Stranger's In Love
84|SINGAPORE

Irene narrowed her eyes glare, she saw a scene of blue sky with beautiful white clouds from outside the round window. He can also feel his sleeping position sitting while leaning to the side right on someone's shoulder. It was like a dream so real.

"You awake?" say someone next to him.

That person's voice sounded like Zean's voice, very clear and real. Irene closed her eyes again with a smile. His sense of smell began to smell Zean's favorite perfume. Irene immediately opened her eyes wide, she gathered her consciousness.

"It's not a dream!" exclaimed Irene suddenly fix her position to sit upright.

"Hey, calm down honey," Zean said, trying to calm Irene, who looked shocked.

Irene was surprised. Who is not surprised when suddenly woke up in the passenger seat of the plane. As Irene recalled yesterday she fell asleep at the Penthouse.

"Where are we going, Zean?"

"Singapore, honey" Zean replied casually.

Irene rounded her eyes full. Zean was completely unexpected. Why go to Singapore without talking about it first? Irene was upset that she still had unfinished business in Prague. What about Tae-O? What about Cassandra's museum puzzle? And what about the continuation of reviewing Geraldine's business background?

"You can't be like this, Zean. Your actions are too sudden, I am your wife is not a doll that you can carry as you like without asking me first" Irene said annoyed.

"You mad at me, Irene?"

"Yes, I'm angry. How can you put myself aside? You always act unilaterally, you never ask or ask my opinion. We're married, I'm your wife and you're my husband, but I'm entitled to me, Zean."

Just now Zean was about to speak, but Irene had already gone before him.

"I know you're a busy person, you always steal time so we can enjoy time together or go on vacation. But I also have my own life and I still have unfinished business in Prague."

Zean immediately frowned as Irene blurted out her last sentence.

"What business? Is there something you're hiding, Irene?" ask Zean suspiciously.

The deg! Stupidly, Irene could not control her emotions and it seemed like she had just leaked her own mission. Irene was suddenly nervous, her brain was thinking hard how to avoid this Zean question.

"Hm... I mean, Cassandra. How could I leave him in Prague after the shooting. Cassandra was very kind to me, so I think I should take care of her until she's mentally fully recovered. I think he still has a little bit of trauma after that."

Zean had not yet reacted, he was still staring fixedly at his wife.

"Why look at me like that, Zean?"

"You're so worried about Cassandra, aren't you?"

Irene nodded straight. "Yes, I'm so worried about him."

Zean's hand moved around his wife's head.

"Don't worry. After we finish our business in Singapore, I promise I'll take you back to Prague." Zean pulled Irene into his arms.

"I'm sorry for offending you. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. I don't mean to make a unilateral decision. I just wanted to give you a surprise."

Irene returned Zean's embrace. It felt so calm after hearing the sincere apology from her husband.

"I'm sorry too, Zean. I'm too carried away by emotions."

Zean outlined his embrace. "No, Irene. No need to apologize. You're right, I may be too selfish and always put yourself aside. I never even asked for your opinion."

Irene smiled with her pushy eyes. "Ohh.. Come, Zean. Why are we being melodramatic like this."

Zean chuckles. "Give me one kiss for the situation to become more passionate" whispered Zean.

Irene immediately pinched Zean's burly arm. "Basic bawdy!"

"Hey, you can't say your husband's a pervert, Mrs. Lorwerth," said Zean pouting.

"I'm talking facts, Mr. Lorwerth."

"What is the fact like this?" zean said, then briefly kissed his wife's lips.

"Zean," Irene complained.

The cup! One more kiss landed on Irene's lips.

"Please Stop it, Zean!" Irene closed her lips with both hands.

"Why, honey?"

Irene shakes.

"Are you ashamed? Do we have to continue when we get to the hotel?" zean Goda.

"Dam!!!!"

Soon they arrived at Changi Airport in Singapore. In the lobby there were already two Zean confidants waiting for their arrival.

"Welcome to Singapore, Mr and Mrs Lorwerth," the two men greeted Zean and Irene.

Irene smiled and nodded kindly in response.

"Is everything ready?" ask Zean to the two men.

"Already, Mr.Lorwerth. We will take the ladies and gentlemen to the hotel first to rest" said one of the two Zean confidants.

Zean and Irene enter the car and the car starts to drive towards the hotel. Soon they arrive at a luxury hotel that reads Raffles Hotel. An elegant hotel with Colonial-style buildings circa 1887 with this beautiful garden is 2 km from the casino at Marina Bay Sands and 8 km from Sentosa Island. It was amazing not to enter the hotel.

"Oh my God! Are you kidding me, Zean? It's such a beautiful hotel I ever see." Irene's amazement as they're already in the hotel room with superb views of the gardens and distinctive colonial-style interior design.

"I'm happy if you like this hotel of my choice" Zean said, hugging Irene from behind.

"Thank you, Zean. You've always managed to make me feel like a Queen who lives a happy life in the Fairy Tale Country."

