ia's

ding solace amidst the chaos of my daily life. As the warm water cascades over the dishes in the sink, I can feel the stress slow

s through the apartment, laced with his trademark teasing tone. I roll my

eveled appearance. Jake is my roommate's younger brother, a rugged rugby player who seems to thr

his eyes. "So, Sophia, did you manage to get those condoms for me?" he asks with a playf

genuinely surprised at my oversight. But as soon as the words leave my lips, I notice a

really going on?" he probes, his curiosity piqued. I sigh inwa

say casually, trying to downplay the signifi

hifts from surprise

his voice filled with genuine worry. His concern caught me off

ho had been acting suspiciously for a while. I noticed her trying to steal some items, and I couldn't just stan

t with a customer? That doesn't sound like you at all. You never fight with anyon

d to stop her from leaving with the stolen items. It escalated into a heated argument, and I guess management didn't

Sophia. I never knew you had that in you. But still, it sucks that they let

e tugging at my lips. "

face. "So, what's next for you, fearless defender of justice? Are you going to

idn't want to talk about the surrogacy knowing fully well it wasn't some

s not easy, but I'm determined to land something soo

erence, you know where to find me. I'll vouch for your crime-fighting

ness of the conversation. "Thanks, Jake. I'll keep that in

casually than usual, his attire suggesting that he has pl

nt in his eyes. "Yep, meeting up with the boys at the raci

ing within me. "Just be careful out there, Jake. Racing

ve got it all under control. Besides, it's my chance to show o

ickly step forward, stopping him in his tracks. When he turns back to fac

ou won't tell Tyler about it, at least not for now," I i

shoot up inquisitively. "

ther my thoughts and speak, my voice steady yet cautious. "I just... I don'

is lips in a zipping manner to signify that his l

and walked to the door

ft, and thoughts of the surrogacy arrangement begin to surface. It's a decision I made with Alexander. We had

ude about something that would typically make me freak out. The enormity of what I have agreed to

changes that come with it, is both exciting and terrifying. I never envisio

r Tyler returning or Jake realizing he forgot something, I don't pay much attention at first.

lk towards the door, straining my ears to catch fragments of the conversation. The voices sound fam

th Tyler and Alexander are standing on the porch, facing each other with furrowed brows and cl

ng, but it is evident from their postur

his hand in his pocket, wondering why he had come. He hadn't told me he

out of the door, calli

sh over to stand in between them and fac

top glaring at each other. Alexander looks at me, his gaze shift

says, "Hm. I ca

car parked outside. There is no driver in

here to

wiggling the shopp

pping with sarcasm. "Well, until someone apparent