Chapter 7 He will show up when he is ready
Danica was lost in thought. Everything seemed so bizarre. If she opted for the others, the money wouldn't be enough to settle all the people Daniella owed. She recalled her encounter with that guy at the club. He was so scary. Unless she could pray for a miracle, this was her only option.
However, will she lose herself in the bid to save her sister? Was this her way of showing her love to her sister or was it her cross to carry? Everything seemed blurry and she lacked the right answers. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead, as her throat felt dry. "Water," she requested. Jeff gave her a bottle of water from the fridge. Daniella took a sip and continued to battle with her thoughts.
"Can I live in my own house?"
"No. He has a place where you would be well catered for. You don't have to worry about anything," Jeff assured her.
However, Danica felt muffled. She felt like she was going to be in a prison for nine months and leave her baby behind. There was no relief in all the answers she got from Jeff. "Is there any restriction to me seeing members of my family?"
Jeff did not answer immediately. He studied her mood and said softly, "till you give birth, yes."
Danica was already broken but she wanted to prepare herself for the sacrifice she was making for her sister. Right now, Daniella was her only family. "How long does it take for the contract to take effect after I sign?"
"Immediately. We will transfer fifty percent of the funds into your bank account. When you take seed, thirty percent will be added and after delivery, twenty percent final payment. It will be up to you to decide whether to leave immediately or after you have fully recovered."
"Let me speak with my friend. I will get back to you," Danica stood up and headed to the door but stopped at Jeff's words,
"You haven't confirmed if you are going to accept the offer or not. He is waiting for your response."
Danica balled her hands in fists, her knees served weak as she let out, "Yes." As soon as she stepped out, Jeff called Loney. There were sounds of heavy machines moving, and voices giving instructions here and there. "Jeff," Loney's breathless and loud voice sounded at the end of the call. Jeff knew he had to go straight to the point since Loney was busy.
"It wasn't easy but she accepted the offer."
"Good," Loney said and hung up. Jeff was confused because there was no excitement in Loney's voice, which made Jeff wonder what Loney was up to. He couldn't help but fear that perhaps, Loney had evil intentions.
Danica met Herty and they spoke briefly. Herty noticed the change in Danica's demeanor and knew that something wasn't right.
"Danica, you've paled. Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Danica responded outrightly. Herty felt that something was off but she couldn't lay a finger on it.
"So, what did he say?" Herty enquired.
Danica forced a smile and said, "It's nothing much, they were just health-related questions. As soon as I sign the contract, I would have to begin with the procedures. You can go home now, I will be fine."
"No, I'm not leaving you like that?" Herty objected.
"I have to move to his house to be taken care of. Well, I think it makes sense since I haven't had a child before," Danica tried to reason without creating suspicion. However, there was a loophole in her statement.
"Did you say he? I thought it was a couple," Herty grimaced.
Danica realized her mistake and said, "I mean, their house."
Herty breathed out in relief, holding her chest. "Okay, call me if you need anything okay,?"
"I will, and tell Daniella to check my account tomorrow," Danica hinted, as she hugged Herty tightly.
Herty took in Danica's shaky form but thought Danica was just nervous and didn't give it much thought. "Don't worry, everything will be fine," she said, pulling away, "Goodbye, Danica."
"Goodbye, Herty".
Danica went back to see Jeff as soon as Herty left. "I'm ready," she muttered
Jeff called in a nurse and instructed, "Run the tests I've sent on her."
As soon as the nurse left with Danica, Jeff called Loney again." We are running the final tests and she would be ready in about thirty minutes so, what next?"
"I will send Paul to pick her up," Loney said.
Jeff was irritated. "What? you won't do that yourself?"
"Why should I? She's my surrogate and not my wife. Why should I give her any special preference?" Loney said casually.
Jeff was confused. "But the address on the form you sent to me isn't the same as the others.
"Yes. Paul will take her to my mansion in Mexico City."
Jeff's suspicion grew. "You hardly leave there. How are you going to find the time to get your seed inside her? I still think we should let her complete the procedures before she leaves the hospital."
"You worry about meaningless things. Just do as I say and leave the rest to me. I will inform you when she gets pregnant, so you take it from there."
"Before she gets pregnant, won't you let me perform any routine checks?"
