turn a blind eye on her and the baby in her belly but can he live a peaceful life henceforth knowing that his child is being carried and raised by some poor woman?

No, he can’t do it. What does she want then? He would have to come up with a persuasion to do it. If she doesn’t still agree with him, he’ll force her to accept his decision.

Still stretching on her bed, Lara’s phone chirped and she took it from its stand. It’s Kayla and she answered it.

"Hi Kayla" Lara greeted, yawning and feeling sleepy again. She loves to sleep more these days.

"Hi, Lara, good morning. Sorry it’s coming so late but you have an interview at the Textiles and fashion home. It’s slated for 8am, can you make it babygirl?" Kayla chimed.

Her bad. She should have given her a half assurance the previous day since an old schoolmate of theirs was there. But she wanted to wait until it’s certain and that assurance came so early that morning.

Textile and fashion home, isn’t that where Mike and Tolu works? Will she be comfortable working there as well? She hates crossing paths with those duo, who would be eager to find reasons to mock her...

"...are you there, Lara?" Kayla asked. She hadn’t heard a word of response from her friend. Will she be able to make it to the interview within the shortest time?

"Yeah.. I’m with you" Lara stuttered. She’s with her where, when her mind had traveled miles and kilometers in seconds despite still laying lazily on the bed.

"I suppose. Will you be able to come or should I arrange another interview for..." Kayla was suggesting when Lara replied hurriedly.

"I’ll be there. Thanks Kayla" Lara informed and stepped out of bed. What else does she have to do as an expectant mother with all the piled up bills to pay.

In her little apartment, Lara grabbed a cup of coffee and pizza. Got dressed up and headed to the Textile and fashion home. This is her dream company.

It’s better than the millennium entertainment center. At least, she’s not afraid of crossing paths with that cold hearted man surnamed Rodney.

She held another bag that contained her previous work. She would leave that company and head to other places she intends to sell those drafts. It’s not advisable to put all of one’s eggs in a basket.

She waited in line to be interviewed when she saw Tolu whispering words to some certain persons. She expected it,she knew she might be crossing paths with her and of course Mike Blake.

Lara looked away. Thank goodness, she’s an employee, not the owner of the company nor among the board of trustees who are going to decide her fate.

She suddenly discovered that the stares coming to her became hostile. She casually glanced at the direction where Tolu stood a while ago and realized that the ladies seated there all glared at her with resentment.

Why on earth are these ladies glaring at her with so much hatred in their eyes? They know next to nothing about her and yet so much resentment in their eyes?

Has Tolu told them things that are not true? Oh gosh!, she cannot wait to get interviewed and leave at once.

Lara looked away. Concentrated on her interview she came for and waited to be called. Whatever Tolu and the others have said behind her, well, it doesn’t matter to her now.

Lazarus Doe saw Lara and squinted. She’s here as well, to be interviewed? Does she know Curtis Rodney is still the owner of the Textile and fashion home?

Since Lara didn’t notice his presence, he walked away and went to find Curtis in his office. The Boss has his offices all over the various groups of the conglomerate.

"Sir, I just saw Lara Edmund, seated, waiting to be interviewed as one of the applicants..." Lazarus informed.

From the moment he realized that Lara Edmund was the woman being inseminated with the boss’ sperm,his perspective of her changed and his attitude and thought of her softened.

Curtis Rodney was quiet for a while. He was thinking, at this point,he is not resenting or sending her away from wherever he is,on the contrary, he wants her close.

The closer she is,the nearer he is to his unborn child. He wants to be a part of his child’s life and he isn’t going to gamble with any opportunity that would bring that to being fulfilled.

"Ensure she gets hired. Get her a good position with less stress. My child’s well-being is more important to me than anything else right now" he instructed.

Lazarus nodded. That’s exactly what he wants and that’s what he’d got. As Lazarus went away to effect his order, Curtis sighed softly. Does she know he is the owner of the company?

But unlike the first time, he isn’t going to trouble her at all. He wants his child and if it were possible to have it evacuated from her uterus earlier than possible,he would readily opt for it and have his child.

When Lazarus got back, he was surprised to find that everyone had left except Lara. She remained seated after others have been interviewed.

Lara saw him and she froze. That’s it. There’s no way this face will come before her and things will go well. He’d dissolved the team just before she would be called and interviewed.

Those who arrived after her had all been interviewed leaving only her behind. It’s deliberate. They kept taunting her in the entire city of Michigan just to frustrate her and they’ve succeeded again.

Her eyes welled up, she sniffled, picked up her bag and was going to leave when Lazarus asked "Miss Lara, why are you leaving already?"

"Just how evil and unforgiving are you people? What do you want me to do,crawl and beg with my life before you let me off?" Lara seethed and walked away.

Lazarus was confused. What is she saying? Unforgiving? No one’s holding a grudge against her, especially now that she’s carrying the boss’ seed in her belly.

"You’re mistaken Miss Lara.. excuse me..." Lazarus tried to persuade her but Lara was off,she didn’t wait another minute before dashing into the elevator.

Lazarus sighed, without waiting to inform Curtis, he asked the head of the team in charge of the interview why all the applicants were not interviewed.

"All applicants were interviewed sir. We were told everyone had been attended to, hence we brought it to a close..." the leader informed.

"The last applicant just left without being interviewed. She must be attended to otherwise, you’ll have to answer to the CEO to answer to" Lazarus informed.

Lazarus went to the CEO’s office to give an update on what happened: Lara Edmund was not interviewed.

"Go after her, this is my only chance of keeping that woman close" Curtis Rodney ordered. He took his phone and stepped into the elevator.

Lara just stepped out of the elevator into the grand floor just before exiting the building. She bumped into two lovers, waiting by the side, obviously there to humiliate her.

"What do you think, huh, your money bag has dumped you and you want to fit yourself into the working class ladies, right?" Tolu teased, walking over and walking round Lara with a smirk.