Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate
Chapter Seventy - Three

A smirk appeared in the corner of Loney's lips. Jones was smart. He was always a step ahead. "I will let her off on one condition."

Jones was ready to exchange his life for Daniella's therefore, he said, "I will do anything."

"20 years of your life for hers." Loney was deadpanned but Jones's mind was a mist.

"I don't understand."

Loney stared him in the eyes. "You will work for me for twenty years from now. You are still entitled to all benefits but you don't get to leave or resign till after the 20 years terms."

If the mist cleared from Jones's mind, then Loney wanted a longer service from him but what Loney didn't know was, Jones wanted it too. Loney's company was the best. The wages were top of the rank aside from fringe benefits and all. "I will sign a bond to it."

Loney's lips thinned. a smile stretching it. He knew the capabilities of his managers and Jones was one of the most outstanding. With people like that, he loved to keep them for a long term and since he has promised to take responsibility for Daniella, it will all be to his advantage. "There's something else I want you to do, but I'm not forcing you this time. In fact, you will beg me for it."

Jones frowned. "What is that?" Loney leaned a bit closer, whispered something in his ear. A smile sprawled on Jone's lips as he muttered, "Thank you."

********

After returning from his meeting with Loney, Jones felt light and satisfied, as Daniella was going to be moved to a general ward. He insisted they move her to a VIP ward instead. Since Danica was sleeping, Herty stayed with Daniella and so did Paul.

Paul observed the interaction between Jones and Herty. He couldn't help but think that probably, something was going on among those two. However, what happened later astonished him deeply. Jones made sure Daniella was comfortable after the nurse administered her IVs. "Herty, can you watch her tonight while I prepare the house?"

Herty frowned. She would have loved to and besides, she's never turned Jones down but, she had plans. Plans she wasn't willing to sacrifice. "I'm not available Jones, I'm sorry," she let out sheepishly to Jones's concussion.

"Why is that?"

Herty shrugged, her head turned to the side. "Well, I have a date with Paul tonight. So, I'm going home to have a good rest, sorry. But you can get professional help with getting the house ready. It's just a phone call away," she ended with a half-smile.

Jones was a bit surprised but Paul was rather thunderstruck. "Are you sure you want to go on a date with me?"

"Unless the invitation is closed," she rolled her eyes.

Paul was tight-lipped, a boyish grin decorated his features. "Well, it's still open but I won't guarantee to ever go to church with you."

To Herty's amazement, she wasn't offended. Rather she smiled and lifted her chin. "Who is talking about church? It's your loss anyway if you don't want to. As for me, I have a date tonight for as long as I know."

That said, she sauntered through the door but Paul followed her, amazed at her profound chick attitude. At least, he had to make sure she was safe.

Jones remained with Daniella. The latter was confused with his actions. "Why are you preparing the house you've always lived in?"

Jones sat on a chair beside her bed, paused thoughtfully for a minute and said, "because you are coming with me after you are discharged."

Daniella wasn't amused. She was ready to pay for her sins. "You heard Loney and he's right. I don't deserve to leave here alive."

Since Jones wasn't ready to let her in on the details, he casually said, "forget everything he said. Let me help with your food." He brought the soup to her and even fed her. All the more, Daniella's mind was fogged.

"Why are you being nice to me. You should hate me, especially after I disobeyed you."

"That isn't enough reason to hate you. Which isn't also to say that I endorsed it," he casually responded.

"You know what I've done. I'm horrible. Evil."

"I believe you," Jones calmly said.

Daniella was losing her mind. She couldn't understand him. "What?"

"Well, you are evil, if you accept that you are. We are not defined by the actions of our past but by the corrections of the future. I read about a man named Saul. He persecuted the Christians and killed prophets of God yet he had a repentant heart and became known as Paul. Not this Paul but Paul in the

Bible. He was also one of the greatest apostles to ever live."

Sure, Daniella recalled that story and she understood verbatim. "You believe that I will change?"

"I know that you will change. I will help you." He straightened her to a sitting position when she tried to lift herself.

"You don't have to pity me." It was the only thing Daniella could think of. What other reason would make him want to help her?

"I don't," he curtly said.

Daniella tensed. "I should disgust you then."

"No, you don't." His response was quick but his gaze was elsewhere.

"Prove it, Jones, prove to me that I don't disgust you."

Jones pinned his gaze on her. Only then did he realize that she had been shedding tears. It tore his heart but he didn't show it. He had mastered the art of self-control. "How do you want me to prove that to you?"

"You never touched me throughout the time I knew you yet you said you loved me. It wasn't in plain words but I understood." She sounded hurt.

"People understand love in different ways. I have my principles about love but love, if nurtured wrongly, can hurt so deeply, one might not recover."

"You think I will hurt you right?" Daniella could still not understand that Jones was too principled to take advantage of her body but how could she? That was all she had ever known and that was what she wanted.

"Stop overthinking Daniella. Have a

good rest." Jones stood up to leave. He knew what she wanted but he didn't want to do it therefore, staying any longer might make him lose control. He needed fresh air but Daniella must have misunderstood his actions.

"No. Please go. Just leave me alone."

"I won't." He tried to reach out to her but she stopped him. She was getting upset. If he loved her, why can't he show it?

"Please, just stay away from me. I'm disgusting. I'm evil."

"That is true but it doesn't change what I feel for you. I know that you will change. You will move in with me the moment you are discharged. I will help you, Daniella."

Daniella went berserk. she could only interpret Jones's actions to mean one thing. "The love you feel for me. I get it now. Just like those people you helped all the time, right? The ones at rehab? The shelter?"

"No, it's different." He paused. He was contemplating something and he seemed to be struggling internally. "I wanted to save this for the right time but I think you need it now."

"What?"

Jones didn't answer but his action

was enough proof. He moved strands of hair to the back of her ear and without warning, his soft lips captured hers. it was soft, gentle but it conveyed the right messages. Daniella's charge fizzled. Herfiimbs relaxed. Her heart was warmed. Her stomach felt like butterflies. His feet felt on the moon. One kiss was enough to convey everything Jones felt for her.

It was pure, unconditional love. He knew she was Daniella, Danica's evil twin with one left leg but he still loved her so much, he would give his life for hers.