THE BILLIONAIRE'S 365 DAYS WIFE

The doctor's urgent words struck Kaia like a bolt of lightning, causing her fingers to fidget nervously. How could she possibly gather the funds for her mother's essential spinal cord surgery, especially with her current financial predicament?

"Okay, I'll do everything in my power to ensure my mother gets the surgery as soon as possible," Kaia said, her mind racing for solutions even though the prospect of securing a bank loan seemed bleak.

With a heavy heart, she trudged back to the restaurant where she worked part-time.

"Hey, Kaia, how's your mom doing?" Nancy, her fellow waitress, inquired.

"She's improving slightly, but the doctor emphasized the urgency of the surgery. It's costly, and I'm at a loss for how to afford it. I'm even considering selling a kidney!" Kaia exclaimed, feeling the weight of hopelessness pressing down on her.

"Selling a kidney? Who would even think of such a thing?" Jacob, the restaurant manager, interjected, concern etched on his face. Nancy filled him in on Kaia's plight.

"Hmm, that sounds serious. Wait a moment!" Jacob paused, recalling something he had read recently on his phone. He pulled it out and showed Kaia.

"A housemaid position?" Kaia muttered, surprised. "But the pay seems quite substantial, and it mentions an upfront payment of fifty percent of the yearly salary," Nancy chimed in. Kaia turned to Jacob and Nancy, their supportive nods encouraging her to explore this opportunity.

"Alright, please forward the email to me. It seems I don't have many options," Kaia finally decided, steeling herself for the challenge ahead.

*****

The taxi dropped Kaia off in front of a lavish Victorian-style mansion. After settling the fare, Kaia hesitantly lugged her black suitcase toward the imposing residence. She rang the bell twice before waiting nervously.

A graceful face appeared on the screen.

"Whom are you here to see?" the woman inquired briskly. Kaia smiled, "I'm Kaia Harper, I spoke with Mrs. Kinsley over the phone," she replied politely.

The woman's demeanor softened instantly. "Kaia! I've been expecting you. Come in!" she exclaimed, and the gates swung open. With a mix of trepidation and excitement, Kaia stepped into the serene surroundings of the mansion.

Her heart raced as she wondered how she would manage to clean every nook and cranny of such a grand estate. Upon entering, Kaia was surprised to find several other housemaids already at work. If the Kinsleys had so many servants, why did they need to hire another one at such a high cost? Kaia's curiosity piqued.

"So you are Kaia Harper?" a middle-aged maid greeted her impassively. Kaia nodded. "Follow me," the maid instructed firmly, leading the way with Kaia trailing behind.

"This is your room,"

They stopped at a white door. "I'm Deborah. Settle your belongings inside and then meet Mrs. Kinsley immediately. I'll wait here," Deborah said, her expression unchanged.

In a mix of confusion and awe, Kaia turned the knob and stepped into the luxurious room designated for her. She marveled at the opulence, wondering why the Kinsleys were treating her so generously. It seemed surreal and raised suspicions.

Deborah's throat-clearing outside snapped Kaia out of her reverie. She hastily stowed her suitcase and hurried to join her. Wordlessly, Deborah led Kaia to Sophia Kinsley's room, the madam of the house and wife of Alexander Kinsley.

Kaia couldn't tear her eyes away from the extravagant furnishings and exquisite décor. It was as if she longed to possess it all. They stopped at a door adorned with gold handles, and Deborah knocked once.

"Enter!" came the voice of the woman who had greeted Kaia on the screen.

Deborah pushed the door open, allowing Kaia to enter. After Kaia stepped inside, she nodded courteously and departed, leaving Kaia alone with a stunning woman whose enigmatic aura intrigued her.

"Hello, Kaia. I'm Sophia Kinsley, the one you spoke with on the phone. Please, take a seat," Sophia gestured with the hand holding a smoking pipe, indicating a chair for Kaia.

"Thank you," Kaia said, settling into the chair, her posture rigid with nervous anticipation.

"Is there anything you'd like to ask?" Sophia inquired, exhaling a plume of smoke.

Kaia cleared her throat, her nerves palpable. "Um, I still don't fully understand my duties as a housemaid," she admitted hesitantly. Sophia chuckled, waving her pipe.

"Of course not. I was just about to explain," she replied cheerfully, though Kaia sensed an underlying tension.

"I heard about your need for funds for your mother's surgery," Sophia remarked casually. Kaia nodded, a pang of sadness hitting her as she thought of her mother.

"I'm offering you more than what was advertised online. Here's the amount," Sophia handed Kaia an unsigned check for one million dollars. Kaia's eyes widened in disbelief at the sum.

"But you can't possibly pay me this much for a housemaid's job," Kaia protested, her mind reeling with disbelief.

"You're right. Because I'm not paying you for that," Sophia's response sent a shiver down Kaia's spine. Fear gripped her mind as she braced for what might come next.

"What do you want from me?" Kaia asked, her voice trembling.

Sophia extinguished her cigarette, rising from her seat to approach Kaia.

"I want your womb," Sophia whispered into Kaia's ear. Kaia's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing to comprehend the implications.

"Are you suggesting you want my organs?" Kaia asked frantically, her pulse quickening with dread.

Sophia chuckled softly,

"No, that's not what I meant," she replied, a hint of impatience in her tone. Kaia tilted her head, grappling with the unsettling revelation.

"Alexander and I have been married for nearly three years, but I'm unable to conceive due to infertility," Sophia explained, fixing Kaia with an intense gaze.

"I want you to carry his child,"

Sophia's words hung in the air, leaving Kaia stunned. "What do you mean?" Kaia asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

"I want you to have a child with my husband through natural means and you have to keep it secret from anyone outside the mansion."

Kaia sat frozen in disbelief.

*****