June watched her sister stand up and walk away while others openly watched their interaction with pitiful looks.
A bitter smile appeared on June’s lips and she left the place with Lucy trailing behind. The ride back to the hotel was silent and Lucy watched June’s mood worsen as time passed.
It seemed like her boss was slipping into the dark corners of her life and she couldn’t allow that. Not on her watch! Lucy put on the brightest smile and tried to encourage June.
“Who cares if we didn’t get the deal? Everyone with eyes could see that our design was better than what they chose!” Lucy held June’s hand. “It’s clear to everyone who deserved that win.”
“Then why didn’t we get it?” June asked with her face straight ahead. “Why didn’t they pick our design? Why were we sidelined?”
The bitterness, pain and anger she felt poured into her words. Lucy felt the sting of pain from her and tried to alleviate it. “It doesn’t matter. Don’t torment yourself thinking of those things.”
No matter how June tried to see the bigger picture and maintain a positive outlook, she couldn’t. Once again, she had failed. She counted the many failures she had experienced in the past few months.
She hoped this would be her turning point. Regardless of the scandal that rocked her from every side of the world, she hoped that her work would speak for her and she could begin a new life with this contract.
However, whoever seemed to be writing her story thought otherwise.
April’s words rang in her mind like an alarm bell. She was a loser. A failure. She had failed in marriage. Failed in motherhood. Failed to be a good daughter. And most recently, she failed in her career.
A dark cloud loomed over her as she thought about where to go. She suddenly felt weak and tired of life. Nothing was working in her favour. Everything seemed to be rigged against her.
Through those turbulent thoughts, Lucy held her tighter while she blinked back tears. June refused to shed a tear for herself. She had a fair share of those in the past week and knew they didn’t change a thing.
However, she had to do something about the dark thoughts that stifled her if she was to forge ahead with life. Just then, a striking thought came to mind. It seemed like the universe was making a joke on her but she would return the favour.
If they thought her failure to bag the City’s Resort project would send her to the abyss, they were in for a rude surprise. Lucy stiffened in shock at the next words that proceeded from June’s mouth.
“About that club.” June faced her. “Did you say it was at the City’s central?”
“Ah-Yes!” Lucy said from behind her. “Would you like to visit?” Her tone was careful and trying.
“Of course. We should celebrate our failure.” She shrugged. “Who knows, I might find a man that would help me get over the loss.”
Lucy didn’t like June’s attitude toward the matter, but there was little she could do to help improve her mood. If going to the club would help her boss feel better, she would gladly go along with it.
“The club doesn’t open until later.” She remarked and June pouted.
“Too bad, I guess we have some time to kill.” She looked at her wristwatch. “Let’s go shopping! I don’t think I have suitable clubbing outfits!” June announced. “I’d hate to go there looking rejected. Don’t you agree?”
With that, the ladies spent the rest of the day shopping and ended up with more things than required. Night fell and soon, they were on their way to the club. June began her alcohol intake on her way to the club and arrived at the club tipsy.
Lucy navigated their entry, keeping watch on June as she recklessly took more drinks, busying herself on the bar as she watched people dance and have fun.
“Why didn’t you bring me here sooner?!” June yelled over the loud music, smiling sheepishly as she downed her entire glass.
“Careful! You might get very drunk.” Lucy said with worry. She hadn’t drunk a bit or had fun since they arrived. It seemed like she was only there as a chaperone and protector.
June didn’t like the idea of being a babysitter. Although partially drunk, she hated to take away from Lucy’s experience of the club. They were supposed to have fun together.
“And you, my friend, are yet to have a glass of drink.” June handed a glass over to Lucy. “Don’t be a bore, come on! Chug it down.”
Lucy shook her head. “One of us must be sober enough to get out of here.” She reminded and it placed a dampener on June who was eager to have Lucy let loose.
“Why does it have to be you?” She slurred. “It’s not fun being drunk alone. I want to see you de-stress. Isn’t that what you said? Come to the club, party, and de-stress. It looks to me like you are doing the opposite,”
Lucy felt at a loss for words. “I am having a good time, June. I promise.”
“Lies!” June took the glass and downed it in one go, enjoying the exhilarating feeling she felt by it. “Are you concerned about our safety? I can call Thomas and-” June realised Thomas wasn’t obligated to be with her any more so she changed her strategy. “We can call Joel and place him on driving duties while we have fun. No?”
“I don’t think we-”
“Pass me the phone!” June said with an outstretched arm.
“I don’t-”
“Lucy?” She tried and failed to put up a convincing act. “Hand over the phone.”
Reluctantly, Lucy passed the phone to June who struggled for some time to send a text message to Joel. Smiling sheepishly after hitting the send button.
“Here you go! I texted him so there should be no problem. Right?”
Lucy smiled. “He hasn’t replied.”
Just then, Joel texted and said he was happy to join the party.
“You see? It’s settled. You can go have fun. I’ll be here watching you have the time of your life, who knows? You might end up having a better night than I am.” She whispered, “I’d like to see what you look like when you are not worried about me, Lucy.”
“Go on, I’ll be right here chugging down drinks till Joel’s here. I’m a terrible dancer so I’ll just have fun over here.” June shooed her away with a drink, forcing Lucy to down two glasses and head on to the dance floor when Joel texted of his arrival.
“Don’t stray too far and don’t accept drinks from strangers.” She said in parting.
“Where’s the fun in that?” June asked, causing her to stop in her tracks. “Just kidding! Duly noted! Now shoo!”
Lucy made her way to the dance floor while June remained at the bar, chugging down drinks until it was socially unacceptable to keep standing after having such an amount of alcohol.
Soon enough, she felt pressed and looked onto the dance floor. Lucy was grinding against an unknown man, finally letting loose when Joe stepped in and stayed by the corner of the room, silently watching as he browsed through his phone.
Everyone was preoccupied and it felt like she was minutes away from peeing herself. She needed to find the restroom fast. June stepped down from the stool she sat on and made her way to a security detail standing by one corner.
“Restroom,” She muttered, drunk out of her mind.
“What?”
“Rest… room.” She tried again, tired of this man who seemed to find it hard to understand. “I want to wee! Convenience! now!” She spoke in a raised voice, penning his lack of comprehension on the loud music.
“Oh-You can walk right down, the first room to your left.”
June squinted her eyes trying to memorize the directions. After one second, she decided to find her way to the restroom. “Straight down, first room to your right.” She muttered as she went, determined not to forget.
Soon enough, June got to an empty hallway filled with doors. The heat and noise from the dancefloor were a thing of the past and for the first time in a while, she appreciated the silence and clear air.
Her bladder threatened to let loose and she immediately rushed into the first room by the right. She turned the door knob and the door opened up to a dimly lit minimalist bedroom.
June didn’t have the time to admire or think about her surroundings. Instead, she rushed towards one of the doors by the side and thankfully, it was a restroom. She quickly relieved herself, almost dozing off by the relief she felt.
After finishing her business, June felt a bit dizzy from the drink. She stepped into the cool bedroom and the fluffy bed seemed like a good place to relax compared to the tiny barstool she had. June decided to sit for a while and somehow ended up lying face up on the bed which turned out more comfortable than expected.
Just when she tethered at the brink of getting asleep, a stern voice jolted her awake. “Who are you and what are you doing in my bed?”