June was walking along the busy roads of South City, absolutely dejected and tired of life. She stood by the sidewalks, ready to cross, hail a cab and return to her ex-husband’s home.
There was no way she was going to continue living her life in such a manner, not when the cheating bastard owed her a lot of money. She needed to get on her feet and with her inability to get another job, she could only rely on the money that she had worked over the years without pay.
Lost in thought, June stumbled into the road, forgetting the traffic lights as she walked into the roads. The next moment, she heard horn blares and saw a black vehicle screech to a halt in front of her.
Taken aback with shock, she felt her heart stop and a migraine headache flogged her senses. Although she had not been hit, she fell to the ground and lost consciousness.
A crowd had gathered at the near-accident and just then, Rafael stepped out of his car with a swear on his lips. He rushed to the lady who was now lying on the floor and roared at his driver.
“Get over here and help her up!”
Together, Rafael carried the lady whose face was covered by her black hair with his driver and they deposited her at the back of the seat.
This time around, Rafael took the driving seat, relegating his driver to the passenger seat as he shot through the city in panic. Soon enough, they were back at the City hospital where June was received into the emergency ward.
Rafael cursed under his breath as he waited for news on the lady who his driver nearly killed. Unknown to him, it was the same lady he had been looking for the entire time.
When the doctors came out, he got on his feet, ready to hear what he had to say. “Mr Ambrose!” The familiar doctor addressed him.
“How is she?” He asked, expectant.
“She is alright. She fainted as a result of shock and the fact that her head was still tender from the last accident.” The doctor explained. “She was supposed to be on close watch after the last time.”
Rafael sported a confused look. “The last time?”
“June Rivera seems to always get into trouble, I suggest she refrains from getting into any more accidents and-”
The doctor was still speaking when Rafael sidestepped him and walked purposefully into the emergency ward.
“Mr. Ambrose?”
Rafael pushed past the medical personnel who gave him odd looks but knew better than to say a word to him. He arrived at the emergency ward and sure enough, she was there, awake and lying on her back with a drip to the hand.
How the hell did he miss her?
He walked towards her, and it was only a matter of time before June spotted him. As soon as she saw him, she felt a strange feeling in her guts.
Who was this man and why was he headed towards her?
“You ran away.” Those were his first words to her.
She gave him a confused look, then her face narrowed to that of recollection when she finally recognised him. “You! Did you hit me? Did you bring me here?”
“You were supposed to be resting! Not gallivanting around the streets and walking into the road without checking the lights!”
June didn’t expect to be scolded so harshly. She winced and her head hurt.
“Are you okay?” He suddenly said, looking worried.
This man and his mood swings!
When Rafael made to call a medical personnel, she waved him off. “I’m fine! I just felt a bit startled that’s all. I didn’t know the lights hadn’t turned green.” She explained.
“You were not supposed to be outside in the first place.” Now he was aggravating her. “It’s been what? Three days since you ran away from the hospital and you are already out on the streets and getting hit.”
“I need a job to fucking survive! I can’t sit at a home I do not have, now can I?!”
Rafael hadn’t expected such an outburst.
“I need a freaking break and the last thing I need is anyone telling me how royally screwed I am because my life is a shit show right now!”
For a moment, he stood there, staring at her with a million thoughts coursing through his mind. She didn’t have a home? Why? What was with this woman? He was so curious and desperate to find out.
“That’s it. You are leaving with me.” He said in an authoritative tone.
She scoffed, “I can’t just leave with you!”
“You can. and you will.” He made to leave but stopped halfway. “And don’t even think of getting out of that bed because I swear to god June Rivera, I will find you and kill you myself.”
June swallowed at the intensity of his eyes. Her legs suddenly felt heavy as she bit back the snide response at the tip of her tongue.
Rafael made do with his words. He walked out of the emergency room, and showed up a few minutes later, saying they were ready to leave.
As much as June wanted to protest, she was exhausted and in desperate need of a place to stay and collect her life. Resigned to her fate, she let Rafael lead her to his car, which his driver was still standing outside, waiting in the cold.
“What are you still doing here? You are fired.” Rafael’s tone was void of any emotion whatsoever.
“Please! Please sir! I have a family to feed.” The man got on his knees, blinking back tears.
The sight was pitiful and June couldn’t take it.
“Don’t fire him.” She muttered, “I stupidly walked into the road. If anything I should be grateful I wasn’t crushed by him.” She squatted, “Get up, sir. Your job is safe.”
The driver’s eyes shone. “Thank you, madam! Thank you so much!”
June waved her arm, smiling as the man opened the car door, then rushed to his position behind the wheels.
Rafael couldn’t believe what was going on before him. He gave June a hard look and she shrugged, got inside the car and acted like she didn’t just veto his decision to fire his driver.
The ride back home was silent as they were both occupied with thoughts. Rafael with questions on why she was homeless when she had a well-to-do family and husband.
And June was occupied with how she was going to get out of her current situation. When the car arrived at the mansion, she felt it. The gates opened on their own accord and sure enough, a magnificent mansion stood before them.
The car parked and soon enough, the door was flung open. June stepped out of the car with awe written on her face, while the housekeeper looked worried as she greeted them.
“Sir! The little boss came out of his room and has been throwing a fit, requesting for you. It’s not looking good!” She reported the matter to Rafael who immediately exchanged looks with June before heading towards the house with an increased pace.
June followed blindly, wondering what the heck was going on until she stepped into the magnificent living room that was now thrashed to the core.
The television was broken alongside a couple other things. The maidens of the house stood in a line by the corner with worried looks on their face as they tried to reason with an unreasonable Luis.
“Little boss, please! Stop it! That vase cost a fortune.”
“Where is my father!” Crash! “I want to see Auntie!” another crash. “Call my father!”
June had never seen such anger as was depicted in the little boy’s face.
“Luis Jonathan Ambrose!” Rafael roared, seconds away from descending on his child.
Luis turned with an equal rage on his face, only for his anger to melt away at the sight of June who looked a bit stunned at the situation.
A smile corroded his face as he yelled in a docile tone, “Auntie! You’re here!”