The weekend comes and June is yet to receive the invite to the said party. It was one of the most looked forward engagements in the history of South City.
A large number of important elites of the community had publicly declared their attendance to the event, congratulating the couple as soon as they received their invites.
June decided to focus on her work and invest more in recruiting more members of the team ahead of the launch. Her goal was to have the first company project kick-off before the official opening of JL Architectures so she had a lot on her sleeves.
That evening, June sat at her table in the room, typing away on her computer as she replied to some work emails from Lucy who was doing the most with projecting the firm to prospective clients.
These days, they had trickles of prospective customers which was a clear distance from the silence it used to be. However, they still had a long way to go.
Three knocks came from the door and grabbed June’s attention from her work. These days, Luis barely knocked whenever he came to find her, which made her believe it was Rafael.
Unconsciously, he looked herself over, hoping to appear decent enough and when she was satisfied, she called out. “Come in!”
The door pushed open and to her surprise, three women walked into the room with smiles on their faces and carrying with them a lot of bags.
June looked at them in confusion. “Who are you and what is happening?”
One of the women spoke up, “You, my dear, are about to get a makeover! I hear you have an event and we need to be quick so I brought in some hands.” Her eyes looked around the room, searching for a clock. “We have to get you ready at approximately one hour.”
She announced, “Chop chop girls, get to work.”
Before June could say another word, she was coaxed into the bathroom where she had her bath, washed her hair and was made to sit on a mobile chair they brought along for the job.
An hour down the line, June was dolled up. Her face was done to perfection and her hair a mass of wavy curls down her back. She was still in a bathrobe and the women showered praises on her.
“You are so beautiful, ma’am.”
“You will be the centre of attraction!”
“Gorgeous!”
June managed a smile at their words, however, she looked like one who needed to be rescued from their hands. What event did they speak of and how on earth did they come into this house?
Just then, the door opened and Rafael walked into her room with Luis by his side. His eyes widened a bit at the sight of June’s makeover. So much so his throat went dry.
Luis had no problem complimenting his auntie though.
“Auntie! You look so beautiful!” He said, rushing to her side.
“Thank you so much, baby.” She said with a genuine smile, unaware that the jaws of the women who knew Luis to be a difficult child were on the floor.
“Here you go. Congratulations on your first contract, Auntie!” He said, handing her two tickets to the engagement. Her eyes sparkled as she laid hold of the invites.
How?
Rafael finally moved his feet into the room, nodding at the greetings that were thrown his way.
“I don’t like this.” He said. “I don’t like the idea of getting you in harm’s way.”
June blinked, unable to say a word as she looked between the cards and the men in front of her.
“I’m tempted to lock you up and make sure you are in my line of sight but I figured that will be a bummer for my son.” Luis’s nose flared at the words of his father.
What was he up to now?
“Except you would love me as your plus one, some security men would be escorting you thro and fro the events.” Rafael finished off with his hands in his pockets.
“We already agreed that if Auntie wanted a plus one it would be me!” Luis snarled at his father, upset.
Rafael shrugged. “Let the woman decide, man.”
It took everything for June not to laugh at the little one’s expression. He seemed like he was betrayed by his father and the sight of his fury was so cute to behold.
At that moment, her phone rang and Lucy appeared on the screen.
“I guess it’s already decided son.” Rafael said with a smirk. “Have a lovely night.”
June swiped the call, mouthing the words thank you as she placed the call in her ears while Rafael led his angry son out of the room to give her privacy.
“I just sent you a link. Please check it out.” Lucy said on the phone, sounding excited.
“What is it?”
“South City’s Government is building a resort. They have called upon all architects to apply for the contract. Regardless of the class, they have decided to award the best design model.”
“Interesting.”
June wasn’t so convinced about it. If the government wanted to build a resort, she reckoned it would be given by default to the best in the business. Why go through the arduous task of getting applicants nationwide?
“This is a project aimed at pushing the firm’s architectural expertise to the international waters. It is going to be a contest that would be broadcast worldwide.” Lucy answered her silent questions.
“In fact, I think we need to see. I will come to you. Text me your details.”
June looked down at the tickets in her hand and back at the women who were now packing up. An Idea came to mind. “Think you could fit in one more makeover?”
One of the women quirked her brow in question. When June explained her plan, they were more than ready to help prepare her second to the parry.
Immediately, June was dressed and in record time, she texted a hotel address where Lucy was to meet her. They met and soon enough, she was dressed and trudged along as a plus one for the said event.