Chapter 23 Amending the terms
When Loney arrived, he didn't go to his room but rather Danica's. He was slightly disappointed that she fell asleep but when he thought about the nights she had waited for him, hope flung him. He went to his room, set the alarm and slept for 2 hours. He woke up, dressed up and strode to Danica's room. It was dawn so most people weren't yet awake and so was Danica.
Nonetheless, he didn't leave. Instead, he sat on a chair facing the window, while he waited for her. Nothing was interesting to see since the mansion was underground. He was working on his iPad, sending an acceptance email to the presidency after confirming the design from his team. Even in his absence, they did a great job. Therefore, his mood was apprised.
It wasn't long before Danica woke up. The scent of Loney's cologne invaded her nostrils, abruptly invading her senses. She was startled, seeing Loney on the chair. His back was facing her. Hot flashes of nervousness devoured her at the thought that she had slept while he waited. 'Is he going to leave again?' It was already morning and she knew Loney never stayed till the rising of the sun.
Her greatest confusion was how to start a conversation with him. His aura was so domineering, her heart panged. Loney heard startling movements and knew Danica was awake but didn't immediately turn around. He waited for her to speak first, which only made it difficult for Danica. However, recalling her mission, she gathered up the courage. She cleared her throat. Her voice was quiet and gentle, "good morning,"
She waited but Loney didn't respond immediately. She felt that perhaps, he hadn't heard. She was about to speak again when she heard his deep alluring voice, "good morning." Her stomach did a flip. It was like a thousand butterflies jubilating in there. Loney didn't know whether to turn around or maintain his position. He anticipated that Danica was as nervous as he was.
Danica fidgeted, a shiver of cold air blew her mien. She clamped her hands together, her mind taking preparation steps towards her next question, "can I see your face?"
Loney's heart vibrated but he knew he couldn't avoid it anymore. Still, he wanted to hear her request. What if she changed her mind after knowing it was him? "Not yet," he curtly said. There was no warmth in his voice. Danica's tongue felt heavy but her inner strength was released. She wasn't going to give up easily, "why?"
Loney perceived an impending headache. He felt that the woman who closed his heart to other women was just behind him yet, he couldn't get close to her as he wanted. He couldn't have what he wanted now. He didn't mean to but his voice sounded rather cold. "Why did you request for me?"
Danica pursed her lips. She didn't know how to say it but it was now or never. "I...I want to make a proposal," she stammered. She stood up and ambled to the window at the end, the beautiful luxurious curtains giving her some needed comfort. She turned abruptly and uttered as fast as she could, not wanting to lose her courage, "It's about our pregnancy contract." Since Loney didn't interrupt her, she continued. "I think it's not working."
Loney had mixed feelings. Does she want to end the contract? Most probably she hasn't used the money. After all, she has no family.' The mere thought plunged him with extreme anticipation. His words glued in his throat, he hummed, "Mmmm."
Danica's anxiety escalated. Loney spoke few words, it scared her. She's never met a man like him. Every man she met was nice and outgoing therefore, she didn't know how to speak casually. Nevertheless, her burning desire for everything to end would not let her give up. "I want us to bend the rules a bit because I have already spent three months with nothing to show forth. You have already paid me 50% yet, I haven't fulfiled my part."
Danica paused in awkward silence. She was the only one doing the talking and she tried to speak as fast as she could, so she doesn't bow to her anxiety. Loney wasn't making it any easier for the sake of his fears, "speak," his voice carried the same iciness, Danica shivered.
To find courage, she saw Loney as the devil. She wasn't afraid of the devil so why should she fear him? "I don't know how to say it but I want us to increase the number of times we meet." The words plucked out of her mouth like they were forced.
Loney couldn't hide his awe. A cold wave of relief washed him, a thin smile forming on the corners of his mouth, "what?" He understood exactly what Danica meant yet, he wanted to know if she was certain.
Danica felt like a fish out of water. She was choked by the air around her with Loney's short questions. she wondered why they couldn't have a normal conversation. Loney's words made her uneasy. Yet, she recalled that night when she was awake, even when she couldn't see his face in the dark. He didn't just have sex with her like it was for a baby. He took his time to pleasure her and gave her satisfaction. Therefore, she perceived that it wasn't shameful to speak about sex with him. "I mean we should meet like 3 - 4 times a week."
There was a long pause, as she waited in anticipation. 'Won't he say anything?' Danica's uneasiness grew, her legs felt numb she strode to sit on the bed, then froze at the sound of his deep voice, "be specific."
Danica gently stamped her feet in frustration. Why was he doing this? Loney seemed to enjoy what he was doing. "4 times," she said. An awkward silence filled the room with Loney in deep thought. He knew that there was no way he could continue playing his games. He also wanted the child but could he stand letting her go after he had the child? The thought pattern gave him a throbbing headache, his lips curled, "ok."
There was another moment of awkward silence. Loney had received an email and had to leave immediately. He stood up from his chair and turned to the door. The moment he took a step, Danica recalled his promise and yelled, "Wait!" He halted but didn't turn his head in her direction. "Hmmm," he hummed.
Danica couldn't continue to live in anticipation of a faceless man coming to her room 4 times a week. She gathered her last courage and said, "you promised to let me see your face."
Loney stiffened for a few seconds. He was a man of his words therefore, he had to face the unexpected. No matter what, it was bound to happen. He turned to face her. Danica caught sight of those grey eyes. A towel of familiarity mocked her. Her brain went into reverse and she recalled that morning at the hotel. The pores of the skin opened, letting outgushes of hot sweat. She opened her mouth to speak but her tongue was heavy. Still, one word broke out, "you?"
Loney expected the worse and rather appeared unfazed. It seemed to Danica that he was heartless but he wasn't. He knew how to wrap up his insecurities and not let them show. He didn't know that Danica was referring to the hotel. He thought she recalled him from college and asked, "does your proposal still hold?"
Danica was hurt. She perceived that Loney was doing this on purpose. She could understand that he changed the rules on purpose but what was his reason? She wanted to know. "Why are you doing this?"
Loney was unremorseful. His voice was stern as he asked, "why did you fake your death, Daniella? And why do you pretend to not know me?"