April was forced to sign the papers by the men who surrounded her. Colton picked up the paper with a victorious look on his face.
“Now that wasn’t hard, was it?” He asked with a vicious smile.
April was breathing heavily and sat on the floor. “You are making the worst mistake, ” she said in a small voice. “Selling the company will be a loss in the long run. If you are anxious about money, then you shouldn’t sell it.”
“Become the CEO. Let others do the work.” She implored, “You don’t need to sell it. Please… Don’t do this.”
Colton laughed in her face. “Look at you. Didn’t think you could be so civil.” He tutted as he placed the papers inside a briefcase. “I hate to break it to you, love. But this is a done deal.”
“Not to worry, the big buyer who took this off our hands is too busy to care about the companies. I already told you he let me be the acting CEO. Since you are so desperate to let others do the work, you can continue your job managing Lontoc Constructions.”
“You get to continue your act as the boss. Between me and you, no one needs to know you are out of power. I mean, you are so passionate about this company, I wonder if the passion would remain the same when you are added to the company’s new salary structure.”
April’s face turned awry. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t be silly. Of course, you would be added to the salary structure.” He paused, “Except you plan to work for free. Put that passion to good use. I don’t mind.”
April didn’t respond and he scoffed. “Thought so.”
Colton made his way out of the office, leaving April behind. He stopped in front of the door. “Like I said before, keep this between us. I’d hate to tell you what will happen if you speak a word of this to anyone.” His tone was laced with threats. “Be the smart girl I know you are and everything will be just fine.”
With that, Colton left the building with his thugs. April spent the night on the office floor. She didn’t sleep a wink all through the night. She couldn’t believe what had befallen her.
The next day, Clarence spoke with Beatrice in the Ambrose family house.
“He threw me out because of that wench!” She said with anger written all over her face. “They are not even a real couple! Can you imagine that? It’s all a contract. Their marriage is not even real!”
Beatrice’s eyes narrowed at her words. “What do you mean?”
“I saw the documents! I saw it in his home office. Rafael got married to that woman on a whim. It’s all an act that has gone farther than it should have.”
“Do you know what you are saying? Do you realise its implications?” Beatrice scolded, unable to wrap her head around what she heard. “Do you have proof?”
Clarence whipped out her phone. “I took some pictures of the documents before I got kicked out.” She pulled up the photos and handed them over to Beatrice. “Take a look at that! They lied to our faces. I knew something wasn’t right. I knew something was fishy with how he moved on from my sister.”
Unknown to Clarence, while she rambled, Beatrice sent copies of the picture to her phone and erased it from hers. “Think about it, Rafael was so hurt when she died, he didn’t even speak to you. His mother! There was no way he could move on so quickly. Something had to be wrong.”
Beatrice pulled up a disappointed look and dropped the phone on the table before them. “Are you that desperate to accuse my son of something so terrible? How dare you fabricate this?!”
Clarence did a double take, unable to understand the sudden twist. She pointed at the phone. “Take a look at the picture. I took it right inside Rafael’s home-”
“Will you shut up?!” Beatrice roared. “Do you think I will sit here and watch you defame my son? I told you to steal him from that woman, not try to defame him.”
“I didn’t fabricate it!” She picked up her phone to find the absence of the pictures. “Where is it? What happened to the pictures?”
“Of course I deleted it!” Beatrice said. “The last thing I need is someone getting their hands on that fabricated picture and turning it into something scandalous for my son.”
Clarence lost it. “Can you listen to yourself? Are you kidding me or did the woman who begged me to seduce her son just turn her back on me?”
“You must be silly.” Beatrice stood up. “I will excuse you for this insult because I brought it to myself. The next time you say something so stupid, I promise you will regret it.”
“Since you are a failure who can’t do a simple task, I think we should go our separate ways,” Beatrice spoke dismissively. “You clearly cannot do the job assigned so you might as well get lost. I will figure out other ways to keep things moving.”
“Are you asking me out of your home?” Clarence asked with shock written all over her face.
“Do I need to repeat? I believe I didn’t stutter. Get out before I make the security throw you out.” Beatrice barked, leaving no room for exceptions.
Clarence remained rooted to her spot and only moved when she saw some security men advance to carry out the orders to take her away.
“Let me be!” She barked when one made to touch her. She turned to Beatrice. “You are going to regret using me in this manner. I swear it!”
“You are of no use to me. Take her out!” Beatrice ordered and soon, Clarence was escorted out of the property. Afterwards, she took a seat and thought about her next step.
Beatrice knew she was wrong to ask her out but the last thing she wanted was another woman desperate to have her son. With the contract exposed, she figured that Rafael would honour the terms of the contract and move on from it in due time.
It was not real. Her reason for panic was neutralised. That wench would not be around much longer so she would use the time remaining to search for someone befitting of her son.
Rafael had proven he didn’t care for the woman he called his wife and they put on a good show. She just needed to ensure the next woman who bore that tag made it stick to the end.
While Beatrice planned her next step, June and Rafael lay on the bed, speaking about their dream wedding. These days, talks of their marriage kept popping up.
“I don’t want a big wedding.” June said, “I don’t think I need a wedding. I just need to know you are in with me for the long run.”
“Are you ashamed of me?” Rafael joked and she hit him playfully on the arm.
“Of course not! What is there to be ashamed of? You should be ashamed of me. The world would think I am leeching off you.”
“Why is that a problem?” Rafael asked, feigning ignorance. “I don’t want my wife working when I have everything. You are permitted to leech off me. I don’t mind. I want you to. Take all of my money if you will. I’ll be the happiest husband alive.”
June’s face reddened at his words. “You’ve gone off the rail. I want to be my own woman. I want to measure up to you if possible. Or at least be half the person you are. It’s only fair I don’t embarrass you.”
“If you are so bothered about it, I could give you half of everything I own. That way, you’ll be the richest woman in South City. I get to give you everything and have a big wedding. Everyone wins.”
June had no words for her husband. The worst part was that she had no doubts he’d do everything he proposed if she agreed. She still couldn’t figure out how she landed such a sweet and pure soul.
Rafael watched June stare at him with love in her eyes. Slowly, she drew closer to him and they shared a sweet kiss. A few seconds later, they separated and he felt breathless.
“I’m tempted to give you everything.” He spoke softly. “Maybe if I treat you well enough, you’ll never stop loving me. I’ll have a special place in your heart long after I am gone.”
June held his face, “Do not think for one second I will let you go. You’re stuck with me whether you like it or not.” She joked. “As soon as I get this deal in the bag, I will walk the aisle with you and tell the world what a lucky woman I am.”
Rafael smirked. “Are you proposing to me right now?”
June smiled, “It’s hardly a proposal when the man in question is my husband.”