Chapter 46 Too late to seek jones' help
Jones sat back on the sofa, ran his hands through his messed up black hair and said, "I too had a life before meeting Christ. I wasn't always like this."
Herty's eyes popped in curiosity like a ball, "Ray is my uncle. My late father's older brother. He manipulated my father to carry drugs for him and when my father wanted out because of me, he set him up," Jones said. There was a long pause. Herty was bewildered. This wasn't what she expected but it was also a great revelation.
"My father wanted a better life for me so he told Ray he couldn't work for him anymore but before he let him out, he made him carry one last confinement. It was a setup and my innocent father fell for it. Ray threatened to either kill him or I would replace him. I agreed to replace my father because he already had underlying health conditions. I was only twelve but my father died a few months later and Ray would not let me go. I served him for nine more years. He made me do things that I regret everyday."
"He would hire me for some rich sugar mummies like I was a commodity and those evil women never cared that I was underage. When I was eighteen, he would force me to sleep with young girls as he did. He molested them terribly. The day I escaped, I set most of the girls free and stole most of his drugs in confinements. They are still well hidden. I will use them as evidence against him in the court of law."
Herty swam in disbelief. "You went through all that?" She asked, not hiding her shock.
Jones nodded in the affirmative and said, "but I promised myself after that day, that the only woman I will get intimate with ever again will be my wife. That's why for ten years now, I've never touched any woman but the word of God made it easy. The Bible sided with my decision and I prayed every day that God will help me to destroy Ray and expose him. I am close. I know that he's broke now so he started threatening our CEO." He paused, a smirk forming in the corner of his lips. Then he continued,
"Unfortunately for him, that man Loney isn't one to mess with. He.."
"Loney is your boss?" Herty abruptly cut in before Jones completed his sentence.
"Yes, why?" Jones asked suspiciously.
Herty swallowed hard, pursed her lips and said, "Danica is his surrogate.."
Jones was in a daze. He never expected it. "That's new. I didn't see him as one to want a family. He only cared about money and power or maybe that's what he made us see. How is that even possible?" He asked, confused.
"Danica doesn't know much about him. She said she only knows his name but he is a good man."
"Yes, but with a terrible temper," Jones added.
"That is also true, which is why he won't give Danica a chance to explain her reason for lying to him about being a twin to protect Daniella. So when he found out.."
"He flared?" Jones countered with a question. Herty nodded. "Typical. I've seen him a few times because I manage one of the branches for him. It's just recently that pictures circulated of him and the governor's daughter dating," James revealed. No one knew a lot about Loney aside from his work.
However, Herty was shocked to the core and felt pity for Danica. How could she fall blindly for Loney? "You mean he has a girlfriend?"
"That's what the media says. Her name is Jasmine. You should have told me the truth from the beginning. Danica wouldn't have been a surrogate to get money for her sister. I would have handled Ray because I have someone who steals the majority of his confinements and that is why he is broke. You girls should stop keeping secrets. It only destroys people," Jones concluded, disheartened.
"So what do we do now?"
Danica woke up earlier than usual. Not even her pregnancy hormones could make her sleep at a time like this. She went to knock on Loney's door severally without getting a response. Paul stepped in midway.
"He's gone, Danica. He left last night."
His words felt like a blow to Danica, she staggered a little. "But, I have to speak with him. When will he be back?" She hopefully asked.
"I don't know. You should have known by now that he is quick-tempered," Paul sympathized, taking in Danica's features. He couldn't ask what happened but her sunken eyes and pale features were enough to let him know that whatever happened must have hurt her deeply, as much as Loney.
"But I have to see him," Danica insisted. She wasn't one to give up, neither did she want to force herself. She just wanted to be heard.
"I'm afraid that isn't possible," Paul carefully said.
Danica was broken. She tried to think up something. "If you see him, let him know that I can't eat or sleep if I don't see him and it's not healthy for his baby. I just want him to hear me out and I will respect his decision."
Paul froze. He knew that starving was one of Danica's greatest weapons but also feared it wasn't going to work this time. "I will tell him but you should eat," be tried to encourage her.
