June and Rafael grew closer as time passed. So much so that he pushed for them to have a wedding as he was tired of being the closet husband.
“You make me feel like there is another man out there.” Rafael joked as he kissed down her spine. “Why can’t we do the wedding? I want to publicly claim you as mine.”
“I know, but JL is still in its early stages. I need to become a woman worthy of you before we go public. I don’t want people handing things over to me just to curry your favour.”
“Why is that such a bad thing?” Rafael sounded like a child as he pouted. “I don’t mind being used if it means I get to have you anywhere and everywhere.”
June chuckled and stepped away from him. “I have an important meeting with one of your shareholders today. Do me a favour and don’t interfere.”
That caught Rafael’s attention. “Who is it?”
“You don’t need to know. Unless I get the job of course. Wish me luck.” She got off the bed, standing with her hands on her waist.
“You don’t need it.” Rafael wore a devilish smile. “Anyone would be stupid not to pick you.”
June shook her head with a smile and made her way to the bathroom. Since they confessed their love, every day was better than the last. She was having a difficult time leaving the bed every morning with Rafael’s new laid-back approach to work.
Even her mother-in-law never stopped gushing about how much her son had changed, teasing her and asking how she managed to have the father and son duo wrapped around her fingers.
A feat she still struggled to achieve even as their mother.
Soon enough, June was ready and making her way out of the house with Thomas hot on her trail. She had a meeting with Mrs Joseph, the wife of a top councilman and a top shareholder of Ambrose Corporations.
According to Lucy, they were looking to build a new family home and searched for the best in the industry. The assistant who reached out to them had made it clear they were coming in for an interview for the project as they were in the race with a couple of others.
June arrived at the location, armed with her design models and eager to walk out with the contract for the building project. Upon arrival, she was checked in by security and parked right beside a familiar-looking car.
June didn’t make much of the car and focused on the price. Shortly, she was led into the house to meet with Mrs. Joseph.
“It’s a pity that your former husband did such a terrible thing.” She overheard the tail end of a conversation before her presence was acknowledged.
“Good morning, Ma’am,” June spoke with professionalism. “My name is June Ambrose, a representative from JL Architectures. I came in for the interview.”
Mrs. Joseph wore a kind smile. “My husband highly recommended your company. Please have a seat.”
June proceeded towards the couch when the other woman turned around with a smile that took the wind out of her lungs. April sipped her tea, acting like she didn’t know her as she spoke.
“My husband was a disappointment. I married him out of love and took over the company to preserve the legacy of LT Constructions. It hurts me to know that he decided to take a downward spiral and got caught framing me for murders he committed.”
“I just hope I can keep the vision alive and mend the trust he broke by committing such a reckless act.” April Lontoc said with a small tone, hoping to curry empathy from the older woman.
Mrs Joseph nodded, empathising with the young woman before her. It was a pity the husband of such a lovely young woman would do such terrible things.
“LT Constructions has always been at the front of my heart when it comes to building my dream home, but with the current situation and the bad press, my doubts increased.” The woman explained, “Meeting you has restored some of the faith I have in the company, but that is still not enough for me to hand over such an important project to you.”
“I understand your reservations.” April said with a kind note, “I will do my best to recover the trust you have in LT Constructions.”
Mrs Joseph nodded and turned to June. “As you can see, I brought in other companies for consideration, and I hope by the end of this exercise, I will be able to come up with a suitable design for the home that would host the future generation of my family.”
June nodded, “I understand that you have been preparing for this project for some years. It is only right that you get the best man for the job. JL Architectures provides only the best.”
Mrs Joseph nodded, “Thank you for your understanding. I have reviewed some of your work, and although I see you are fairly new in the industry. I love some of the projects featured on your page. I look forward to seeing your work from this exercise.”
“Thank you, Ma’am,” June responded with a smile.
“Since we are all on the same page, let’s proceed.”
Mrs. Joseph proceeded to explain her vision for the next house. Emphasizing on the need to portray strong family themes in whatever designs they came up with. Afterwards, the two sisters, representing their companies were treated to a meal and escorted through the front door.
As soon as Mrs Joseph stepped inside the house, June headed for her car, refusing to have any conversation with April who had other plans.
“Long time no see, sister.”
June stopped in her tracks.
“JL Representative huh?”
“Do you have a problem with that?” She turned around, facing her sister.
“Not really. I wonder how Mrs. Joseph will feel when she finds that you told a lie. However small.” April stepped closer. “And most importantly, I wonder how a peasant like you was able to get in touch with this family.”
“Mr. Joseph recommended you?” A tut, “Hugging big thighs, are we?”
June stepped in her face. “One more word. One wrong word and you would regret showing your face here.” She said, on the brink of anger.
“Drop out of this race.” April stepped back with a faux smile. “This project belongs to LT Construction. Stay. Out. Of. My. Way.”
April walked out of June before she could manage a sensible retort. Her security opened the door to her car and she stepped inside. June watched them drive out with a calm expression on her face, leaving the premises a moment later.
One thing was certain, she was going to be awarded this project even if it was the last thing she did. Nothing was going to stop her this time around.
Meanwhile, April drove to the LT Constructions office. Since her husband’s arrest, she had been busy, trying to revive the connections that deserted the company during their trying times.
She was committed to building herself an empire and there was work to be done. One of which was to recover the deal of the new Joseph family home. Seeing her sister in that house as a competitor put April in a terrible mood.
That wench was after everything that belonged to her!
April stepped into her office and sat on her chair, contemplating her next point of action when her new secretary came knocking. “Come in!” She said, wearing a frown.
“Mrs. Olivia is here to see you. She refuses to leave and has been causing a ruckus. Do I call the security?”
April was tempted to say yes, but she figured seeing the wretched face of her mother-in-law might undo the terrible feelings gotten from her run-in with her sister. “Let her in.”
“Yes, Ma.”
The young man walked out of the office and in one second, the door revealed a lanky-looking Olivia Lontoc. April took a long look at the woman who was now a shadow of her former self.
“Why have you come here, Olivia?” She asked with a faux smile. “I told you I never wanted to set my eyes on you. Are you trying to get on my nerves?”
Olivia fell on her knees, face down as she spoke. “Please save me. Save my son. Please, he can’t survive there any longer. I will do anything. Please save my son.”
April couldn’t help the laugh that burst out of her at the sorry state of her mother-in-law. “If I remember correctly, you told me you would make me pay. You both framed and betrayed me. Why should I care?”
“I was wrong! I take responsibility for everything!” Olivia raised her head. “Please! Ethan did nothing wrong! I forced him to betray you! It was all my fault! If you want to punish anyone, then punish me! I will take his place! Please! Help my son, let my son live!”
April got up from her seat with a smile, “I think you are suffering just fine with Ethan locked up.” A shrug. “Unless you want to see him die, I suggest you take yourself out of my company or tomorrow’s news will be riddled with reports of his death.”
“Please! Please! I can’t live without him! I can’t survive this!”
“Then die. You will be doing the world a favour.”