Chapter 8

• Danica was upset, as her questions remained unanswered. She was still yet to meet the intended parent of the child she was going to carry. Throughout the drive, her mind was in shambles. The anxiety was becoming more and more unbearable, as she menaced on the contract she had just signed. What kind of intended parent was he? Will he treat the child well? Her mind drifted to rest mode, while sleep stole her. She woke up in a panic when she stared at her surroundings through the window. It was a lonely road with no vehicle or person around. Danica's anxiety grew as she asked,
• "Are we there yet?"
• "Almost," Paul responded instantly.
• "Why does this place seem far from town? It seems rather deserted," she observed.
• "Because it's his safe house," Paul said frantically.
• Danica pouted. She realized her questions only gained answers that increased her anxiety but she couldn't help asking anyway. She knew that aside from spies and criminals, normal people didn't need or use a safe house. The identity of this intended parent was just getting even more mysterious. "Why does he need a safe house?"
• Paul sounded irritated, "Young lady, you have to ask him those questions when you see him okay?"
• "Okay, but will he be here today?" Paul was slightly angered by Danica's constant questions and shrugged,
• "I don't know. He instructs, I obey and try to limit your questions when you meet him. He doesn't like interrogations. Just do as he says and you will be fine."
• Danica felt her head spinning. It seemed odd that no one could give her attainable information about the intended parent. She was anxious to deflate the maze around this person. If he was a spy, then it meant to her that her life was in danger since he might fall into trouble with criminals but if he was a criminal then her life has just come to an end. Her head ached at the assumptions she kept feeding it. Before she realized it, she found herself in an underground car park and the door opened in the living room.
• "How did we get here?" Danica refused to blink because she felt that blinking might make her disappear and appear somewhere else.
• "It's a secret tunnel to the car pack. It's underground. Don't try to run away because you won't find your way out," Paul emphasized but it didn't seem that Danica would in any way try to run away. She wasn't making this sacrifice for herself. However, she was amazed at the inside. It was accessorized to the taste of a luxury mansion. Danica was even more surprised to see it inhabited and was received at the entrance by Mabel, the housekeeper. She felt a wave of relief to see people around despite them being house helps.
• "I have been waiting for you, Danica, how are you?" Mabel welcomed Danica warmly.
• "Nervous," she confessed. With the housekeeper addressing her by her name, it meant that she had detailed information about her.
• "Ohhh, that's natural but you should feel at home. My name is Mabel and I will be here to take care of you. Let me show you to your room to freshen up while I make supper," Mabel said sweetly. Danica felt her anxiety gradually dissipating. Perhaps, the intended parent was a spy. The thought didn't give her the needed assurance but it gave her hope.
• Danica followed Mabel up the stairs. "Wow," she exclaimed in shock when the door opened to a room so grand and posh. She could tell it was her room because half of it was decorated as a baby's room. Despite the expanse, she felt uncomfortable. She has never lived in a house this big or a room this large. It was big enough to accommodate her whole tiny house. "Is this my room?" Danica tried to confirm.
• Mabel smiled, "Yes. The baby decor will help to psych you adjust to the role." Danica understood what she meant and didn't ask any further. However, she was still desperate to know the intended parent.
• "Who is the owner of this house?" She asked, hoping that Mabel would be helpful but was met with another rage of disappointment.
• "He doesn't come here often but you shall surely see him. I will make you supper," Mabel said and turned to leave. The middle-aged woman has worked in this house for the past three years but even she has only met Loney a couple of times.
• "What's his name?" Danica asked with another expectation which was equally crashed.
• "He will tell you when he comes around," Mabel said politely and turned to leave.
• "Wait!" Danica yelled behind her. Mabel turned around with a worried look. "Let me help you with supper. I'm a chef from a restaurant in the city," Monica emphasized.
• Mabel knitted her brows together. "I will be fired if you cook. You need to eat, rest and take your vitamins to take seed healthily. I can't be blamed for causing any kind of stress," Mabel elaborated.
• "Nobody has to know right?" Danica tried to reason with Mabel but Mabel took her stand.
• "Please don't put me into trouble," She said seriously yet, Danica will not relent.
• "Look, to be honest with you, I can only eat food that I prepare myself because I have some allergies. I know how to use few ingredients and still give the food great taste," Danica explained.
• Since Danica mentioned allergies, Mabel softened. She couldn't risk it. "Alright, if you say so but if the master comes, you must not let him see you cooking," Mabel warned.
• "Fine,"
• Danica agreed and followed Mabel downstairs. She put on an apron as soon as she got to the kitchen and started her business. Every ingredient was familiar to her; guajillo pepper, achiote paste, pineapple juice, white vinegar, garlic cloves, oregano, cumin, black pepper, cloves, salt, pork, salt, pepper, onion. etc.
• She Placed the peppers in a saucepan and covered them with water. She left it to Simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until they looked soft, then she let them cool and drained. She began to blend the peppers, vinegar, pineapple juice with the spices and achiote paste until it was smooth. She sieved it and added salt to taste. Mabel looked on in astonishment as Monica proceeded to Season the meat with salt and pepper. She worked with incredible speed, making Mabel nod her head in astonishment. She decided it was okay to leave Danica for a while and went to inspect the laundry briefly.
• By the time she returned, Danica had placed the sauce and steaks in a large bowl and marinated them. She used a pastry brush to apply the sauce to each side of the steaks. Soon, Danica finished with her tacos with warm tortillas, topped with chopped onion and cilantro, pineapple, and salsa.
• "Voila," Danica exclaimed, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.
• "You truly are a chef," Mabel complimented and went to set the dining table.
• "Yeah, cooking gives me fulfillment," Danica said, following Mabel without doing any more. She didn't want to attract attention.
• While the food was served, Danica realized that aside from Paul, she was the only one seated. It made her uneasy.
• "Please join us, Mabel," she called politely.
• Mabel nodded her head in rejection, "No, you eat," she muttered.
• Danica folded her arms to her chest and said, "If you won't join us at the table, then I'm not eating."
• Mabel looked on worriedly, at the lady who was making it difficult for her to follow the rules.
• Paul was slightly annoyed. "If she says to join her, please do. We can't make her malnourished. This is delicious," he exclaimed. "It tastes just like the Tacos al pastor I ate in one of the restaurants in the city.
• Danica stared at Mabel uncomfortably and said, "Yeah, Mabel's food is delicious." The rest of the meal was in silence.
• After supper, Danica went to have her shower and retired to bed. She waited eagerly for her intended parent to show up but he didn't. Hours passed, she read her bible and prayed till her eyes turned heavy while she wandered to sleep.
• At the construction site, Loney has had major works to deal with. Ray wasn't making it any easier for him, constantly causing damage to his machines. After resolving issues and making sure that the field was completely cleared for the construction of the bridge to begin the next day, it was late when Loney left the field. Instantly, he drove to a five-star hotel close to the construction location. He had not intended to go home anytime soon.