A Wrong Surrogate for the CEO-Chapter 26: A contract couple

"Alright, alright. I only want to show these drafts to companies who are ready to go into business with me..."Lara explained sincerely.

"Alright, let’s talk about partnership then. You are only allowed to partner with me and no one else" Curtis informed, as a matter of fact.

How can his babies’ mother be working for someone else and live in his villa? The moment the rival company gets to know, he would assume she’s a spy and her job would be terminated with compensation if they get legal with her.

"That’s not possible, Curtis. I can choose to partner with whoever I want" Lara rebuffed. She wouldn’t let any man make her submissive like she was, to Mike.

"No, I don’t think so. Remember we are each other’s child’s parents. You can only partner with a company that will eventually become your children’s. Is this making any sense to you?" Curtis explained.

"And come to think about it, the day your partner realises that you are in a close contact with Mr Curtis, he’ll think you’re a mole and make your life a living hell" Lazarus Doe added.

"So you’ll let me take a look at the draft and we’ll proceed" Curtis declared in a tone of finality. Now, he wasn’t joking but he has a poker face straight on.

Lara brought out the designs and showed them. There was a long silence as Curtis couldn’t take his eyes off them.

"Did you really make these designs?" He asked, keeping his gaze locked on hers. He wants to see through her response, did she really make it?

"Yes, I did. I could design it again here and now" she replied, opening her bag, and fetching a pencil to get down on it.

"Ok, I want you to design an identical prototype for me" Curtis requested, turning it and showing her briefly.

Lazarus brought a canvas quickly and she set to work. Curtis and Lazarus would exchange glances and turn their gazes back on the canvas.

Within minutes,Lara was done carving the prototype and turned around to face Curtis. For the next few minutes, Curtis was trying to find any lapses to question her originality but found none.

"I’ll have my legal team draw out the contract for the partnership. You are hired" Curtis declared, feeling confident and satisfied.

"Congratulations Miss Edmund. The CEO interviewed and hired you himself. You are only answerable to him and no one else" Lazarus informed.

Though having a mixed feeling, Lara could tell he was genuine this time. As she watched Curtis stretch his hand for a shake, she smiled and stretched her hand too.

"I hope you won’t ask Doe to shoot me if he sights me anywhere around the company’s premises" she teased.

"Hahaha, not in the slightest" Curtis replied. Now, it is certain that she just got hired by the CEO himself and no one can bully her except he does it himself.

Lazarus Doe had already stepped out. He needed to ensure the contract was ready and brought before the boss to finalize his new found partnership.

"You wanted us to talk. I’m here. Tell me your decision about our babies?" Curtis demanded. Despite saying he doesn’t care if she insists on abortion, he really wishes she discards that thought entirely.

"I’ll sign the contract on one condition..." Lara trailed off.

"Spit it out,"’ Curtis ordered. He would grant her request if it doesn’t bring about any negativity but if otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to help it.

"Dr JJ Smart and her team should be let off. That’s my request and only condition" Lara requested.

Curtis’ brow furrowed. For a few seconds, he didn’t say anything. He really wants those duo to pay for their carelessness.

Who knows how many lives they would have ruined, or homes that could be broken by that moment of carelessness if it hadn’t been him?

But now that his babies’ surrogate mother was ready to comply with his request, he shouldn’t blow the chances away. For her sake, he would let go.

"That’s fine. Are you ready to sign the contract now?" He demanded. He just wants her to sign it up asap so he could be at rest.

"Yeah, I’ll sign it when I get back home. The copy is not with me" Lara explained but Curtis chuckled and said "That’s not an issue, I have another copy here"

He stood up, fetched out a file and placed it in front of her, with a pen. Lara picked it up and glanced at it, it’s the same contract. She took the pen to cross out the huge compensation Curtis would give her.

Curtis squinted, she didn’t want the millions he was going to offer her after the babies were born?

Lara signed and returned the file to Curtis. He glanced at her beautiful signature, no wonder she designs so well.

He also appends his signature. Now, they’re a contract couple for a year. Once the babies are born and could be without her, the contract would be over.

"Let’s stick to the rules of this legal binding. I’m carrying your babies and that’s all. You can’t address me by any other title other than Miss Lara Edmund" Lara stated.

"Yes, sure. You’ll stay away from my life and affairs as well. Besides being part of my babies’ life, you have no reason to speak to me about anything else.

And I remained Mr Curtis Rodney to you as well. If we stay within the confines of the legal rules, I think we’ll be fine until the duration of the contract elapses" Curtis outlined.

Lara nodded and Lazarus returned with the contract drawn out. He was happy seeing the boss and his woman still talking calmly.

Curtis went through it briefly and offered it to Lara. "Go through it and sign," he declared.

Lara went through it and saw that she’s a partner not just an employee and as such, she’d been offered the position of the head of the design department.

She attends meetings like every other senior employee and she’s only answerable to the CEO directly. That sounds juicy enough in addition to the huge incentives that come along with it.

She signed and handed the documents back to Curtis. The latter went through it, satisfied with her acceptance, he handed it over to Lazarus.

"Nice partnering with you,Miss Edmund" Curtis appreciated taking her hands again for a handshake.

"My pleasure,Mr Curtis" Lara responded, clasping his hand firmly.