I’M NOT A GOOD LIAR. I hope he doesn’t see through me. The less people who know about what happened to me in Venezuela or why I really left my country, the better for me.

I inhale deeply and speak carefully. “I was a journalist and working as a reporter for a TV network in Caracas. Things got ugly last year. Journalists were being targeted by supporters of the present government. Massive protests erupted and I figured, what was happening in my country was too much for me already. I decided to come to America to have a fresh start. But I only had a tourist visa. It expired last month. I wasn’t granted an extension due to some lacking requirements. I want to stay here and work…as an immigrant… if possible.”

He’s staring at me like a predator scrutinizing its prey, as though he’s trying to measure the truth in my words. I fight the urge to squirm in my seat. Guilt assaults me, but omitting vital details in my story is extremely necessary in this situation. He can verify what I told him on the internet and it will be there, hopefully. It’s not an outright lie and I haven’t committed a crime, I try to reason with my conscience.

“So, you were a journalist.” It’s a statement.

This gives me hope. I push to sell my credentials, praying he’d be interested. “Yes, I have a degree in journalism from a university in Caracas. I can say I speak and can write in your language fluently. I can do dictation, I type fast, and I’m computer savvy. I’m good in research and documentation and—”

“I’m not offering you to be my secretary, Mara.”

“Then…?”

“Are you in a relationship right now?”

His question puzzles me. So off-topic. “I…is it important?”

“It’s very important. I would demand exclusivity of your time during our working relationship, but like I said, you’ll be handsomely compensated for it.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I readily say.

“When was you last relationship?”

“I don’t…remember.”

“How come?”

I look at my hands on my lap. These questions are making me uncomfortable now. “What does my past relationship have to do with this job?” I ask with a bit of irritation. I could have bitten my tongue.

Just answer his questions, Mara and get this job!

He smiles. “Never mind.”

“I had a boyfriend way back in high school. A long time ago.”

“Just one boyfriend?”

“Yes, just one.”

He nods. “Corazon told me you need a visa extension.”

Okay, back to business. This is good. “Yes, I do.”

“I can help you with that.”

I nearly jump up and hug him. I’m so happy he’s straight-talking. I didn’t have to beg him to help me. “Thank you! Oh, thank you, Mr. Vandercourt— Jeff. I promise to do my best in this job. You don’t have to pay me. I just want my visa fixed,” I tell him earnestly. I feel like crying in relief and gratitude.

“Don’t thank me yet.”

“Uhm…This job? May I know what it is?”

“Mara, I’ll help you get a working visa courtesy of one of my companies, and I’ll pay you half a million dollars for this job.”

Huh?! Did I hear that right?

No. Way.

“Half… a million?!” I exclaim.

He nods.

Trepidation replaces my joy. “But…what kind of job is this that you have to pay me that much?”

“I want us to have a child.”

I stare at him, not understanding what he said.

“W-what…?”

“A baby. You and I. I want you to give me a child.”

I grow wary now. “I don’t understand…”

“We’ll have sex. You’ll get pregnant. You’ll carry the baby to full term. After giving birth, you’ll give the baby to me and you’ll leave Everland with your working visa and the money.”

I stare at him, unable to believe what I heard. He laid it out so succinctly, like a business proposal, his eyes serious.

I fall silent. Totally blindsided.

I expected all kinds of job, but never this. Is he crazy?! Oh my God!

“Think about it, Mara.”

I shake my head. “I…can’t…” I can’t even wrap my head around it.

“I’ll give you the whole day to decide. I’ll go play golf at the country club. You weigh your options. When I get back, I expect an answer.”

He stands up. “I’ll see you later. I’d like you to join me for dinner. We’ll talk then.”

He leaves the room.

Stupefied, I stare at his back until he disappears from my sight, his expensive cologne still lingering in the air.

Did that just happen?

The devil and the deep blue sea comes to mind.

“Mama Zon, what am I going to do?”

“My child, you must decide. Forgive me if I put you in this situation without telling you everything. I didn’t want you to waste this chance. I knew there was a big possibility that you won’t agree to it, but still I wanted you to talk to him personally and weigh your options. You need this, Mara. Jeff can really help you with your problem.”

“But…I’ll be giving away my own child! That’s not right! I don’t think I can do that!”

“You can ask Jeff to be lenient in his contract. Request for a visitation right, or a chance to see your child every once in a while. Your child will have the best of everything, Mara. He or she will be a Vandercourt.”

“But…” I shake my head, confusion and desperation warring inside me. My tears fall. I feel so helpless. I wanted salvation, but not like this.

“Oh mija, don’t cry. Okay, you don’t have to do it. We’ll find another way. Forgive me for even bringing this up. I was feeling desperate for you, Mara. I don’t want you to continue hiding. I want you to have a full life. You’re smart, beautiful, and educated. You have so much potential, and if only you are given a fair chance, I know you’ll be very successful.”

I cry even more. I don’t usually self-pity. It doesn’t help me solve my problems, but I just feel so hopeless at the moment.

Mama Zon hugs me. “Shhh, I have an idea.”

“What, Mama?”

“Why don’t you make Jeff fall in love with you? If he does, he’ll marry you and all your problems will go away.”

Despite my despair, I give a short laugh. “What? You’re kidding me, right? How can that man fall in love with the help? He’s high society!”

Mama Zon’s eyes narrow. “Are you belittling us, mija?”

I shake my head. “No, no! I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just…that’s impossible and you know it.”

“I know for a fact that you have a crush on him.”

“I don’t—“

She looks at me knowingly. “Don’t lie to me. I always catch you staring at his portraits. You’re dying for every news about him. I think you may have already fallen in love with Jeff.”

“Mama! Hush!”

“Admit it.”

I bite my lower lip. I really am not a good liar. “Regardless of my feelings, he’s way out of my league. He likes sophisticated, elegant, learned women. I’m none of those.”

“You were once, in Venezuela.”

“Yes, in Venezuela. But I’m in America now and I’m nothing here.”

Mama Zon pats my cheek gently. “You’ll be surprised to discover that love knows no color, race and social status, my child. Just believe.”

I smile at her naivete. Mama Zon has been reading too much romance novels on her Kindle during her spare time. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mama, but I don’t believe in fairy tales. This is the twenty-first century, come on! Leave Cinderella in Disneyland. This is Rhode Island.”

Mama Zon shrugs. “Well…I’ll leave you to decide on this. But I hope you’ll grab this chance. It doesn’t come twice. Take a risk. Accept his offer and make him fall for you in the process. Jeff may be a scion of one of America’s wealthiest aristocratic families but he’s a good man, very generous and fair to his people. He’ll treat you right, Mara. Who knows, you might just win in the end. You’ll not only get a working visa, you’ll also land yourself a Prince Charming.”

I roll my eyes. “Mama, you’re such a romantic.”

She wipes my tears with her fingers. “That’s me, mija. I’ll dream for you because your heart has been badly broken, I know. I can feel it.”

“Thank you, Mama. You’re so kind to me.”

“I just hope you’ll follow my advise.”