5 - Those terms are final

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 letter from a person called Ray. He said its content is very urgent. Should I send it to you?"

Loney drowned in confusion, soon covered with suspense, and asked, "Did you touch it?"

"Yes, I did," Marie honestly said

"Has anyone else touched it?"

"No," Marie answered.

"Good, put it in a plastic resealable bag. I will be in the office in twenty minutes," he said and hung up. Before he stepped out, his phone rang again. He saw the caller. It was his gynecologist, Doctor Jeff so he answered it instantly.

"Hello, Jeff,"

"Loney, we received another application for a surrogate. I have sent the details to your email."

Loney grimaced and said, "I told the agency that I no longer needed one. Didn't they pass the information to you?"

"They did, but I thought we could give it one last try. This girl looks different and I don't think she has any ties with Ray," Jeff tried to assure him.

"No," Loney said defiantly and hung up the phone. He reluctantly checks his email, braced himself in shock when he saw the picture of the proposed surrogate. It was the same familiar face but the name wasn't what he expected. 'Danica Howard,' he murmured. Instantly, he called Jeff again.

"I want to reconsider but this will be my last surrogate," Loney informed in a softer tone.

"Well noted. I will begin the process," Jeff said.

Loney thought critically and said, "Wait, one more thing, the rules have changed."

"What?" Jeff didn't hide his awe.

Loney ignored his awe and continued, "I will send the new terms to your email in an hour." He hung up the phone before Jeff spoke.

Loney left the hotel with his guards and sat in his Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600. As an engineer, he patronized those types of cars for easy access to the construction field. Sometimes, he would just use a pick-up.

However, as the CEO of Hubert engineering, the top most engineering company, he had made so many enemies. While a lot of engineers will give up on a contract when the mafia showed up, Loney would stand tall. His motivation is the fact that he has nothing to lose. As an orphan from the age of two, he had a difficult life and dropped out of school to start a construction company after being shunned by Daniella.

He has been a workaholic and would have a fair share of fun at night. He kept his friends at a distance, not because he didn't trust them, but for the sake of their safety.

During his free time as a youth, he watched martial arts videos and trained himself to fight because he grew up in the ghetto. He defended himself from bullies and drug dealers.

Aside from everything, his passion was engineering. He loved to change a forest to a city and fell in love with construction machines. He felt limited by books and explored bigger opportunities that made him different in his field.

As soon as Loney got to his office, his secretary went to meet him with the discussed document. Loney noticed that his secretary was strangely tense and said and knew there was something amiss.

"Speak," he said in his usual low growl. His secretary, Marie, paled for a moment and said,

"The one who delivered the document added a message that if you don't do as they want, I will not see the light of day," Marie shook as she spoke. Loney wasted no time and dialed a number. As soon as the call connected, a deep voice sounded at the end.

"Loney, Loney, I think you got my parcel," Ray answered in a Russian laced accent.

Lonely was angered and warned, "Ray, this is the last time you threaten my secretary or anyone else in my company. If you have a problem with my business, deal with the government. I won't speak to you so nicely the next time we engage in this conversation."

Just as Loney expected, Ray did not relent. "It's my hood, Loney. I have my people there. You are going to destroy it. Don't you think I deserve compensation?"

"I will gladly pay compensation if the land was in your name but from the look of things, it's government land, encroached by your kind. You deserve no compensation. This is my last warning. If it's a fight you want, I will give it to you," Loney snarled.

Ray laughed out loud at his end of the line. "It hasn't come to that. I might not touch your secretary for now but just watch your back. Something might just go wrong with your construction works," he hinted.

Loney wasn't a fool. He could see danger coming and wasn't afraid to face it. "We will see about that," he said and hung up. He lifted his head to face his secretary.

"See, no harm will come to you but I will get you a personal bodyguard if it makes you feel safe," Loney assured. Marie was elated. Everyone in the company told her to resign because her life was worthless to Loney but she has seen otherwise.

Her gratitude turned to a profound attraction towards him as she uttered,

"Thank you."

Loney did not answer her, as he was busy on his laptop. She took it as her queue and left. Loney sent an email to Dr. Jeff, before calling Carlos. He handed him the document.

"Tell Andrew to take this to the FBI. They have to track whoever delivered this. It might lead them to Ray. He can't be in Russia and control affairs here in Mexico. If they find out his location, send Jonax after him. A warning message will be enough for the first time," he said coldly.

Carlos let out a wry smile and said, "consider it done boss."

Loney walked to his closet in the office. Due to the nature of his job, he kept clothes in the office both for the field and corporate setting. He spends most of his night in the hotel and hardly his mansion. He clad on a polo shirt over a pair of black jeans and put on his steel-toe shoes, and hard hat. He wore an orange reflective vest over it and picked up his phone. He was ready for the field. As soon as he touched the doorknob, his phone rang. It was Doctor Jeff.

"I believe you have received my email," Loney said as soon as he answered the call.

Jeff's voice was sober, and he advised. "Loney, as your friend and gynecologist, I must advise you. Your terms are against medical standards. You would have to revise it."

Loney was unfazed and said, "Those terms are final. I am not forcing anyone. It's a take or leave thing and just let her know that I am ready to double the pay."