That weekend, June stepped onto the flight that headed to North City.
Lucy, now a new house owner and Evelyn’s neighbour, saw her off and promised to take care of her mother to the best of her ability. It was an emotional departure.
June felt her anxiety build up as the aircraft took off the ground. She bade South City goodbye for the next three months. She hoped that the next ninety days would transform her life and heal the wounds in her heart.
Meanwhile, April was in her penthouse when she received a call from Mrs, Beatrice. She took the call with a smile. “Do you have good news for me?”
“The company has been set up” Beatrice gritted. “The papers would be faxed to you and a team of employees has been set up to ease your return into the business.”
“Oh my, that’s wonderful,” April said while sipping tea.
“Good. Now get to work and leave me and my family alone.”
April could sense the call was about to end, and she immediately spoke. “Don’t you think you are forgetting something?”
“What is it?” Beatrice was losing her patience.
“Don’t sound so gloomy. My South City Project. I am yet to hear any news of my new company getting the gig.” April mused. “Do I need to remind you what happens when I don’t have my way?”
Beatrice’s fingers tightened into a fist. This young lady was getting on her last nerve. She couldn’t wait for the day she could finally place her where she belonged.
“This is a sensitive case,” Beatrice said. “There is news of the case being mishandled by Lontoc Constructions following your exit. My lawyers are on the case. You will hear from me when things are settled.”
April tsked. “You better. Tick tock, I’m running out of patience.”
Beatrice dropped the call, refusing to be threatened by the little devil. She cursed under her breath and returned to work. She’s been trying to get across to her son since the preposterous accusations were levied but Rafael was unreachable.
She was beginning to feel worried when she called his assistant who told her Rafael had cleared his schedule for a month and given strict orders only to reach him when it was an important matter.
Luis was also becoming a tough nut to crack. Her young grandson seemed to become more of a loner with the passing days. He barely spoke a word to anyone and robotically went about his business. He didn’t even spare his grandma a word.
Everything was getting out of hand.
Meanwhile, Rafael was getting checked at the hospital after his surgery. Carson was there with a smile to break the good news. “We were able to remove the cancerous cells. You are doing amazing, friend.”
Rafael blinked, “Where is my phone?”
Carson almost felt upset. “You are not allowed to get back to work. You are still healing and-”
“I need to speak to my wife.” He said without mincing words.
“You divorced her,” Carson said, wondering about the mental health of his friend. “Did you forget?”
Rafael wore a stoic look. “It’s none of your business. I need my phone. How long has it been?”
“A few weeks.” Carson felt offended. “When were you going to tell me of your marital indiscretions?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Clarence came here. She claimed you slept with her,” Carson said, hoping to find out more from his friend. “She has been coming here every day for the past week. It’s only a matter of time before she shows up here again.”
“Transfer me to my house,” Rafael said with a frown, disregarding his friend’s words. He’s always hated the smell of antiseptic. “Call my assistant and have them ready to give a report.”
Carson scoffed, “One would think I was your errand boy and not your doctor,”
“I feel good,” Rafael said testing his limbs. “I could easily do these things myself.”
“No, no.” Carson interrupted. “Relax and don’t put our hard work to shame. I will arrange everything.” He pulled a phone out of his pocket. “Funny how I knew it would be the first thing you ask of me when you are awake.”
Rafael turned on his phone while Carson left the room to prepare the discharge papers. He dialed June’s number but it rang straight to voicemail.
Rafael was soon discharged from the hospital and taken home under strict supervision of some medical personnel. His assistant came over and briefed him on the state of the company and the family situation.
“And my wife?” He asked after the report. “Where is she?”
“Miss June Rivera is-”
“Ambrose.” Rafael corrected with a grave look on his face. “June Ambrose.”
The assistant, having prepared the divorce papers, felt confused. However, his job was dear to him so he held his tongue. “Mrs June Ambrose lives in a hotel with her mother.” He explained, “JL Constructions have faced a lot of challenges with the scandal involving Mrs June but they have weathered the storms.”
Rafael felt a swell of pride at the mention of June’s achievements. There was nothing his woman couldn’t handle as long as she placed her mind on it. Much more than ever, he wanted her returned to his side.
“Text me the details of her hotel.” He ordered with a light smile on his face.
“Yes sir.”
Rafael was under strict supervision until he was finally out of the woods and permitted to leave the house. He looked healthier and the previous pains were a thing of the past.
“You should never miss your appointments.” Carson counselled. “The cancer has been removed but there is always a slim chance of it making a reappearance. You should take your medications religiously.”
Rafael listened with halved attention. His car was parked outside and he planned to visit June who had yet to pick up her calls for the past few weeks. Carson left the house and he got dressed.
Soon enough, Rafael was in his black-tinted Range Rover Sports car, headed to the hotel. The car parked in front of the hotel and Rafael stepped out of the car with a security detail behind him.
Unknown to him, Clarence had a wild night and was lodged hotel and headed home when she saw him alight from the car. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief and dashed towards the door.
“Rafael?” She said and he stopped in his tracks. Clarence embraced him tightly when she realised it was indeed Rafael. “I have been to the hospital for the past month! That bastard Carson refused to tell me anything concerning your health.”
She placed a caring palm on his forehead and neck. “Do you feel pain anywhere? Come, come, we need to get you back home. Don’t tell me you are already back to work.”
Rafael removed her hand from his neck with a frown. “We are not that close.” He corrected in a cold tone. “I have serious business so I’ll leave first.”
Caught off guard by his cold reception, Clarence fell on the floor with a dramatic flair and cried out. “Argh! My stomach hurt!” She held a protective arm around her belly. “I can’t feel my legs any longer! I need to be taken to the hospital.”
Rafael turned around with a bigger frown. He made to leave, knowing she was making a big deal of nothing but people already held their phone out, thinking some cold man pushed her.
“Help her up,” Rafael ordered his security, who sprung to action.
Clarence wasn’t satisfied. She made drama of her situation and what started out as a ploy to gain Rafael’s attention ended up pulling the security to the floor with her.
Rafael cursed under his breath, stuck between heading to the elevator and attending to the nuisance in his way of reuniting with his wife. He chose the latter and headed to Clarence with a grumble under his breath.
They arrived at the hospital which Clarence insisted they drive to. It was her hospital. While they checked her in the emergency room, Rafael monitored his watch and tapped his feet impatiently.
“Everything is good,” the doctor said with a smile. “You need to be more careful with your condition. Your baby is barely three months old. You should be more careful.”
Rafael was shocked at the doctor’s words. “She’s P-Pregnant?”
“Of course.” The doctor said. “I believe you are the husband who was on a business trip?”
“Yes! Yes, he is!” Clarence interrupted. “Rafael baby, please greet the doctor, He took care of me while you were away.”
“You’re pregnant?” He asked again, this time facing Clarence.
“You don’t look so happy.” The doctor remarked, then turned to Clarence who tried to remedy the situation.
“You see, this was supposed to be a surprise for my husband but the sudden accident made it like this..” She smiled. “Thank you for your help doctor.”
Rafael watched the doctor leave before saying his piece, “What was that and who is your husband?” His tone was deadly and angry.
“You raped and got me pregnant, Rafael,” Clarence said. “I will not have my baby outside wedlock. You should be decent enough to take responsibility for your actions, no?”