My jaw dropped when the name bounced inside my room. I heard about him a lot of dark, mysterious, cold but nothing like his father. Years back, there were rumours about him dating a model from showbiz. I never saw his picture and only heard from other strippers who died to serve him one day because that man had zero interest in other women. Even, I never heard that he ever attended our bar during my working years.

Heavy footsteps began to echo towards my room. I swallowed hard, preparing myself to answer carefully. One wrong word with him could drag me straight to hell. Julie left the door open for him. I felt his presence behind, powerful and intimidating. As soon as I turned around, a loud gasp of surprise passed through my lips.

It was him! The man who ignored me!

I swallowed heavily, mentally slapping myself twice because I had invited my own death here. Pretending cool on the surface, I asked to pull my eyes up to meet his cold eyes,

" How can I help you, Mr.King?"

He smiled maliciously, shaking his head slightly as if I cracked a joke. He leant against the door head, watching me intensely,

" I want something from you, Miss Avery."

My jaw clenched hard at his response. I could understand where he was heading to. Sticking firm to my pride, I blurted with rage,

" Mr.King, you must have already heard that I don't sell my body."

He chuckled more dangerously, raising one of his eyebrows playfully,

" Who said that I want your body, Valentina?"

My brows were crooked together, confusing,

" Then?"

He sighed heavily and began to approach me into the room. I stepped back subconsciously, making a perfect distance between us. His eyes held mine, mysterious, dark and it was hard to predict what was going behind his mind. His thin lips quirked upward, giving me a slow, handsome smile that left me bewitched in my place,

" I want to hire your bump, Valentina."

|| Valentina's POV ||

His words left me stunned, paralyzed for a few couple of moments. Honestly, it was the most weird proposal that I ever got in my lifetime. Most of them came to offer money for their bed services except him. There was something else behind his eyes, the power he carried whenever his presence surrounded me. This thing didn't happen before and I was sure that Mr.King had successfully managed to leave his best impression on me.

I gulped, scrutinizing tightly,

" What do you mean?"

He smirked, his eyes paying close attention on my thick eyelashes. He didn't sound like a playful man but at the same time, these words sounded odd to me.

Who wants to hire a bump seriously?

His words came out stern and firmly,

" I want you to become the surrogate mother for my child. In other words, you will get money and I will have my child."

Wordless, I stared into his eyes blankly to ensure that he didn't crack a joke with me here. In society, we, strippers are highly degraded by upper class families like them. But hearing something different from him really left me with a lot of questions.

"Why me? ", my question blurted out subconsciously, earning a silent glare from him. Well, I had every right to know that why did he want to hire me as a surrogate. There were plenty women out there to become his surrogate. Above all, bearing a child wasn't a easy process. I didn't even complete my college.

What would others think of me?

He smirked at me mysteriously, dragging his body a feet closer until we were few inches apart from each others,

" One thing, I would like to clear Ms.Avery that I don't like anyone questioning me. If you want to do it, just say yes."

I tugged on my lips nervously. Truthfully, I was in bad need of money now. The rent, college everything required a lot of money which wasn't in my captivity now. Although I was the infamous Stripper here, that didn't feed me off entirely. I still struggled to fulfill my daily basis. But the confusion and insecurities still lingered in my mind.

What would happen to my career?

Pinching on my palm lightly, I replied suturing,

" I..I need time.."

He nodded agreeing and left after plucking out a card from his pocket,

" Take it! You have 24 hours to consider, Miss Avery.If you still think yes, come to my office."'

Clutching his card into my fist, I watched him, heading outside in urgent steps. He didn't tell me why he chose me but the address 'Miss Avery' warmed my heart somewhere. The first time, someone showed me this much respect.

But why did he choose me?

_____________

An hour later, I arrived at my apartment, spotting Emily between the stairs. Her face was still stained as if she was crying for hours. Our gaze met and relief contoured her expression.

Emily ran over to me, hugging and sobbing,

" Valentina..our house.."

I patted her back, coaxing,

" Hush! I have gotten money, Emily. No one can kick us out."

After that, I went straight to the landlord's apartment and paid off our rent before cursing a few times. This lady was too ruthless to be appreciated. She had a face like witch from movies.

Free from charges, Emily and I both dragged our staff back inside, panting and huffing all the way. I couldn't understand how she managed to kick out all this stuff singlehandedly. No wonder all those fat belly!!

