"I'm sorry for pressing you on this matter, Amy."
"Charlotte is pushing you for answers and personal information about me. I get it, Sarah, and I don't blame you."
"Thank you, Amy."
"Please remember that you have signed a non-disclosure agreement, legally binding you to confidentiality."
"Yes, of course. I should probably explain that to Victor's mother."
"I would, and please don't think me aggressive, but I would exercise my legal rights if necessary. I didn't come here to be bullied."
"Understood, these are delicate matters."
"They are deeply personal and principally irrelevant to anyone besides Victor and me."
Sarah nodded and smiled politely, then left me, although she looked worried about delivering my message to Charlotte. It took a lot to fire my anger, so I quickly forgot the incident and enjoyed exploring my new study room.
Two highly polished, character-filled antique wooden desks were inlaid with highly crafted bronze designs of the world atlas that sat flush. Bronze reading lights with green stained glass hoods were clamped to the back edge of each desk, with soft pads protecting the wood.
Library books were arranged as a legal firm would, but I knew the far more extensive database and journal resources would be available online. I noticed a small server rack discretely fixed in a room corner. LED flickered urgently, saying nothing to me while the unit hummed gently, providing access to my future.
A knock at the door drew my attention. Fleetingly, I considered not answering to test whether I had privacy on my terms as claimed, but it might be regarded as churlish.
I opened the door and felt more pleased to see him than expected.
"Hello, Victor."
"My dear, Amy. I wanted to check in and make sure everything was to your satisfaction."
"I would have to be a pedantic fuss not to be thrilled by your generosity, Victor."
"And I by yours, Amy."
"What do you mean? Our transaction is clear."
"True, but there can be no doubt our sex is a passionate, raging fire. I enjoy copulating with you so much."
"That's because I'm fresh pussy, Victor. You're enjoying the novelty of having a new girl."
"Is that why you are enjoying me, Amy? Because I'm a novelty?"
"Well, no... I didn't mean... oh my, you've misunderstood me."
"Are men incapable of a similar enjoyment of sex to that of women, Amy?"
"That's not what I meant at all."
I instantly regretted my thoughtless comment, which suggested Victor's enjoyment of our sex play was emotionally meaningless, whereas a higher purpose drove me sexually.
He strolled around the room while I held the door open, hoping he might leave soon so I could stew in my shame, but Victor was intent on thoroughly examining my study.
A commotion outside between Sarah and another woman suggested an unwelcome visitor, so I steeled myself for an encounter, smiling confidently at Victor.
"What do you mean you won't fucking see me?"
I should have closed the door.
Victor's mother barged past me with crazy wide eyes flaming furiously. She eyeballed me for a few seconds, tossed her head with disdain as though flicking me off her shoe, and strode into the center of the room, taking it all in while shooting an enraged expression, challenging her son to remove a furious mother.
Victor rolled his eyes and pointed to the door, shaking his head. I needed to step in and make sure my territory was sacrosanct.
"Charlotte, would you leave, please? This is my private study room."
"You know my name?"
"Of course I do."
"This is my son's house."
"And it is also my home, courtesy of your son's request. Do his wishes mean so little in his house that you can run roughshod over them?"
She sighed, smirked unpleasantly, and stepped closer to me. I let the door go, knowing there was no point in expecting an expedient solution.
"I suppose you think you are clever, surrogate?"
"Interestingly, your daughter asked me the same question yesterday evening."
"And what did you tell her?"
"Do you consider your son to be clever, Charlotte?"
"Yes, of course."
"I have the same IQ. That being the only way to measure or compare our intellect now, I'd say we are equals."
"My son has built a business empire."
"That he has, and it is awe-inspiring. I am still in University and hope to emulate his achievements one day."
"Are you saying age is a factor affecting your comparison?"
"It obviously is."
"And yet you want to bear a child to a much older man."
"I like older men, and I believe Victor will be the perfect parent for our daughter or son."
"So you like Victor?"
"A gorgeous, intelligent, fit, healthy man capable of such exquisite pleasure as I have never enjoyed before. What girl wouldn't want to copulate with such a prize, Charlotte?"
"That's fucking crude."
"Maybe, but it's also true. I've never been filled or made to orgasm like your son does for me. It's explosive, and he's such an incredible gentleman at all times; I get turned on whenever Victor is nearby."
"You're a fucking whore."
"I'm here to fulfill an agreement between your son and me. That has nothing to do with you, from my perspective. If you wish to henpeck your son privately, that is between you and him.
"Sassy bitch."
I giggled while leaning against a sofa back, lazing both arms along its length, enjoying the soft, luxurious leather. I wasn't enjoying Charlotte's humiliation, but there seemed no way to prevent it without becoming timid and opening myself up to a broadside.
When I glanced sideways at Victor a few meters away, he seemed at ease, and I wondered why.
"Victor, this girl is insulting me."
"Mother, you are antagonizing and insulting my guest. You are not welcome here."
"She isn't a guest. Amy is an employee by her admission. She's here to do a job."
"No, mother."
"You would be far better off with Hannah."
"Hannah is a world-class athlete with many years of heavy training, competition, and success ahead. She will not bear a child."
Ah... so that's the reason.
"You could wait until she is ready."
"Do you mean that I should love and live according to the terms set by someone else?"
"Marriage is a compromise, Victor."
"I don't owe you an explanation, mother."
"And yet here we are, discussing your stupid decision to rent a womb."
"You will leave now, mother."
"And if I don't?"
"You've already been eviscerated and humiliated by Amy. Do you want to make a bigger fool of yourself?"