Mysterious CEO's Last Surrogate novel Chapter 72

"But, I can't..."

Loney's expression darkened. His hopes were crushed. His heart pumped with the speed of an aeroplane. She didn't want him?

"You - can't - marry - me?" He let out word by word, his heart shredding. According to the contract, this was where it ended. He had nothing to hold her to. She agreed to be his woman but she didn't want to be his wife. 

"No, don't overthink this. I mean, I can't let the world know that I'm yours." She wanted him but she feared that whoever ordered her abduction might want to hurt her child. So, she wanted him without the knowledge of the world. It was simple but complex.

"Make me understand, Danica" Loney didn't want to hope but he wanted to introduce her to the world as his. He wanted to let go of everything for her. 

"I want our marriage to be kept secret," she uttered in plain words but Loney was incensed. Could her meeting her Pastor be the reason for taking this decision? 

"Because you are a Christian and you don't want to be associated with the likes of me?" Loney felt bitter but Daniella felt stabbed. Her eyes widened in horror.

"No, I will rather die than leave you. It's just that after everything that happened, I'm merely scared that someone would hurt our child. That's why I want you to keep us a secret please." She implored him.

Loney facepalmed. Her words were like honey to his heart. His eyes brightened. Every pain and disappointment dissolved. He couldn't tell her it was her sister's game all along. She wasn't ready. She just had a child.

"Okay then. We shall have a secret wedding," he forced a smile, instantly searching for the ring he picked. He checked his pockets, confusion clouding him.

"No, no weddings. Let's get married here and right now," Danica's words startled him. He shifted his attention back to her, her words sinking deeper. A discreet frown contoured his features.

"What?"

Danica understood his confusion. He wanted posh and lavishness but she wanted none of those. She didn't want jealous eyes following her and she didn't want to attract more evil to herself. All she wanted was her God, her man, and her child. "Call Pastor Lawson to bless our marriage," she cleared the misunderstanding.

"I lost the ring I picked, "Loney checked his shirt pocket and trouser pocket. He wanted to surprise her but seemed to have lost it when he got physical with Ray.

"It's a secret, remember? We can sign in court later but I want us to be married today and we don't need a ring. All we need is each other."

"But, what about witnesses?" Loney was trying his best to understand her.

"Then it will no longer be a secret because every witness has a trusted friend."

"Not even Herty?" 

"I will let her know that we are married but for now, No."

Loney shook his head in complication. If he didn't know her better, he would have said she was hiding something but he knew her too well. She was excited about her decision. Indirectly, she was protecting him too because his enemies would never know about his wife or his child to blackmail him with. "Okay," he muttered and stepped out. Minutes passed. Mabel returned and left again with an excuse. Then, Loney returned with Pastor Lawson. 

He sat on the chair beside Danica while Pastor Lawson counselled them.

"I am pleased that the two of you took this decision. Marriage is beyond the bliss portrayed by movie stars in luxury gowns and all. Marriage is a covenant between two people. It doesn't matter how you are clothed or where it's done but what is in your heart. It has to be true and never broken."

"I am here to bless your marriage and I hope that love will keep you soaring above your enemies. Remember to be quick to forgive, slow to anger and reminiscing in love. True love isn't expressed only in words but in deeds and actions. I hope you both understand." They nodded their heads in unison. "There are no witnesses today but you have to understand that God is all-seeing and all knowledgeable. He is our greatest witness."

For the first time, Loney let out a genuine smile. He has never met someone like Pastor Lawson. He made his wealth useless yet, it felt good. He understood one thing that even if he loses his wealth, he would still have the most important things in life. Love and family. Danica loved him for who he was and not because of his wealth or power which was why she would toss his wealth into the gutter but would never leave him. 

Pastor Lawson took them through the wedding vows. They were at his fingertips because he has blessed at least twenty marriages every year. "With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. I would also like to see you kiss your wife," he said with sincerity.

Loney stared at Pastor Lawson. Then at Danica. His sentiment was obvious. They weren't bound by a piece of jewellery. They were bound by an eternal covenant. A vow they will keep and cherish for the rest of their lives. He snaked his arms around Danica's neck and pressed his lips on hers. He must have forgotten that Pastor Lawson was still there because their kiss prevailed, soft, hot and intense till they gently pulled away to catch their breath. "So we are married?"

"yes. We said the vows and we have to keep them," Danica Glowed with excitement.

"I will work on the legal aspect. I'm a practical man so I need some proof." Loney explained. Pastor Lawson laughed and said. "You should."

Loney accompanied Pastor Lawson to his car and returned to his sleeping wife. He hadn't slept since yesterday but he was bent on tying some loose ends and had no intention of leaving Danica's side. After pecking her sleeping form on the cheek, he went to meet with Jones.

******

Daniella was startled by her environment when her eyes flicked open. She was on a hospital bed but why? Suddenly, it dawned on her. She was going to meet Jerome to change clothes with Danica. Then she drove into a trailer. She couldn't remember anything else. She gazed desperately at her environment. Jones was sitting by her bedside. His expression was unreadable. Paul was standing by the door and Herty sat at the edge of the bed.

Confusion muddied her. Did they know it was her? She couldn't tell. Did Jones tell them? She couldn't guess. She tried to sit up but something didn't feel right. Her right leg didn't seem to do her bidding. Fear harnessed her, she stared at Jones.