Jeff's continuous prob was beginning to repel Loney. "If I didn't know better, I would say that you are trying to pry out my reason for setting out those rules but you should stay out of it Jeff?"
Jeff didn't argue. He knew how baseless it would be if he tried to. "Hmmm, I will call you later," Jeff proclaimed before ending the call.
Danica returned with a sour look and signed the papers with unsteady hands. When it got to the portion where she had to sign off the child she was going to bear, her heart ached at the thought. When the documentation was completed, Jeff ordered for the transfer to be made into Danica's account.
Daniella waited anxiously at home till Herty arrived. She sat lazily on the couch, playing a game on her phone. She shifted her attention as soon as she saw Herty, as the latter explained to her, everything Danica said. She also insisted that Daniella gave her life to Christ and turn over a new leaf after they settle her debts.
Daniella agreed to follow Herty to church the next Sunday after she receives the money and pays off her debts. No one could tell whether she was serious or faking it. However, when she insisted on pretending to be Danica, Herty began to doubt her authenticity.
Jerry sat on the couch in front of Daniella, her countenance unwavering as she said, "You are Daniella so why do you want to pose as Danica? After all, you will be free once you make the payments."
Daniella maintained her gaze on Herty. "I know, but what do we tell people about the whereabouts of Danica? Most people do not know me and they don't know that I exist. This is the best way to avoid suspicion and unnecessary questions," Daniella uttered tactically.
Herty admitted to herself the awareness in Daniella's words but she couldn't trust her.
"You might look like Danica but your behaviors are different. You don't even know how to cook, whereas, that is Danica's passion? I still do not support your decision."
Daniella was perturbed. "Do you have a better idea? Look, I know that Danica is doing this for me okay. I just want to do something for her too. If you love her like you say you do, then help me to act like her around the people she knows," Daniella was prudent with her words in that, Herty was moved.
"How long will it take you to learn how to cook?" Herty asked Daniella.
"Forever but we can start with the simple dishes," Daniella said thoughtfully.
Herty decided to test her. "And what will you do when I'm away?"
"Come on, I will read the Bible, just as Danica does okay? I will try to get close to the Lord," Daniella muttered, irritated.
However, Herty was not fooled. "Stop blaspheming, Daniella, goodnight."
"Goodnight, but you should start calling me Danica. I mean, in order not to make any mistakes in the future," Daniella responded, turning back to the game on her phone.
Danica was led out of the hospital by Jeff. As soon as they got to the hospital car park, a black generic SUV drove in and parked in front of them. A tall, well-built man with dark brown hair and hazel eyes got down from the SUV, shaking hands with Jeff, who pulled him to a corner and spoke in a low tone,
"What is Loney up to?" Jeff asked the man.
"You are asking the wrong person, man? He doesn't want me to take her to the usual place but I still have to be her bodyguard," he uttered bitterly.
"I hope you do a good job this time, Paul," Jeff warned.
Paul was defensive. "Come on, I always did a good job. Those surrogates were just silly. I hope this one doesn't do the same."
Jeff smiled and said, "she seems unique. Take good care of her."
"I will try. Have you completed the IUI or IVF? Which of the methods is she on?" Paul asked.
"None," Jeff uttered sarcastically.
Paul didn't hide his shock. "What do you mean by that?"
"You should ask Loney. He changed the rules," Jeff emphatically said.
Paul cursed out loud, "I can't understand that motherfucker. He doesn't trust anyone including me."
Jeff countered, "Me neither. He won't let me in on his plans."
"Let me take it from here, you can go back to work," Paul said after taking a deep breath.
"I will introduce you to her. She is already nervous." Jeff said, walking back to the car. Danica had paled from suspicion.
"Danica, meet Paul, your driver, and bodyguard, Jeff introduced them casually.
Paul was offended and corrected, "Hey, watch your mouth. I am not a driver and a bodyguard by profession. I am only doing a favor to a friend."
"Whatever," Jeff waved dismissively, walking back to the hospital entrance.
"Hi, I'm Danica," Danica introduced herself to Paul.
Paul held the door to the passenger seat and said, "Let's get going."
Danica sat in the car and asked, "So where is the intended parent?"
"Well, he never physically got in touch with his previous surrogates but in your case, he will show up when he's ready. Let's get rolling..."