The Baby Contract

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

Anne

I was the happiest I'd ever been, and at the same time the saddest. Life with Bran was always interesting and only getting better as the days wore on.

But each day the baby grew in my belly was a day closer to when I was going to have to fulfill my end of the deal and leave. There was a part of me that wondered if Bran had paid me the twenty-five million early because it would be more difficult for me to renege on the deal once the money was in my bank account.

There was a time I thought he would be that calculating.

But since the night he had showered me with gifts, he’d been nothing but sweet and kind, although on occasion he could still be obstinate. Even so, I wanted him to know that I appreciated his gifts.

The watch I designed and arranged to be created for him was ready. Bran had gotten me a new car, but I had Dax drive me to Beverly Hills.

I didn't mind driving, but I had to admit it was nice to let somebody else navigate the traffic and search for parking. Since Dax was going to be tailing me one way or the other, it just seemed easier to go in the same car. Luckily, this time he didn't ask me private questions about me and Bran.

When we arrived at the jewelers and Dax had parked, I said, "You can just wait here."

He gave me a sidelong glance. "You know that's not how this works. I can wait outside the store if you don't want me to be seen with you, but I have to keep you within eye-shot all the time."

I shrugged and got out of the car. We didn’t have to pretend to be a couple so he walked behind me a few steps as I made my way to the high-end jewelry store.

Dax opened the door for me. "I'll wait right out here for you."

I nodded and entered the store.

"Ms. Francis," the storekeeper welcomed me by name. It was so odd to have once been treated like royalty and then without money, allocated to the bottom of the heap in terms of importance, and now with many again, I was back to being treated with respect.

"You're going to love the watch that Walter made for you."

"I can't wait to see it."

Walter, the watchmaker, exited from the back, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.

He waved excitedly for me to join him. "I am eager for you to see the watch. I have to say, it's one of the best I've made."

"I'm so glad to hear that. Show me what you've created."

He ushered me to his workspace and pulled out a black box. "I put it together, but I would have to say that you're the real creator. It was all from your designs and specifications."

Taking the box, I flipped open the lid and gasped at the exquisite watch sitting inside. It was just exactly as I had envisioned it when I sketched it on my tablet and discussed it with him.

The watch had an antique vibe to it and at the same time a modern elegance that I hoped Bran liked. Walter walked me through all the technical aspects of the watch and how to access the various features beyond telling time, such as the chronograph or timer, perpetual calendar, moon phases, and time zone options.

"This is perfect."

He grinned at me. "You know, there's a lot of people that would pay to have a watch like this."

I arched a brow. "I did pay to have a watch like this."

He shook his head. "What I mean is that if they were mass-produced, you could probably make a fortune."

I had been thinking about starting my own business and while the watch had sparked a renewed interest, I hadn't considered designing watches. But even if I did, I wouldn't replicate this watch.

This watch was designed and created to be one-of-a-kind, for a one-of-a-kind man.

"That's very kind of you to say. Perhaps I'll think about designing something else."

He nodded. "You did say that this was supposed to be special, so I guess we can't make more as that would take away from its uniqueness and specialness."