7. Keep it a secret

Alexander’s POV

As Sophia speaks, her words wash over me like a gentle breeze, but my attention remains fixated on her. I listen intently, captivated by her presence and the subtle nuances of her voice. She seems at ease, sharing snippets of her day and assuring me that everything is fine.

"That's good to hear," I reply, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm glad you're feeling okay and there are no complications."

She nods, her expression serene. "Yes, everything seems to be going smoothly so far. I've been taking good care of myself, eating well, and following the doctor's advice. I've been feeling tired at times, but that's expected."

Relief floods over me, knowing that she is taking the necessary steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy. "I'm glad to hear that. Your well-being and the baby's health are my top priorities."

Sophia lowers her head a little and when she looks up, I notice the blush on her face as she responds, "Thank you for being there for me. I appreciate your concern and support."

I squeeze her hand gently, a genuine smile gracing my lips. "You don't have to thank me. I want to be involved and make sure everything is going well. We're in this together."

As our conversation continues, I can't help but notice a tinge of fatigue in Sophia's eyes. It reminds me that she's been shouldering multiple responsibilities, juggling work, studies, and now the impending arrival of our child.

Abruptly, I remembered the surrogacy contract that I had brought with me. It's a necessary formality to ensure that all the legal aspects of our arrangement are properly documented. While it feels somewhat impersonal to bring it up in the midst of our conversation, it's an important step that needs to be taken.

"Sophia," I say, my tone becoming more serious. "I actually have something important to discuss with you. It's about the surrogacy contract."

She looks at me curiously, her eyebrows slightly furrowing. "Oh? What is it?"

I retrieve the contract from my bag and place it on the table, sliding it toward her. "This is the contract that outlines our agreement. It's important for both of us to review and sign it to ensure that our rights and responsibilities are clearly defined."

Sophia's eyes flicker between the contract and me, a mix of curiosity and caution evident in her expression. She reaches out, taking the document into her hands and begins to skim through its contents. The mood in the coffee shop subtly shifts, the weight of our arrangement settling upon us.

As she reads, I observe her closely, silently hoping that she finds everything agreeable. The silence lingers, but it doesn't feel uncomfortable. It's a necessary pause, allowing Sophia the time to process the terms of the contract. Although, I had sent her a sample earlier with all the clauses, she still needs to go through it again before taking the step.

It takes a few minutes but soon, she picks up the pen and signs the contract. I pick it up and look at her. "I'll have Ethan duplicate it and deliver yours to you later in the evening."

She nods and I can't help but notice she seems a little distracted. She suddenly shifts closer and asks, "By the way, Mr. Williams, can I ask a favor from you?"

I look at her surprised as she usually wouldn't be so casual with me. I nod gently, half anticipating what she wants to ask for.

"I know I should have mentioned this earlier but I didn't think too much of it at the time," she says.

"What is it?"

"Can you keep our agreement a secret?" She asks. "I mean, I don't want anyone else to know about it."

I look at her blankly not responding immediately.

"The thing is," she continues. "I'm worried my parents will find out. I don't want them to worry. Moreover after the child is born, we will both part ways. So it is best to keep it solely between us."

I look at her, a little bit miffed by how eager she is to distance herself from me. But I can also understand her concerns so I nod.

"Okay, I'll keep it a secret."

She seems relieved by my answer as she clasps her palm and smiles. "Thank you, Mr. Williams."

I sigh. "I've told you countless times to call me Alexander."

"It's just... I'm not used to it," she laughs nervously.

"But you call your roommates by their names," I find myself reporting, unable to stop myself from sounding like a jealous boyfriend.

She seems stunned at first before laughing, "Are you jealous, Mr. Williams?"

I pause, finding myself dazzled by that smile. She is cute. I have no idea why getting so affected by her presence. When I made that advertisement, I had thought everything would only go on formally and I'd leave Ethan to handle it all. 

But then, I saw that slender figure at the gate and I found myself getting entranced. I have never really interacted with humans but she is a cute one.

I chuckle, a slight blush creeping onto my cheeks. "Jealous? No, of course not. It's just... a matter of familiarity, I suppose."

Sophia tilts her head, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Well, if it makes you feel better, Alexander, I'll try my best to call you by your name."

I grin, appreciating her playful nature. "I appreciate that, Sophia. It would make our interactions feel less formal."

As our conversation continues, I can't help but notice how Sophia's straightforward language and simple thoughts make her seem incredibly innocent and endearing. Her youthful energy and genuine curiosity about the world around her remind me of the beauty of simplicity and uncomplicated moments.

She shares stories of her childhood, her dreams, and her aspirations, each word drawing me further into her world. I find myself genuinely captivated by her experiences, seeing glimpses of a life I never had the chance to live.

We lose track of time, engrossed in our conversation, oblivious to the hustle and bustle of the coffee shop around us. It's in these moments that I forget the complexities of our arrangement and simply enjoy the genuine connection we share.

Abruptly, my phone buzzes, interrupting the momentary tranquility. I glance at the screen and a sigh escapes my lips. It's a message notifying me of an urgent business trip that requires my immediate attention.

"I apologize, Sophia," I say, a hint of disappointment in my voice. "I just received a message about a sudden business trip that I need to attend to. I didn't expect it to come up so soon."

Her brows furrow slightly, concern etching her features. "Oh, I understand. Is everything alright? Do you need to leave immediately?"

I shake my head, trying to suppress my frustration. "No, I have a few more days before I need to leave, but I have some preparations to make. I wanted to meet you today to check on you and see how you were doing. I'm sorry that our time together will be cut short."

Sophia's expression softens, understanding the situation. "It's alright, Alexander. I hope everything goes well with your business trip. We can always catch up when you return."

Her words ease my disappointment, and I offer her a grateful smile. "Thank you for being so understanding, Sophia. I appreciate your support."

She reaches across the table and places her hand on mine. "Take care of yourself too. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

The warmth of her touch lingers, and I find myself reluctant to let go. But the responsibilities and obligations of my work beckon, reminding me of the reality we must both face.

With a sigh, I withdraw my hand and stand up from the table. "I'll walk you out then."

Sophia nods, and we make our way to the exit of the coffee shop. As we step outside, the cool evening air brushes against our faces. The sky is painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun begins its descent.

I gesture towards my car parked nearby. "Shall I drive you home, Sophia? It's getting late, and I'm not entirely assured of you going home alone."

She hesitates for a moment before nodding. "Alright, if it makes you feel better. But you don't have to go out of your way. Just drop me off a block away from my apartment. I can walk the rest of the way."

I open the car door for her, a small act of courtesy. "It's no trouble at all. I insist on ensuring your safety."

Sophia smiles appreciatively and settles into the passenger seat. As I drive, our conversation continues, but it's quieter now, the anticipation of our impending separation weighing upon us.

We reach the agreed-upon spot, and I bring the car to a stop. Sophia unbuckles her seatbelt and turns to face me. "Thank you for the ride, Alexander. I appreciate your concern."

I meet her gaze, a mixture of emotions swirling within me. "Take care, Sophia. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to me."

She nods, her eyes conveying a sense of gratitude. "I will, Alexander. Thank you for everything."

As she steps out of the car, I watch her for a moment, her figure illuminated by the streetlights. With a final wave, she begins to walk away, disappearing gradually into the distance.

Alone in the car, I find myself conflicted. I had never thought I would be so affected by a human.