Emily's voice pulled me back on earth,

" Val, this...this isn't happening right..I feel like we will be kicked out again sooner or later.. Your job isn't stable. Sometimes, you can barely make money to buy a meal. How are you going to manage everything, Val?"

I bit my lips together tightly. I knew it very well. The chances of getting kicked away were high as I had to pay money a few places. Surely, this comforting apartment was out of my way. Keeping her questions aside, I blurted suddenly,

" Emily, Lorenzo King came to me with an offer. I don't know whether I should do it or not."

Emily's eyes lit up, surprisingly,

" What.. what is it?"

Sighing, I revealed the truth, getting confused in tension,

" He..he wants me to become the surrogate mother for..his child..He will probably pay hugely.."

Emily exclaimed Pressing her hand on mine,

" That's awesome, babe. You should grab it right away."

" But..", I stammered, still hesitating. Getting involved with King's heir wasn't an easy choice. Besides, I heard that the two brothers were fighting for the legacy. This child might have something to do with their property or business.

Emily explained carefully,her voice sounding serious,

" What is wrong with becoming a surrogate mother, Val? It's not like you two are having sex. After ten months, you will be free from every charge. Think about it, Val! Your career and life both will be smooth like water in just a few months. I don't think that you will have a better option than this."

Emily's words made sense honestly. If I took his offer, I would have no difficulties in my life anymore. Besides, I could ask him to keep it secret until the child is born. Perhaps, I wouldn't have to find a job anymore.

But was everything so easy that I thought it was?

______________

|| Lorenzo's POV ||

I stared hard at the ring in my finger. Her memories still came to waver my thoughts but it didn't hurt like before anymore. Time healed my soul but not my heart. Luka kept rumbling beside me all the while,

" Seriously King, surrogate and Valentina? Do you think that she can take care of your baby?She is just a stripper."

I smirked cunningly at his words. He didn't read her well. I saw a fire in her eyes which could burn down everything. As my baby's mother, I wanted someone fierce like her who would carry a good feature, a fierce character like her. Although I had everything in my genes, mother's feature mattered the most. Besides, she had a fighter character which would be easier for me to fight against my dearest brother before giving birth. She was perfect to become the fake to be Mrs.King for a few good months. Her fierceness could give a tough time to my step-mother. Besides, I believed that she could protect my child well in her bump. She was loyal to her job and surrogacy was her new job for now.

I replied smiling lightly,

" My child will have great features like her. Besides, she is a stubborn ass. Do you think that someone innocent can survive in the King's family? No, Luka. She can slap my step-mother without holding back. Once the news of her pregnancy leaks out, they will definitely find a way to harm her. At this point, I need someone strong like her. Mark my words! She will be the perfect surrogate mom for my child."

Luka questioned concerning,

" But will she agree?"

I hummed while smiling,

" She will sooner or later. Someone who is in need of money wouldn't turn down this offer so easily. She is just confused now."

Luka spoke again, speeding on the car,

" But will your father agree if he hears that you hired a surrogate to get a child?"

I blurted looking away into the running trees,

" He wouldn't know."

Luka sent me a look of confusion, furrowing deeply. My words came out humming, startling him for the second time,

" Because he will know that I have a baby with my girlfriend."

" What!!", Luka shouted, stopping the car in a rush. Luckily, we didn't have traffic behind and it was only our car midway. I assured him, smirking cunningly,

" Did you think that I will take this risk of triggering his rage! Nope! I will introduce Valentina as my girlfriend to him who is expecting a child with me."

Luka remained silent for a while and I could guess what he was thinking inside. He looked doubtful,

" What.. what if she returns one day?"

My jaw clenched, anger taking over my sanity. I had demolished all the possibilities from my mind but still it hurt to think that she wouldn't be the mother of my child.

I huffed my words out, grimacing,

" I won't wait for anyone."

Luka nodded smiling and gave me his advice before starting the engine,

" Think about everything carefully, King. If anyone figures out that you hired a stripper to become your child's mother, you will lose everything instead of getting one."

I felt deep thoughts. It wasn't still doubtful to me whether I was ready to become a father or not but I wanted a child to get my legacy. I couldn't give off my rights to those malicious people at any cost.

|| Valentina's POV ||

" 20 dollars only!", the leading woman of our group threw a glare at me, full of mockery. I just rolled my eyes at her. I wasn't in the mood today which was the result of this low earnings. I couldn't entertain those men properly but how could I do that when a lot of things were messing around my mind?

