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"Give birth to the child. I will run a paternity test and if it's positive, then we can talk." This wasn't what Daniella expected. Why did Loney have to be so clever? But she wasn't ready to give up. She needed money. After paying Ray the part payment, she doesn't have much left. Besides, she would need more money to keep up this game so she said, "Before then, a pregnant woman needs care and a good home. What about that?" Her voice sounded casual. However, Loney was not a fool and wasn't one to typically mess with. Not after what those surrogates did to him when he desperately needed a child. However, he was a responsible man who would take responsibility for his action but something inside him told him that whatever Daniella might be carrying in her womb, whether a cow or goat, wasn't his. "I will not take responsibility until I confirm that the child is mine, which I seriously doubt," he sounded curt and unfeeling, his expression blank. Daniella had to think fast. From what Rosa
FIVE MONTHS LATER Danica was heavy. Doctor Jeff had confirmed that they should be expecting a baby boy in two weeks. It was exciting. Her bump was now large but it never prevented Loney from getting intimate with her, especially after Doctor Jeff confirmed that it won't pose any health problems for as long as Danica found it comfortable. Therefore, Loney found better sex positions that were comfortable for both of them. Thus, it helped Danica to be more relaxed and sleep better at night since she developed lower back pains due to the pregnancy, which was normal. Loney found ways of soothing her pains. Not a day passed without a smile on Danica's face because Loney was all over her, with everything he got to spend with her. Once he arrived, Mabel knew her job of taking care of Danica had ended. Still, Loney remained true to his word, sending Daniella $10.000 every month for her upkeep, even though he felt sure that the child she carried in her womb wasn't his. Unfortunately, he hadn'
Danica's excitement washed the backache she felt when Loney arrived. Herty had spent a lot of time with her till the latter had gone to sleep in Danica's room. Loney knew how to soothe her backache and swollen legs. Most times soaking her legs in warm water, he will kneel and kiss her bump, resting his head and listening to his child's heartbeat. The baby nonetheless was sure to send some kicks, showing him that he was faring well. "How are you today?" He said gently to her while hugging her from the back. Danica had dished out his food on a plate which he took from her to the dining table after giving her a passionate kiss. "I'm happy that you are here," Danica confessed as she followed him to the dining room. Loney sat on the chair and beckoned her to sit on his lap while he ate. In her state, he has kicked against her waiting for him to eat together and for the sake of her unborn child, she obliged. Her right hand snaked behind his back while he ate. Loney loved the feel of her ar
"WHAT? We are coming over." He turned to Loney and said, "We have to go. Danica was kidnapped at the mall." Loney saw red. He didn't wait for Paul to complete his sentence when he raced for his car with the latter chasing after him. His head banged with instant headache, his body went numb. He sat in the car before beginning to process the information. He never expected this and the burden hit so hard he didn't know how to make a comeback. Paul couldn't explain to his sisters but they were used to it. Paul was never available and whenever he was, he always left in a haste. "Loney, let me drive," Paul offered. He feared from how Loney was driving that they might die before they reached their destination. Loney was jumping traffic lights and using unauthorized routes at top speed. Paul had no idea where he was headed. "Call Gideon!" Loney shrieked. His eyes desperately searched the road, his jaw clenched. His hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel yet his grip was robust. Paul
Danica sat on the floor of the van, her hand hugging her bump, her heart in her throat with the sequel of events. What was supposed to be an amazing day because she decided to buy some extra stuff for the unborn child, has turned into a nightmare. She was just checking out some stuff when a man walked to her. She felt uncomfortable with his presence and just before she opened her mouth to tell him to give her space, he pressed a revolver to her bump. Fear gripped her like venom. She obeyed the man's command to walk him without creating suspicion. Luckily for her, Gideon had been watching her through the glass door from outside because he wanted to give them space. To her horror, a bullet penetrated his chest before he could stop the man but that didn't stop him from also sending out some bullets that injured two of Jerome's men, if not kill them before the police arrived. From where she sat, she couldn't see outside. Were these people after Loney? Was that the reason why he told her
"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
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
"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
"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