Zean laughed. "Haha... Aren't your words too hyperbole, honey?"

Irene directly pinched Zean. "I mean it, you're hurting me!"

"Alright, forgive me the queen's mother." seduced Zean.

Irene snickered and broke free from Zean's embrace. "You're a bitch!"

"That's it. Prepare yourself, Irene. We'll meet someone soon."

"Who, honey?" Irene asked curiously.

"Later you will know, too," said Zean immediately fled to the bathroom.

"Zean, answer me!!!" exclaimed Irene who immediately followed Zean but the man had already locked the bathroom door.

Irene knocked on the door.

"Zean, open the door!"

"Zean, open the door!"

There was no answer, only the sound of water seemed like Zean immediately took a bath and was indeed reluctant to tell Irene.

"Basic, bitch!" rene was upset.

Suddenly Irene's focus was distracted staring at the screen of her phone lying on the king-size bed, with one incoming call from Tae-O.

"Tae-O" Irene answered the call.

"Noona. I could just call me, where have you been?" sambar Tae-O to the point who was already frustrated because it was difficult to contact Irene earlier.

"Sorry, Tae. I was on a flight to Singapore. Zean suddenly brought me here, there was something he wanted to show me. I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you" Irene explained

There was a sigh across the phone, it seemed like Tae-O was relieved after hearing when from Irene because the man had worried if something happened to Irene.

"When are you coming back, Noona?"

"Fastly, after my business here is done. For a while you can work out a plan with Cassandra or start gathering other clues."

"Don't worry, Noona. I'll take care of this while you're gone. Cassandra doesn't doubt me anyway."

"All right, see you later Tae."

"Bye, Noona."

"Who are you talking to on the phone, honey?" asked Zean who suddenly appeared behind.

Irene almost jumped in shock. "Oh My God, you surprised me, Zean."

"Have you done the shower, Zean?"

"I heard you mention Cassandra and Tae-O by name" Zean snatched away Irene's question to him.

Irene stiffened for some reason she felt like she was caught off guard by Zean.

"Hm... That's right, that Tae-O called me he said he was going on vacation to Prague. So I told him to call Cassandra or Allan's number because I'm not in Prague. I'm afraid Tae-O feels lonely alone there. I also said to stay at your Mansion, I hope you don't mind, honey?" obviously Irene made up the story.

"Oh, sure. Go ahead, give him whatever he needs. I'll ask Cassandra and Allan to take care of her."

"No, Zean. Hm... I mean, there's no need to call Cassandra and Allan anymore. I sent a message to them. Come on, don't worry about Tae-O, he's grown up. Let's focus on our goal here" Irene said, trying to convince Zean.

Zean nodded obediently without the slightest suspicion.

"alright. Then you should take a shower now, Irene. We'll be leaving soon."

"Of course, my husband" Irene said, peeking at Zean's cheek and rushing to the bathroom.

...***...

This is where Irene and Zean are currently, in a consultation room at a renowned hospital in Singapore. Previously Zean invited Irene to dinner at the hotel restaurant after which Zean immediately brought Irene here. At first Irene thought Zean's plan to join the tube baby program by borrowing a surrogate mother was just a back plan still being prepared. However, it turned out that Zean's plan was really mature, her husband had planned it perfectly.

“So this is the surprise you mean, Zean?” ask Irene.

“Yes, honey. Surprise!” zean replied enthusiastically, but Irene was still too shocked to accept this surprise.

“Goodnight, Mr and Mrs Lorwerth,” greet a female doctor who is approximately forty years old.

“Honey, this is Doctor Kelly Lord. The doctor I told you about the baby tube program,”, Zean said, introducing the doctor to his wife.

“Halo, Doctor Kelly. Nice to meet you, I'm Irene,” said Irene a little awkwardly.

Doctor Kelly smiled as she reached out her hand, then Irene shook Doctor Kelly's hand.

“It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Lorwerth.”

“Ah, you can just call me Irene, Doctor Kelly,” Irene said with a friendly smile.

Doctor Kelly nodded, relented. “Good, Irene.”

The three of them sat in the room, but still did not start the conversation.

“Zean,” call Irene in a small tone almost sounds like a whisper.

Zean immediately brought himself closer to Irene. “Yes, honey.”

“Why are we just silent?” Irene asked doubtfully. He felt uncomfortable if he just kept quiet and Doctor Kelly was busy reading a document like that someone's medical record.

Zean grabbed both of Irene's hands and grasped them tightly. “Do not be nervous, Irene. Be patient, we are waiting for someone.”

“Who?” ask Irene.

Geck! Geck! Suddenly there was a knock on the door and soon the door opened to a young woman who was about twenty years old. The woman approached and immediately sat down beside Doctor Kelly, like there was no sense of awkwardness in the young woman. Looks like he's close enough to Doctor Kelly.

“Sorry I'm late,” said the young woman.

“No problem, Mia,” said Doctor Kelly and his eyes were busy staring at the document was now turned to look at Irene and Zean.

