Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate
Chapter Forty - Three

Loney ignored her and went back to work. It took longer than expected but just as he was about rounding up, a silhouette walked into the office, clad in red accessories. Red designer bags, red stilettos and red phone casing. Loney was beginning to have a headache but decided to be a man. "Jasmine?" His awed voice needed confirmation before anything else.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten Danica's presence in his office, his voice drew her attention from her phone. The name rang a loud bell in her ears, they piqued her interest. She hadn't seen the person yet but lifted her head to meet Loney's gaze, which was focussed on the door. Surprisingly, Jasmine wasn't alone. She was waiting for someone when she stood at the door.

Loney let out a deep breath when he saw a familiar figure joining her at the door. Hand in hand, they walked towards him.

"You must be surprised but my dad knows everything about you so it wasn't hard to get your office location," Jasmine smiled as she said, carrying a sophisticated glow. She hadn't seen Danica since the latter sat on the sofa opposite Loney's desk. She lowered her eyes back to her phone but her attention somehow was on Loney's conversation with this visitor.

"Oh, I should have known. So, to what do I owe this visit?" He said, his gaze settling on Tyron, as he acknowledged in his usual deep voice, "hi, Tyron right?"

Danica was relieved to see another person accompanying the female. She recalled the name of spoiled brat vividly but was somewhat slightly intimidated by her boldness. She walked as if she owned the office space, even when she glared with admiration.

"Yes, you got the name right," Tyron responded, taking a good glance at his rival. He deciphered how obsessed Jasmine was and still is with Loney, but she agreed to love him even when he hadn't told her he was the son of the vice president of France. His reason for coming to Mexico City was to replace love, which was Jasmine.

"I have good news for you," Jasmine stated matter of factly to Loney, the latter's eyes drifting to an engagement ring on her ring finger. Instantly, he felt his biggest burden lifted, a smile invading his features as his gaze held Danicas'. She lowered her eyes abruptly, Loney couldn't read her expression.

He moved his gaze to Jasmine, "let me guess, you two are engaged?" He beckoned the pair to the expensive chairs in front of him.

"Yes, and we are leaving for France tonight," Jasmine lowered herself in a ladylike manner, her red skirt pulling up slightly, exposing her white flawless thighs when her butts touched the softness of the chair. Loney's lips stretched comfortably into a full-blown smile, "what can I say, congratulations to you both," he said genuinely. Now, he could spend as much time as he wanted with Danica. The thought turned to admiration towards Jasmine. It's the best news he has ever heard from her but his joy was short-lived when she made her demand.

"Well, we still have three days before our deal ends but I'm going to let you off on one condition," she put on a sweet smile, Danica frowned, staring at her exposed thighs as she listened to their conversation. "What is that?" Loney asked sceptically, a frown distorting his features. He should have known that when he hadn't heard from Jasmine, she was probably cooking up something ridiculous and wished she would just disappear.

"That you say goodbye with a hug. A genuine one. Don't fake it. I mean, I don't know when I will ever see you again. I might be getting married but it doesn't mean that I got over you," she said truthfully. Tyron shifted uncomfortably. Even Though he knew, he couldn't help feeling jealous of Loney for having such a huge place in Jasmine's heart but he would wash out all traces of Loney from Jasmine's mind as soon as they arrived in France. Jasmine noticed Tyrons' discomfort and said,

"Don't worry Tyron, he made it clear from the onset. We can never be together but it will take time for me to get him out of my heart completely, I hope you understand," she let out a sweet smile. Tyron didn't want to understand but he returned her smile and said, "Of course, which is why the trip will help too. Trust me, I will make you forget him."

Jasmine didn't respond to his words because she knew he truly loved her and she was determined to make their marriage work. Somehow, she needed the distraction too but she couldn't help letting everything go without a feel of Loney arms on her even if it was the last time.

Loney lowered his head in deep thought. He gazed in Danica's direction with uncertainty. It was as if he wanted to ask for her permission but not getting eye contact from her, he did the needful.

He stood up from his executive swivel chair with a stride and stopped beside Jasmine. With a deep breath, he extended his hand to her, and she took it stunned, mesmerized at Loney, as he pulled her up and before she realized what was happening, his arms wrapped tightly around her with his eyes shut.

Jasmine tightened her embrace and immersed herself in it. His expensive cologne engulfed her nostrils, she flourished in his unique scent. "Thank you," Loney muttered a few seconds later, as he broke from the hug and went back to his seat. He lowered himself in it just in time to meet Danica's unreadable gaze.

Jasmine was still in a daze. Loney's embrace was calming and warm, she wished it would last forever. Her lips thinned in satisfaction, as she grabbed Tyron by the arm, "we have to go now," she muttered. Tyron nodded and wrapped his arms around her waist, just as his eyes caught her teary ones. She was struggling to hold it in because she couldn't bear to see it fall. Together with Tyron, they turned to walk out before she caught sight of Danica.

