"Let me get this straight: you ordered super delicious food in that famous restaurant and didn't tell me; you ate those yummy foods and didn't invite me; and finally, the food was so divine you didn't notice Mr. Il Volo leaving," Tyler finished with a deep frown and a glare.
"Yeah, that's about it, and stop with the 'didn't include you' thing. You made it clear last night that you have work and you didn't want to join me."
"Well, I didn't expect that you would eat there! I thought you'll wait for Mr. Il Volo and give him your folder. Now, I missed out on some great dishes," Tyler grumbled and chomped on his cheesy mac. We are having lunch in B.C.; well, Tyler is, because I'm still full from my breakfast meal.
"I shouldn't have been so distracted. All I had to do was hand him the folder and wait for his call." Last night, to prevent coming off as a creepy stalker, I decided to write a proposal where I laid down the pros and cons, emphasis on the pros of being my sperm donor. I made the font size of the pros section slightly bigger than the cons. It's important to know your priorities straight, even if I didn't do that today.
Part of the restaurant's bestseller is a decadent chocolate cake. It was very luscious, and soft, and it melts in my mouth. Anyway, who serves cake for breakfast? But I'm not mad. I can try upping my breakfast menu by adding a chocolate cake.
"What are you going to do now? It would be suspicious if you show up at the gallery considering that you took a leave, and they know that you are helping out for The Reaper's tour. They will report you to River, Arden." Tyler grabbed a bite of his croissant and moaned softly. "This is so good, Arden. Can I ask for two more?" Tyler asked cutely while I eyed the plate filled with two more fresh croissants.
"Sure. Eat your fill," I sighed in defeat and groaned softly, knowing I am way past my spending limit. Since I didn't invite him earlier, I had to make it up for him, thus, my treat.
"What's your plan?" Tyler asked after swallowing his bite of croissant. He reached for his drink and grinned wide, his expression full of delight.
"I can disguise myself and discreetly follow him."
"With a black cap, black mask, and black outfit? Your entire being is screaming stranger, danger, Arden."
I pouted and rested my chin on my folded elbows on top of the table. "I have no choice, Ty. This is for the sake of my future kid's amazing genes. If he doesn't agree to my offer, I will not give up until he sees reason."
"Reason as to why the hell would he offer his sperm? That man is averse to commitment, Arden. What makes you think that he will offer you his sperm, knowing that he will have a living flesh and blood on the face of this earth?"
"Precisely! He hates commitments and probably responsibility so after he gave me his sperm, we should forget things as if they never happened, right? This is a pretty convenient offer." I did not proceed with this plan to give up at the sight of the first hurdle. I can't see myself finding another donor or going to a sperm bank.
"Mariano Il Volo is my perfect candidate, Tyler. You need to help me." Tyler blinked, pensive, and after several seconds, he sighed.
"I fully support you in this, Arden, you know that. I even helped you stalk him," Tyler said with a small smile. "Whatever the consequences of your actions may be, you need to be responsible for them. Are we clear?"
I nodded and slid to the seat beside him and pulled him for a hug. "Thank you, Ty. Now, let's plan for the day after tomorrow.
Two days later,
Tyler informed me that the gallery will be closing for a few hours for Mr. Il Volo's private viewing. Our boss will do the honors and guide Mr. Il Volo. In those three hours, there will be a ten-minute window where our boss will head to his office to prepare the documents needed for the purchase of art pieces. That is when I come in and hopefully manage to slide my proposal. It would be a big win for me if he give me his phone number. He's so private and Tyler is getting frustrated because we can't find Mr. Il Volo's contact information.
To be less conspicuous, I settled with a white shirt and black pants. I temporarily dyed my hair black, which was a very hard decision for me because I like my platinum blonde hair. I got it from my mom and I am so proud of my hair color, but for the sake of my future kid, or kids if I get lucky, I am willing to dye my hair.
When Tyler suggested that I should use a wig, I almost castrated him right then and there because tears were shed as I dye my hair but he couldn't bother to make a suggestion before the incident. As a consolation, Tyler promised that he will wash my hair until it returns to its original color.
Using my employee card, I sneaked through the backdoor and checked my wristwatch. Mr. Il Volo will arrive in five minutes but how can I navigate my way around without being seen?
"Are you hiding from somebody?"
I clutched my chest and almost fell forward when I heard a sudden voice. "Jesus, Mandy! You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"That's what they said when I showed them my collection of voodoo dolls," she replied neutrally and looked at the corridors. Mandy Wilson is an administrative employee here in the gallery and she has an extreme interest in the occult.
She always wears black and her jet-black hair stops at her waist. She has bangs that cover her eyes and his pale complexion will make you think twice if she's part of the living or not. I touched her hand once and it was cold enough to make me feel chills.
Still, Mandy is a good person. She brings me cookies with weird symbols and pentagrams but they are yummy so I always ask for more so I can share them with Tyler. Tyler loves her cookies to the point where Mandy runs away from Tyler because that foodie best friend of mine will not stop at twenty cookies. A hungry Tyler is a scary Tyler.
"What are you doing here, by the way? Aren't you supposed to be at your office by now?"
"I forgot my lucky charms. My new key chains," she fished out a few key chains made of bones, symbols, and skulls. Some of them were dripping with red paint to make the illusion that it was blood. "Want one?"
"No, thank you. I prefer your cookies," I squeaked out and she nodded.
