“We are going out,” Rafael said as soon as the contract was signed.
June sported a confused look. “What? Where?”
He gave a blank look. “You are my wife. The last thing I need is another woman dying on me because of my negligence. We are going to the hospital.”
“Another woman?” She said but he didn’t give her the time of the day.
“I reckon that you will need a lot more outfits in your closet so we might as well tackle that in our outing today. Go get ready, we leave in five.”
Rafael’s tone left no room for negotiations, but June wasn’t about to let him run her life.
“I don’t need to visit the hospital and I think I can handle my wardrobe well on my own.” She huffed. “When do I expect the down payment?” She asked without mincing words.
“A card will be provided to you. But first, I need to ensure that you are in good health. You will be going for a body check-up, that is a non-negotiable.”
“Afterwards, your card will be handed over to you. The full money has been deposited but you are only allowed to use 25 million. At the end of our work, the rest will be made accessible.”
Although June didn’t like the sound of it, she nodded, deciding it was better she got it over with. Soon enough, June was in the car with Rafael and Luis, who threw a fit to be allowed to come on the journey.
The car sped past the busy roads of South City as they made their way to the City hospital. A few miles away from the Hospital, Rafael’s phone rang and he picked up.
The phone was placed on his ear for a couple of minutes before he said, “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
Upon hearing the words, June turned to look at the man who swore under his breath as he typed away furiously on his phone.
“Are you going somewhere?” June asked when he didn’t say a word.
“Important meeting.” He muttered, while his son rolled his eyes, murmuring unintelligible words directed at his father.
“The driver will take you both to the hospital. The reservation has been made, you just need to give my name and you will be directed to the check-up.” He handed her over a black card. “You can also make a pit stop at the mall to pick up some clothes. I’ll be in touch.”
“Try not to stir up trouble.” He said to his son, “Hopefully, this won’t take long.”
Luis opened his mouth, a sharp retort at the tip of his tongue. When he noticed June’s eye on him, he swallowed his words, then nodded like a docile puppy.
“Yes, father.”
Satisfied with the turn of things, Rafael ordered the driver to stop, giving orders to one of the guards seated in front. “They do not leave your sight.”
“Yes sir.”
That was all it took for Rafael to get out of the car which was parked by the side of the road. Suddenly, a black SUV cleared in front of them and Rafael hopped into the car, and it zoomed off, returning the way they came.
“I guess it’s me and you now, love.” She said to Luis who looked content in his seat.
With one look at the black card in her hand, she felt panic rise within her. She hadn’t asked for the code for this card!
“7345.” Little Luis stated when he saw her panic-ridden look.
June couldn’t fathom how he knew exactly what her concerns were. “Oh, my precious!” She said, ruffling his hair. “You are a genius!”
Luis basked in the feeling of his auntie praising him. He could already tell this was going to be the best weekend.
Soon enough, they arrived at the hospital, and though she wanted to go in with Luis, she felt herself kick against it. The memory of her getting lost in this same hospital was still fresh in her mind.
Thankfully, Luis was a sweetheart and decided to stay put in the car with the driver and guard while she got her tests done. June walked out of the car, timing herself to return as quickly as she could.
Upon getting to the reception of the hospital, she saw her sister, who was standing right in the lobby, a chaste smile on her lips as she communicated with the nurse behind the counter.
This was not how she envisioned their next meeting to go. Nothing prepared her for the sting of pain that pierced her heart at the sight of a ring that used to be hers on her sister’s ring finger.
Apparently, Ethan had proposed to her. Using the same ring he gave to her, promising to spend the rest of her life with him. She wondered if he got on one knee or threw the ring like he did her.
June was stuck between wanting to walk out of the hospital and continuing her journey when the choice was ripped away from her. April did a double take when she saw her sister standing a few metres away from her.
A brief shock passed through her face before she began her walk towards June with purposeful steps. “Sister!” She said, engulfing her in a hug. “I have been so worried! Where did you run off to?”
It took everything for June not to laugh in her face. One would think that April was a concerned sister, worried, as well as looking out for her elder sister but June knew better.
June stepped out of her hold with a pointed look but April didn’t stop there. It was clear she was trying her best to look like the docile younger sister who was desperate to get the face of her sister.
“Are you angry with me?” She said in a distraught tone. “Do not misunderstand me, sister! I didn’t mean to have his child. Things were rough with your marriage and brother Ethan came to me for help.”
A cold laugh escaped June at the ridiculousness of her excuse. “Let me guess, he asked you for help to warm his bed?” A scoff. “Do you think I am a fool?”
“Sister! I know how bad this looks, but I swear to you, I never intended to marry him. I didn’t know we would fall in love. I was only trying to save your marriage from crashing.”
“Well, you did a good job at that. I don’t care if you are with Ethan, you both are cheating scums who deserve each other.” She straightened her shoulder. “However, what I do care about is getting my alimony and the areas of all the years I worked at LT Constructions without pay.”
“Sister, where do you live? I will come to visit you and explain things properly. Mother is worried, she thinks you have come to harm. Come home and let’s settle this as a family.”
“The only thing I need to discuss is the money your husband owes me. As for the explanation, save it, you already did a beautiful job with the video aired.”
June spoke in such a way that left April at a loss for words. When she approached her sister, she decided to take the high route, hoping she knew nothing of the news they spread, and could lure her back to the Rivera home.
Her mother had assured her of June being taken care of, what went wrong and why was she still alive and in front of her? Although her blood boiled, she put up a compelling act.
“I’m sorry sister!” She said in a high-pitched tone, garnering a lot of attention. “We didn’t mean to hurt you. Things were happening so fast and when Ethan proposed to me, we had to clear things up so that the family names, reputations and relationships are preserved.”
“We never meant to hurt you. Come home and I will explain everything properly. Please, sister!”
If June heard that word again, she might lose her shit. Instead of humouring her with a response, she corked her brow. “Pass my words across to Ethan. I will be coming to collect all that he owes me.”
With that, June headed right to the Lobby, got her directions and headed straight for her tests.