Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate

Loney woke up a few hours later. Most probably three. It was already morning. Which meant he had slept a bit longer than usual. Most times, three to four hours of sleep was enough for him. But when he came to the mansion, it was either an hour or two. He gently detangled himself from Danica, dressed up in his suit, since he was going to the office and left a note beside her after covering her with a blanket and adjusting the temperature of the air conditioner.

Before he turned the doorknob, he took another long glance at her sleeping form on the bed, wondering how he was going to let her go after she got pregnant and delivered the child. He didn't think that he could live without her. Her gentleness, the humility in her tone, her beautiful features were all different from anyone he met. Throughout the time he spent with her, he couldn't feel any pain from his wounds. It was all complete excitement.

Just as he descended the stairs, Paul stepped out of his room, amazed to see him in the morning. The servants and some of the guards cast glances at him. Loney never stayed till morning so they had never set their eyes on him. However, from how he carried himself with dignity, style, dominance and authority, everyone could tell that he was the boss, even though he looked young and hadn't uttered a word. "What happened to your car?" Paul was quick to ask. Loney had even forgotten about the accident.

"Oh that, someone was stalking me last night so I crashed into him. He was sent by one Mr Somo," he tried to recall.

Paul frowned, turning on his protective gear, "should I search on him?"

"No. That would be too much on you. I will let Gideon handle it," Loney outrightly said but Paul was displeased. He felt that Loney was losing trust in his abilities. "Come on, I'm still your best friend." "That's why I don't want you to be known to associate with me. If they know that I have nothing to lose, they would tread with caution but once they find out anything, then they have a serious bargain," Loney revealed.

Paul was washed with embarrassment, realizing that while he thought Loney was pushing him away, the former was rather protecting him. "I never thought about it that way."

"I know," Loney tapped comfortingly on his shoulder, "take care of everyone, especially Danica. If anything happens to her, I won't forgive you this time." Loney's voice was stern, his expression solemn. Paul discerned that he wasn't joking. "You have my word," he responded in agreement.

Loney thought deeply, "I am planning a surprise for her. I will call to let you know about it. See you tomorrow," he turned to leave.

"Wait, you are coming again?" Paul could not comprehend why the sudden change. Loney was like a stranger in his own mansion but suddenly, he had turned the homeowner again, he wasn't going to let Loney off easily.

Loney grimaced, "would you rather I go to a hotel?" Paul realized he wasn't going to get the answers he craved. "Be careful," he advised.

Loney stopped, turned around and said, "don't worry, I have nothing to lose."

Paul smirked, "are you sure about that?" Loney understood the meaning of his words and didn't speak further. He shook his head and left.

Danica woke up to the empty bed in an unusual room. Images of last night were clearer today. However, she couldn't help feeling disappointed that Loney wasn't by her side when she woke up. She thought strongly about what he did for a living and why he never stayed. Worst of all, what caused the accident he claimed.

She tried to lift herself and her hand felt a paper. She picked it up. "I have informed Mabel to move your things here. I hope you like it. See you tomorrow."

Danica instantly frowned at the note. She knew that all this would end as soon as she got pregnant so why would she want to be in his room? She put on her dress and rushed to her room. The servants were already packing her things.

"Stop!" Danica yelled. "Arrange them back in the closet," she ordered.

"But," Britney, one of the servants tried to explain but Danica already knew what she wanted to say and countered, "no buts. Just do as I say." The servant looked on perplexed until Mabel entered,

"Just do as she says," her voice rang in front of the servants who were reluctant to do as Danica had said.

"Don't worry, he wasn't forcing you. He just thought that side was more comfortable," Mabel tried to explain.

"I like it here."

Mabel stared at her suspiciously and asked, "then why did you sleep there last night?" Her gaze was focused on a few hickeys on her neck. Danica felt uneasy, and turned red like tomatoes, "I will go and prepare something," she tried to cause a distraction.

"That reminds me, you must tell me the things you are allergic to. You know there are times in pregnancy where even your favourite food would seem nauseating right? The earlier you let me help, the better." Mabel was positive that Danica would be pregnant this time. Whereas, Danica had lost hope. "But I'm not pregnant yet."

"Don't worry. It will be soon and morning sickness is even the worst," Mabel continued to explain as Danica's embarrassment deepened.

"We will have this discussion after I take seed, but for now, I will make breakfast," Danica firmly said and headed for the door. Still, Mabel wasn't ready to let go. "You should be making lunch because it's already 11 am. By the time you are done, it will be lunchtime," she teased, then continued, "he told James he was working on a surprise for you," Mabel revealed.

"What?" Danica couldn't imagine that Loney would plan a surprise for her and best of all, what could it be? Even though she was flattered she couldn't help Mabel's teasing, sucking on the smiles begging to be expressed.

"Well, I don't know myself but James left about two hours ago after receiving a call from the master," Mabel hinted before she left Danica's room with the maids.

Danica threw herself on the orthopaedic mattress after Mabel and the maids left. She decided to not think about Loney's complex personality but rather think of the fact that he will be returning the next day. She got off the bed, had her shower, dressed up and went to prepare lunch. When she was done and began to dish out the food, a familiar voice yelled her name with excitement. Danica was stunned. "Herty? How did you get here?" Danica scratched her eyes, shock blinding her. Herty hugged Danica tightly.

"Paul met me at Dr Jeff's office and brought me here. God, is this even on earth? The architecture and ecstatic design seem like one of those mansions in heaven," Herty gawked around after pulling away from the hug, all her fears of Danica not being happy gradually fading.

"You talk as if you've been there," Danica giggled, excited to have Herty around. It warmed her heart that Loney allowed Herty to come and visit. Therefore, she planned on preparing something delicious as a thank you to him.

"You look stunning," Herty admired Danica. She discerned that Danica was well taken care of.

"Sorry to interrupt but I'm starving," Paul interrupted.

"Let's eat first, then we will go to my room to catch up on everything else," Danica suggested. "Sounds good to me..." Gertrude agreed.

At Loney's office, his face darkened when he was informed that Danica had refused to sleep in his room. He was slightly displeased. Regardless, when he thought deeper, he couldn't blame her for it. It would be uncomfortable for her to live in his room therefore, he let the matter slide.

He recalled the stalker and decided to search on Mr Somo. Oddly it wasn't difficult to get the information he needed. When the police interrogated the stalker, information reached Loney that Mr Somo was paid by Ray. Therefore, he put a call through to Ray.

"Are you still alive?" Ray's arrogant voice sounded at the end of the line, his Russian accent domineering.

Loney was surprisingly calm and tactful. "unfortunately for you, I am," he said coldly

Ray was angered by Loney's calm. He always interpreted Loney's calmness to mean he had a plan and recalling how Loney sent Jonax the last time, he felt uneasy. "You will not be so lucky the next time," Ray hid his fears, trying to sound confident.

Loney was unfazed, "It rather seems to me that you don't learn your lesson. I have enough evidence to put you behind bars," he continued to say, his voice lacking warmth.

Ray couldn't take it anymore and decided to threaten Loney with something so dear. "Let's see you try. That presidential project might just go down..." ☐☐☐