Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate
Chapter Thirty - Six

Danica's eyes glued Loney's back, as he walked through the door. She wished he would stay but ever since knowing what he did for a living, she couldn't bring herself to be selfish. She might not be an engineer but she guessed how demanding it could be and didn't want to come between him and his job.

Doctor Jeff gave her some IV and vitamins before discharging her. As Paul drove her home, she slept throughout the journey. Mabel's worried voice met her at the door as soon as they arrived. "What happened? Are you pregnant?"

Danica couldn't understand Mabel's direct ways but she also enjoyed the woman's presence as a smile formed on the corners of her lips, "I don't know Mabel, Dina will be here in a week to take sample. Every test showed negative even though the gynaecologist thinks I'm pregnant," she confided.

Mabel wrapped her arms comfortingly around Danica. "It happens. Everyone's body is just different. But I'm very sure you are pregnant so you have to rest well and from now onwards, I'll do the cooking, just the way you like it," she assured.

Danica enjoyed talking to Mabel but all her body wanted at this moment was to be in the comfort of her bed. "Thank you, Mabel but I want to sleep."

"You can sleep all you want but you have to eat first. Here, sit, I will get you something to eat." Mabel said, leading Danica to the dining room.

"What about me?" Paul expressed, feeling completely ignored by the two women as he followed suit.

"Stop being a baby Paul, let the pregnant woman eat first," Mabel snarled.

"I'm not yet pregnant," Danica helplessly said and turned to Paul. She was about to say something when Mabel began dishing out the food and said, "Oh, you'll see it soon. I know you are." Danica shook her head, ignored Mabel's optimism and said to Paul, "thank you." Paul nodded slightly. He understood the reason for Danica's apology.

*******

The back of Jasmine's eyes burned as tears threatened to fall, just as she was about to speak, thinking about taking Jane's advice, she saw a familiar figure. Her heart did a flip at the way Loney carried himself. His graceful steps with those slender legs, his parted lips as if begging for a kiss. The frown on his face as if he hated everyone else except her made her stomach giddy.

"There!" She yelled and took fast strides towards Loney. Naturally, Loney wrapped her arms around her waist as a way of faking their relationship but before he could utter a word, Jasmine's lips had swallowed his. Loney froze for a moment, forcing himself to relax at the cheers of laughter that followed. They were in the eyes of the public. He took a deep breath and tried to relax.

The calm he skillfully produced on the outside could not cool his insides. His boiling rage scorched him internally. How could Jasmine do this? Worst of all, the lights from the cameras. Photographers were taking pictures and Loney knew that these pictures were going to be circulated on the front page of newspapers the next day. Suddenly his head felt too heavy for him to carry.

Jasmine has always loved to be in the limelight in contrast to Loney. It took everything in him to swallow the bitter words he wanted to spill at that moment, forcing down a smile instead, as his mind travelled to Danica.

They strode to the centre of the party and Jasmine clung on Loney to his dismay. She was so glued to him, he didn't know how to unglue her without causing a scene. Sadly, he decided to succumb to the torture and hurry his way out. Excitedly, Jasmine took the microphone from Barbie and gave it to Loney.

Loney could feel an impending headache as he tried to think up something to say. "It's a pleasure having you around to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday." The sound of my girlfriend on his lips made Jasmine have goosebumps, her face turning red like pepper. She wanted to have him there and then but found her self control.

She kept mind fucking Loney, not knowing when he finished speaking and was still in a daze. However, as they clapped and cheered, Tyron was jealous. He didn't perceive that Jasmine would replace someone better than him.

He walked over to Loney and nudged him as a way of greeting. Loney frowned in return, his features hard. Tyron found it offensive. "Hey man, loosen up. You think you are better than some of us?" He tried to embarrass Loney.

Loney remained unfazed and calculated. "Who are you?" His icy tone took over. Tyron retreated a bit but bounced back. Loney was just a young man. He couldn't be a big shot right? However, Jasmine didn't like Tyron's sudden aggressive behaviour and wondered where he left his new girlfriend before trying to cause a scene. Thinking through it, she decided to move Loney away. She wrapped her arm around his and said, "he isn't important. Let me introduce you.."

"Why Jasmine? Ashamed of letting him know that we once dated? Come on, what is so special about him?" Tyron's deep voice cut through her shrill one. Loney wasn't a relationship expert but he could understand everything ongoing. For now, he would take care of this forsaken one, and make Jasmine happy like he promised the governor. He wrapped his arm around her waist while staring daggers at Tyron and said, "It's a party, have fun and enjoy yourself." He began walking away with Jasmine in his arms, instantly halting to mocking laughter from Tyron.

"Oh, just a good looking guy feeding on her money right?" Loney clenched his jaw. He never wanted anything that reminded him of his past bullies. His teeth were gritted as he said, "Listen, young man, I'm too busy for child's play." His voice was deep, fearless and powerful, Tyron felt both powerless and intimidated. He couldn't accept it. "Yes, you think you are better than me. Than all of us. Tell us now, who are you?" He raged in fury, trying to make Loney look bad.

