Chapter 3 3

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.

Unfortunately for her, a phone rang and the man woke up. His grey eyes met hers. One couldn't tell that he had just woken up from sleep. His eyes were bright and attractive but they also held a profoundness and admiration in them. They locked eye contact for a second but it seemed like a minute. The man's chest was exposed, but his lower body hid under the blanket. Danica thought he looked like one of those models in a fashion magazine. His features were perfect.

"Daniella?" The man's voice was deep and alluring. Without waiting for a response, he turned around and picked his phone. Danica wanted to escape at this moment and looked around for her clothes. They were lying pitiably on the floor. Her heart sank, as she crept out of the bed and put on her dress. She searched for her pants, her eyes settling on her stilettos. She couldn't imagine wearing them all the way home.

She saw the man move into another room and as if in a cue, she quickly slipped into her dress, strode to the large double door, turned the knob, and pushed it open. Her eyes met four pairs. They were bodyguards at the door. They stared at her with an unsettled and questionable look. Danica panicked, but composed herself and ambled into the elevator at the lobby.

The bodyguards stared at each other in confusion, the senior one, Carlos, walked hastily into the hotel room. The man was still speaking on the phone, "What do you mean by she lost the child?" He sounded indignant.

"I mean she attempted abortion and with the process or artificial insemination, her chances were already slim. We did our best but lost the child,"

"Why did she do that? Where did she get the medication for it?"

"We interrogated her and she said, her life will be ruined. We asked her to return the money and she said we should escort her to the bank but we lost her when she entered the bank," the voice rang from the end of the line.

"What do you mean you lost her?" The man roared.

"We couldn't find her anywhere. She escaped. I think, someone helped her."

"This is the fifth time a surrogate has escaped. What have you been doing to them, Paul?"

"Nothing. We did everything you asked but I have a feeling that they were bought by Ray and he finds a way to make them do as he wills. I think he has some kind of hold on them."

"That is why you were supposed to watch them. That is the reason why you are paid so much," the man raged.

"I'm sorry, I failed you again," Paul said apologetically.

"Just tell Doctor Jeff to cancel my request for surrogates." Paul was about to speak when the man was interrupted by Carlos and hung up.

"Mr. Hubert, should we bring her back?" Carlos said without pleasantries. Loney Hubert absorbed the urgency in his voice but gave him a ridiculous stare, "What are you saying?" He asked with a frown.

"Sorry Sir, the girl left. She was walking barefooted. Should we bring her back?" Carlos knew that Loney never cared about the girls they brought for him but what intrigued him was seeing Danica barefooted. It was rather odd. It looked as if she was running away.

Loney had regained himself after the sad news, "What? Why did you let her leave?" Carlos gawked at him with confusion. 'Wasn't she in the same room with you?' Carlos wanted to ask but he feared losing his job.

"I..we..will get her back," he said, running out of the room.

"What? Don't come back if you don't find her," Loney roared after him.

"We have to get her back," Carlos yelled at Dexter, his partner, at the door, panting.

They stared at each other, nodded, and began running towards Danica's path. They took the elevator and pressed the button to the down floor. They searched everywhere but couldn't find Danica. They returned after 30 minutes to report. Loney sat in a recliner, His face stony, as he worked on his laptop.

He lifted his head and said, "speak."

"We couldn't find her," Carlos said dejectedly.

"You mean, a barefooted girl who just came out of my room disappeared?"

"No, I'm just saying that maybe someone was waiting for her. If we get her name, we can conduct a search," Carlos said.

"Her name is Daniella Howard," Loney said carefully, with his eyes glued to his laptop.

"We will get to it," Carlos said encouragingly to himself. Then he recalled something."

"But sir, she wasn't the girl we arranged for you. I think she was supposed to be sent to room 101 and they mistakenly brought her to 1001. When we brought the girl we had arranged for you, the two of you were already busy so I sent her away. I'm very sorry but do you still want us to look for her?"

Money was now out of patience and yelled, "Yes. I want to know everything about her."

The guard was amazed. His boss never took interest in any girl. The only reason why he found this girl different was because she walked out barefooted. This new interest in this girl by his boss was so strange to him but he did not dare ask any further questions and said,

"You will have it in two hours."

************

At the pub, Daniella found herself kneeling before Justice once again. This time, she wasn't too fearful and spoke.

"It wasn't my fault. I can't even reach her because she left her phone on the table. I should be the one aggrieved for losing a sister."

Justice laughed loudly, puffed out a cloud of smoke from his cigarette, and said, "Look at you? Playing the role of a responsible sister. Have you ever cared for anyone but yourself? Mr. Somo is vexed. You have to pay back our money," Justice's voice was firm and void of any room for retaliation. Daniella feared for her life and thought to defend herself.

"I did my part. If your guards had done theirs, we wouldn't have been in this situation. You should let me go," she pleaded.

"Yes, it wasn't your fault but it doesn't change the fact that the goods weren't delivered so you still owe us." Justice paradoxically said.

"I will find my sister but I doubt if she will still be a virgin. You should give me time to get your money," Daniella pleaded.

"Look at me, little girl," Justice said, bent down and lifted her face with his finger, "What makes you think we would do anything for you?"

"You are not worth my time. Seven days is all you have. Bring my money or your beautiful body will rest with the corpse of dead bodies. " He puffed a cloud of tobacco smoke on her face. Daniella coughed vigorously and ran out of Justice' office. The only thing she hasn't done is smoke because she doesn't fancy it.