Loney’s face lightened up in anticipation when a notification of an email popped in the corner of the screen of his laptop. He clicked it open instantly, when he saw that it was from Dina. His expression became unreadable as he glanced at the pregnancy test attached. He dialed her phone number instantly, "which of the samples did you take?" "Blood sir, just as you instructed.” He paused for a moment and said, "Send it to her." Danica received an envelope, instantly understanding that it was the test result. She opened it eagerly to be met with disappointment. She wasn't pregnant. "It means you will meet with the master again. Don't worry, these things are unpredictable, especially when it's not done at the right time." Mabel tried to console her when she noticed her disappointment. Meanwhile, Danica hadn't understood Mabel’s words. "What do you mean by that?" "Well, negative doesn't mean that you are not fertile. It only means that it happened at the time your eggs weren't release
Daniella's face was drained of colour. Her mind went on a rampage of a search for reasonable answers. "Well, I….I stopped going to work because I don't remember how to cook," she wasn't sure whether Jones believed her and waited eagerly for his response. Jones was deep in thought, remaining expressionless. However, he astonished Daniella with his response. "I see. I will help you." "Wait, you cook also?" Daniella grimaced excitedly. She was very comfortable around him, her trust increasing each time like a ball of fire. "You taught me how to cook," Jones shrugged and continued. "At the shelter, during the times we ran short of cooks, you never allowed the homeless to go hungry, no matter how exhausted you were from work, I was always there to help and you taught me a lot," Jones recalled. "I'm just returning a favour," he winked. Jones was trying his best to make Daniella, who he thinks to be Danica, remember her past. He had been friends with Danica for ages and they have taken par
Paul's mouth was tightly glued. He looked around aimlessly, buying time for a reasonable explanation. Suddenly, something clicked. "Ahhh, just forget it. Let me get something to eat first." Danica narrowed her eyes. She figured that Paul wanted her to cook for him because he caught her cooking most times. "You want me to make you breakfast. Why don't you just say so?" Paul was just looking for a way to disappear, "Don't worry, I will get Mabel to do it for me." Danica was persistent. She felt that, for Paul to come and knock on her door because he was hungry was a very big deal and couldn't take it lightly. "Oh, just wait for a little. I will come and do it for you. Let me change and I will be downstairs before you know it," Danica uttered with concern. When Paul realized that there was no way of escape, he suddenly dropped a hint, "No, you will need a long bath, I'm out," he turned around and left without giving Danica the chance to utter another word. Danica's mind went into a f
"Sir, your surrogate has refused to allow me in," Dina's helpless voice espoused through the end of the phone. Loney frowned, "why?" "She won't tell me, sir," Dina responded sadly. "Where is Mabel? Let me talk to her on the phone," Loney's deep rich voice sounded on the phone. He was disturbed and didn't know what to think about Danica's resistance to take the test, even when he already knew the outcome. "Okay, sir," Dina went to the kitchen and gave the phone to Mabel. Mabel grimaced, outweighed by confusion. She was making breakfast. "Why?" "Sir wants to speak with you," Dina said. Mabel instantly turned off the gas, wiped her hand with a napkin and took the phone from Dina. "Master, this is Mabel," she said politely. Even though Loney treated the middle-aged woman as a mother, she still accorded Loney the respect of an employer. "What is wrong with Danica?" Mabel was confused. She hadn't seen Danica yet because she perceived she would still be sleeping, "I don't know sir, le
Paul was derailed with Danica's message. He thought of how to put it through without getting Loney upset. He knew Loney's quick temper and the best way to live with Loney was to do as he wished. He never wanted his authority to be questioned. After he harnessed through his thoughts, certain of a favourable way, he put a call through to Loney. Loney was already expecting his call. He knew that Danica would not concede. Somehow, he was also excited. He inferred that right now, he would be all that Danica would be thinking about, which gladdened his heart. "What did she say this time?" He asked Paul, as soon as he pressed the answer button. "She wants you to come next week because the test showed negative," Paul thought this was the right way to convey the message without repeating Danica's exact words. He also hoped that Loney would just succumb and come over. That way, everyone is happy. However, Loney didn't make it any easier. "Tell her that I will see her in two weeks," Loney soun
Loney was guilt-stricken after he heard that Danica had lost her parents. She was an orphan just like him. He anticipated how lonely life must have been for her, just as it was for him. Whereas, he was perplexed as to why Danica applied to be his surrogate. If she had no family, then what did she need the money for? Instantly, he anticipated that something must be wrong. Instantly, he called Gideon. "Boss, how may I be of help?" Loney thought carefully, stood up from his desk and watched Mexico city through the large glass windows, "I want to know everything about Danica Howard." Gideon nodded and asked, "to how many years down the line?" Loney frowned and uttered coldly, "everything, I want to know everything." Gideon nodded and this time didn't ask more questions. He trotted out to get the requested information as if his life depended on it. As Loney waited, he pondered over the situation of keeping Danica for this long. His plan was working but external forces had begun surfac
