“In just one day, two of my enemies would be in tears while I enjoy the fruits of my labour,” April said in a sing-song voice, as Ethan drove into the LT Constructions family.
Ethan’s jaws flexed in anger as he notified her of the job given to him. “Joel Patel has refused to sell his company to us. He refused every offer given to him.”
A sharp turn, “Then offer him more. I need that company to be absorbed into my company. Do whatever it takes! Don’t tell me you have become incompetent.” She said in a flippant tone.
“I don’t think there is any amount of money we offer him that he would take.” Ethan said solemnly, “Besides, why do you care so much about them? They are not worth your time.”
“This is why you will never amount to anything.” Her words were a slap to his face. “Don’t you know the first rule to world domination? Remove every threat on the way.”
“JP Constructions is hardly a threat. They are on the verge of bankruptcy.” Ethan said with gritted teeth.
Although he knew that JP Constructions had always been one company that rivalled LT Constructions in their project delivery, they were a small fish compared to the big fish that was LT Constructions.
Joel Patel had once been involved in the LT Constructions and one day, after getting into a big fight with his father, he was thrown out of the company.
In a few months, he started a company of his own, employing people who worked with him and built the company into what it was. Until he was becoming too much of a deal, snagging deals that originally belonged to LT Constructions.
Ethan remembered how his mother had advised him to devise a plan that made the company rot from the inside out. He had planted a person who got employed in the company’s finance and made away with a large portion of the capital, plummeting the company to debt.
That marked the beginning of the end that had finally come to pass.
When he met Joel Patel to sell the company, he knew it would never happen and only did it for formality. But his wicked pregnant wife won’t just let it go.
“I don’t care how you do it, Ethan. Joel Patel is an asset. If we can’t have him, and the company, better make sure that they are finished completely because I will not stand for loose ends when I take full control of my company.”
“W-what?”
“Whatever. Get me some juice before you come in.” April opened the door and stepped out of the car, unbothered at the bewildered look on Ethan’s face.
***
June returned home to the presence of Marie, out of her room and full of anger. Luis also was out in the living room, which was odd, considering he was supposed to be taking his classes.
“There she is! Mother! This is the wench I was telling you about! She beat me up and locked me in that dirty room!” Marie sounded like fingernails on a board.
June winced at the sound of her.
“Do not speak of Auntie in that manner!” Her prince charming came to the rescue.
“A woman that my grandchild favours, that is unheard of.” A voice said from behind Marie and June looked over to see who it was.
“Grandma!” Luis rushed to her, “That strange woman called my auntie names!” He said with indignation against Marie.
“Mother! This is the maid! The one I told you about! She prances around this house and has the guts to treat me like crap.” Marie reported, brimming with anger.
June’s voice was swallowed at the sight of the woman before her. An express image of Rafael and Luis. Boy were their genes strong in this family.
All of a sudden, she felt at a loss for words. How does one behave around a woman who was supposed to be her mother-in-law as well as her boss? Rafael wasn’t even in the country!
She was doomed for sure!
“M-Mother-”
“Who are you and what is your mission.” The older woman’s tone was even, sharp and cutting.
Her aura was like that of an empress!
For some reason, she could see her little one’s character reflected in this elder woman. When she didn’t talk, the woman’s features worsened.
“I see you are-”
Just when the woman was about to finish her words, the front door flew open, nearly knocking June over with sheer pressure. A smirk stretched the woman’s face immediately.
“Welcome back, son.” She said, looking over June’s head, “Can you explain why a strange woman lives in this house with my grandchild and subjects your guests to inhumane treatment?”
June turned around and met the grey orbs of Rafael. Wasn’t he supposed to be gone for a few more days? Unknown to June, Rafael had rushed back when his mother sent him a text the night before, promising to be in this home to ‘take care’ of things while he is gone.
He had never cut short a meeting so fast in his life.
June looked like a deer in headlights. Of course, she had forgotten to let Marie out of her room after she hit her the night before. It didn’t help that she had returned to the hospital to meet with Lucy who was still having a hard time coming to terms with her father’s death.
There were a tonne important things to do in her mind and setting Marie free just didn’t rank on the list. Was this why Rafael’s mother was here? She thought, feeling embarrassment rip through her.
The elder woman would definitely think of her as the devil!
“I believe I asked a question, Rafael. Who is this strange woman you have left my grandchild under her care?”
Rafael looked stuck between a rock and a hard place. He stared at June, searching for an answer she didn’t provide. If he told his mother she was the nanny, that would be the end of her stay in the house.
That bit was clear. He couldn’t imagine his son living without her. That was what he told himself. “Son?”
“Meet my wife,” Rafael dropped his suitcase on the floor, snaked his arm around June and dragged her flush against him. “June Ambrose.”
The sound of a cup shattering was heart. Marie who had taken it upon herself to bring some drink as she witnessed the disgrace and removal of June from the house couldn’t believe her ears.
Luis shot his father a sharp look, as if to say, how dare you claim my wife as yours?! June was ready for the earth to swallow her whole. Mrs. Beatrice Ambrose corked her brow in surprise.
“Interesting.” She said, “Tell me, son, when did this happen? The last time I checked, you were still an eligible bachelor. You never told me of anyone in your life.”
“It happened,” Rafael said, holding her tighter. “You can stop trying to match me up with any more women. I am happily married.”
His tone was flat and it was hard for anyone to see the happiness as he announced what was supposed to be his marriage. June felt her world enclose and burst into shambles.
“Fair enough. Show me evidence, then we can talk.” Madame Beatrice said, only for Marie to step forward.
“You are not buying into this nonsense, are you, mother?”
“Hush.” Rafael’s mother didn’t spare her a look, instead, her gaze fixed on her son and the woman in his arms.
Although she didn’t show it, she was shocked. Ever since her son lost his wife, he avoided women like a plague and flared every time she tried to get him back into the daring market.
Seeing him so relaxed and holding a woman in his arms was a far stretch from what he used to be and was a miracle in her eyes. Not to talk of her grandson who hated everyone that came a few foot radius close to him.
He even called her auntie!
Everything was all so new and foreign, that she had to get to the bottom of it.
“I already told you we are married, what else do you want?” Rafael hissed, hating his mother’s subtle implication that he was a liar.
He never lied.
“Proof. A marriage certificate. Something that tells me you are truly married to the young lady.”
Rafael hesitated for a minute. When he finally stepped away, June felt bereft and tensed. Her voice silenced as she watched him walk towards his briefcase and pull out a document.
It was their marriage certificate!
June’s eyes widened, did he take that thing around everywhere?
Rafael handed the court papers to his mother. He had taken the thing along to his shareholders meeting he had to cut short. He hadn’t even gotten the opportunity to announce his marriage before he started on his journey here.
June watched the look on Rafael’s mother grow from confused, to shocked, and ultimately, happy. “You are my daughter-in-law.” She stated like she couldn’t believe it.
“You are truly my daughter-in-law!” She rushed towards June and engulfed her in a hug. “Oh dear! I have waited for this day my whole life!”