Rafael and June jolted apart at the sound of the front door opening.
“What is going on here?” Beatrice asked, looking distastefully at June who tried to get decent.
Clarence walked into the scene and one look at Rafael and June, she knew her work was cut out for her. “Rafael!” She managed a smile and strutted towards Rafael.
Before June could realise what was happening, Clarence indulged Rafael in a tight embrace. What’s worse, Rafael returned the gesture. The green monster woke up.
“How have you been?” Clarence said with a smile as they broke apart. “It’s been so long. You look good.”
Rafael wore a small smile. “You never told me you were in the country.”
“You never asked.” She said in a chirpy tone and June suddenly felt out of place with their easy conversation. “You stopped returning my calls too.” She added in an accusatory tone.
“I am a busy man,” Rafael said like it solved everything.
Beatrice couldn’t restrain herself. “You didn’t go to the office today.”
“And?”
“I just wondered. If your father and his father handled the business with such laxity, Ambrose Corporation wouldn’t be the big fish it is today.” She sneered at June and scolded.
“Look at your hair. Did you forget this is a sitting room? Are you so wild you have forgotten the essence of a private room? Is this what you do around my innocent grandchild?”
“Mother.” Rafael’s tone communicated his position.
“I’m so sorry, mother. I-”
“Sorry for yourself!” Beatrice said in a harsh tone. She turned to her son, “It’s been two months and you haven’t spoken to your mother. How cruel can you be?”
June felt embarrassed by her mother-in-law’s words. They had been so preoccupied with everything, it skipped her mind to initiate contact.
“I am a busy man,” Rafael said again. Like it solved everything.
“Busy with her I presume.” Beatrice couldn’t hide the bitterness in her tone. “You looked so happy to see Clarence and you scorn your mother.” She added, acting distraught.
Rafael was ready to spit fire when June held his arm and slowly shook her head. Clarence watched their interaction with a frown. She immediately held Beatrice by the arm.
“Anyways. I brought Clarence here because she would be working with Ambrose Corporations moving forward.” Mrs Beatrice said, changing the topic. “Clarence just finished her masters and her grandfather has refused to see her or have anything to do with her.”
“I plan to sort this out with Elder Whitlock but in the meantime, I’d like for her to work with us,” Beatrice explained. “I’ll let her speak for herself.”
Rafael rolled his eyes but held his tongue. Clarence took over.
“I plan to build my own business. I was hoping to work with Ambrose Corp for some time. Get some experience before I break into the market. I understand if there is no space at the moment and I have sent my CV to multiple places.”
“Nonsense!” Beatrice said, “There’s no company better than our corporation.”
Clarence smiled, “But of course, those places are nothing compared to Ambrose Corporation. I was hoping to cash in a favour.” She spared June a look. “Think you can mentor an old friend?”
Rafael felt caught between a rock and a hard place. He hated to bend to his mother’s will but Clarence wasn’t only his friend but the only sibling of his late wife, Cara.
Usually, he didn’t need to think twice but things were different. He turned to June and her eyes were fixed on the floor. He felt an explicit need to explain the situation to her which led to a prolonged silence that was interpreted as hesitance.
“Like I said, I understand if there is no space in the company,” Clarence said with a strained smile. “Can you at least mentor me? That would look good in my credentials. No?”
Beatrice was losing patience, “I know you are married now, but this is Cara’s sister. Are you going to be cruel towards her too?”
June raised her eyes at the mention of Rafael’s ex-wife’s name. Rafael ground his teeth, suppressing the anger that threatened to spill over. Clarence acted surprised at the revelation.
“Married? I don’t remember seeing a wedding invite.” Her tone was soft and with the right dose of mild shock. June came to the rescue, trying to help her husband.
“We are yet to have the wedding.” She smiled. “I guess you can say-”
Her efforts were washed down the drain by Rafael who snaked his arm on her waist and said, “Our wedding is in two months.” He turned to Beatrice. “Isn’t that so, mother?”
The atmosphere was strained and Beatrice feigned surprise. “Oh really? Slipped my mind.”
“Congratulations!” Clarence said. “My sister would be happy to know you are finally getting on with life.”
The words were spoken in such a way it was hard to pick offence. Expertly delivered to place unease in the hearts of Rafael and June. Each thought about its impact on the other’s feelings.
“I guess I have two months then. You can’t say no now.” Clarence pushed. “I need to get as much knowledge from you before the wedding. Is that alright by you, miss-”
The words hung in the air and just then, June realised she hadn’t been introduced. Rafael did the honours. “June. June Ambrose.”
Beatrice felt the urge to correct her son for his careless use of their last name but she knew it would only make things worse between them. She was a proud woman who couldn’t stand the thought of not having her way but she knew her son was twice as stubborn and proud.
Although she never failed to air her discontentments, she also knew that in the grand scheme of things, She valued a relationship with her son rather than winning a petty fight. Besides, with Clarence in the picture, it was only a matter of time before everything fell into place.
“Are we done here?” Beatrice said before June could speak. “I am hungry. Did she at least cook something?”
It took some time before June realised the words were directed at her. She made to leave but Rafael held her by the hand. “My wife and I were a bit busy. The maids are at your service.”
Just when Beatrice wanted to argue, Clarence stepped up. “Don’t worry! Since I got my request granted, it’s only natural I cook dinner. My elder sister always said to thank people with a meal.”
June felt short for words when Clarence walked past them with a smile as she said. “You can go help yourself while I make Mother some meal. I’ll send word when the meal is ready.”
“You are our guest.” June stepped away from Rafael. “Forgive my manners, mother. I will cook. Please wait a minute.”
June left the sitting room and headed into the kitchen to whip up some food before they could object while Rafael felt at a loss and stormed out of the place, joining her in the kitchen.
Left alone, Beatrice turned to Clarence. “You have two months to win his heart or destroy whatever they have. Make every second count.”
Clarence sported a serious look as she thought. She didn’t do everything she did just to let another woman take what was hers. Not in this lifetime. Rafael was hers. He just didn’t know it yet.
“You can always count on me, Mother.”