Chapter 29 I have something to tell you
"No. He will never find out. As soon as I have the child, I will relocate. That way, I'm safe and Daniella will also be safe," Danica comforted herself. Regardless, Herty was more prudent this time and said, "Danica, I think you are playing with fire."
"I think not. He will never know." Danica was adamant. After all, there was no way Loney would ever find Daniella. For as long as he inferred, she was dead and her death certificate was proof enough.
"But what if he does? What if he finds out the truth?" Herty was disturbed as she asked.
Danica bit her lower lip in deep thought, "what if he loves her? What happens to me then? He might not even want me to bear his child," she facepalmed the minute the words left her mouth and turned teary but Herty had already seen through her.
"Is there more to this Danica? Do you love him? Tell me the truth," her voice was calm. She had never been in such a situation but she couldn't help feeling pity for her friend.
"There is just something about him that keeps me thinking about him all the time. I know it's wrong but I can't help it," she admitted.
"So you love him but you are afraid that perhaps he loves Daniella and would leave you when he finds her?" Herty asked thoughtfully, sympathy lacing her words. No trace of her being judgemental. It was a case of genuine concern.
Danica nodded, "precisely."
There was a brief silence. Both were engrossed in deep thought. "Supposing you have the child, your contract ends, then what next?" Herty's worried voice cut through the silence. She was trying to remind Danica that either way, everything will be over when she takes seed but Danica seemed to have it all planned.
"At least I will have a blood connection to the child. Even if I don't see him after, I will have satisfaction, knowing that he has a part of me with him. I don't just want to have the child because of the contract. I want to make him happy," Danica earnestly said, lighting up bitterness in Herty. Someway, she thought Danica was being selfish but now, she was certain that Danica was insane. For as long as she surmised, Danica might get hurt. "I see you even sacrificed your salvation and sense of reasoning."
Danica was negligibly queasy. She wasn't superhuman and just like every girl, she had a weakness but who wouldn't fall for Loney's allure? Even if he was cold, there was still a jerk of attraction emanating from him. Perhaps Herty could only understand if she met Loney. "Why are you being so judgemental? I'm I the first Christian to backslide? God forgave David so why can't he forgive me?" Danica tried to justify her actions.
Still, Herty didn't register her support for Danica's decision. She couldn't tell if she would ever be allowed to see Danica again till she gave birth therefore, she was determined to help her to make the right decision before anything else. "God is ready to forgive you but do the right thing, Danica, tell him the truth."
Danica was about to speak when the door pushed open and standing at the entrance was Paul, "Hello girls, it's time. It's getting late and the journey takes a few hours," he announced.
Danica swallowed a lump in her throat as tears formed in the corner of her eyes. It was good letting out everything she bottled up inside. She felt good speaking with Herty even though the latter did not agree on her decisions but she was still grateful that she came and now that she had to go, Danica's heart sank. "We shall speak again Herty, I will think about all that you have advised."
Herty only nodded, her eyes meeting Paul's. She swallowed the rest of her words since Paul was standing there and strode to the door. "Hey, isn't that dress too long?" Paul said to Herty. His voice seethed umbrage, Herty felt offended.
"I like it and do you have a problem with it?" She asked a bit harshly. Paul realized his mistake and said, "well, I just think a little trim would do." Herty frowned but didn't say a word. When she was about to walk through the door, James said, "but can I take you on a date sometime?"
Danica let out a wry laugh as Herty responded, "sure, we have all night worship on Fridays. You are welcome to attend with me."
Paul's face dropped. "Oh, I see. A religious fanatic," he taunted.
Herty took offence but somehow, she was beginning to get used to Paul's personality. "I'm a Christian, not a religious fanatic. Just get me out of here."
Danica ushered Herty to the door and returned to the bed. Everything Herty said rang deeply in her mind. She knew Herty was right and she felt guilty keeping a secret but she couldn't help it. She waited in anticipation, hoping that she could find the courage to tell Loney everything. She went to bed drenched in her thoughts.
Loney woke up in his hotel room. Abruptlyedly, he thought about getting another house, instantly washing out the thought. He feared his enemies might go to the extent of planting a bomb in his house if they found out.
Different hotels were the best. Since it was commercial, his moves were unpredictable to his enemies. Despite all the threats, he was still accepting the biggest contracts that came with the most deadly locations. He only had one rule, he had nothing to lose but neither was he ready to make it any easy on his enemies.
