Victor's home was a grand place in New York's Upper East Side, around twenty minutes from my apartment in heavy traffic. It would be half that had the roads been empty.
I noticed Henry Flick's Mansion on 70th and Fifth shortly before we turned into Victor's driveway, passing by the still opening, massive decorative wrought iron gates, and a security post with three armed guards.
"It's a gilded mansion, Greg. One of the finest examples."
"Victor's home was built in 1881 with forty-five bedrooms, an art gallery, ballroom, an indoor swimming pool, concealed garage, and underground rail line to bring in heating coal."
"It's so beautiful. The gardens are exquisite, like a manicured ornamental paradise of trees, grass, and pruned hedging."
Victor's palatial home had a bowed front facade, with more windows than a flat design would achieve. It allowed more light to flood inside the house. White marble pillars were set equidistant across the facade, with stone-carved lintels bearing lions, unicorns, and brocade above them.
Greg parked in front of five stone steps leading to an ancient, solid wooden door with a huge brass lion knocker. Three staff ran out of the front door, looking excited, trying desperately to see me through heavily tinted windows.
"You'll be a fascination at least for a few days, Amy."
"I've never seen such a beautiful home."
"It's equally lavish inside, although thoroughly modern."
"It must take an enormous effort to maintain everything."
"We all live on-site in generous staff quarters, so it's a labor of love in our home."
"What is staff turnover like?"
"I've been here twenty years, and nobody has left."
Two girls helped Greg unload my luggage and carry it to my bedroom somewhere upstairs, while a third, more senior woman introduced herself as Emma, leading me through the glorious house almost in silence.
Emma was around my mother's age, perhaps a little older. She was smartly dressed in a black and white uniform that had long and short dress options, as I saw others wearing the same. She seemed kind, smiled generously, and spoke with a slight English accent.
"We can do a complete tour of your new home once you're settled, Amy. Victor says you are to have the run of the place aside from his office."
"It's my temporary home."
"But still your home, nevertheless, no?"
"Yes, that's true. It's an enormous house."
"Victor mostly sticks to the library, gym, spa, or kitchen. There is also a cinema, games room, and conservatory, all far underused in my opinion."
"The hallway is as wide as a traffic lane, Emma."
"This home is spacious, but your bedroom is by far the grandest."
"Wouldn't Victor's bedroom be the most luxurious?"
"He moved out for you to enjoy his pleasure."
"Why?"
"Victor wants you to be most comfortable during your stay."
"Emma, does everyone know why I'm here?"
"Of course we do. You're a surrogate to become pregnant and have a baby with Victor."
"You know I won't be filling every bedroom, right?"
She laughed, but interestingly, my observation received no response. I guessed everyone who knew of me had already written a narrative that fit their needs.
One baby, maybe breastfeed, then leave.
Law degree, job, enjoy working.
I mentally ticked off my five-year life plan point by point, determined not to be seduced into Victor's life for any longer than was appropriate to the needs of our child.
My room was glorious, decorated with the most expensive textured fabric wallpaper depicting a jungle-clearing mural centered on a massive tree, home to a family of orangutans.
An eighty-inch wall-mounted TV dominated the area across from a king-size bed with a heavy velvet-covered headboard.
"All of your bedding is brand new and one thousand thread count Egyptian cotton, which is changed daily."
"Daily? You mean the duvet covers as well?"
"Yes, and the room is cleaned twice daily. Towels are changed within half an hour of you bathing."
"How will you know when I bathe?"
"If a bath is run or you use the shower, housekeeping is notified by a simple sensor system on our plumbing. We wait a reasonable amount of time for you to enjoy bathing, then knock on the door and offer to change the towels."
I stared at a painting on the wall, riveted to the spot in utter shock. I knew a Rembrandt when I saw one, just not whether it was a copy.
"Wow. Is the art in this room original?"
"Everything in this house is original, Amy. Including you."
I spun barefoot, eyeing every nook, cranny, and furniture piece. Emma helped me unpack and hang my clothes, storing everything where I wanted it.
"I'll leave you to figure out how to connect your phone to Bluetooth and play music. Victor also asked that you use this phone for any calls you wish. His number is programmed in."
Emma handed me a brand-new Samsung Fold and a list of WiFi passwords.
"Do you have any questions, Amy?"
"Yes, umm... when, err... how will Victor, umm-."
"Where and when is your choice, Amy. Victor was adamant on that detail."
"But how will I reach him?"
"You must summon your lover using this pager. He'll be on standby to make love any time you call."
"Oh my... we're not making love, Emma."
"No, dear, but it sounds much nicer than me saying he will fuck you."
I'm not sure I agree, but hey-ho.
Emma left me alone, and I explored the room. A wide balcony the length of my room with a metal dining table and two chairs overlooked an expansive lawned garden to the rear, and I noticed there was zero road noise when the entry doors were shut.
My bathroom was almost a spa with a two-person hot tub, an enormous black slate-walled wet room, a double-size rainfall shower, and two sinks. Where the slate ended, glass partitions and marble floors took over, sealing the space on three sides.
I felt excited and ran, then dove onto the bed, rolling in its luxurious bedding that felt ultra smooth. I noticed a Sub-Zero fridge, so I opened it and saw every fruit juice, smoothie, and soda drink ever invented neatly lined up in rows.
There was no alcohol, but I preferred it that way, an appropriate reminder that my role in Victor's household was to get pregnant, not party.
I was startled by a knock at my door.
"Come in, please."
"Hello, Amy. Are you settled?"
"Hello, Victor. This is the most incredible bedroom I've ever seen. Emma tells me it was yours."
"I moved out a week ago and had the room deep cleaned, new bedding purchased, and every luxury soap, bath oil, natural sponge, and calming scent I could find."
"Who shopped for all that?"
"I did, of course. I want you to be comfortable and have a joyous pregnancy. It's important that I work hard to make you comfortable."
"Ah, for the sake of our baby?"