"I'm sorry Paul, don't have the appetite," Danica dismissively said. She turned around, went to her room and locked the door. Mabel called over and over but Danica wouldn't answer. She locked herself in her room.
While they tried to get Danica out to eat, Daniella had made her way to the dining room with the help of the maids and ate the nutritious food prepared for Danica. She didn't bother to check on her sister and went back to her room, watching tv and waiting for Loney's return to the mansion.
It was past midday and Danica hadn't eaten, nor had she drank water. Mabel couldn't take it any longer. She barged into Paul's room. Paul was having a nap but was instantly awoken by the presence of the plump middle-aged woman.
"Take me to the master," she commanded. Worry overshadowing her sense of judgement.
"What? You want to get fired?" Paul lifted himself to a sitting position as he asked.
"Better get fired than reprimanded. A pregnant woman isn't eating and that is a big deal," Mabel sternly said.
"He isn't answering my calls either, what would you have me do?" Paul facepalmed.
"Take me to his office or wherever he is," Mabel instructed.
Paul shook his head, "you know he hates for his privacy to be invaded and now that he is in a bad mood..."
"I don't care, Off we go. The day cannot end without her eating something. Remember she didn't have supper last night too," Mabel cut him off.
Paul ran his hand through his hair. "I'm just wondering why her sister isn't with her."
"Let's get the master first," Mabel countered, ignoring his question.
Paul was powerless. He drove Mabel to Loney's office amidst fear and anticipation. He worried about what Loney might do but he also knew how much Loney wanted a baby therefore, it wasn't good to endanger the life of his child.
When they got to the underground car park of Hubert Engineering tower, Paul thought to rather speak with Loney first and Mabel agreed, giving him just thirty minutes before she agreed to wait behind.
Paul got into the elevator, thinking about the best way to convince Loney to come back. "Is Loney in there?" Paul asked Marie, Loney's secretary, who was busy with something on her laptop.
She lifted her head to meet Paul's gaze. "Yes, but you don't have an appointment. He made me cancel all his appointments because he doesn't want to see anyone," Marie responded politely.
"Tell him this is urgent. It's a matter of life and death," Paul sternly said. He has never been to Loney's office because he didn't deem it necessary.
Marie took a deep breath, stood up and went to Loney's office to deliver the message. Loney had just returned from the field and was still in his field clothes. He leaned his back on his swivel chair with his head facing the ceiling, his eyes shut in deep thought. Regardless, he heard the door open and knew it was Marie.
"I do not want to be disturbed," his voice was a low growl and his eyes were still tightly shut."
Marie was poked with nervousness. "There, there is a man here called Paul. He said it's a matter of life and death." She uttered sharply.
Loney's eyes snapped open and his head ached, "let him in," he growled, adjusting himself properly on his expensive swivel chair.
Paul walked in and sat in front of Loney. He was moved with pity at the sight of his friend. Silence rained for some time.
"I wish for once, you could open up Loney, just this once." Paul was the first to speak. Silence rained again. Loney stood from his chair and faced the large window that gave him a beautiful view of Mexico City from the tower. He turned abruptly to Paul's direction.
His voice was coated with misery as he spoke. "She lied to me. Danica lied to me but before then, Daniella was the only woman I ever loved yet, she never loved me. When I met Danica, I thought she was Daniella because I never knew she had a twin. I asked Danica and she said she didn't know Daniella but they are twins. Why did she lie to me?" He gritted his teeth? "What could they be up to? Do you think someone sent them?"
Paul felt terrible but he was still reasonable. "I think we should speak to them separately. I can do that for you," he proposed.
Loney shook his head bitterly. "Daniella faked her death and I don't know why."
Paul's gaped in total obliviousness. "That is sticky."
"I know."
"But you have to come back," Paul chipped in.
Loney's gaze turned stony, his voice icy, "never, I'm not coming till she delivers my child," he firmly said.
"I'm afraid that won't happen..." A familiar voice echoed. Loney turned to see Mabel at the doorway, just as Marie strutted and knelt before him.