Chapter 41 She's more than a surrogate to me
Loney woke up to a loud knock on his door. Danica was peacefully asleep on his chest. A frown appeared on his face as the knock continued unabated. He knew it would be Mabel. No one else would dare and since the middle-aged woman was like a mother to him he couldn't bring himself to get angry. He moved slowly, careful not to wake Danica and covered her with a blanket. He pulled a robe and slipped it on, tied the rope and headed for the door.
"Oh my God, what is happening in there?" Mabel's voice was unconsciously loud, her face covered with genuine concern. Loney's frown deepened as he saw the tray in her hand. It wasn't supper but lunch. "It's just a few hours," he said while walking back to his bedroom with Mabel strutting behind him.
"Point of correction, it's Sunday afternoon," Mabel hinted.
Loney grimaced, his eyes catching the clock. "Oh," his tone carried a sliver of remorse, quickly washed after a blink. "We deserve the rest, don't we?" He shrugged. He doesn't remember the last time he slept like this. Danica must have infested him with sleeping sickness.
"Yes but the pregnant woman has to eat." Mabel insisted while walking to the bed.
Loney was a bit uncomfortable. He knew Danica was shy and would feel embarrassed waking up to see Mabel. "Don't wake her," his voice was calm but firm.
"Her last meal was breakfast yesterday. Of course, I have to wake her. It's not healthy for the baby," Mabel stubbornly said. She wasn't ready to barge, then as if recalling something, she asked, "can you stop?"
"She's not pregnant," Loney dismissively said, trying his best to not feel guilty.
"She is," Mabel insisted. Seeing she wouldn't let go, Loney sighed, "fine. Let's wait for the test." Then he saw the food on the tray. His stomach rumbled instantly, "Is that for us?"
"No, it's for her. I will get yours after I have fed her,"- Mabel dismissed him. Loney shook his head and sighed,
"Let me feed her." Mabel narrows her brows in apprehension. Loney chuckled, he was in a good mood, "Come on, she's more than just a surrogate to me."
The middle-aged woman needn't ask further. She already understood. "I see." She muttered and left the room to the kitchen.
Loney ignored her suspicious glares, as he ambled to the bed. Sitting beside Danica, he gently lifts her from the pillow. Danica turns drowsily, cuddling to his chest. She was still in deep sleep. Loney almost lowered her back to her sleeping position but Mabel's words echoed through his mind, making him wonder. What if Danica was already pregnant? She would need all the rest but then, her body will also need the nutrients from food.
With that notion, he shook her slightly. "Wake up, Danica," his voice was deep and alluring, sounding subconsciously in Danica's mind. She groggily opens her eyes, stares at him with confusion, "you have to eat." He said firmly, his eyes locked on hers. Her eyes go tight shot again, shyness dressing her. "I'm not hungry, let me sleep."
"It's midday, Sunday, Danica.."
Her eyes snap open for the second time before Loney finished his sentence, just hearing the word Sunday. How could she sleep for so long? This time, she was more alert. "What?"
"Yes and if you don't eat, Mabel might just insist we sleep in separate rooms," he smirked, recalling how Danica called the shots the previous day. He loved the innocence fledged boldness that emanated from her shyness. It was unique.
"Sorry I overslept," she said, hiding her face in his chest.
Loney smirked, pulling away slightly. He cupped her face in his hands, looking deeply into her eyes, "there's nothing to apologize for. I've always known you to be a deep sleeper but Mabel could be right," he paused, "Dina will be here on Wednesday, let's hope for the best," he concluded.
Danica's heart panged. She dreaded another test, being tired of the negatives. However, she enjoyed having Loney around. He makes her feel a way she never felt before. "Are you leaving today?"
"No, but my secretary Marie should have sent my schedules by now. I will check them after ensuring you have eaten well," he frantically said. Danica subconsciously wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body on him. She was just relieved that Marie was his secretary. Also, Loney had begun to let her in, she was over the moon.
"Mind you, I won't be here by the time you wake up tomorrow," Loney warned her, seeing how excited she was. Deep down, he knew he was going to miss her too. He tightened his grip on her.
"I know," a profound joy washed Danica as she pulled gently from the hug. Before she got off completely, he leaned in, pressing his lips on hers. He had wanted to do that since he woke up.
Danica drowned in the kiss. However, her joy was short-lived when she recalled Daniella. Should she ask him who she is to him and confess that she is her sister? She was about to say something when Mabel entered with another plate of food, setting it on the table beside hers.
"There you are, you need to eat and wash up. I will get some clothes for you," Mabel said, picking up the scattered clothes on the floor. Danica facepalmed in embarrassment.
"No need, I will just go shower and change up in my room," she said through her fingers clamping her face.
Loney knew she said it out of embarrassment and countered, "no, she won't. Just go by your first suggestion," he instructed politely.
"Alright Master," Mabel said and hurried out of the room to get Danica's clothes, while the latter ate in comfortable silence with Loney.
Occasionally, they will steal glances at each other. Loney had to hold himself from not taking her again. Anytime the thought came, Mabel's voice would echo in his head. 'Can you stop?' He adhered to the voice considering how fatigued Danica was.
After they had their meal, they had their shower together for the first time. It was the most beautiful but the uniqueness was how without words, they could convey their hidden intentions and answer each other's needs. Loney was naturally quiet, Danica shy but somehow, they could complement each other.
It came naturally and was bonding, being something neither of them had ever shared with any other. Loney might have had numerous whores but they were all one-night stands. This was the first time he felt safe and peaceful with any woman. When they were done and dressed up, he turned on his phone. He also removed the restrictions on Danica's phone. Therefore, while he worked on his laptop, Danica got busy on her phone, researching new foods that raised her appetite.
They continued like that till night when they ate supper and retired to bed. Loney held her to his chest the whole night, while they slept peacefully, kissing and cuddling each other. No matter how he wanted her again, he restrained himself for the sake of Mabel's words.
Before Danica woke up in the morning, Loney had left, just as he said the day before. Her features brightened with a smile, as she recalled the events of the weekend. No matter how she tried, the smile never dissipated from her face.
Loney's excitement ended the moment he had to resume his pretend relationship. He escorted Jasmine to programs and events she sent him and played his role well but never allowing another mistake of a kiss. Strangely, Jasmine wasn't her usual clingy self, which made it a lot easier for him.
A few days passed and Dina had arrived to take another sample. Her presence filled Danica with dread, as she recalled the failed tests.
Regardless, as soon as Dina saw Danica, her face lit up. "How have you been feeling?" She asked politely, noticing her paleness.
"Just tired," Danica yawned.
"Nausea?" She asked suspiciously.
"A little," Danica affirmed.
Dina let out a smile and proceeded to business. After collecting her sample, she bid Danica farewell and said, "I will send your result in a few hours." Danica nodded and watched her leave. A pang of a headache instantly taking over.
Loney received a notification on his computer while busy in the office. Since it was from Dina, he opened it instantly because he knew it concerned Danica. Met by the result, his lips thinned into a smile.
Danica received a letter. She tore it open instantly, knowing it was the result of her pregnancy test. As she read it, her lips curled into a smile, just as it curved into a frown. There was just too much going on in her mind at the same time, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.