With blurry eyes, she said, "Hi, I didn't see you when I walked in. Are you...'

"A surrogate," Loney blurted before Danica could respond. "She's my surrogate," he clarified.

Jasmine stared at Danica with an unreadable expression. She wished love to be in Danica's shoes at the moment. Carrying Loney's child would have been her best accomplishment. Since she knew Loney to be gay, she thought it natural that he would have a child by this means and never gave it much consideration.

"A beautiful one at that. Lucky you," she said to Danica, earning a smile from her as she added, "any success yet?"

"I will say, it's too early to be confident."

Again, Loney responded before Danica could open her mouth.

"I understand. I just never thought you would be one to want a family. But your secret is safe with me, all the best." She said, turned to Tyron and began walking out the door. "Thank you," Loney said after her, just as the door closed.

"Why did you tell her I was your surrogate?" Danica couldn't help asking afterwards. She could only take bits and pieces of their conversation which she couldn't plough together but never found it necessary. "Would you rather I call you my girlfriend?" Loney teased her.

"It's not that, it just sounds weird," Danica uttered, her cheeks turning into a light shade of red.

"Same here. It sounds weird but you don't want me as your boyfriend right?" Loney pinned his eyes on her as he asked. He was getting desperate, especially knowing that he couldn't put his hands on her again unless she was his girlfriend or agreed to be his wife. For as long as he was concerned, the second part of the contract had ended. He was a man of his words.

"It's complicated," Danica forced the words out of her mouth.

"Then let's make it simple, Danica," her name sounded alluring on his tongue, Danica felt her stomach flutter.

"There's something I need to tell you but it's a long story. If you still want me after that, then I will accept your proposal," Danica hinted. She missed Loney too. She wanted his arms around her, his lips on her skin but she had to tell him the truth first yet, Loney was impatient.

"I'm all ears, tell me now," he insisted, giving Danica his full attention.

Danica felt flattered. Another woman, beautiful to the core, just left his office after begging for just a hug from him yet he was ready to give himself to her and she still couldn't accept it. She wondered how many other women out there threw themselves at Loney.

"You have so much on your desk, Loney. I promise to tell you everything as soon as we get home but what secret is she keeping for you?" She forced herself to ask, thinking that Loney wouldn't answer the question.

Regardless, Loney stunned her. "I told her I'm gay," he abruptly said. Danica jerked with laughter, just as Loney joined her, laughing their hearts out. It occurred to him that he hadn't laughed this way in a very long time. The laughter died down when a knock vibrated behind the door.

"Come in," Loney said, knowing it was Marie. Marie entered with the packs of food Loney had told her to order. Danica was uncomfortable. "I have..."

"Don't worry about allergies, I made sure to mention it while placing the order," Loney said, clearing her fears.

Danica relaxed on the sofa, gazing admiringly at Loney. A few minutes later, Marie set the food in front of Danica, her expression was questionable but no one paid heed to her. She wanted some answers but got none.

"Will you need anything else?" She asked Loney who in turn, asked Danica, "Do you need something else?"

"No, thank you," she said dismissively, not catching the agitation in Marie's expression. The latter left the room unsettled. Did her boss replace a woman already? The thought of it filled her with envy. Danica was grateful that Loney considered her allergies and even though the food didn't taste so great as it would if she had made them, she didn't complain. they ate in comfortable silence, with deep admiration.

Loney worked for a few more hours after they finished their meal before finally closing his laptop. It was past midday when he left the office with Danica the same way they came in. During their drive through town, Loney suddenly stopped at the mall. "Why don't we do some shopping?" He asked Danica.

"Okay, but let's check the kids store first," Danica suggested. Loney agreed. They went to the newborn session, even though there were already newborn items in her room as Loney had formerly purchased but she was still drawn to that session, picking up a few toys. Then they moved to the toddlers' session. Loney picked a beautiful toddler dress. "How do you know if it's a boy or girl?" Danica knitted her brow and asked.

Loney shrugged, "we can give it out if it turns out to be a boy," Loney countered. The dress was just too beautiful to let go and he was always attracted to beautiful things. Danica instantly thought of those underprivileged children, a smile creeping onto her face. "Of course," she smiled. If she doesn't give birth to a girl, she could give it to the less privileged.

They shopped and shopped till Danica got tired. Loney made the payment at the counter while a shop attendant helped them with the items in a trolley. Naturally, Loney held the door for Danica to step out but she seemed to have bumped into something or perhaps, someone.

"Sorry," she muttered but didn't get a response. She felt the person was rude but felt uncomfortable when she realized that Loney had stiffened behind her and lifted her head to meet a pair just like her. "Danica?" The familiar voice echoed just as Danica froze. "Daniella?"