THE CONTRACT SIGNING didn’t take twenty minutes. Jeff’s lawyer was waiting for us in New York with the contract ready for our signatures.

I knew the contents already, so I just skimmed through the pages and signed everything. I also turned over my immigration documents to the lawyer. I have to put my full trust in Jeff on this matter. I have no other choice.

We left the lawyer’s office right away.

Now, Jeff and I are sitting across each other inside his limousine on our way to see a gynecologist. I should have just occupied the seat beside him. That way I wouldn’t have to meet his eyes. He’s looking at me pensively, and I don’t know what he’s thinking. It’s affecting me, his silence, and the way he’s staring at me with those enigmatic eyes.

“Relax, Mara. Everything will be all right.”

I give him a small smile. “Is this a lady doctor?”

“Of course. I won’t let a male doctor examine you.”

What he said puzzles me. My reason for wanting a lady doctor is modesty. The physical examination could involve looking into my privates and I’ve never had a man look at me down there.

“Thank you.”

“Do you have a bank account?”

His sudden shift in topic throws me off. “Bank account?”

“For the down payment.”

I shake my head. How could I have one? “I…can’t have one…yet…”

He nods in understanding. “I’ve talked to my lawyer yesterday about your situation. He’s going to look into your papers immediately. I promise you’ll be able to get a decent-paying job in one of the Vandercourt companies as soon as it can be arranged. That should secure your tenure for as long as you want. Then you’ll be able to get your legal papers and be able to open your bank account. I’ll transfer fifty thousand dollars as a down payment, five hundred thousand once you conceive, and the remaining amount after you give birth.”

I feel overwhelmed listening to him, at the sums of money he’s giving away like loose change, and the power in his tone as he discusses the process of my immigration. It seems so easy for him to move mountains while I’m risking a huge part of me in this arrangement.

But I don’t want to feel ungrateful. For the first time in months, despite my heartache that I’m sacrificing my first born for my freedom, I feel hope, a sense of security. I can see a better future waiting for me in this country. All because of this man.

I should be grateful.

“Thank you so much, Jeff,” I say, almost choking on my emotions.

“No, Mara. Thank you. You have no idea how much you’ve made me happy by agreeing to do this with me.”

Yes, I can see it in his eyes. The joy.

If only I feel the same.

The lady doctor is the sweetest. I thought I’d be nervous during the physical exam, but her big smile and easy chatter made me relax and it went on like a breeze.

I was dreading the physical exam to be intrusive. When I was in the exam room, I nervously asked the doctor if she was going to be inserting metal objects into my body. She gently asked me what was the matter. I told her honestly that I’m still a virgin. She seemed to understand and had been so kind.

The doctor performed ultrasound on me, had her assistant draw blood samples from me, peeked into my privates for a bit and asked me pertinent questions concerning my health and fitness. Then it was over before I knew it.

Jeff is waiting for me in the doctor’s office. He’s talking to someone on his phone but cuts the call when he sees me emerge from the exam room with the doctor.

His face splits into a big smile. His blue eyes shine with inner light, transforming his formal expression into a playful, boyish charm.

My heart flips in my chest. Why is it that this man looks at me like I’m the only source of his happiness at the moment? It’s not fair because it’s not true. While I’m taking this risk with some hope, it’s not that high. Since my parents died so violently and I’ve been running for my life, I’ve become cynical and jaded about people’s intentions. It was only since I met Mama Zon’s family that I started to trust again.

The doctor is talking amiably. Jeff is very attentive. He’s asking many questions. I’m just quietly listening.

“Mara is very healthy and able to have ten babies if she wants,” the good doctor jests and looks at me meaningfully. I just smile back shyly. I wonder if the doctor knows about the “business” arrangement between me and Jeff.

“When will be her most fertile dates, Doctor?” Jeff asks.

I must be blushing deep red now.

