Ever since the scandal surrounding JL Architectures, the business has slowed. The number of orders they received trickled to a stop, and soon, June was worried about the lasting impact of Mrs. Joseph’s words at the party.
“Do you think we should issue a statement?” Lucy asked thoughtfully. We can’t keep trying to cushion the effects on Mrs Joseph to our detriment. We need to defend ourselves.”
June knew that choosing to maintain silence at such a critical time could hurt JL but she couldn’t shake off the guilt she felt at Mrs Joseph’s current situation.
Following Rafael’s intervention, Mrs Joseph and her family were going through a lot with Mr Joseph’s removal as Councilman, the ongoing divorce and the hit Baron Oil had taken due to the situation.
The news was riddled with bad news about the Joseph family – one that increased as the days passed. She hated to add to the situation by re-digging the case and making a public statement with proof that she had been innocent and was the victim of a misunderstanding.
“I think we should hold on a bit,” June said, and even that sounded odd in her ears. Lucy gave her a look and she threw her hands in the air. “You know what? Just give me some time. I would sort this out.”
With that, June returned home with her mind full and a decision to make. Rafael was in his office when his assistant came with a report on the recent happenings with JL Constructions.
Unknown to June, Rafael had ordered his assistant to monitor JL company and give reports periodically. He knew his wife would hesitate to ask or take his help so he decided it was best he handled things in his way.
Although he was yet to do anything spectacular for the brand as his wife had been doing a great job, he looked forward to helping her from the shadows. Hence, when his assistant reported the negative impact and backlash the company faced after the party, he abandoned everything else and sought a solution for his wife.
The next morning, June was preparing for work when she received news from Lucy that she couldn’t believe. “what?”
“Ambrose Corporation has reached out to us for a new office project they will be unveiling soon!” Lucy couldn’t hide her excitement. “They also said they had full faith in our ability to deliver as they had gone through our catalogue.”
“We don’t need to go through any rigorous process, we just need to drop by the head office for the contract signing!”
June couldn’t believe her ears. “Ambrose Corporations?”
“Yes! I will have the email sent to you in a minute.”
Lucy did as promised and soon, June was staring at a softcopy of the contract she had to sign. According to the directive, she needed to read through the copy and report the areas that needed to be changed before the contract signing.
Everything seemed too easy – Too easy not to have her husband’s name written all over it. June felt a burst of emotion at her husband’s thoughtfulness – to give her such a deal at these trying times was out of this world.
He was putting his company’s name at risk by associating with the home-wreckers brand – the netizen’s description of JL these days. This deal would not only raise a load of funds for her company but place her on a high pedestal as a construction company.
It was no small feat and she struggled to accept it. When she set out to start the company, she aimed to build something from scratch and grow it using her abilities.
If she accepted help from her husband, it would corrupt her vision and wouldn’t profit her in the long run. She needed to be able to make decisions that would cater to the growth of her company and not have her husband interfere anytime things get tough.
June sought out her husband at his office. Rafael smiled as he saw her walk through his doors. It was the first time she stepped into his space and intrusive thoughts filled his mind on the many things they could do.
Rafael placed a kiss on her lips. “I’d love to see you in my office every day.” Another kiss. “Takes the edge of things and makes me super productive in my husband duties, wifey.”
June pouted and her cheeks turned a light shade of red. “You! I thought we agreed to stay out of each other’s business?”
Rafael littered kisses on her face. “hm.”
“Then w-why did you-”
Rafael cut her off with a full-blown kiss that she leaned into, enjoying the feel of her husband. Three knocks on the door made June jump out of her skin and away from her seducing husband who didn’t appreciate it.
Rafael vented his anger at the person behind the door. With a clear and loud voice, he said, “Get out and never come back or you’re fired.”
The assistant heard the cold voice of his employer but didn’t respond for fear of losing his job. Instead, he scurried away from the door and got to work clearing his boss’s schedule for the next three hours, subject to future revisions.
Rafael continued to torment his wife with kisses, and soon her lips were swollen from the activity. June sat on his office desk with a pout on her lips as she said,
“We agreed not to meddle in each other’s businesses.”
Rafael feigned confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“The deal, don’t pretend you don’t know about the deal presented to JL.”
“What deal?” Rafael kept up his act until June whacked him playfully on the arm. “What? I saw a good company and decided to do business.” He looked into her eyes. “Is that so bad?”
June was at a loss for words. The man before her knew how to sway her heart with his thoughtful actions. How did she land such a perfect man?
“No.” She replied. “But-”
“No buts. JL will build my company, and I will pay for the service and that’s all.”
“What if I reject it?” June pressed, “What if I don’t want to work for my husband?”
Rafael smirked at her boldness. “Then I will find other ways to make my wife successful. Whether she likes it or not. Would you like to see how persistent I can be, love?”
June bit back a smile and shook her head. Rafael had shown her how persistent he could be in getting what he wanted. She knew first-hand how many skills were up his sleeves and more.
“Fine. I will do this deal.” Rafael’s eyes lit. “Don’t look so happy. I might not be the one who designs the building.” They both knew it was a lie. “These days, I get too busy attending to my needy husband and sweet child, I barely have enough time to work.”
“Maybe we have to fix that,” Rafael said, drifting closer to her for a kiss but she dodged and safely left his hold.
If things were not careful, her husband might impregnate her before she left his office. He was always so needy of her. It made her feel happy and valued.
“Not today, I have a lot of work to do.”
Rafael’s nose flared at her words. “Do you need me to send in someone to release the load? I could have my assistant over to yours. He is very efficient in his work.”
June laughed. “Are you sure you want to send a ‘he’ to me?” She teased and it took a minute before the meaning behind her words was clear to her husband.
Rafael shook his head. “Female.” His brows furrowed as he thought about the number of men around his wife. He was going to do everything to reduce that number to zero!
“You will have a female contact you, a female driver, or bodyguard, you just wait,” Rafael said with all seriousness but June found him cute.
At that moment, Rafael reminded her of their little prince and she found herself wanting to see her good luck charm as soon as possible. Things proceeded and soon, she signed the contract.
Rafael made it a point to announce their new relationship with JL which brought an inflow of customers and clients to JL, so much so that they struggled to meet everyone.
Just like that, JL was placed side by side with LT as one of the leading construction companies a few hours after their relations with Ambrose Corp, and every trace of their former scandal washed in a matter of minutes.
All thanks to her sweet and thoughtful hubby.