Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate
Chapter Twenty - Five

At the shelter, Daniella was helping to serve the needy. She even helped prepare the meals, thanks to Jones, who had coached her from what he learnt from Danica. She was excited about the new task. Jones couldn't help but admire that Danica was gradually being herself again. Daniella put on a smiley face in front of the people, serving with all humility. It was a wonderful sight for Jones who felt that he was falling in love with Danica all over again.

He began to think that even if she couldn't recall anything, at least they were still attracted to each other and therefore he could propose to her. He went over to help her with the kids. Together with Daniella, they talked to the children about Jesus and his salvation.

They enjoyed seeing the excitement in the eyes of these children, as Jones and Danica gave them parcels that were used clothes with snacks, books and a little Bible, neatly packaged. They made sure to include their contacts for the children to reach them anytime they could. Jones hoped that one day, he would give these kids a better life. He even had plans of adopting some of them when he started his own business and had more time on his hands. He didn't want them to end up the way he did as a child. It was a miracle he found salvation and a new life.

When he thought about it, he turned cloudy. "Are you alright? You've turned quiet." Daniella was genuinely concerned. She had never seen him in that state. Therefore, she was disturbed. She moved to sit by his side on a swing while the children played in the grass, giggling excitedly.

"I'm fine, I'm just hoping for a better life for them," Jones didn't look at her. He was ashamed to show his teary eyes and didn't look up while he spoke.

Daniella was even more disturbed. She thought she must have offended him or he found out something but was relieved that that wasn't the case. "Well, I'm planning on adopting some of them once I can afford it," she said out of the blue, her lips stretching into a smile, as some of the kids played hide and seek while standing in the open and not hiding from their opponent. Jone's eyes lit up.

"That's just what I was thinking too. I think the kindness inside your heart is just the same even with your lost memory," he glared delightfully, returning Daniella's smile in the process. Daniella was secretly excited that her playing Danica was getting real but the point is, she was enjoying it too. She loved the attention people showered on her. That was all she ever craved but didn't have because Danica was always in the limelight.

"These kids are wonderful. Who wouldn't want to adopt one?" Jones subconsciously held her hand, squeezed it a little, in appreciation. He wanted to say something but caught sight of Herty strolling in their direction. He wanted to confess to her but the opportunity was ruined so he said instead, "thank you," then turned to Herty, "how is your training with Pastor Lawson?"

"Much better. He gave me some scripture to meditate on but you won't see me tomorrow. I have something urgent to attend to," Herty revealed.

Daniella frowned, "What is that?" She abruptly asked. She knew that Herty wasn't comfortable with her relationship with Jones therefore, she felt uncomfortable. "Just something I have to do for my parents because they will be returning soon from France," Herty told a white lie because she didn't want to reveal things to Jones. "All the best and call me when you need anything," Jones said with concern.

"Okay."

*******

On the field, Loney's workload had increased overnight, thanks to the new contract. Therefore, his presence was greatly required. He had to take turns, supervising his project managers to ensure that they were on the same page. Regardless, there was one name and image constantly on his mind, Danica. He was supposed to see her today and he didn't intend to go late now that she knew who he was. Still, work took longer than he expected and it was late already. He wanted to call her to tell her he wouldn't be able to make it and that their meeting should be postponed to tomorrow but realized he hadn't given her phone access yet. Now, he had to communicate again through Paul but he felt it wasn't right. Suddenly, he wanted to keep their affairs private. He couldn't tell the reason for his sudden change but related it to the fact that he mistook her for Daniella the first time which made him slightly fearful at the time. But thinking deeper, he couldn't get the assurance of what he wanted for Danica. Her reason for being there was for the baby.

Whichever way, he couldn't prevent his mind from drifting towards her when he had a little time. He sat in his truck, which was the most convenient today because some of the field locations were muddy due to the heavy rain. He didn't change his field clothing since he was going to the mansion.

