That night, June watched the clips sent to her by Carson, it was a struggle to keep herself from getting emotional as she watched Luis and Rafael stay by her side, watching her from the glass pane.
Two men who knew almost nothing about her and yet they took care of her so much that one would think she was a family member. She owed her life to them, that bit was certain.
When she got to the footage from the day she first opened her eyes, she noticed something outside the ordinary. Ranging from the other days, the nurse who came in on that day was different.
How did she know? Because, unlike the other nurses, this one seemed hell-bent on avoiding the camera. It felt like the woman in question knew the position of every camera and purposefully walked in such a way that it would not get a clear and concise view of her face.
June wondered if it was just her being paranoid and overthinking things but these days, after everything that’s happened to her, she reserved the right to suspect anyone who seemed or could be a threat to her life at the hospital.
That was the sole reason she was doing all of this – To find the loophole. The one thing her family must have forgotten in their grand scheme which would inevitably provide a trail that led back to them.
With rapt attention, June watched the woman make her way inside her hospital room, pushing a trolley of medical provisions while Rafael watched her, oblivious to her identity.
As she watched the footage repeatedly, detailing how the nurse basically almost ran out of the place when she woke up, speeding past the Doctor and was not missed afterwards, she felt her gut zero in on the woman.
Not to mention the fact that she was never seen again. Another nurse, carrying an identical trolley came by later and tendered to her. June picked up her phone in the dead of the night and dialled Carson.
“This better be good,” She heard him yawn, “Because I just woke up from a five-second break before I have to continue my shift in the hospital.”
“The nurse,” She said, “Do you know her?”
“I am a bit surprised you picked up on that. I had expected you to skim it over as one of those normal things so I could look good pointing them out to you.”
“Spill it, Carson. Leave no stones unturned.”
“That woman is not a registered worker of our hospital. Facts show that she is not even in the position to have a job in this City, not to mention having anything that could make her a nurse.”
“She’s the rat,” June said, firm in her tone. “Do you have her?”
A small laugh reverberated from Carson’s end. “We don’t have her yet, this woman seems to be an expert in evading cameras. I have my eyes set on the price, though.”
“As soon as something comes of it, I will let you know.”
June nodded, “I am grateful for all your help, Carson.” She said before ending the call.
That night, she placed a call across to Lucy. When she didn’t pick up, she sent a text, asking to have a private investigator sent to her. She couldn’t just sit and let Carson do the job of finding them alone, he’s outdone himself and it was high time she got off her hands and did something too.
****
The next morning came like a blur and the first thing she received was the Private investigator’s number. June figured that Lucy would have a lot of questions for her need to have a private investigator but that was something she could handle later.
After having her bath and making sure Luis had everything he needed, June walked down the stairs for a glass of water and breakfast. She planned to work from home and finish up on some designs before the day was out.
Then have dinner with the private investigator to decide if the person was someone she could work with. Her thought process was cut off when she connected eyes with Marie who was dressed in a black corset dress.
It seemed like she was going out and for the briefest second, June celebrated in her heart. One that was cut short by the next words which left her lips.
“I have been waiting for you the entire morning.” She announced with a sly grin. “My room is dirty and I need it cleaned.”
It took every bit of self-control for June to speak in an even manner. “There are workers in this house who are responsible for keeping the place clean.” She looked Marie over. “Although I figured everyone was entitled to their hygiene, if you can’t manage that, you can call on one of the people to assist you.”
“Aren’t you on Rafael’s payroll?” She suddenly asked with a bite to her tone.
June smiled, “Of course. I am-”
“Then you should clean my room.” Marie insisted with a small smirk. “After all, if you have to clean after that little mutt, you should have no problem cleaning after me.”
“I beg to differ.”
Marie circled June who remained rooted to her spot. “Believe it or not, I am the future Miss of this house. Seeing you are just a glorified maid, don’t you think it is wise to grovel to me?”
“If not because I am a better human than you can ever be, but for the fact that I will soon become your boss’s wife. Which also makes me your boss if I am correct.”
June swallowed, reeling in her anger. “I don’t have anything more to say to you.” She made to leave but Marie stood in the way.
“I think you are forgetting something, maid. This is not a request. It is an order. You will clean my room, as well as other rooms in this house because you are a maid and it is your job.”
At this rate, June was tired of having to speak to this woman.
“And if I refuse?”
A small laugh escaped her lips before she dragged June by the wrist, holding her tightly as she navigated them towards the direction of her room.
“You are a maid! I don’t care if you are sleeping with him or what favour he has over you but you will not forget your place! Not while I am in this house! You will earn every darned penny you are paid and I will make sure of it!”
June didn’t say a word as she struggled to be set free without any success. Soon enough, they arrived at Marie’s room, which was a pigsty. Marie had taken time to scatter everything in the room.
Clothes, books and everything else were thrown haphazardly on the floor, leaving almost no room to enter the place. June’s gaze turned sharp. This woman was biting a lot more than she could chew.
“Don’t even think of calling him. Rafael is off on a business trip. Mother told me herself. For the next three days, I am all you are going to get.” Marie took away her phone, “Now get to work.”
True to her words, Rafael jetted out of South City on an emergency meeting. He had planned to inform June of the situation, but following the night’s events and his early departure, he didn’t find the time to tell her.
June was made to clean up the room, toilets and hallways in order to get her phone back. The worst part was even after finishing the audacious tasks, Marie still kept hold of her phone.
At this point, she was seconds away from losing her shit and beating her up. Dinner came and June had enough of playing nice. After serving Luis in the comfort of his room and watching him eat and sleep, she returned to face Marie.
“Hand over my phone.” She said, with dead eyes.
“You mean the phone my husband-to-be gave you?” A tut, “I think not.”
June didn’t ask twice. She walked towards her and made to take the phone which was seated beside her, only to receive a slap in the face. June held the right side of her face with a deranged look.
All her frustrations from the day before came rushing in like they never left. “I will make you regret that.” She said and the next second, Marie was sent flying down by a powerful slap dished from the hands of June.
That night, not only did June beat her up, but she locked her up in her room with no phones and an ice pack to deal with the aftermath of her anger.