It’s been three days since the incident and June had not left her hotel room.
Evelyn was hurt by her daughter’s state but felt powerless and clueless about how to handle things. She called Lucy and told her the situation in an attempt to get her daughter back.
On the third night, Lucy came and camped outside June’s door, refusing to leave until she opened up. When she found that June was not opening up, she took matters into her own hands and picked the doors open.
June lay on her bed, dirty and unkempt when she suddenly heard pricking sounds from the door. Her brows shot up and she jolted from the bed, picking up a pen by the side of the bed, ready to confront whatever danger that came for her.
When Lucy stepped in, she felt her body relax and covered herself with the duvet, signalling her desire to be left alone. “Were you going to attack me with a pen?” She asked from the door but got no response from June.
“Mother Evelyn called me and she is worried about you,” Lucy said, taking cautious steps forward. “You haven’t picked up your calls for three days. The team members are getting worried.”
When it was clear June was not ready to speak, she sat on a stool beside the bed. “I know you are hurting. Probably more than I did when I lost my father, but I need you to get up and be the woman I know you are,”
“You encouraged me to keep moving when I was down. Because of you, I was able to survive being put off by LT Constructions. Although it might not seem like it, a lot of people depend on and look up to you.”
“The team members at JL are all rooting for your comeback to work. Everyone feels your absence and appreciates your presence. You might not be ready to return to work, but I hope you can put away whatever hurt you are feeling and begin a new journey to wellness.”
June didn’t move from her position under the duvet, but she was wide awake and listening to every word. The past two days she spent crying her heart out and mourning for all the bad things that had happened to her.
However, today was different. It seemed like she didn’t have any more tears to shed and yet shake off the residual feeling of loss that remained tight in her chest. It felt like there was a hole in her that needed to be filled, a side of her that was forcefully taken away.
A side that she knew was never going to return.
“There is a newly opened Club at the City’s central.” Lucy suddenly said. June’s brows perked at her words. She didn’t know Lucy to be an active member of the nightlife.
If she was being honest, she didn’t know a lot about her Vice President other than the fact she was reliable and the best at what she did. She had invested all her time and energy into seeking revenge on her sister, growing the company and building a good family relationship.
She had little to no friends and hardly went out to have a good time. June sat up, revealing her face to Lucy who was shocked to see her out of the duvet. For some minutes, June stared at Lucy who suddenly lost words to speak.
“I didn’t know you were the clubbing kind.” June broke the silence, her voice croaky from the tears and not talking for a long time.
Her words brought life to Lucy who nodded earnestly. “Sometimes, after a long week of work, I de-stress myself by letting loose at the club, getting drunk and partying all night long.”
June watched her for some time, causing her to squirm in her seat. The last thing she wanted was for her boss to think she couldn’t handle the job because of her weekend getaways.
Lucy was close to putting out a disclaimer when June asked, “Does it work?”
“What?”
“Partying all night. Getting drunk. De-stressing. Does it work?” June asked in a small tone and Lucy smiled.
“Of course it does! It works like magic! I am a firm believer in the saying that goes, the best way to get over one man is by getting right under another!” Lucy covered her mouth when she realised the implication of her words.
“!!!”
“That…”
“Is a good plan,” June said with a poker face. “I think I am ready to get under another man.”
Lucy shook her head, “You don’t need to do that.”
“And why is that?” June stood from the bed and made her way to the mirror. “Am I not beautiful enough? Do you think the men would not like me? Is it so obvious that I am damaged from within?”
“No…” Lucy trailed, “I didn’t mean that…”
“Then why can’t I?” June asked. Her eyes glazed with unshed tears. “Why can’t I do it too? Why do I feel so hurt? Why can’t I get on with my life?”
June cried and Lucy held her tightly. In moments like these, she knew actions were more comforting than words. That night, Lucy stayed in with June, silently comforting her. For the first time since the divorce, June took a bath and had dinner with her mother.
With supportive women around her, June felt her heart slowly heal from the pain and she looked forward to stepping out once again living her life to the fullest. One thing was certain, she was destined to be alone.
That night she made a decision never to fall in love again. She would remain celibate until she died and focus on more important things. She would never allow herself to be fooled by a man ever again!
Meanwhile, Rafael was admitted to a private hospital awaiting his surgery. He was a shadow of himself following his split with June and the cancer that ate at him. Carson worried about his friend who warned him against seeking out June after divulging the news of his recent singleness.
“I don’t think you should do this without informing your family members,” Carson said for the eleventh time.
“I don’t need anyone,” Rafael said, typing furiously on his computer.
His surgery was scheduled for the next day and he was under strict supervision until the final day. However, he refused to remain under bed rest and spent his every waking moment working, defying the physical and emotional pain he felt.
Carson felt at a loss for words. He knew it was only a matter of time before his friend ate him alive for allowing someone over but there was nothing he could do as the lady in question was persistent. He was surprised she hadn’t gotten to the hospital just yet.
He thought too early because Clarence arrived at the hospital and made her way to the room as directed by the counter. Soon enough, she stood in front of Rafael’s hospital room and knocked.
Rafael perked his brows at the sudden interruption. He wasn’t expecting anyone so he turned to Carson who looked everywhere but his eyes. Something was fishy. Before they could utter a word, Clarence strode into the room with a smile that vanished when she saw him working.
“Rafael!” She said in a reprimanding tone. “You are not supposed to be working!” She rushed to his side and took away his laptop without a second thought. The room suddenly went a few degrees colder.
“You are not supposed to be here.” Rafael gritted, eyes focused on Carson who finally spoke.
“She came to me and insisted I told her everything about your cancer!” He blurted, “What was I supposed to do? You refused to tell your family but told her.”
Rafael was far from pleased. “And so you did?” He asked in a menacing tone.
Clarence quickly intervened, “Please don’t blame Doctor Carson. I met him myself and threatened to tell mother if he didn’t tell me where you are. I was so worried about you. He refused to tell me what was happening so I had to use other means.”
Rafael ignored her existence and focused on his supposed friend. “Was that supposed to justify the fact you crossed my boundaries and involved a stranger in my business?”
Carson had the decency to seem apologetic. However, in his heart, he felt justified. This lady had shown him pictures of her getting cosy with his friend. He even told her something he didn’t tell his ex-wife or family.
She definitely meant something to him!
In fact, as opposed to letting him have surgery without any support system except himself, he’d choose to have this lady around anytime, any day. Clarence took the matter in her hands.
“If you are going to get surgery, you need someone by your side. I want to help you get through this phase. Please, Rafael. It’s what my sister would have wanted. Let me support you in these trying times. Let me be there for you.”
For the first time, Rafael stared at the woman before him. He didn’t trust her one bit. Neither was he ecstatic to have her around, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Rafael didn’t have the strength to push the matter as he felt pain.
Instead, he turned around, faced the wall and closed his eyes. An act they interpreted as giving permission. Clarence smiled and remained seated beside him while Carson huffed and left the room to make preparations for the procedure.