"Got it. Maybe I should make more." She stuffed her key chains back into her pocket and headed to her office. "I heard that a special guest will arrive. Maybe he'll like my collections."
"Mandy, no--" I stopped my words midway when I heard a familiar commotion. These muffled screams and squeals are very familiar, it makes me cringe. When I looked to my left, I took a step back and hid in the corner when I saw Mr. Il Volo in his classic three-piece black suit entering the gallery as if he owns the room. I still can't get used to the way his commanding aura fills the atmosphere.
Now that I think about it, if my future kid happens to be a boy, I'm sure that he will inherit Mr. Il Volo's dominance and confidence. I would be a proud parent. Well, your looks can only do so much so if he agrees to my proposal, I will examine his personality based on our interactions.
They proceeded to the left wing where medieval arts are located. I used the shortcut and was able to arrive earlier than them. I sat on a couch far from them but closer enough so I could stalk Mr. Il Volo. Wait, that's wrong. Not stalk; observe him so he won't escape my vision.
I reached for a random magazine to cover my face while I peek at them occasionally. He is very handsome. He would be my type if I'm into relationships. I can't even bear to hold a man's hands because I feel repulsed. River suggested that I should see a shrink so I can deal with my deep-seated issues but it's hard for me to be vulnerable. I can't even be totally open with River, Aunt Becca, and Tyler because I'm afraid that once I do, they will leave me in the dirt. I'm scared that they wouldn't be able to take the burden that I'm carrying.
"I like this." Mr. Il Volo pointed to a very expensive painting as if he were choosing products in a grocery. It's a famous artwork and many have been entranced, only to take a step back when they learn the price. It's also a favorite of mine. I feel calm whenever I look at it. I just hope that Mr. Il Volo takes care of it.
"Good choice, Mr. Il Volo. We'll have it prepared for you. We can deliver it in the next two days at the earliest," our boss, the director, replied with a pleased grin and Mr. Il Volo nodded.
"By the way, I was expecting a curator to do this, not the director himself. Is the curator not around?" Oh, fuck. What's wrong with the director? Why is he looking for me? I scooted to the edge of my seat and buried my face in the magazine, my chest beating so loud.
"Oh, he's on a leave. I was even surprised that he asked for one, considering that we had to force him to take a leave. He's very passionate about his job but it's a good thing to relax once in a while.
Mr. Il Volo hummed and when I felt a stare at me, I froze. "Hey, are you feeling okay?" Mr. Il Volo asked as his steps started to get closer and close. My breathing sped up and my palms started to sweat. I appreciate that he was finally noticing my presence but not with the director around. He will find it suspicious that his curator who should be helping on the band tour is here snooping around. River will find out.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Il Volo?" I heard the director ask him and my heartbeat began to thump erratically.
"I just want to check on your guest here. He doesn't look fine." Okay, Mr. Il Volo, I appreciate the concern but this is not the time to act thoughtful.
"Uhhh--" As he started to get even closer, I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for my doom.
"Cookies for everyone. I also have cute key chains," a low voice announced and I couldn't be more thankful that Mandy has great timing. I took a peek and Mr. Il Volo glanced at the newcomer; that was my opportunity to dash. I sprinted to my car and breathed a sigh of relief inside the safety of my comfort place.
"Fuck. I failed again," I groaned in frustration and let out the pent-up energy by softly bumping my head on the headrest. Who was I kidding? I'm a coward. I'm all talk. When it comes down to it, I lose all the courage I have in me. It sounds so cool and looks so great in my head but when it comes to execution, it's scary.
After all, this is the real world with real-life consequences. "I'm so stupid." Rejection is not the worst he could do. Mr. Il Volo could sue me for stalking and other shit, and I would bring trouble to River yet again. I don't want to lose River's trust. If he turns his back on me, I would be hurt and lost.
"Dammit, Arden. You are so naive and stupid," I gritted out and blinked away my unshed tears. I was so blinded by my dream to have a family that I'm starting to forget that life is not all rainbows, clouds, and sunshine. I know all about it, yet here I am, blindly chasing a man because he's the perfect sperm donor.
My phone rang and when I saw Tyler's name, I answered it. "Hey, Arden? How was it? Did you succeed?" I almost burst into tears when I heard Tyler's hopeful voice. My plan was idiotic and crazy yet he went along with it. He could have stopped me but Tyler has been so supportive of what I do ever since. His stature might be smaller than mine, but he has guts and he always saves me when I needed saving.
I heard some muffled conversation in the background and realized that Tyler's at work. "Yes, I'll send it to you. I'm on a private call. This is very important. Tell the boss I'll give him my report in thirty minutes." I heard a short pause before I heard Tyler's voice coaxing me out of my reverie. "Arden? Are you alright? Do you need me?"
"Uh, I'm fine, Ty. I didn't have the chance to talk with Mr. Il Volo. I also realized that this plan is so insane. This needs to be stopped. Thank you for going along with me. You need to go back to work."
"Arden--"
"See you later, Ty." I ended the call and let the tears flow. Humiliation and frustration filled my being as I drove away. I don't want to go home with puffy eyes because Aunt Becca won't let me go until I tell her the reason why I cried. She doesn't need to know my foolishness.
Before I got out of the gate, I saw Mr. Il Volo from the rearview mirror, waving his hand and screaming something. Owe it to my panic, I stepped on the gas and flew out of there, my heart beating out loud. Oh my God. What if he realized that I was following him? I don't want to go to jail. Fuck, fuck, fuck. You did it this time, Arden.
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