He felt the need to speak with Danica. Even when he was supposed to see her tonight, he wanted to hear her voice. Therefore, he decided to get her a phone. Since the project managers were doing great with all the contracts, he thought of going earlier to the mansion. That way, he could spend a longer time with Danica. He intended to make a surprise appearance during supper.
However, he wasn't the only one missing someone. Danica was missing him too. When his phone lit up with James' name, his expression darkened. He feared bad news but he answered it anyway, for anxiety that it might involve Danica.
"Loney, she wants to speak with you," Paul said as soon as Loney answered the call. Loney didn't have to ask who. He already knew. "Okay."
"Hi, I just want to know the time you will come," Danica's soft voice rang at the end of the call. He got mesmerized by the voice and paused for a while before he responded, "I will be there soon."
Danica's face lit up instantly at the sound of his voice, her stomach flipped in excitement. "Please don't eat out okay? I will make something for you."
Loney frowned, then smiled, "is there a special celebration going on?"
Danica sighed, "you will see when you get here."
"Okay," Loney said and ended the call.
When Danica gave the phone to Paul, she felt her stomach giddy. She liked the feel of blood cruising through her veins when she spoke with Loney. She was going to cook something special for him but she was also going to spill the beans. She went still at the thought.
Loney was just about to leave the office when he received a call. There was an emergency in one of the fields and his presence was needed. Quickly, he left the office. When he arrived at the scene, he was frantic. One of his men had fallen off a scaffold. His head was smashed and there was no trace of life. Strangely, no one had called an ambulance. Loney's fury gradually dissipated when he smelt foul play.
He squatted beside the corpse, dipped his finger into the pool of blood and licked it. There were disgusting frowns on the faces of his workers who began to suspect that he was a vampire but a decrepit smile crept onto his features. The substance on the floor tasted sweet. He examined the corpse, realizing it was a silicon dummy made to look exactly like a man. Instantly he suspected the culprit to be among them.
"Tell security to lock up everywhere," he ordered the project manager.
"Done, sir," the project manager, Mr Barley reported after a few minutes. "Good, enact a roll call to see if everyone here is on your contact list." Mr Barley got to business immediately, mentioning the names on their list, one by one. Those called were moved to one side. Twenty-six people so far with two people standing. Their names were not on the list. His workers began to look at him like some good because, while they, filled with terror, couldn't decipher, Loney did it in just a few minutes.
"Who are you?" Mr Barely questions the two unregistered men.
"I was only supposed to deliver. The one who paid me was not the sender. I think everything you need should be in the dummy," one of the two men said. He had a stern look.
"Why didn't you leave after your delivery?" Mr Barley asked. Since the man had outrightly confessed, she held nothing against him.
"I had to make sure that everything was well done," the man explained in their dress and shoes.
"Call the cops," Loney roared.
After the security whipped the man away to wait for the corps, Loney went into deep thoughts. He realized that the men hid behind the numbers and orchestrated the whole plan but who sent them? From the looks of it, it wasn't Ray so who was it?
It wasn't hard for Loney to get a clue. There was a note stuffed in the dummy as the man had said. Loney opened and read. The message was simple. "Stay away." He passed the note to Gideon for investigation. Suddenly, he recalled his promise to Danica and said, "It's enough for today. Clean up this mess and go home. Tomorrow, we shall know what to do."
His workers began to disperse by this message. When he got to the mansion, it was an hour to midnight. Everyone was asleep including Danica. Except for the fact that she was well dressed. She even put on little makeup and laid on the sofa. Guilt washed Loney. At least, he should have called to inform her about the turnout of events without any details.
As he tried to carry her to her room. Her eyes snapped open. "You came," she forced a smile
Loney was expressionless, "I told you I would."
Danica stood from the sofa, "let me warm the food. It must be cold by now," she headed to the dining room. Loney followed softly behind her. Seeing he had already disturbed her sleep, he didn't want to worry her any further. "Don't bother. I will eat as it is."
Danica was stunned but didn't argue. She served the dish, sat opposite Loney and watched in amazement, as Loney ate the food she made. There was a little smile in the corner of his lip the whole time and when he finished, he said, "Thank you. It's delicious." Danica recalled Gertrude's words and being wiped with remorse, she said, "I have something to tell you.