“Mr and Mrs Lorwerth Introduce this Mia Harper. Mia Harper is a woman who is willing to lend her uterus as a surrogate mother for your baby tube program. Mia Harper is a healthy young woman, nineteen years old and will soon be twenty years old in December. Mia is a part-time worker at a coffee shop, she is willing to lend her uterus voluntarily in accordance with a contract that has been determined,” explained Dr. Kelly.

Zean immediately reached out his hand and Mia shook it. “Include me Arzean Lorwerth and this is my wife Irene. Please cooperate and your help for this program, Ms.Harper.”

“Happy can help you Mr and Mrs Lorwerth,” said Mia then she switched to extend a hand to Irene, but suddenly Irene moved from her seat.

Zean spontaneously looked at Irene who was acting this disrespectful. “What's up, honey?”

“Zean, we need to talk,” said Irene and then her gaze turned to look at Doctor Kelly and Mia who had already looked strangely at Irene.

“Sorry, Doctor Kelly and Ms.Herper. I need to talk to my husband for a minute,” he explained then Irene precedes leaving.

Zean moved from his seat. “Excuse me for a moment, I hope you understand Doctor Kelly and sorry for my wife Ms.Herper.”'s attitude

Mia just nodded while smiling faintly.

“Sure, please talk. Looks like you still need some privacy time to discuss the completion of this program,”, said Dr. Kelly.

Zean simply nodded in response and then went after Irene.

“Why are you acting like that, Irene?” ask Zean to the point, now they are in the hospital rooftop.

“Zean,” Irene stared fixed Zean.

“Are we going to take advantage of the young girl? Are we gonna pay the girl's services to be pregnant for nine months? Is that something the girl really wants to do? Has she been pregnant before?”

Zean touches his wife's shoulder, trying to calm Irene down. Zean knew now what the reason for his wife's disrespectful attitude was. Irene is just too worried about Mia, she does not want this program to ruin Mia's future especially Irene is sure that maybe this program will be the first pregnancy for the young girl.

“Isn't she too young to be a surrogate mother, Zean?”

“Please calm yourself, dear.”

“How can I calm down, Zean. We will risk someone's future especially that person will be pregnant at a young age.”

“Irene listen,” Zean stares at Irene inside.

“This program is mutually beneficial, we will be able to have offspring and I am willing to pay the girl even I give freedom to Mia Herper write whatever nominal she wants,” explained Zean.

“But, Zean,”

“Think Irene, not only we need but that girl needs more. If we agree to use his services as a surrogate mother, we have not helped him very much, maybe he is having financial problems that require him to try to be willing to lend his womb.”

Irene sighed for a moment, she felt like she was out of words. Irene couldn't dodge all of Zean's words had a point. After all it was not them who forced the girl to become a surrogate mother, but the girl herself who was voluntary and seemed to really need money.

“I don't know what else to say and I also don't know if our actions are right or wrong.”

Zean pulled Irene into his arms. “Please believe me, Irene. We can face this, I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Zean.”

Zean still hugged his wife while stroking her back to try to calm Irene down.

“I want you to believe, Irene. We have to trust each other and everything will definitely go according to plan.”

Irene just nodded in response.

“Come, we should go back to discuss this with Doctor Kelly and Ms. Harper.”

They went back to the consultation room.

“What's all okay?” ask Dr. Kelly when they sit back.

“Sure,” replied Zean while embracing his wife.

“Pardon my attitude earlier, Doctor Kelly and Ms.Harper,” said Irene who felt bad about her attitude earlier.

“No problem, Mrs.Lorwerth,” says Doctor Kelly.

“You may be surprised to hear me, Mrs.Lorwerth,” said Mia who felt that Irene was a little distracted by her background.

They returned to the topic that should have been discussed since then, namely about the tube baby program with a surrogate mother. Dr. Kelly explains that during this program, fertilization between the mother's egg and ***** father, is done outside the uterus. After fertilization successfully forms an embryo, then the prospective fetus is implanted in another uterus. Therefore, different from the traditional choice, the mother entrusted is not the biological mother of the baby.

After explaining that, Dr. Kelly issued a map containing a contract agreement in which it stated that Mia Harper was willing to become a surrogate mother and lend her uterus for one period of pregnancy until giving birth later. In the contract, it is also written that all the necessities and living expenses of Mia Harper will be the responsibility of Arzean Lorwerth, therefore Mia Harper is required to stay with Zean and Irene until the contract period it ends. As a second party, Mia Harper has personal benefits and is entitled to a check sheet that she can nominally write as she wishes and the check will be obtained at the end of this contract.

“How about Mr and Mrs Lorwerth, do you agree with the contents of this contract agreement?” ask Dr. Kelly to the couple.

“We agree,” Zean replied whereas Irene only nodded in response.

Doctor Kelly turned to look at Mia. “How about Ms.Harper, do you agree with the contents of this contract agreement?”

“Ya, sure. I agree.”