“Are you so incompetent you decide to steal my design?” June said to April at the car park after their presentation. “I thought you were better than a common thief.”
April held her head high, watching June with intent eyes. “What are you talking about? If you are insecure about your presentation, you should return to your benefactor. I know you slept your way into being considered for this deal.”
She stepped in her face and whispered, “Between us girls, tell me, how did it feel to sleep with an old man for profits? We all know that’s the only way you could have gotten this far.”
Although April wore a confident aura, she was broken inside. Everything had gone wrong with the world as she knew it and it was a matter of time before she drowned in the waves.
“I don’t blame you.” June seethed. “For someone who had everything handed over to you, or stolen from someone, it’s hard to believe someone can build something meaningful from their sweat.”
April was ticked. “Do not insult me, June.” She breathed. “Do not think I didn’t notice your trembling hands. When I get this deal, it will be a testament to the fact you are and will always be a loser.”
June refused to let her sister’s words get to her. With her years of dealing with the nutjob, she realised her sister derived joy from tearing others down. It took her a while to realise but now she knew, she decided never to give her the satisfaction.
“We both know you are the loser. The biggest loser in the world if you asked me.” June scoffed, “You can’t even secure a life of your own. You thrive by stealing and taking what isn’t yours because you can’t do anything right.”
April felt attacked and shifted on her feet. She wore a lethal smile as she mocked. “I might not be able to do anything right, but at least I was able to take everything. Your mother, husband, company and everything you have ever worked for.”
“I will continue to take things from you while you continue weeping about it.” She advanced towards June. “If that is your definition of being a loser, then by all means, please, call me a loser. But we both know who’s not winning.”
June restrained herself from using violence. They had yet to leave the premises and the last thing she needed was to be associated with anything that had to do with assault or violence and ruin her chances of getting the deal.
She resorted to words once again. “Hand over my designs, April. Every single one of them. They aren’t yours.”
“That’s where you got it wrong.” April said with a smile, “These designs belonged to my late husband, Ethan Lontoc, in extension, they belong to LT Constructions which I am currently its CEO.”
“Are you that dumb? Do you need me to spoon-feed you?” She tutted, “Besides, you have eyes. It’s way better than the rubbish you created pining over a man that didn’t love you.”
“I made my team do a perfect job and when I win this contract, the world will know what dirty sleezebag you slept with.” Before June could come up with a retort, April left the premises.
Although she didn’t show it, April felt threatened by June’s work. After her brief presentation and the impressive slides, she was suddenly nursing thoughts on her ability to secure the deal for Lontoc Constructions.
She hated to lose. Despite losing the company’s rights, she wanted the deal. April knew that LT Constructions was well in its final days but hell would freeze over before she allowed June’s company to benefit from being awarded the contract.
In fact, she’d rather another company get the deal. Anyone but June would be fine. April made a pit stop at the mall to get her outfit for the contract announcement event.
She managed to steal Colton’s unlimited black card and intended to make the most of it while he arranged to get her included in the salary structure. On getting to the mall, she came across a woman who seemed familiar.
Beatrice was walking out of the mall when her eyes met April’s. She recognised her as the poor sister of June immediately. However, she could hardly remember her name. April stopped in her tracks, eyes narrowed as she picked her brain for when she met such a refined woman.
Beatrice must have noticed the question in her eyes, because she immediately introduced herself, “My name is Beatrice Ambrose, I take it you are the sister of June?”
April hid her shock. “Yes, I am.”
There and then, a light bulb went off her head. If there was one thing she knew about the young woman who stood before her, it was the fact she wasn’t on good terms with her sister. A fact that made her the perfect tool.
“Do you think you can step out with me for some time? Maybe over good food.”
April nodded, deciding to see where it went and why this prestigious woman kept seeking her out. Soon enough, they sat over a meal and Beatrice went straight to the point.
“If you are willing to work for me and break them up, consider yourself twenty-five million dollars richer.” April choked on her drink and listened intently. “I want you to destroy her, think you can do it?”
When April was provided with the material, she was more than happy to deliver. She walked out of the restaurant a happy and empowered woman, filled with knowledge and pending a decision on the best way to deal with her sister once and for all.
“Whatever you do, make sure my son is spared from the backlash,” Beatrice said before leaving. “I’d hate to have him involved in the mess.”
April smiled. “Of course.” She knew better than to get Rafael Ambrose in a tight corner, besides, her target has always been June.
The fun part of the deal was that June would never see it coming. She looked forward to seeing the look on her face when things shaped up the way it was projected in her mind. Time passed and soon, the announcement event was in the corner.
June noticed her husband seemed a bit thinner and much busier. He returned home late in the night, cuddled her and left before the crack of dawn. She didn’t want to seem needy but the fact she was yet to have a proper conversation with her husband in several days was getting to her.
She planned to bring it up the next time they spoke at length and decided to focus on her deal for the day. June received a business appointment from Lucy who sent the details of a high-profile client interested in her work.
June dressed up after her morning routine and headed straight for the engagement. It was a hotel lounge. June came in a few minutes early and rehearsed the perfect pitch for the client she hoped to turn into a paying customer.
Soon enough, June met with her client and truth be told, he was a high-profile man. A minister of South City. She wore a kind smile as she regarded him. “Hello, sir. Thank you for coming. I hope you had a safe trip here.”
The sleazy minister who had been deceived into thinking this was one of his conquests was pleased by her kindness and beauty. April spoke highly of the woman she was pioneering to him and he couldn’t deny, that he looked forward to having her between the sheets.
“Of course I did. Let’s not waste any more time as I am in a hurry. I want you to renovate a building. It’s a penthouse located in this hotel. Can you handle it?”
June was stunned at the hurry in his words. Did he not know they were a construction company? Although the project seemed small scale compared to the kind her company took on, she decided to take the job.
Her business thrived on building bridges and connections that would last a lifetime. “Of course, sir. Please lead the way.” She responded with a courteous smile.
The minister took it for consent and smiled. He would have a great afternoon unravelling the woman before him. He hadn’t quite enjoyed someone like her and eagerly awaited when it was time to feast on her.
“Don’t be in a haste. Let’s have a drink, then we can proceed.”
A protest was at the tip of June’s tongue but she swallowed it when the minister waved over a waiter and preposterously ordered drinks for them both. Things were taking a turn she didn’t like but this was business. Her customer satisfaction and retainment were paramount to her.
Unknown to them, April who predicted the entire thing paid some reporters to cover their meeting. That’s not all, she also tipped a waitress to throw some drugs into their drink. Something that would motivate the minister to have his wicked way with her sister.
After the drink, June followed the minister to the penthouse. Unknown to her, she was walking into a trap.