Thanks a lot for reading. Please watch out for the last two chapters tomorrow.
5 YEARS LATER "Chef Danica, we have a request for a chef's special." Gabriella, one of the waitresses eagerly conveyed to busy Danica. She was doing what she loved, thanks to Loney. Exactly one year after he travelled, he sent her a surprise package containing the keys to a restaurant in her name. Their son was a year old by then and Loney hadn't returned to Mexico therefore, Danica was amazed as to how he was able to put it all together. She couldn't tell if it was something he was working on before his business trip but it was the best gift ever. He gave her the dream of owning her restaurant. In four years, it has risen among the top three restaurants in Mexico City. "Today isn't Friday, Gabriela." Danica continued with the order she was previously working on. She occasionally wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. The kitchen was hot and busy yet she loved it. "I know, but the man insists. He's so authoritative as
"Mum!" "Dad!" "Wake up!" A soft but firm voice kept screaming, matching the knocks vibrating on the door. Loney woke unexpectedly, followed by Danica as the sound grew louder. They didn't have to guess who it was. They slipped into their robe and picked their scattered clothes on the floor, dropping them into a laundry basket before Loney headed to the door. His eyes glistened with tears as he eagerly unlocked the door. Two small hands wrapped around his legs tightly. "Dad! You are back!" Loney knelt to meet his form, pulling him into his arms. The last time he held his son was five years ago when he was just a month old. He had grown. It felt good seeing him physically and not through video calls. He had his mother's brunette hair but his father's facial features. Same grey eyes and thin lips. "I missed you, Lord." "I missed you too, Dad. Will you leave again? I don't want you to go. All the kids at
Daniella trembled with fear, her eyes wide in panic, as her knees burned with pain from kneeling on the marbled floor for hours. Warm tears fell in her cheeks, wetting her blouse. Angry pairs of eyes surrounded her as Justice, the first in command to the mafia boss, snarled, "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you now?" His voice was taunting, as he glared at her with his deep brown eyes. Daniella shivered as she muttered, "Because you won't get your money if you kill me. Look, I will do anything okay? anything." Justice laughed hysterically. "Will you do anything? Mr. Somo, my boss, needs a virgin tonight but I know you are not so you don't possibly have anything to offer," he snarled. Daniella thought hard. Her life was at stake and she dared not offend the man in front of her. The hardness of the floor she had been kneeling on for so long made her knee painful. "Yes, I am not a virgin, but my sister is. I can get her to Mr. Somo." Justice gulped down a glass of vodka. His face was de
"Deal," Daniella agreed without arguing. She knew undoubtedly that after tonight, everything about them was going to change either for good or worse. She sat down and enjoyed her muffins with milk while Danica sucked in the solace of silence. She couldn't foresee what her first day in the pub would be like and she felt as if she had just made a deal with the devil himself in the bid to win her twin over. Night came and Danica almost cried when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Her long brunette hair had been trimmed to her shoulder and curled. She wore a dress that did not reach her knee and couldn't take a step. Her eyes watered when Daniella applied the mascara and her red lipstick matched her red dress perfectly. Danica couldn't recognize herself in the mirror. For the first time, she looked identical to Daniella. In times past, it was very easy to differentiate between them, just by their styles of dressing. At this point in time, Danica felt that even their parents wouldn't
Danica woke up in a strange bed, a strong arm held her by the waist. The room whiffed of expensive cologne, the interior was lavishly designed. She couldn't tell whether it was a mansion or a hotel. All she knew was that whoever owned this place must be very rich. She felt a hot breath fanning the back of her neck. Her hair was pulled to the side. Instantly, she turned around, coming face to face with a gorgeous man. His hair was black and messy but didn't shadow his handsome features. His thin lips were stretched in the form of a smile. 'He must be having a good dream', Danica thought. She wanted to get up but the arm tightened around her. She dribbled in fear, without a memory of how she got into this mess. She imagined how to get out of there alive. Gently, she removed the man's arms slowly and lifted herself, only to realize that she was naked and sore. Warm tears washed her cheeks, at the thought of what had happened to her. She could not remember a thing about last night. Unfor
"Dan," Justice called to the guard who failed to send Danica to the correct room. "Boss," Dan responded, his head bowed. Justice strutted towards him and pulled out a revolver. "Do you realize your mistake? If Daniella was smart, we would have lost our money because of your silly mistake," he said through gritted teeth. Dan remorsefully responded, "Yes boss, I'm sorry it won't happen again." "You know that sorry doesn't work for me but you are right about one thing. It won't happen again," Justice said solemnly. He pulled the trigger and just like that, Dan's body dropped, dead, in a pool of blood. Justice puffed his cigarette and said, "Clean up this mess," he called to his other guards, who seemed unperturbed at the turnout of events. To them, it was nothing new for justice. "This is what happens to anyone who makes a mistake. There would be no second chance. If Mr. Somo gets angry, someone else would have to pay," he said, spun around, and left, puffing on his cigarette. *****
Back at the hotel, Carlos had returned with an envelope and handed it over to Loney. Loney starred in mistrust. "Dead? That's practically impossible," he raged, his jaws clenched in anger and teeth gritted. He glared at Carlos with a fiery gaze. Carlos coward in fear and said, "I checked the records with the Russian government. It's true, Mr. Hubert, she's late." "Nonsense, practical nonsense! Tell me, who came to my hotel room?" Loney raged. Carlos shook his head in plight, "I don't know, maybe we didn't get the name right," he said thoughtfully. Loney's rage aggravated as he said, "I knew her from college and I'm certain that the name is correct," he was about to say something when his cell phone rang. He checked the screen and saw his secretary's name. Instantly, he said to Carlos, "Just get out." He waited for Carlos to exit the hotel room before he answered the call. "What is it, Marie?" He responded harshly. Marie mumbled in her words, "Mr. Hubert, someone delivered a lette
Danica sat nervously with Herty at the Hospitals reception. It was one of the most expensive private fertility hospitals in Mexico. Doctor Jeff owned the hospital and worked there as well. After speaking with Loney on the phone, his heart broke. Sometimes, he couldn't understand Loney's ways. Initially, he advised Loney to get married but he blatantly refused. A few years ago when Loney proposed surrogacy, Jeff tried his best to discourage him but Loney's mind was already made up at the thought of it.It ached his heart at how much money Loney wasted every year on these surrogates. Therefore, when Loney decided to end it with them, Dr. Jeff was secretly pleased. However, when he received Danica's application, her details seemed genuine and with a little investigation, he knew Danica had no link with Ray. With that satisfaction, he decided to persuade Loney to try for the last time. He slightly wished that Loney would have what makes him happy but with his current terms, Jeff regretted