However, Loney decided to ignore him. Thanks to Tyron, he was able to unglue himself from Jasmine but she gripped his hand shakily and whispered, "he can be trouble."

Loney scoffed, just as a group of businessmen marched up to them. Tyron lifted his hand to throw a blow but Loney caught it in midair without looking. The sight made observers gape as they kept wondering who he was. It seemed to them that Jasmine had a good reason for dumping Tyron because they saw Tyron to be undisciplined and irresponsible.

"Rule number one, behave yourself at my girlfriend's party or I'll have you thrown out," Loney spoke calmly but each word was accompanied with pain for Tyron, as his grip continued to tighten around the latter's arm. It hurt so bad he wanted to scream but endured for the sake of not looking ridiculous in front of the guests. He couldn't bear to make a fool of himself. When Loney realized he had cooled down, he asked, "do I make myself clear?"

Reluctantly, Tyron nodded in the affirmative. Loney dropped his hand instantly. "You look familiar. Did I see you at the presidency? You are the one who got the contract for the secret passage without bidding, aren't you?" One of Jasmine's father's friends, a middle-aged man asked as he strode towards Loney.

His question shook the interest of the other billionaires who came around and engaged Loney in a chat. Somehow, Jasmine felt invisible and walked to her friends. Music played softly in the background and Loney was amazed. He expected Jasmine to throw a wild kind of party with loud music and irresponsible youth drinking and dancing their heads out but he was met with a more sophisticated and classy one.

If not for her behaviour and clinginess, Loney would have rated her as a decent lady. Soon, the birthday party turned into a business party. The ladies drank and chatted among themselves while the men sipped wine and talked business.

Loney would never have known how some of these businessmen struggled. They applied for contracts and got rejected. Loney never applied but was called. However, instead of envies, they were filled with admiration because Loney was ready to let out his secret for success. "Don't think about what you will gain from a contract but rather, how you can be remembered." With that slogan, he ensured to work beyond expectation, leaving no room for mediocre minds.

Soon, it was time to cut the cake and Loney had to endure another clinging torture. Regardless, he didn't intend to stay any longer after that session. He stood lovingly by Jasmine, as she drove a knife through the large cake. As if recalling something, he dipped his hand into his breast pocket and brought out a wrapped item.

"Here, happy birthday," He forced a smile at Jasmine.

"Thank you," Jasmine returned his smile, unwrapping the gift. She gaped in amazement at the content. It was the most dazzling necklace. Naturally, Loney wore it for her, matching her black glistening long one hand dress.

The feel of Loney's fingers as they touched her skin made her stomach flutter. Ladies were jealous, guys watched in admiration. Only if they knew how his insides boiled with every movement.

However, he still forced himself to plant a soft kiss on her cheek as he whispered, "I have to leave now."

Jasmine's face turned red with disappointment. She wanted Loney to stay till the end. "But.."

"I almost forgot. I got this for you," Loney said, as he showed his hand into his suit pocket. He brought out something like a card and gave it to her. She started at the card with both excitement and flatter. "A gift voucher? But you already gave me a gift."

"This is for you and your friends. Go anywhere, have fun, purchase anything you want. It's unlimited," Loney explained. He knew that shopping and having fun will take Jasmine away from him for some time to get a breathing space but Jasmine didn't want that. She wanted to be him. Yet, before she could oppose, her friends had already joined her.

"What? Did he say unlimited?" Barbie's eyes widened as she asked.

"Jasmine, your boyfriend is such a romantic," Lindsay complimented. Her father, one of the politicians, had put her on a tight budget so, she didn't enjoy as much luxury as her friends therefore, she wanted this so bad.

With their interference, Loney had made his way out of the events hall. Yet, he was expecting Jasmine to follow him, which she stupidly did. "Excuse me, I'll be right back," she said to her friends, who were still amazed at how amazing Loney was.

Jasmine followed Loney till he got to his car and sat in the passenger seat. "Thank you," she said, leaning closer to Loney.

"You are welcome. I will see you in three days but first, don't ever pull a staunch like that again," Loney warned her but just as expected, she didn't understand the meaning of Loney's words. "What? What did I do?" She blinked like she was wrongly accused.

Loney composed himself thoughtfully and said, "rule number one. Do not kiss me without permission. Rule number two. It's my duty to initiate skin contact when I see the need to and not the other way round. I will see you in three days so make sure you don't call me before that time," be completed, his voice firm as his eyes bored into hers.

"But.." She was about to speak when she saw Loney's phone lit up. Curiosity moved her hands to pick the phone on the dashboard but Loney beat her to it and said, "Lastly, you don't touch my phone without my permission. Do I make myself clear?" He knotted his brow and asked.

"But.." She was about to argue but Loney cut her off.

"I said, do I make myself clear?" This time, his voice hinted warning. Jasmine couldn't understand how he changed all of a sudden from the warm protective boyfriend to the mean and distant man she was experiencing now but it only increased her respect and admiration towards him. She nodded humbly and said,

"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