Mr.King's damned proposal...

My friend's suggestions...

How was I going to stay alive on this unsure job? Could stripping give me fortune?

" No! It can't! Go find him!", my subconscious mind shouted back inside my head. I growled out frustratingly and glanced at the clock. It was 5 past in the afternoon. He gave me 24 hours to think about. I had only a few hours left to think.

A perfect life...

A roof under my head..

I could get anything from him. I didn't have to fear losing my apartment. All this speculations tempted me from the core of my heart. But someone's enraging voice barged into the room all of a sudden,

" VALENTINA! What's wrong with you today? Pay attention to your mood next time. Just 20 dollars, are you serious? You won't get any share today from us. It's too little to serve you a share."

It was our boss, the bar owner and local mob who kept yelling at me for earning little. I was shocked to hear him cursing. I had been bringing money to his bar immensely for the past one year yet he was furious over me just for a single day. I didn't hold back anymore. Turning around, I shouted back at him,

" BOSS! It's just a day. I bring the most money, don't I? Is this how you treat your staff? Not giving me any share!"

His eyes flared up in rage. Slamming his hand over his thigh, he spat with a growl,

" Rubbish! I am the boss and I can decide anything. Who are you to lecture me?"

I felt the hardest betrayal in my life. Even after doing so much for them, they acted like I meant nothing. I scoffed back, speaking out of my mind,

" Someday I will buy your entire bar and see who the boss is."

He laughed...

He just laughed at my face and crossed his arms, taunting me back,

" Oh really? Look everyone! A stripper is challenging me to take over my property. Then, how are you going to earn so much money? Marrying a rich old fart? Oh come on! Stripper girls like you only match in bed."

I clenched my fist hard to not punch at his face. In the end, I just blurted before storming outside,

" Fuck You!"

____________

" Mr.King is waiting inside. You should go this way, Miss Avery!", his assistant spoke in a warm voice, leading me the way into his elevator.

His building was huge. I bet, at least 500 workers worked here. It felt good to probably become a CEO, so much power and everything could be done so easily. As the elevator started to bring me upstairs, I remembered an article that claimed how Lorenzo King was going to become the next leading man of Humbsblock City.

I had to come here first. I was done with this mistreating behavior. I could tolerate everything absolutely except disrespect which my boss did to me today. So, I swore that I was never going to step in that bar unless I owned it. Now for my better future, only Lorenzo King was the option here today.

The elevator opened with a ding. I walked out to see his office in front. I took a deep breath. Obviously, I was scared to meet the powerful CEO of this town.

His response reverberated just after one knock as if he was expecting me already,

" Come In!"

I entered timidly, my eyes followed him on the desk, typing on his laptop skillfully. Oh God! How sexy! Indeed, people used to say the right thing. A man at work looks the best.

" Hello..Mr.King..", I greeted him nervously, his eyes never leaving the screen. After a short while, he finally stopped typing and asked me politely,

" Miss Avery! Take the seat! I expected you to come in."

I smiled back weakly at his remark. Oh God! Why was he making me nervous without any reason? I danced in front of countless men yet they never affected me like him. I guess, it was his born aura which gave you the urge to bow down.

A real king of state!

I spoke, nibbling on my lower lips,

" Mr.King..I ..I have thought through it. I...I would like to take the job.."

His cold eyes fixed on me, so emotionless and hard to see through. He began to speak, leaning against his chair,

" I know the moment you walked into my building, Miss Avery. Anyways, let's get back to the main topic. You have to play different roles rather than just being the surrogate mother of my child."

" Means?", I furrowed tightly. In no way, I was going to let him take advantage of me.

He chuckled softly,

" Relax! I am not going to ask you to serve my bed. It's just that you have to pretend to be my girlfriend in front of my family until the baby is born safely. In other words, you will have to be my girlfriend in front of the outside world but at home, we are just business partners."

I nodded with understanding. He was trying to do it in a modest way. I had no issues with that. I would rather call it a fortune to be his fake girlfriend.

I replied back, looking into his eyes which were waiting for my answer,

" I have no problem with that. Anything else, Mr.King?"

He flashed me a grin, getting up from his chair,

" Awesome! Then, it's settled, Miss Avery. We will do the medical tests first tomorrow. Then we will talk about the contract and other rules."

_________