When Loney drove through the highway, he noticed a Toyota highlander at his posterior. He wasn't suspicious initially since he hadn't stepped on anyone's toes after Ray left. However, he realized that when slowed for the car to overtake, it wouldn't but would rather slow down too. His security nerves kicked in, automatically pressing the accelerator harder.

He realized as he sped that, the driver of the car behind him sped too, therefore, he unlocked the doors, pressed the brake instantly, opened the door and jumped out of the car. The driver of the car behind him didn't have time to halt, not having been able to predict it, and crashed into his car. Since it was late, the highway was quite lonely. Still, it would just be a matter of time before the police got there, thanks to the street cameras.

Loney wasn't going to let him off easily. He stood up and limped towards the Toyota highlander. He had sustained a few injures and was bleeding but much better than the driver who appeared dazed but was conscious. "Who sent you?" Loney roared, dragging him violently from the steering wheel to the floor. It wasn't the first time something like that happened. The man hit the floor with a thumb but he was still conscious. "Fuck you!" He yelled and spat out blood.

Loney balled his hand into a fist and punched his face, "I didn't hear that. Now who sent you?" the man shook his head, blood oozing from his nose. Dribs of pain caressed him, he wanted it to end. "Fuck you, Loney." When Loney realized that he wouldn't speak and he knew who he was, he wasn't ready to let go even when the police could be there at any point in time. He searched the man's pocket till his hand felt something hard and dangerous, a pistol. He pulled it out, "do you want to die just like that?" He pulled it and pointed it to his head.

The man shook with fear. He has a family and didn't want to die. "You will still kill me if I tell you. That's all you people do," he spat with no measure of regret in his voice.

"What if I tell you I won't?" Loney had no intention of killing him. He only wanted to know the one who sent him because he perceived the man before him to only be a pawn.

The man, for the sake of his family, decided to take a risk and trust Loney. "Mr Somo paid me to eliminate you."

Loney wanted to ask more questions but heard the police sirens from a distance. He pulled away from the man, sat back into his car, the side now damaged as a result of the accident. He sped at top speed, veered off the main road into a dark tunnel. The police couldn't trace him and arrested the man in the Toyota.

Danica was worried. From her conversation with Loney, she didn't expect that latter to hide anymore. It was almost midnight and he hadn't shown up. She woke Paul and made him call Loney around 10 pm bu the latter did not answer. Paul was unperturbed, knowing how his friend was and went back to sleep.

Danica went back to her bedroom and laid on her bed. Just as she was about to sleep, she heard movement. Since it was late and quiet, any little sound made twice as much noise. She went out of her room but didn't see anybody, not even the guards. Since Paul confirmed his alarm system to be on point, they didn't need to be awake anymore. Loney knew how to deactivate it to not wake anybody so he did so. However, the light to the living room went off immediately she stepped out.

Suspicion grew in her as she pressed the switch. There was no one there but just bloodstains on the floor. Her heart thumped in her chest. She wanted to call James or Mabel but thought otherwise. She took a mop since the servants were all asleep and began mopping the blood off the floor. She followed the trail of the blood up the stairs to a door, and a room she had never entered before. After mopping the blood in front of the door, she contemplated whether she should knock or just open the door.

She decided on the former and knocked gently. No voice was heard. She turned the knob and saw a few drops of blood on the floor but she was equally amazed at the interior of the room. It was nothing she had ever seen. At first, she thought her room was the most explicit but seeing this, hers felt outmoded. Loney's cologne exhumed the room and she feared that something terrible happened to him but worse of all, she feared that he was a murderer and killed someone, or he was a spy. Both options didn't seem too comforting to her.

She heard the sound of the shower and knew he was in the bathroom but she couldn't decide whether she should leave or stay and she wondered what would happen if he found out she was there. Both options didn't seem right. Therefore, she mopped the blood quickly and turned to leave. As soon as her hand touched the knob, a deep alluring voice sounded behind her, "wait..."

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