Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate

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 sounded callous. Paul was slightly exasperated. He wouldn't be able to convince Loney without repeating Danica's words. After all, Danica had more power over him since she was going to carry his child.

Paul scratched his head in frustration and said, "about that, she said I should tell you that it's not negotiable."

Loney was upset. His patience had run out. To him, this was his web and he wasn't willing to allow Danica to exert too much power at this juncture. "She doesn't call the shots, I do. I am the one paying her and I said, that I will see her in two weeks," he said impatiently. He was having his breakfast and almost lost his appetite from the way things were going.

Whichever way, Paul tried to convey the importance of Loney coming over next week. "She said your times of appearance are not her most fertile period. Her fertile period is next week,"

Loney smirked. He wasn't going to make it any easier for her. The more time he spent with her, the closer and more attracted he was. He didn't want it to end but he also wanted a child. Right now, he wanted to possess Danica's heart and mind before she brought forth his child. Therefore, he would rather skip her most fertile period. "Well then, tell her that I'm out of the country."

"What?" Paul realized that Loney wasn't ready to come before his stated two weeks, which amazed him. While he thought Loney should be excited about it, he rather proved otherwise.

"I will see her in two weeks and remind her to not do anything outside our agreement because I'm beginning to think that she is enjoying the sex. This is a baby contract," Loney mocked and ended the call instantly. He didn't want Paul to speak further.

After Loney ended the call, Paul was completely dumbfounded. Strange strands of confusion webbed through him. Danica was eagerly waiting for Loney's response and James didn't know how to let it out. As soon as Danica saw him, she foresaw that this wasn't going to be good. "What did he say?" She asked eagerly.

James scratched his head and said, "he said, in two weeks."

Danica grimaced, her lips curled into a pout, "I told you to tell him that it's not negotiable."

"I did but he said he paid you and not the other way round so you don't call the shots," Paul directly reported.

"But did you tell him that I said it's for a common purpose?" A crease of frustration swallowed Danica at this moment and she couldn't endure the anxiety anymore.

"I forgot that part but he also said that I should tell you he thinks you are enjoying the sex and that this is a baby contract." Danica's mouth rounded into an O shape, as she gaped in disbelief. This was worse than she thought. Her face was flushed red and she couldn't hide her embarrassment. "That isn't fair because I'm always asleep when he comes. I've never even seen his face. I think he is the one enjoying this and for whatever reason, I don't know," She revealed.

Suddenly, reality hit Paul. He finally understood Danica's reason for asking if Loney was a monster. He couldn't understand Loney's game either. He had asked himself severally, Loney's reason for coming late at night but now, he was able to piece everything together. Loney didn't want Danica to see him. But why? Only Loney had the answer to that question.

Paul didn't utter another word, nor could he hide the shock. He turned around and ambled to his room, put a call through to Loney but the latter did not answer the call. Loney worried that Danica must have given some outrageous terms. Therefore, Paul resigned in frustration.

*****

At the biggest hospital in Mexico, Doctor Jeff had received a strange visitor. The receptionist had informed him that the person was not a patient but had requested specifically to see him. Doctor Jeff was both surprised and concerned, as he told the receptionist, to allow the visitor to come in.

A silhouette walked into his office, casually dressed. She looked familiar but Doctor Jeff beat his head to remember where he knew her. However, Dr Jeff didn't remain confused for long. The silhouette firstly introduced herself; "My name is Herty, a friend of Danica."

Doctor Jeff snapped his finger in remembrance, "Yes, yes, yes, I remember. You were the one who came with her. How may I help you? Have a seat," Doctor Jeff pointed to a chair in front of him. Herty did not refuse. She was uncomfortable but determined and went straight to the point. "I came to find out about Danica's welfare," she said politely.

Doctor Jeff fretted, "I don't understand."

"I mean, it's almost two months since she left and I haven't seen or heard from her. I don't know whether she is pregnant or not," Herty clarified.

Doctor Jeff didn't know how to answer her due to Loney's terms which he knew Danica hadn't told anyone. "I'm sorry but she is no longer under my domain. Whichever way, I believe she is remarkably taken care of. As to whether or not she is pregnant, I don't think so because she hasn't begun her antenatal.

