Chapter Thirty - Seven


    "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 med


    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 make him


    a straight guy.


    Loney drove to his hotel room in deep thought. Is he biting more than he could chew? He has already


    given the governor his word. He recalled receiving a text message when he was with Jasmine and


    instantly checked his phone.


    To his amazement, it was a text from Danica. ''I''m sorry for what happened earlier. I hope you don''t get


    mad at Paul? Just to let you know that I''m faring better and going to bed now. Good night.''


    Loney went into deep thought. Why would she sleep early if she was fine after sleeping earlier for so


    long? Instantly, he realized that Danica didn''t want him to get worried. Even though he still was, a faint


    smile decorated his features, as he responded. ''Good night, I will see you soon.''


    A few days passed and Loney was busy with all his new contracts. However, on Friday night, he was


    on his way to the mansion. Somehow, he felt grateful to governor Maxwell because he didn''t have to


    look over his shoulders. There were no suspicious persons around and for the first time in a long time,


    he felt light.


    He was supposed to be in the mansion on Saturday but he didn''t want Danica overworking herself to


    cook for him therefore, he went on Friday night. When he arrived at the mansion, it was as quiet as a


    cemetery. There was no one around, thanks to Paul''s new automated system. No guard had to stand


    the night.


    Firstly, Loney went to Danica''s room. He stood by the door, gazing at her sleeping form. She looked


    like an angel in her white night things. Loney had no intention of going closer. He wanted to see her in


    the morning but was betrayed by his two legs, which carried him to her bed. He sat beside her, stroked


    her hair gently. He watched as she slept for almost an hour before he decided to go.


    However, just as he stood on his feet, a hand caught his wrist. He stared down at Danica, whose eyes


    were still closed. ''She must be dreaming,'' he thought and sat back. He continued to stroke her hair till


    she slept. Then, he dropped the gift beside her and left for his room. He had no intention of getting


    intimate with her over this weekend. Seeing her was enough for him and he sincerely hoped to get to


    know her better.


    He went to his room, washed down and slept. When he woke up the next morning, he went to check on


    Danica but she was still asleep so he went downstairs to see Paul. Paul was surprised when the door


    to his bedroom pushed open without a knock. For a moment, he thought Mabel was waking him for an


    emergency till he saw Loney.


    "What are you doing here?" His voice screamed shock but he was excited.


    "I''m home for God sake," Loney casually said, as he sat beside paul.


    "I know but it''s strange," Paul honestly said. He suspected that Loney was there because of Danica but


    didn''t want to expose him.


    "Come on. How have you been?" Loney asked.


    "Doing what you''ve been paying me to do. Were you able to deal with Ray?"


    "Well, I sent him a warning but also got some external help," Loney confessed. It''s quite a long time


    since he sat to chat with Paul like this and he enjoyed it. For once, he wasn''t carrying the world on his


    shoulders but just chatting as a normal person.


    "From your girlfriend, I guess. You didn''t have the courtesy to tell me." Paul was disappointed but didn''t


    show it. However, his mood got better with Loney''s response.


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    "She isn''t my girlfriend. I just agreed to date her for one week for the sake of her dad but how did you


    know?"


    "Social media. I saw itst night. I hope your surrogate''s phone is not connected to the inte. She


    would have a heart attack," Paul unexpectedly said. Loney stiffened for a moment. He felt that Paul


    knew something he didn''t and was bound to find out what it was.


    "Why do you say so? She is my surrogate you know?" Loney''s voice sounded casual but he was


    indeed excited.


    "That''s what I told her when I realized she had fallen in love with you." Loney felt his heart dancing in


    response to Paul''s words as he asked,


    "You think she is?"


    "The girl has been asking me if you have a wife or a girlfriend. For what other reason will she be asking


    all those questions?" Paul rhetorically said.


    The corner of Loney''s lips curled. He suspected that Danica had developed feelings for him but hearing


    it from Paul was most probably the best, "thanks for telling me." He honestly said to Paul.


    "But wait, do you have any particr interest? I see you give her so much attention," Paul dug, hoping


    for some truth.


    "Don''t you think she deserves it? She''s so different and she has this peace around her," Loney


    revealed.


    Paul didn''t know whether tough or cry. In thr end, he said, "I see it''s a two-sided arrow. What are you


    waiting for? Tell her."


    Loney shook his head, "It''s not that easy Paul. What if it''s not what you think and she rejects me?"


    Paul gaped in disbelief. "You are scared of rejection? From a woman?" His voice was unconsciously


    loud.


    Loney shrugged. "Not just any woman. This is Danica. She is special. I''ll just take it slow."


    "Then you can start by asking her to be your girlfriend," Paul proposed.


    Loney couldn''t understand him. He would prefer to propose marriage to a girlfriend. He doesn''t


    understand the reason why he should ask her to be his girlfriend if they are both in love. "What?"


    Soon he realizes Paul''s reason for giving that suggestion. "Don''t wait till she delivers the baby because


    there''s someone else interested as well."


    Loney''s face had drained of colour, beads of sweat forming on his forehead despite the air condition.


    His hands were already balled into a fist. Anger envies and jealousy swayed him. "Who?" He gritted his


    teeth and asked.


    "I learnt it''s one of her church members but her friend didn''t give me his name," Paul continued to


    borate.


    "You have her friend''s number?"


    "Yes, the girl is some staunch Christian, she wouldn''t go on a date. She invited me to church instead of


    going with me on a date," Paul bitterly said.


    "Well, if you want her, then you should go," Loney tried to encourage Paul.


    "Do you believe that? Here is the news. Danica is also the same rustic type so be prepared to follow


    her to church." Loney felt slightly happy at the news


    "That isn''t a big deal but how do you know she loves me?"


    "Come on, I dated eight girls in one month, remember?" The two men burst intoughter.


    *******


    Danica woke up the next morning. She felt better after eating and taking her multivitaminsst night.


    She lifted herself and her hand fumbled on a pack. She geared up and picked it up. There was a note


    in the gift bag. ''I hope you like it, Danica.''


    She could swear that the gift was from Loney but how did it get there. She stared at the bracelet in


    admiration. She loved it and her thoughts were more clouded with Loney for this gracious act. She


    went to shower and dressed up, recalling that he was supposed toe over today. She picked a light


    pink dress, one she had never won. She didn''t know why almost all the dresses were above the knee


    but she rocked them perfectly.


    Somehow, she felt Loney''s presence around the bracelet and put it on. She stepped out of her


    bedroom and descended the stairs, heading to the kitchen. "Don''t go there dear, your breakfast is


    already served," Mabel instantly said, shoving her out of the kitchen.


    "Good morning, Mabel, thank you," Danica sarcastically said. She knew how difficult it was going to be


    to continue cooking these days. Mabel will not allow her.


    "Stop thanking me. Master pays me well to take care of you. Now, off you go."Danica stepped into the


    dining room and froze at the entrance. There was a man seated in front of Paul with his back turned to


    her. She rubbed her eyes twice, thinking she was hallucinating.


    "L..Loney?"


    Loney turned around. "Why don''t youe 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''sp, staring into his grey eyes.