Loney ignored Paul's last question, strode to Mabel's room and knocked on her door. Mabel was asleep but woke up at the sound of the knock. Being the housekeeper and being in charge of everyone, she couldn't sleep too deeply for fear of losing out on something important. She thought that perhaps an emergency had happened and one of the maids had come to inform her. She stood from the bed, covered herself with a morning coat and turned the knob open. She was surprised to see Loney at the door, padded with a stern grimace. Mabel panicked slightly, fearing that something must have happened, as she forced a smile, "master, you are welcome," she said politely. Loney ignored her pleasantries. For as long as he was concerned, Danica was being maltreated and treated like a maid, doing the chores she wasn't supposed to do and that burned him. "Downstairs, we need to talk." He commanded. Mabel's panic deepened, her heart rate increased. Loney never spoke to her in that manner and therefore, sh
He ambled towards her and held her from the back, his hand pressed on her mouth. Danica was frightened. From his scent, she knew it was the supposed parent. Danica wanted to speak but only a hum came out with his hand pressed on her mouth. When she calmed down, Loney swung her around and covered her soft lips with his moist one. Danica's heart thumped. She had so many questions but she feared angering him and losing the chance to get pregnant. Since Loney was taller, bigger and stronger he towered over her, as his tongue dominated hers, his hand stroked her silky hair. She didn't know how to respond. She recalled his words through Paul when he suspected her of enjoying the sex. Therefore, she swallowed the moans trying to escape. Loney wasn't so gentle. He seemed to be in a hurry. He tore her nightie and carried her to the bed. Danica showed no resistance, as he took off his pyjamas. She felt his hard chest on her soft breast. Loney's lips were still on hers, his right fingers traced
"Mum!" "Dad!" "Wake up!" A soft but firm voice kept screaming, matching the knocks vibrating on the door. Loney woke unexpectedly, followed by Danica as the sound grew louder. They didn't have to guess who it was. They slipped into their robe and picked their scattered clothes on the floor, dropping them into a laundry basket before Loney headed to the door. His eyes glistened with tears as he eagerly unlocked the door. Two small hands wrapped around his legs tightly. "Dad! You are back!" Loney knelt to meet his form, pulling him into his arms. The last time he held his son was five years ago when he was just a month old. He had grown. It felt good seeing him physically and not through video calls. He had his mother's brunette hair but his father's facial features. Same grey eyes and thin lips. "I missed you, Lord." "I missed you too, Dad. Will you leave again? I don't want you to go. All the kids at
5 YEARS LATER "Chef Danica, we have a request for a chef's special." Gabriella, one of the waitresses eagerly conveyed to busy Danica. She was doing what she loved, thanks to Loney. Exactly one year after he travelled, he sent her a surprise package containing the keys to a restaurant in her name. Their son was a year old by then and Loney hadn't returned to Mexico therefore, Danica was amazed as to how he was able to put it all together. She couldn't tell if it was something he was working on before his business trip but it was the best gift ever. He gave her the dream of owning her restaurant. In four years, it has risen among the top three restaurants in Mexico City. "Today isn't Friday, Gabriela." Danica continued with the order she was previously working on. She occasionally wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. The kitchen was hot and busy yet she loved it. "I know, but the man insists. He's so authoritative as
Herty was terrified. Her stomach pinched in fear. She wasn't expecting her parents to return any time soon but that was the thing about the missionary work. It's so unpredictable. Her mum caught her. Her little rendezvous was about to end. Stationary, when she spoke, Herty thought she had heard wrongly. "What are you doing out there? Bring your boyfriend inside." Paul was equally fascinated and didn't have the chance to speak when the blonde middle-aged woman yanked him in, shutting the door. Well, they were nothing Paul expected. Herty was upfront and told them about Paul's loath for the church, thinking it would make her parents judgemental of him but they were rather polar. They welcomed him to their home because he was the first man their daughter brought. They could see that she was happy and as for Paul, they didn't have to worry. Years of experience in the missionary had taught them that even the stoniest of hearts could melt at the right time. Sunday morning. Herty woke up