"Can I see her?" Herty was slightly disappointed. She perceived that Danica was going to stay longer than expected, which disturbed her. She feared that the longer Danica was away, the greater havoc Daniella would cause.

"Why don't you go and come back tomorrow, I will contact the supposed parent to find out if it's okay," Doctor Jeff thoughtfully said. He needed to speak with Loney to find out if it was okay. Yet, Herty was relentless. "I can wait. Please, doctor, you have to understand that she is my best friend and I miss her so much."

Doctor James understood Herty's concern. Danica had a family and technically, they should be worried, "you can wait at the reception. I will get back to you."

Doctor Jeff called Loney as soon as Herty stepped out of his office. The latter answered after the third ring. He wasn't expecting a call from Jeff at this moment and thought it must be urgent, "Is there a problem?" Loney asked when he accepted the call, "Loney, it's been a while."

Loney knew there was a problem and he wasn't in the mood for pleasantries, "yes, is anything the matter?"

Doctor Jeff figured that Loney wasn't in a good mood, "I have a visitor but she is Danica's visitor."

Loney's face contoured into a frown. This wasn't what he expected to hear. "What does she want?"

"Her name is Herty, Danica's best friend."

"I see. what does she want?"

"She wants to speak with Danica. She misses her friend," Doctor Jeff paused to hear what Loney had to say concerning the matter.

"Do me a favour, is she with you?"

"No, she is waiting at the reception."

"Good, call her in and talk to her. I will be on the phone. I want to hear everything. You should use an earpiece or something. I want to find out a few things about Danica but I will allow her to speak with Danica after." Doctor Jeff shook his head in disbelief. It seemed to him that Loney was giving Herty the chance to speak with Danica because he wanted something and return and couldn't discern his reason. Still, he did as he was told. He called back Herty to his office. 'Ask her about Danica's family,' Loney said though the earpiece

"Herty, you said you and Danica are best friends?"

"Yes, can I talk to her?" Herty asked eagerly.

"Yes, I will call her but where is her family? Why are you the one checking on her?"

"She lost her mother a few months ago and her father followed a week later. She is an orphan."

"No siblings?" Herty recalled that Daniella didn't want to come with them earlier to the hospital because she had faked her death and didn't want anyone to know that she existed so technically, she said, "no" 'Call Paul, tell him to give the phone to Danica and remind her to remember the rules,' Loney uttered and hung up.

Doctor Jeff sent a text message to Paul before putting a call through. "Paul, let me speak with Danica."

"Loney hasn't given his consent," Paul blurted reluctantly. Doctor Jeff was a bit heated that Paul hadn't seen the text message.

"Did you see the text?" Paul pulled the phone away from his ear and saw an unread message. Instantly, he tapped it open. 'Loney wants Danica to speak with her best friend on your phone but you should remind her of the rules.'

James took the phone to Danica. She was preparing lunch. He whispered something in her ear, which made her frown. Then, he gave the phone to her. "Hello,"

Herty was excited to hear Danica's voice again. "Danica, it's me, Herty."

Danica was equally excited but courtesy of Paul's warning, she didn't feel free to be speaking on the phone. "Is the phone on speaker?"

Herty grimaced, "unfortunately, yes but how are you? I miss you so much. We all miss you."

Danica couldn't say much since the phone was on speaker. "I miss you too and I don't know how long it's going to take. I never thought that getting pregnant was such a long journey."

Herty smiled, irrespective of everything, she was just happy that Danica was fine, "at least you are well taken care of. I also want you to know that J is okay with your replacement at the children's service.

Everything is going well at the moment but your happiness is what matters. I have to go now. I will check up on you again later. May the angels protect you," Herty gave her a hint and hoped that Danica would understand and make a decision before she called again. However, she couldn't say much on Doctor Jeff's phone. She was about to end the call when Danica spoke again.

"Thank you Herty, goodbye.."

After Danica gave the phone to Paul, she began to analyze Herty's last words............‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