It was time to announce the winner for South City’s Resort Project.
June received her invitation to the event but didn’t feel like appearing in any public places. She was able to make do with her phone with the help of Lucy who handled work matters and only informed her when it was important.
She was slowly adjusting to life without Rafael as her husband and although it hurt, she was learning to live through it. Today was her first public outing and she hoped she could pull it off.
Lucy went above and beyond to prepare her glam team which handled her looks for the event and by the time they were done, everyone had nothing but praises to shower at her intense beauty.
“Oh dear, I must have some good genes. You look so beautiful,” Evelyn playfully attributed herself as the source, bringing a smile to June’s face.
“Anyone who doesn’t look at you must have a stiff neck!” Lucy joined with a smile. “You are the fairest of them all!”
June smiled at the antics of the two most favourite humans in her corner. “You flatter me,” She said, having a hard time believing she looked that good.
“It’s not flattery if it’s true!” Lucy chipped and the glam team agreed.
“You are effortlessly beautiful, Ma’am. You made our jobs a lot easier and more fun!” One of them said,
“Thank you for trusting us with your looks! We wish you the best on your event!” Another said as they packed to leave the hotel room.
June stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked decent. She was not ignorant of the weight she lost from the past week but altogether, she wasn’t all that bad.
They either ridiculously exaggerated her looks or she was just a negative Nancy. Something told her it might be a bit of both. The team left the room and she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
“Will you be alright?” Lucy asked from the bed while Evelyn watched her daughter curiously. “If it’s all too much, I can represent you at the event.”
Evelyn nodded, “I learnt your sister would be there. I don’t want you getting into a confrontation with her. You have a lot going on to go through any more stress.” Her mother interjected.
June appreciated their concern but she spoke against it. “What if I end up getting the project?” She asked with a smile. “It’ll be a pity if I don’t see April’s forlorn face at the taste of losing to me.”
The two women muttered their agreement but it was clear they had something to say. June smiled at her mother and June.
“What? Are you worried I might end up the loser?” She asked with smiling eyes.
They were quick to deny it. “Of course not!” Evelyn said, “Didn’t you say she stole your former designs? There’s no way she could beat the original creator!”
Lucy agreed. “Exactly! Besides, even if she won, it’s still your win. She is a clueless thief who will soon pay for her crimes.”
June nodded, “Exactly why I need to go.” She said and they became quiet, “don’t you agree?”
“Yes!”
“Of course!” Lucy said, “I better get to calling our ride. We shouldn’t be late.”
With that, June and Lucy got ready and soon, they headed to the event. The car parked in front of the venue and reporters crowded the place. It was a public function, and the president was in attendance with other top functionaries.
June and Lucy made their way into the event without much hassle until they came across April who was dressed in a stunning white dress that accentuated her figure.
Her lavish make-up made it hard for people to miss her and the aura of confidence that surrounded her. June stiffened at the sight of her sister as she hadn’t thought to see her so early on.
She gritted her teeth as April headed for her, abandoning her former companions. “Who do we have here?” April said with a mocking tone. “The little contract wife.”
June refused to be intimidated and kept her head held high. “April. It’s once again a displeasure to see you.”
She scoffed. “You have the guts. Showing up here to witness your epic failure.”
“The results are yet to be called,” June said with a smirk. “You are confident for someone who turned in a stolen design.” She moved closer and whispered. “Who did you sleep with this time? The president?”
April felt her confidence shred at the thought of June having an idea of her discretions with the minister. Did she have something planned? Her mood took a 360-degree turn, so much so it was visible on her countenance.
June stifled a laugh. “I was only making jokes, but it seems like the shoe fits.” She turned to Lucy. “The event is starting. Quickly, let’s find our seats.”
April was left hanging while June graciously walked towards a table reserved for them. The event started and soon, it was time to announce the South City Resort Project design.
The host began the speech by thanking everyone for honouring the invitation and further on the procedure for selecting the winning design for the Resort Project.
“After a careful consideration of the beautiful model plans drawn out by the Construction experts involved in this process, the panel, with the approval of the presidency of South City has decided to award the contract today.”
The host pointed to the blank screen that suddenly came on with a pictorial design of June’s model. Lucy couldn’t hide her joy at the view of their project on the screen and jolted up her seat.
“Yes! We won-”
“LonToc Constructions has been awarded the project with their beautiful design mode. Thank you for your beautiful and thoughtful work and please accept our Congratulations!” The host finished and confusion brewed in the room.
Lucy couldn’t hold herself. “That is OUR design!” She pointed to the screen, eliciting reactions in the hall. “That design belongs to JL Architectures.”
June remained seated, watching the drama play out as the host suddenly turned around. His eyes widened at the sight of the design on the screen and he suddenly turned around.
“Erm… I think there’s been a mistake with the image projected,” He excused, and broke into a thick sweat.
Murmurs circulated the room as a young man jogged to the stage and whispered something into the ear of the host who quickly regained confidence when the screen went blank.
“We apologise for the wrong image. However, the real design would be up in a second.” Sure enough, the screen lit up and April’s design came up. The entire crowd having seen the former design were disappointed by the winning design.
“How could it be? The former design was certainly better!” A woman said from her seat.
“Why choose an ugly duckling in comparison to a swan?”
“Are you sure this is the winning design?”
A lot of conversations spurned in the hall and April gritted her teeth. Her heart filled with anger as she blamed June for the little mishap. No wonder she seemed so smug! She must have paid or slept her way into making this win a bitter experience.
When the host realised he couldn’t handle the comments, he chose the oldest trick in the book and moved things forward hoping the conversations would die down. “The CEO of LonToc Constructions is here. Please step forward and sign the contract.”
April wore a proud smile and made her way to the front. Despite the conversations around her, she refused to let it show how bothered she was by it. This was a win she needed to establish her dominance over her sister in the industry.
She wouldn’t let a minor mishap and people’s perceptions ruin the moment!
Soon enough, April was paraded and made to sign the papers in public while the reporters covered the event. June felt her blood boil at the sight of her work getting accredited to someone else but remained in her seat.
Lucy couldn’t take it as her anger got the best of her. “We should go. The selection has been corrupted! We shouldn’t sit here any more.”
Although June agreed, she shook her head no. “We can’t be seen as sore losers. We should show good sportsmanship by congratulating the winner. No?”
Lucy looked at her boss like she had fallen and hit her head. She couldn’t understand why her boss seemed so intent on getting humiliated. April would try to insult them if they remained here.
“Yes, but-” She scratched her head as she tried to make a point but June cut her off.
“No buts.” June saw April round up her signing and walk towards her seat with a victorious look targeted at her while she received congratulatory remarks from people. “Great! She is back to her seat. We should congratulate her before we leave.”
Before Lucy could say a word of protest, June stood up and headed for April’s seat while others made their way out of the place. June got to April’s table with a dazzling smile.
“Congratulations on your win,” She said with an outstretched arm.
April wore a mocking smile. “Oh thank you, Sister. Unfortunately, I don’t shake hands with losers.” She shrugged. “It’s contagious.”