Chapter 6: Contract

Eliana Grace Herrera

I feel like the heavens and the earth have collapsed on me, as if God has already given me all the problems in this world. Sometimes, I even want to question Him and blame Him. I’ve been a good person. Ever since I was a child, I never hurt or oppressed anyone. As much as I could, I followed His teachings and lessons. Whenever I had free time, I would go to church. It’s only now that I haven’t been able to attend because I need to work for my siblings so we can survive. But why is it like this? Out of all the people in the world, why did He choose me to suffer like this?

Crying, I stared at my youngest brother, who was now inside the ICU. We had already been in the hospital for several days, and as the days passed, my brother’s life became more and more at risk. Just yesterday, the doctor told me that if Gasper wasn’t operated on as soon as possible, he could be taken away from us at any moment. But even if I wanted him to undergo surgery immediately, I couldn’t do anything because it would require a huge amount of money. I already struggle just to find enough money for our daily meals—how much more for my brother’s operation, which costs nearly half a million pesos?

I know my brother is suffering too and probably want to give up already to end his sufferings, but call me selfish if you want—I still can’t bear to lose any of them. I’ll do anything just to save him. Honestly, I was already close to accepting the mayor’s offer. After working at the municipal office for so long, I already knew he desired me. I just couldn’t leave the job because it was the only thing keeping my siblings and me alive. But last night, when he offered to help pay for my brother’s surgery in exchange for being in a relationship with him even though he already had a wife, I almost agreed—just to save my brother.

A tap on my shoulder pulled me back from my deep thoughts.

“Friend, eat something first. You might end up getting sick too. What will happen to your siblings if yo get sick?” Calix, my best friend, said sadly as she handed me a paper bag from a fast-food chain. Her boyfriend, Miko, was with hem too.

The three of us sat on the empty bench in front of the ICU where my brother was confined. But instead of opening and eating the food they brought, I could only stare at it sadly because it reminded me of Gasper—he loved this kind of food.

“If you’re worried about your siblings, don’t be. Before we came here, I stopped by your house to bring them food too. So that one is really for you. Eat it while it’s still hot,” Calix said again, as if she could read my mind.

I thanked the couple for their concern. I told them I’d eat later so they wouldn’t worry anymore.

Silence filled the space between the three of us for a while until Miko finally broke it by asking about my brother.

“How’s Gasper, Grace?”

A sad smile formed on my lips.

“He’s still the same, Miko. There’s no improvement in his condition, and the worst part is that as the days pass, his life becomes more endangered if he doesn’t get operated on immediately,” I said sadly.

The two of them sighed almost at the same time before Miko spoke again.

“Uh, Grace… I know something that might help you,” he said hesitantly.

My gaze immediately shifted to him.

“What is it, Miko? Is it a job? I’ll accept any kind of work as long as I can get Gasper operated on,” I said desperately.

From his bag, he pulled out a folder and handed it to me. At the very top of the paper was the word “CONTRACT” written in large letters, making me frown even before I could read the entire document.

“That’s a contract, Grace, but it’s not a simple one. I’ll be honest with you—the contract is about becoming a surrogate mother. I know someone who’s willing to pay any amount just to find a woman who can carry his child,” Miko explained directly, making me stare at him again.

“So… I’ll get pregnant in exchange for money, is that it?” I asked in confusion even though his explanation was already clear.

Miko nodded while Calix quietly listened to our conversation.

“That’s right, Grace. But if you think you’ll need to have sex, you’re mistaken. As much as possible, my boss also doesn’t want to reveal himself to the woman he chooses. He will impregnate you through IVF—that’s the plan. And while you’re pregnant, you’ll already receive money that you can use to support your siblings,” he explained further.

I thought deeply about what he said. Technically, the child I would carry would also be my child, and I would have to give the baby away once I gave birth. Would my conscience be able to handle being separated from my own child? But then, what about Gasper? If not this, I’d probably end up with the mayor instead, and I don’t think I could bear becoming his mistress and destroying a family.

While I was thinking, a loud alarm suddenly echoed throughout the area. Right after that, doctors and nurses rushed toward my direction. Everything happened so fast, and the last thing I saw was the doctors trying to revive my brother inside the ICU. They stayed there for several minutes until Gasper’s pulse finally returned.

At that moment, I realized that what had just happened could happen again at any time if he wasn’t operated on immediately. So despite my doubts and fears, I faced Miko once more, took the contract from his hands, and without saying a word, signed it.