Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate novel Chapter 48

Daniella's heart did some dancing at the sound of Loney's voice or perhaps, butterflies were romping in her stomach. Her lips curled into a smile, as she tucked a strand of her behind her ears and followed Loney.

Paul's gaze held Mabel's, his fist tightening around his glass, it almost broke, before both of them pinned their gazes on Danica. She was fighting to hold back her tears. 

"Hey, relax okay? From what he told me, Daniella was the first girl he fell in love with but she didn't want him. It was a long time ago okay?" Paul forced a smile and was impelled to let go of his hard feelings at the moment. 

He wanted Danica to feel better but she only got worse. If Loney loved Daniella, then he would never love her. She pushed her plate away and stood on her feet. Turning around, she ran up the stairs.

"You made matters worse Paul, why couldn't you keep your mouth shut?" Mabel chastised. If she had known that getting Loney home would be in Daniella's favour, she would have found her way around getting Danica to eat.

"I was just trying to help," Paul pushed his plate away, standing in the process.

"But you didn't." Mabel was upset. Danica hadn't finished her food and she was greatly disturbed.

"Let the girl come out. I will speak with Loney afterwards," Paul said and turned to leave the table. Mabel gave no response. She only imagined a way to help out Danica.

*******

Loney led Daniella to his room, the latter gaping in amazement with the conviction that this was where she belonged. Finally, she achieved her dream. "Sit," Loney pointed to the expensive sofa and went to his closet. Daniella sat, admiring the room like an idiot. 

Despite all the expensive hotels she went to do illegal things for Ray, she never came across anything like this. Loney's taste was beyond her foresight.

When Loney returned, he had changed up from his work clothes, wearing a t-shirt and shorts. He carried something like a briefcase and dropped it on the table. Then, he brought out some pictures and laid them on the table in front of Daniella.

"I need advice," he said casually. Daniella's heart fluttered. Loney wanted advice from her. That only meant that he trusted her. Her dumb sister was good for nothing. She was the right person. She grinned like a fool, "I am willing to help with anything."

Loney smirked, "good. Do you know anyone in these pictures?" He spread about fifteen pictures on the table. Daniella's eyes travelled eagerly through each of them.

"Oh, yes, the Frankenstein nerd. Our college clown." She remarked, not taking her gaze off the pictures. Loney froze as Daniella continued to speak. "Where did you get his pictures?" She asked.

Loney composed himself, hiding his bitter sentiments. "He is seeking a job in my company but how do you know him and what do you know about him?" Loney's voice went flat. Something in him had been poked.

"Don't hire someone like him in your company. Look, we were in the same college but no one wanted to be-friend him because he was below everyone's standard, wearing the same clothes every day and hardly eating anything nutritious. He was poorer than a church mouse but the only thing he had was the academic brain. Such a waste,"

Daniella concluded. Her voice was a little higher pitched than Danica's which got Loney irritated, aside from the fact that she was courageous and always spoke before thinking, unlike Danica who thought carefully about her choice of words.

"Is that all?" Loney clenched his teeth to keep from speaking anymore.

Daniella paused as if recalling something she was ashamed of. "I met him at the beach once and he had the guts to ask me out on a date. It was my worst embarrassment," disgust coated Daniella's words.

Loney was embittered. The past began to play on his mind, his eyes darkened in fury. "So what did you do?" He didn't fight to hide the coldness in his voice. He had restrained himself long enough.

"I told him my peace of mind. His appearance and everything about him was so disturbing and his presence was so.."

"Irritating," Loney concluded for her.

She gaped in shock. "How did you know?"

Loney forced a smile and said, "look at the picture again, what do you see?"

Daniella assessed the picture carefully this time, hopeful to show Loney how smart she was. "The eyes, it looks like.." Suddenly, the realization hit her. 

"Oh my God, it's you? Loney Hubert?" She began to curse herself internally. Loney tricked her and she fell for it. Why couldn't she be a little smart? Why did she have to talk too much?

"Yes Daniella, and you haven't changed a bit," Loney stood up as he said flatly, hiding all the bitter emotions. His expression was unreadable. 

Daniella had to think fast. She couldn't let the opportunity pass her. "Come on, we were just laughing about the past, nothing serious right?" Her stomach tightened in fear of Loney's dark expression. It was new to her but one thing was sure. Loney had changed so much.