The Lontoc family house was a shadow of itself.
Due to the swift change in power, the number of house employees was reduced to three. The gateman, the housekeeper and the cook. They were all to serve him whenever he visited the house.
April was reduced to nothing but a home occupant and as a result, she barely visited the house that was supposed to be her matrimonial home. However, after winning the contract, she decided to return to where it all started.
The day was spent celebrating the win at the office but Colton was yet to congratulate her on the latest achievement. It hurt to know that her hard work in getting the biggest deal would go down the drain because her stupid ex-boyfriend decided to sell her company.
Much more than ever, she wanted to have her company back. No matter the costs.
On her way home, she decided to speak with Colton about Lontoc Constructions and sent a text asking to meet. Although he didn’t respond, she could tell he read it and she banked on the fact he would return home to her.
He always did.
April arrived earlier, had her bath and freshened up. She remained in her bedroom until she slept off, only to be awakened by the sound of the door opening from the outside.
She jolted awake and sat up on the bed, only to be met with the sight of Colton and some woman having sex by the right side of the wall. They were so taken and busy with each other that they didn’t realise the presence of another in the room.
April flipped on the lights and the couple jolted apart, shocked at the sudden influx of light. “What is wrong with you?!” April yelled, unable to take it.
“Do you also bring these dumb women into my house?!”
Colton frowned at the sudden interference, and the other woman hastily got decent. A scowl grew on her face when she saw April standing in her robe.
“Did you bring me here to embarrass me?” The younger-looking lady said to Colton, seeming offended. “I didn’t know you had a woman.”
“I don’t baby.” He said, kissing her palm. “This thing is just a servant. The maid. She has nowhere to go and has abused the privilege I gave her.” He turned to April whose eyes were the size of saucers.
“Get out.”
“You don’t mean that,” April said, advancing towards them menacingly. “Do not test me. I let it go the first time, but that doesn’t mean I will tolerate this disrespect in my late husband’s house.”
Colton guffawed in mockery. “Your late husband’s house? I must say you have guts. The same man you set up and killed, isn’t it?”
“!!!”
“I don’t have time for this rubbish. As you can see, I have a guest. One I find very pleasurable. The last thing I need is your smelly self getting in the way. So do yourself a favour and scram.”
April shook in anger. “I might not be the CEO of Lontoc Constructions, but I am the only living Lontoc family member. This is my house.”
“I regret ever bringing trash like you into my life but since we can’t cry over spilt milk, I’ll be clear with you.” She cleared her throat and took a stance. “Who exactly did you sell my company to?”
Colton shared a knowing look with the woman by his side. In one second, he dragged April by the wrist and dragged her out of the room, headed downstairs while she screamed.
“Leave me alone! Where are you taking me?! Let me go!” April tried and failed to get out of his hold.
Colton led them to the front door, dragged her outside the gate and threw her out. “I don’t want to see your ugly face in this house any more. And lest I forget, You’re fired.”
“Do not show up in any of the houses, or the companies, and never in front of me. Do you understand?”
April tried to get up but noticed her ankle was hurt by the rough fall. Before she could speak, Colton shut the gate and left her outside with nothing but her dress.
A second later, a scantily packed bag, including her phone was thrown out by the gateman who received a strict warning never to let her into the property or stand losing his job.
The cold air flushed against her skin and she swore under her breath, refusing to be frustrated by the situation around her. How does one explain getting fired and homeless on a day she celebrated a long-awaited win over her sister?
April was lost on what to do and after moping around and trying to get back in, she slowly navigated her way out of the Lontoc family neighbourhood. As though she hadn’t experienced enough, She was caught by some fishy-smelling men who refused all her offers of money and completed the disaster of a day by raping her on the cold hard ground.
The next day, June woke up with a terrible hangover. It was hard to blink without feeling a douse of headache and pain. What’s worse, unlike the former times when she easily forgot the events of the previous day, this time, she remembered everything.
“Ah!” She held her head in her palms as the memory of the day threatened to make her commit suicide. “Shameless! So so shameless!” She reprimanded herself in the hotel room until her mother walked in with some hangover tea.
“Lucy told me you would need this.” She placed the cup on the side of the bed while June covered her face in shame. “I am happy I got to experience my daughter getting drunk for the first time.” Evelyn teased. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Oh, mother!” June felt highly embarrassed, “I will never drink again!”
“Take the tea. You will feel better.” Evelyn said when her daughter winced in pain.
June took the tea and thankfully, she felt better. She got up from the bed afterwards and had a long bath, it was a new day and she planned to visit her company after such a long time out of work.
Her solution to failing at a task had always been to sit up, dust herself and try again. Or in this case, keep moving. Her destiny was in her hands now. She would make the best of her life and become a formidable woman no man can mess with.
That day, June went to work, to the surprise of her employees who didn’t expect her to show her face after the failure they faced at receiving the South City Resort project. What’s more> She showed up with a smile.
If they didn’t know better, they’d say she won the contract with how beautifully dressed she was. June happily responded to their greeting and made her way to the office. When Lucy heard of her arrival, she showed up.
“How are you feeling, Ma’am?” She asked with concern written on her face.
June gave an assuring smile. “Thank you for your hard work. The tea was effective.”
Lucy bowed her head and smiled. “I’m happy you are alright. I’ll be on my way now.” She made her way to leave when June stopped her.
“Thank you for last night. I needed that experience.” June used diplomatic words to explain her happiness and watched the tension dissipate from Lucy’s shoulder.
Despite their good rapport, Lucy felt worried after the night ended. She was happy to put her worries to rest and the past behind them. They worked until Lucy came rushing into June’s office with some news.
“We have a client who wants to meet with you.” She explained,
June frowned as she remembered the last time she went to see a client and the results that followed it. “Henceforth, I will only take clients in my office. If anyone requires our expert services, direct them to visit the company.” Her tone left no room for refusal.
Lucy nodded and returned to work. She came tumbling into June’s office some minutes later. “The clients will be here in five minutes.” June was taken aback by the suddenness of the client but she nodded.
“Send them in when they arrive.”
In the next few minutes, June heard some knocks on her door. She sat up and directed them to come in. The door opened and nothing prepared her for the face that walked into her office.
June jolted from her seat with eyes wide. “Y-You..”
The man took long strides into her office and made himself comfortable on a seat. June felt her face grow hotter and discomfort ate at her insides. “Why are you here?” She built the courage to ask.
“That is no way to welcome a paying client.” The man spoke nonchalantly. “Especially one who you have objectified and borderline harassed the previous night. Don’t you agree?”