Herty woke up refreshed from a long sleep. Her body craved it. She too had not slept throughout yesterday. However, joy cruised through her. She had fought it for so long. Paul wasn't the only one who suffered thinking about her. She too has had her fair share of sleepless nights, thinking about him and how impossible their love would be. She knew that her parents would never accept Paul. They want her to marry from the church but she doesn't have to marry him. She can be his friend. A close one and see what the future holds. When the subject of marriage comes in, they would cross over. Just as she came out of the shower, a maid brought her a parcel. "A delivery guy brought this for you." It was unexpected. She has never received anything like this. This was her first time experiencing this part of life. It could only be from one person and she was right. She unwrapped the gift and pulled out a beautiful black knee-length Versace dress. It was beautiful but a little shorter than her
A smirk appeared in the corner of Loney's lips. Jones was smart. He was always a step ahead. "I will let her off on one condition." Jones was ready to exchange his life for Daniella's therefore, he said, "I will do anything." "20 years of your life for hers." Loney was deadpanned but Jones's mind was a mist. "I don't understand." Loney stared him in the eyes. "You will work for me for twenty years from now. You are still entitled to all benefits but you don't get to leave or resign till after the 20 years terms." If the mist cleared from Jones's mind, then Loney wanted a longer service from him but what Loney didn't know was, Jones wanted it too. Loney's company was the best. The wages were top of the rank aside from fringe benefits and all. "I will sign a bond to it." Loney's lips thinned. a smile stretching it. He knew the capabilities of his managers and Jones was one of the most outstanding. With people like that, he loved to keep them for a long term and since he has promise
"But, I can't..." Loney's expression darkened. His hopes were crushed. His heart pumped with the speed of an aeroplane. She didn't want him? "You - can't - marry - me?" He let out word by word, his heart shredding. According to the contract, this was where it ended. He had nothing to hold her to. She agreed to be his woman but she didn't want to be his wife. "No, don't overthink this. I mean, I can't let the world know that I'm yours." She wanted him but she feared that whoever ordered her abduction might want to hurt her child. So, she wanted him without the knowledge of the world. It was simple but complex. "Make me understand, Danica" Loney didn't want to hope but he wanted to introduce her to the world as his. He wanted to let go of everything for her. "I want our marriage to be kept secret," she uttered in plain words but Loney was incensed. Could her meeting her Pastor be the reason for taking this decision? "Because you are a Christian and you don't want to be associated w
"Take a deep breath and push Danica," Dr Jeff encouraged. Danica gripped Loney's arm tightly, she thought it might rip off. She huddled a long breath and gave a strong push. This was her eighth push so far and she was exhausted. "Just two more, Danica. Two strong pushes. I can see your baby's head already," Dr Jeff continued to encourage her. "I'm tired," she yelped. Loney kissed her sweaty forehead, caressing her bump. He hovered around her, trying to find any way to help. He wished he could help. He desperately did. "Please, do it for me. For our child. I wish I could take the pain from you," Loney pleaded with her. He hated seeing her in pain. It ached him so much that Danica rejected Dr Jeff's suggestion. Danica gripped Loney tightly, another strong push. Then, she took deep breaths. She felt her walls overstretch, she thought it was going to rip apart. The pain was excruciating, she was breathing through her mouth. She was about to push again when Dr Jeff spoke. "Wait! We have
The nurse was scared. His behaviour could worsen the patient's condition and the nurse feared being at the receiving end of his anger therefore, she veered to Dr Jeff's office. He would know what to do. He couldn't protect her. He couldn't protect her. He failed. How would she perceive him when she woke up? Regret and confusion washed him as he continued to sob. Paul was trying to understand everything but nothing seemed to make sense to him. Whichever way, he tried to console Loney. "She will be fine. You just have to be there for her." "She will hate me," Loney's tone was bitter. Her sister kidnapped her because of-" "Loney, your surrogate has been inquiring of you. What are you doing here?" Dr Jeff's voice broke through Loney's last words. The nurse had come to inform him that Loney was going nuts because of the accident patient in the emergency ward, which got him startled. He wondered what the patient did to get him so hysterical. Nonetheless, Dr Jeff's words began to sink in
"Please call Loney. He said he would be with me. He promised," Danica said amidst her painful contractions. Dr Jeff nodded, instantly putting a call through to Loney. "Danica is in the hospital," he said as soon as the line connected. Loney pressed the brake instantly and the tyres screeched on the smooth asphalt. He was depressed and agitated when he lost connection with Danica. Probably, her phone must have gone off without her knowledge. Therefore, he had planned on finding Ray and forcing him to call his men to bring Danica to him or verify their location. He should be excited right? But it felt strange. How did Danica get to the hospital? What if it was Daniella pretending? He couldn't keep his mind from thinking in that direction. However, his suspicions were buried when Dr Jeff continued. "She said you promised that you would be with her." A smile thinned Loney's lips just as a tear fell from his eyes. He knew it was Danica sending him the message. This was the promise he made