The next morning, Danica was the first to wake up, still a bit dazed. She yawned, as a smile crept onto her features. She recalled vividly, how she pleasured him last night and in his knack for revenge, he wore her out real bad. The thought made her blush, as she took in his features. It reminded her of the first time she saw him in that hotel. She wished she could remember what happened there but right now, she could stare at him the whole day and not get tired. He looked attractive and peaceful. She snuggled closer to him, as his eyes snapped open. Silence rained, as they locked eyes for a few seconds, "Good morning," Loney's deep alluring voice, even more alluring in the morning, chimed in her ears. "Good morning," Danica mumbled and tried to detangle herself shyly. "Don't!" He said as he pulled her closer. Danica was amazed. Won't he go to work? Telling by the brightness of the room, it should be late in the morning. "Just be with me for a while," he shut his eyes as if in deep
A heightened measure of tension enraptured Doctor Jeff's office, marked by a deafening silence. Loney's mind was flooded with rage. Was it another betrayal? Files of his seven previous surrogates connected his brain. His trust for Paul dwindled, left alone Doctor Jeff. His brain was charred with all the fearful betrayals from his past. The cessation lingered on, heart rates increasing. Paul lowered his head in embarrassment. He did nothing wrong but he perfectly knew the reason for Loney's outrage. He hated to be disobeyed and this was his surrogate therefore, everything about her was his business. "Loney, it's not what you think. She..." Paul tried to explain but was curtly cut off by Loney's low growl, "really? I gave simple instructions to Paul. Was that too much?" His eyes were heated with fire, focussed on Paul, who sat on a chair in Doctor Jeff's office. Doctor Jeff couldn't understand in the least, what was going on. "Do you mean you weren't aware?" His voice quaked slightly.
Danica's eyes glued Loney's back, as he walked through the door. She wished he would stay but ever since knowing what he did for a living, she couldn't bring herself to be selfish. She might not be an engineer but she guessed how demanding it could be and didn't want to come between him and his job. Doctor Jeff gave her some IV and vitamins before discharging her. As Paul drove her home, she slept throughout the journey. Mabel's worried voice met her at the door as soon as they arrived. "What happened? Are you pregnant?" Danica couldn't understand Mabel's direct ways but she also enjoyed the woman's presence as a smile formed on the corners of her lips, "I don't know Mabel, Dina will be here in a week to take sample. Every test showed negative even though the gynaecologist thinks I'm pregnant," she confided. Mabel wrapped her arms comfortingly around Danica. "It happens. Everyone's body is just different. But I'm very sure you are pregnant so you have to rest well and from now onwar
"Yes." She was about to alight when her eyes caught sight of another wrapped item. It was the gift Loney purchased for Danica. "Another gift for me? My friends were right. You are such a romantic," Loney froze. Initially, he wanted Jasmine to have the bracelet he bought for Danica. He could purchase another one but then again, he recalled the shop attendant told him that it was one of a kind and he felt a connection to it hence, he couldn't bear seeing it on jasmine's wrist. "It's not what you think, Jasmine. That isn't yours." His expression was so stern, Jasmine's words stuck in her throat. "Oh, I see. See you in three days," she muttered, embarrassment bathing her as she alighted from the car. She was so used to getting everything she wanted, she couldn't stand a no. However, she blamed herself for not acting more mature. As she walked back to the party, she couldn't help thinking about who Loney was going to give that gift to. Was it his gay partner? She had to do something to ma
"L..Loney?" Loney turned around. "Why don't you come over, the food is getting cold." Danica went to sit on the chair next to his but before her butt hit the chair, a strong hand wrapped around her arm and yanked her backwards, she fell on Loney's lap, staring into his grey eyes. She felt a connection, their eyes locked for what seemed like a minute. Danica's cheeks reddened like tomatoes, her heart beating faster. She lowered her eyes and tried to stand but Loney pulled her closer. "You are beautiful." Danica's cheeks heated up especially with Paul around. How could Loney be so naughty in front of Paul? And why was he in such a good mood today? He even smiled often and seemed to be more casual than usual. "Thank you," she muttered, butterflies in her stomach. Loney glanced at the dishes on the table. "What would you have?" Danica didn't have the appetite. She was satisfied with Loney around so she said, "anything." "Good," Loney wrapped his left arm around her waist, pressing he
At Governor Maxwell's House Jasmine was baffled. She had dialled Loney's number and sent countless messages. The calls went to voicemail and her text messages were never delivered. Despite Loney's warning, she still couldn't stay away. If she could just hear his voice, she would be fine. It was a weekend and she didn't know his house, so she would have paid him a surprise visit. She did a few checks through her father's contacts and realized that Loney had been checking in and out of hotels but all the hotels he previously checked in had no record of him since the previous day. Her heart tightened in her chest as she lay on her bed staring into space. She heard a knock on her door. It must be one of the maids coming to clean her room. She hasn't stepped out since she woke up. "Come in," she yelled in agitation. Her father had gone on a trip and she had refused to join Barbie, Linsay and Jane on the shopping spree. All she wanted was Loney. She didn't care about money. She already ha
"I mean it," Danica said and turned her back to him. Loney understood that she wanted him to unzip her dress therefore, the rest of his words stuck in his throat. He didn't unzip her immediately. Rather, he held the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Danica heard the unbuckling sound of a belt. Her heart thumped. She recalled the last time this happened. She was so drained. She was about to turn around when she felt his hand on her back. Goosebumps cascaded her like waves, as her zip was pulled down. His hand slipped inside her dress, he trailed his fingers over her warm body before allowing it to fall completely. He wanted this too but what if she gets so tired and ends up in the hospital again? The mere thought yoked him to worry because he didn't think he could stop halfway. She has become his addiction. Danica's body responded to his touch, just as his body responded to hers. She felt his hand in her hair, tugging it to the side. He nibbled on her bare neck, his warm l
Loney woke up to a loud knock on his door. Danica was peacefully asleep on his chest. A frown appeared on his face as the knock continued unabated. He knew it would be Mabel. No one else would dare and since the middle-aged woman was like a mother to him he couldn't bring himself to get angry. He moved slowly, careful not to wake Danica and covered her with a blanket. He pulled a robe and slipped it on, tied the rope and headed for the door. "Oh my God, what is happening in there?" Mabel's voice was unconsciously loud, her face covered with genuine concern. Loney's frown deepened as he saw the tray in her hand. It wasn't supper but lunch. "It's just a few hours," he said while walking back to his bedroom with Mabel strutting behind him. "Point of correction, it's Sunday afternoon," Mabel hinted. Loney grimaced, his eyes catching the clock. "Oh," his tone carried a sliver of remorse, quickly washed after a blink. "We deserve the rest, don't we?" He shrugged. He doesn't remember the l
"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