Filed To Story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel
“Yes, sir. I’ll tell them about it,” Freddie said. Concerned, he asked, “Is Miss Lloyd alright?”
“She is,” Zacharias answered.
Freddie refrained from inquiring further, he didn’t want Zacharias to misconstrue any romantic interest in Shirley.
Imogen knocked on Roy’s door. She came into the room bearing an ice pack.
He was surprised to see her. “What is it, Imogen?”
“I got you an ice pack, captain. Let me help you,” she said. She wanted to wheedle some intel out of him.
“Thanks, but I can deal with this myself,” he said. She approached him and said, “Captain, I’m the only lady in the team besides Shirley. You should leave something like this to the ladies.”
He couldn’t refuse someone’s offer to help. He sat back down on the couch. “Thanks, Imogen.”
Imogen put the ice pack on Roy’s bruise and pretended to nonchalantly ask, “Did Shirley tell you how she escaped while you guys were on your way back here?”
After her contribution this time, he wouldn’t suspect her of being in cahoots with the criminals. He said honestly, “She said she knocked out one of the kidnappers and ran away.”
“Good thing she got away, or the vice president would’ve been devastated.” She sighed.
“Miss Lloyd and the vice president share a good relationship.”
“That’s an understatement. Shirley told me she likes the vice president. They’re dating,” Imogen said.
Roy reminded Imogen, “Keep this between us. Don’t spread it around.”
She assured him solemnly, “Of course, captain. I won’t tell anyone.”
“I think Miss Lloyd was kidnapped because someone knows she shares a good relationship with the vice president. They took her to threaten him.”
She agreed, “I think so too. They were obviously going after her in the coffee shop.”
He nodded. “We’ll have to double the protection for the vice president’s close ones after this.”
Since Imogen couldn’t get anything more from Roy, she left.
Back in the presidential suite, Shirley came out of the bathroom wearing pajamas. Zacharias was already waiting for her on the couch with a medical kit beside him. She sat with him and unbuttoned her shirt, revealing two bruises on her back for him. Brushing her hair aside, she exposed her elegant nape and back, adorned with a healthy tan rather than fair skin.
He applied oil to his hands and began massaging her bruises, taking her slightly off guard with the intensity. A flirtatious moan escaped her lips, prompting her to bite her lip to suppress any further sounds.
“Don’t hold back. If you need to, let it out,” Zacharias encouraged, smiling as he applied a bit more pressure. He intended to enhance blood circulation, aiding in the speedy recovery of the bruise.
Resisting the urge to moan, Shirley thought, / won’t make a sound in this quiet room; it’s too embarrassing to hear myself.
He was mindful of her discomfort, so he adjusted the pressure. Once he finished with her back, he said, “Alright, turn toward me.”
She hesitated, feeling self-conscious about the bruises on her ribcage just beneath her chest, even though she wore a sports bra. Turning away, she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze.
Zacharias gently placed his hand on her bruise, his thumb making contact with the fabric of Shirley’s sports bra. Though it might have been unintentional, he grazed it slightly as he withdrew his hand, causing her to blush. Looking at her, the man had a sheen of sweat on his forehead. He smiled and then reached for the other side, the warmth of his fingers seeping into her heart.
After he was done, he suddenly held the back of her head and gave her a deep kiss. A soft moan escaped her lips, her heart, already fluttering from the earlier teasing, now racing.
However, he swiftly returned to packing the medical kit. Unwilling to let him off the hook after igniting her desire, she seized the moment, pouncing on the man and pinning him down on the couch.
Sitting on top of Zacharias, Shirley held his shoulders, flipping their roles around. He wasn’t the one lusting after her; it was the other way around now. He hesitated for a moment, narrowing his eyes. She cupped his cheeks and planted a kiss on his lips. He allowed her to playfully nibble on his lips, engaging in a teasing exchange of tongues. It was a flirty kiss. Her face turned red when she stood up, but she felt a sense of satisfaction after boldly kissing the man.
“Get some rest,” he said. Something was bubbling in his heart.
Shirley went back to her room, and her phone rang. She checked it out and realized the call was from Imogen, and she picked the phone up. “Hello, Imogen.”
“How’s your wounds, Shirley? Are they serious?” Imogen asked, concerned.
“It’s alright. I have rubbed oil over the bruises,” Shirley said.
“Did the vice president rub it for you?” Imogen asked.
After the incident, Shirley realized she didn’t mind confessing her feelings for Zacharias, no matter who was asking.
“Yes, he did. Are you hurt, Imogen?” Shirley asked, concerned.
“I’m fine. I broke my arm when I was escaping, but I got it fixed. Still have some bruises around, but they’re superficial wounds.” Imogen asked, “By the way, Shirley, any idea who those kidnappers were? Did they mention anything to you?
Shirley recalled her unsettling speculation earlier. Despite initially dismissing it, too many coincidences lined up, making it hard to ignore. She thought to herself, Why did she choose that specific coffee shop on the street? She needed to confirm, not because she thought Imogen would harm her, but to be certain. “They did share something with me, and it’s perplexing. Still baffles me, to be honest,” she admitted.
Imogen’s expression turned horrified, and her pupils contracted. Unable to contain herself, she inquired, “What did they say?”
Shirley frowned, sensing a hint of panic from Imogen.
Imogen quickly realized she rushed the question and offered a reassuring smile. “Sorry, Shirley. Don’t take it the wrong way. I’m assisting Roy with the investigation, and I need more details from you.”
Shirley smiled and said, “No worries. I know you’re concerned for me.”
“Can you share what the kidnappers told you? Any mention of a possible accomplice?” Imogen asked, this time in a softer tone.
Shirley went with that line of questioning and said, “I think they did, but I bumped my head. I still feel dizzy now, so I forgot what they told me. Maybe I’ll remember it when I wake up tomorrow.”
“You bumped your head? Is it bad?” Imogen asked.
“I’m alright. Just have to get some rest,” Shirley said.
“Get some rest, then. Tell me right away if you remember what the kidnappers told you, alright,” Imogen said. Shirley said, “Sure thing.”
“And we’re friends, Shirley. I want to contribute something, so if you remember anything, tell me right away,” Imogen requested, a little unabashed.
Shirley agreed right away, “Of course. I’ll tell you right away if I remember anything.”
“Thank you, Shirley. You’re my best friend. When you were back there kidnapped, I wished I could take your place. I wished you were the one to escape.”