Two months passed and June was back on her feet.
All the while, she remained in the house, planning her new architectural firm and entry into the business.
In the time spent recuperating, she had managed to draft out a solid business plan with the help of her little prince who was interested in making everything seamless for her.
June was in the sitting room, watching the news as she mapped out her plans for her new architectural firm. With her solid business plan set in motion, and her capital ready, all she needed to do was employ a few more people to take care of project management, design, and construction.
She knew that opening an architectural firm was no easy feat and was thankful for her time at LT Constructions which gave her an idea of what she needed to operate as a company.
Just while she wrecked her head on the intricate plans of recruiting members and the perfect name for her firm, Luis joined her in the sitting room.
“Auntie!” He made his presence known and took a seat beside her.
“Are you done with your homework?” June asked, putting aside her work as she showered him with attention.
Luis nodded and looked at the papers she dropped on the table then back at her. “Are you having any trouble, auntie?”
The way he looked out for her never ceased to make her feel appreciated and loved. June shrugged, one look at the papers and she felt there was a never-ending pile of work for her to do.
“Auntie is trying to figure out a name for her new firm.” She said the least of the problem. “Everything I think of somehow manages to be too long or just not right.”
Luis nodded and took hold of a paper which held the many names that she had made up, a lot of question marks were littered on the document, scribbled with a pen.
After looking through the paper for some time, Luis tilted his head in thought before he spoke. “How about JL Architectures?”
That caught June’s attention. “JL?”
A nod. “June and Luis Architectures.” The little one said with a shy look on his face, as though he was scared of her reaction to his idea.
June contemplated the idea for some time, loving the name as the seconds trickled past. “JL Architectures.” She tested the name on her lips, and it rolled off perfectly on the tongue.
She loved it. A gleam appeared on her face as she hugged the little one with utmost joy in her eyes. “Baby! You are a genius!”
Luis appreciated every hug he got from his auntie and reciprocated it with utmost love and joy. “You like it?”
“I love it! It’s official! My firm will be called JL Architectures! It will be the best in South City!”
Although the little one wanted to point out that there is more to the success of a new company than its name he was too busy filling his heart with the sight of his auntie ecstatic about something he did.
He always loved seeing her smile. Especially when he was behind the said smile. “The best in the world!” The little one matched her enthusiasm and they shared a laugh.
Soon enough, June was back on her laptop. She was desperately in need of an assistant who would work with her towards getting her company launched at the closest possible time.
She wanted someone who had experience with building a start-up company because she knew it wasn’t in her company’s best interest to have her – who only worked as an architect – as the sole decision maker.
June wanted someone who could help her and she was looking out for people with experience in the field. While she continued her search, Luis kept her company, busy fixing a million-piece puzzle as they worked in a relaxed environment.
Meanwhile, at the Lontoc family home. April and Ethan had been summoned by his parents to discuss their marriage plans. The atmosphere was strained as Ethan’s father was present in the house.
“I believe that you have signed your marriage in the courts already.” Gary Lontoc stated in an even tone. It was hard to tell if he was angry or not.
Olivia, who hated the fact that her son had gone on to get married to April without her express consent remained silent as her husband probed them.
“My wife and I are expecting a child. I didn’t want my first child to be born out of wedlock so I made the decision to sign it first.” Ethan responded bravely.
With the current influx of support garnered from the public who supported his union with April, he was much more confident in standing up to his parents.
Not to mention the fact that April had given him a pep talk, almost threatening him with the life of his child if he didn’t protect her.
“I understand that you wanted to do the right thing,” Olivia spoke as she couldn’t help it anymore. “You should have involved your mother so she could handle everything for you. I have been with you on this journey and you just sidelined me and got married?”
Olivia Lontoc’s tone was that of a hurt mother who wanted to plan her child’s wedding but had the opportunity ripped away from her. But in truth, she hated the fact that she didn’t get to stipulate the marriage agreement herself.
She was sure he didn’t even sign a prenup! At this rate, her plans to get the Rivera leeches away from her son and family after the birth of the child were in turbulence.
“I’m sorry, mother.” April intervened with a sober look. “We didn’t mean to hurt you. In fact, we wanted to wait for the wedding and for my sister’s return but things just turned out differently.”
A huff. “The deed is already done.” Ethan’s father said with a demure look. “Since you are all so interested in getting married, I want the wedding done immediately. If that child is indeed my grandchild, I do not want it born without you two wedded as husband and wife.”
The man got up and lowered his glass as he looked between the trio. “Hopefully, you get things right this time around.” He said to his son who felt like punching the air at the shade in his father’s words.
“Make sure the wedding is held within the coming month. I want an actual wedding as soon as possible.”
Although Olivia didn’t appreciate her husband’s attitude towards the wedding of his child, she beamed with a smile. Her endless fights had paid off with interest.
“Now that’s settled, I need you both to move back into the house!” She demanded with an excited clap. “The next few weeks will be stressful, but I promise it will all happen naturally.”
“This wedding is going to be the talk of South City.” She boasted to her son. “First things first. We need to pick a date. What do you think of the seventh?”
And just like that, Olivia roped the couple into conversations geared towards the preparation of what she themed the grandest wedding of South City.