“Mara told me her menstrual cycle has been a bit irregular the past few months. But physically, she’s very well. She’s strong and healthy all in all. Maybe you’ve been stressed, Mara?”

“Just a bit, Doctor.” I haven’t been sleeping well for months now since my parents died.

“Well, you have to manage stress if you want to conceive fast.”

I just nod.

“How does her menstrual cycle affect her ability to conceive doctor?” Jeff continues.

“When a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular, it’s hard to predict her exact ovulation days.”

Jeff looks concerned. “Meaning…?”

“Meaning, if you want to have this baby fast, you gotta have sex as often as you can. That way you’ve got all days covered.”

I gulp.

Jeff grins this time. “Every day, Doctor?”

“If you can manage it, Mr. Vandercourt.”

“I most certainly can.”

The doctor laughs. “I can tell.”

The doctor glances at me. “Well, Mara, everyday is best. But if I’ll calculate your ovulation days based on your last menstrual cycle, you’re about to enter your most fertile week. So…” The lady doctor looks at Jeff again with a teasing smile, “You might want to work double time ASAP, Mr. Vandercourt.”

Jeff grins wider and gives me an unholy look. I avert my gaze.

My goodness! I don’t even know what to say.

“I’m giving Mara some vitamins to boost her energy and resistance and she’s good to go.”

After taking some prescriptions to normalize my menstrual cycle, we leave the doctor’s clinic.

“Hungry?” Jeff asks me.

“Uh-huh.”

“The appointment sure made me hungry, too. I know a place. You need to pack more meat into your body if we’re gonna be doing it everyday.“

I blush profusely again. “Jeff!”

He chuckles. “Don’t be shy, Mara. I want us to talk about this openly.”

“Well, I’m embarrassed…”

“Don’t be. I want nothing between us when we make this baby. I want you to focus on us alone, no one else.”

I want to tell him that there hasn’t been anyone else, ever, but I bite my tongue. Somehow my state of chastity makes me feel more embarrassed, too. He must think I’m sexually experienced to have agreed to this deal. I mean, what woman would want to do this? Give her child away for money?

A desperate woman.

“Will you be seeing other women? I mean during this period that we…“

“No. Of course not. I’ll devote all my time into making this baby with you. I’ll not waste my seed on others. I’m all yours until this baby is conceived.”

What he said makes my insides melt.

I’m all yours… If only.

“And you’re all mine, too. Mine alone, until your belly grows with my baby.”

I nod, the raw possessiveness in his voice scaring me a bit, and yet it’s exciting me, too.

“Say it, Mara.”

“I’m all yours, Jeff, until I get pregnant.”

“Good. Now we feed you, and then we fly to the Bahamas.”

I freeze. “What…?!”

“Any problem with that?”

“But…” Oh Lord, the Bahamas? I don’t want to go near Venezuela!

“Let’s follow the doctor’s orders, Mara. Everyday is best. ASAP.”

His eyes are teasing, but I’m reeling. “Are you always like this?”

“Yeah. Get used to it.”

“You move like a whirlwind I’m having a whiplash,” I remark cheekily.

He chuckles. “I’ll be slow and careful in making this baby though, don’t worry.”

I refuse to decipher the meaning of that.

“Where will we be in the Bahamas?” I ask him cautiously.

“I have a private island there. So private we’ll be like Adam and Eve.”

I almost heave a sigh of relief. I feel better. It’s private and he’s a billionaire. He must have tight security on the island.

“Your stuff are still in the limo. My luggage will be delivered to my jet at the airport as we dine in the restaurant. We leave for the Bahamas after lunch. We’ll stay there for a week. I expect you to be pregnant when we get back to New York.”

“Okay…” Jeff is planning everything at the drop of a hat. My head is spinning at how fast things are going.

He takes my hand and kisses it.

“Thank you, Mara. I’m so happy.”

There he is again. Happy. He’s happy and I don’t even know what to feel.

My life is a walking question mark at the moment.