Chapter 1 The breakthrough

"You are not doing this!" Mr Damian's voice

sounded loudly in the tiny parlour of his house.

"This is the only way," Selene told him.

"I can't let you sell yourself Selene."

Selene moved close to him. "If I don't do this mom will die," she said softly.

Her father sighs heavily. He took a quick look at his dying wife, she was weak and pale with no sign of recovery. "I will try my best to get a job as quickly as possible," he assured her.

Selene shook her head in disbelief. "We are not doing that anymore dad," she said softly "We need a huge sum of money so she can get proper treatment."

"And I said I will go get a job!" He snapped.

A sharp knock came at the door.

Selene was startled and dropped the glass of water she was holding out of shock.

"damian!" A male voice called, his voice sounded hard.

"You need to hide," Selene whispered, pushing her dad to her tiny bedroom "No matter what don't come out dad."

"Are you sure you can handle him," he whispered, sounding Very worried.

The knock came again this time it's way louder.

"Damian!" The male voice called "I will break down this door if you don't open up now!" He shouted.

" I can dad," she said "just hide under the bed."

Selene opened the door, her fist closed. A tall man with tattoos sneered down at her, behind him were two men in dark coats, hands crossed.

"Good Morning Tony," she said, her voice sounding cold.

"Morning? It's a wonderful day to collect debts princess."

Without permission, Tony pushed past her his eyes scanning the tiny living room "Where is my money?"

"I told you to give me more time," she said, following him, her heart was pounding fast.

Tony turned sharply. "That was last month and I'm not going to hear the same lyrics again," he told her "your time is up."

Selene was dumbstruck but she didn't back down.

"My mother is sick and

I have been trying to get... "

Tony cut her off. "Does it look like I care if she dies? The 20 grounds your father borrowed is my problem."

Selene grinned how dare he insult her mother.

Her mother's rasping voice came through from her bedroom. " Please just give us a little more... "

"Save it woman," Tony snapped "Hey princess it's either you pay me or I will start packing some of your stuff."

Selene stepped in front of him blocking his way to the couch. "enough of your stealing attitude," she seethed "You took some of our property the last time you were here including my laptop, what else do you people want?"

"You better get creative girl," Tony sneered "Come to think of it, you are pretty and I am very sure someone would pay more money for your time."

Selene fist became tighter and her hand flew across his face the slap echoed in the room.

Tony growled in anger. One of his men reached for something in his pocket.

She did not flinched.

"Don't you dare touch my family."

Tony laughed icily. "You have got guts girl but guts doesn't pay your bills."

"Give me a week and your money will be given to you the next time you come," she told him, she was looking fearless.

"You better start talking princess because I'm not a patient man."

"I applied for a surrogacy program," she said quickly, "the pay is high, If everything goes well you will get... "

Tony snorted. "Surrogacy?"

Selene nodded slowly. "Yes. The pay is high enough to clear you of my father's debt," she said

"I will get their confirmation in a few days."

"So you are about to sell your womb for money?" He said.

"It's none of your damn business, as long as it will clear your debt, so you can stop disturbing our precious lives."

Tony scratched his long beards then signaled his men to leave. "Ten days when I come back here, let there be cash or I will take your father."

"You will not!"

"I will and you are so lucky that I'm feeling very generous today." He turned and dash out by slamming the door behind him.

Selene let out a heavy breath and she ran her fingers through her long hair. "That was close," she muttered.

Her father came out. "Thank you, child," he said his breath shaking.

"Dad we can't afford her next hospital bill, remember the last one hit us really hard. Please let me do this for us," she told him.

"There should be another way."

Selene turned to look at him. "But we have tried every means possible Dad," she said calmly "The surrogacy program is our breakthrough and I don't want to lose mom, in the cold hands of death," her voice cracked.

Her father became speechless. He did not know what else to tell her.

Selene stare at her phone.

Still no call. No confirmation.

She had applied to KindBody Fertility program one of the most highly paid clinics. She heard a rumour that they paid over $100,000 for full time surrogate contract, most especially for anonymous clients.

Her only secret prayer now was their approval.

The next morning...

Selene was holding a tray of wine, apron around her body.

She headed towards a particular table. " Here it is sir."

"How much is my bill," the man in front of her asked.

" $25 sir."

The man took money from his pocket and gave it to her. "Keep the change."

Selene was happy. " Thank you sir," She turned to leave but she felt a hand hit her ass so fast, she turned to the man who was smiling widely towards her.

"How dare you!" She snapped.

He stood. "Just give me one night with you and I will... "

Selene couldn't wait to listen to him, she hit him hard on the cheeks.

"Ouch," he shouted in pain.

The manager saw what happened and rush to the scene.