June stepped off the aeroplane with her bag in hand.
The cold air attacked her as soon as she hit the floor and her hair flared. She had informed Liam Fernando of the time of arrival before the plane took off and he responded with one word that frustrated and annoyed her.
“Noted.”
What was she supposed to do with that? She had booked herself a trip to North City, only to find that her flight was upgraded to first class, thanks to Fernando Corporation.
She also booked herself a hotel but received an email that it was cancelled a few minutes after she boarded. A sick side of her wondered if it was Liam’s work but the thought in itself seemed too good to be true.
There was no way he had that much power. Besides, he couldn’t have known the hotel she booked. June decided she was going to wing it when she landed in North City.
Surely it wouldn’t be hard to get a good hotel where she could spend the night until she figured out her living arrangements. June walked out of the arrivals and found a suited man holding a placard with her name on it.
She pulled her shades when the name ‘June Rivera’ glistened on the blackboard. Her first instinct was to pull out her phone. The heavens forbid she entered into the hands of killers on her first day in North City.
Her fingers hovered over Liam’s contact, ready to call at the slightest discomfort when her phone suddenly rang, startling her and eliciting the attention of fellow returnees.
She swiped green and placed the phone in her ears without thinking.
“Where are you?” A seasoned baritone voice greeted her and she checked the caller’s identity. It was Liam Fernando. Talk about perfect timing.
“I am at the Airport.” She responded, suddenly breathless.
“Stay put. I will be there in a second.”
June tried to speak but heard the two beeps that disconnected the call. She swallowed and moved towards the suited man who held her name. “Hello Mister?”
The man blinked as though noticing her for the first time. “June Rivera?” He asked in a heavily accented voice.
“I told you to stay put.” A new voice joined the conversation, sounding irritated.
June looked up and met the blue eyes of Liam who wore an aloof expression as he spoke to the man. “Take her things to the car.”
“Yes sir.” The man said with a bow and quickly took June’s luggage from her hands.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” She protested to Liam, trailing behind the security. “I need to find a nearby hotel and settle in.”
“No need for that,” Liam said, dragging her along.
Due to Liam’s influence, the security was a walk in the park and soon, they were inside a White Rolls Royce, headed out of the airport. June was awed by the sight of the City.
It was the festivities period and there were a lot of things going on. Liam watched her look out the glass and instinctively lowered the glass for her. Autumn air flooded the car, mixing with the conditioned air that they enjoyed.
June smiled when the cool air hit her face, her hair flared and it was a wonderful feeling. Soon enough, the tiredness of the journey caught on to her and she felt sleepy.
“Where are we off to?” She finally asked, turning toward Liam who typed away on his phone.
“A living arrangement has been prepared for you.” He said without looking up. “You are to sleep there and tomorrow, we discuss the project.”
“A hotel?” She asked when the car made a detour and headed into an estate.
“No.” Liam dropped his phone. “My house.”
Sleep was driven away from her eyes at the mention of his house. “What?”
“Do not be distressed. My house is more exquisite than any luxury hotel in the world.” Liam said without mincing words.
The gate automatically opened and June swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue. He wasn’t lying. His home looked like a trip to paradise!
The mansion that stood before her was otherworldly and prestigious! She had never seen a home of that calibre! The vastness and expanse, not to mention the mini buildings that were beautifully and strategically placed around it!
It was a City of its own! Standing out, vibrant and incomparable.
“You will stay in the main building with me,” Liam said while she tried to make sense of the paradise before her. They stepped out of the car and June noticed the lineup of servants that waited with their heads bowed.
Men and women alike. Dressed in uniforms as they chorused. “Welcome, Mr. Fernando.”
“These are my employees. They would cater to your every need. Anything you need to make your stay productive and enjoyable should be related to the housekeeper,” One of the men stepped forward. “Bruce is in charge of seeing to the safe operation of the estate. I will leave you to him.”
Liam turned to leave and June felt panicked. “Are you leaving?”
“I am a busy man. I shall speak to you by morning.” With that, Liam returned to the car and June watched the Rolls Royce pull out of the estate.
Something told her she was in for something big. Something she would find out in time.
“Hello, Miss.” Bruce, an elderly seasoned man and butler of the Fernando estate approached June. “Welcome to the family. May I show you your quarters?”
“If you mean room, then please, by all means,” June said politely.
“Come with me.”
June followed the man who led the way into the main building. As though she wasn’t stunned by the exterior of the edifice, she was blown out of the water by the interior. She lost her breath thinking how much was spent on the designing and erection of the estate.
Liam Fernando was truly the King of North City!
“Welcome to your quarters, Miss,” Bruce said and pushed open the door. “You have your walk-in closet, bedroom, living room, and office.” The man listed as he walked her through the enormous space.
“The helpers would be around every morning to tidy up the room and help you get ready. Breakfast is at seven and you are expected to be at the dining early. The boss is not a fan of tardiness, so please, by all means, avoid it.”
“Everyone is expected to be in their quarters at eight. Anyone found loitering around after curfew would be penalised by the Boss.” Bruce said and one of her brows shot up.
“A curfew? What is this? Boarding school?”
Bruce bit back a smile. “This is a controlled environment.” He explained. “As you can already tell, there are a lot of family members who live and work in this estate.”
“What kind of work?” June probed, and all signs of previous tiredness were washed away by curiosity.
“You don’t want to know.” He said with a cryptic look. “I believe you must be tired from your journey. I will let you settle in for some time. Dinner would be here in a few minutes.”
“The closet is stocked as well as everything you might need as a lady.” June blushed at the directness of his tone. “If there is anything I have overlooked, please use the intercom by the bed and it shall be promptly provided.”
“In the absence of anything else, please have a good night and stay at the Fernando Estate.” Bruce took a head bow and walked out of her room, not before handing her the key card to the live-in apartment.
June watched him leave the room before collapsing on the single couch in the living room. A wide television hung in the middle of the wall and a chandelier dazzled above her.
The floors shone and reflected her face and everything was perfect. She walked into the room, and the king-sized bed attracted her. One jump and she sank into the cloudy mattress.
In seconds, the hours-long journey and fatigue caught up to her and she drifted to a dreamless sleep, forgoing dinner. Later that night, Liam returned to the estate with a man who stole from the company.
“Please! Please! I would never do it again! I promise! Please let me live!” The young man begged while getting dragged out of the car.
Liam wore a wicked smirk. “The rules are clear. This family cannot harbour thieves.” He tutted, “It is a pity you have chosen this path despite all my warnings.”
Other members of the family stood around, armed and with stoic expressions as they watched the beaten-to-a-pulp man beg for his life to be spared. It was a regular occurrence. Something they had seen happen time and time again in the Fernando estate.
Everyone knew what was coming. The boss had zero tolerance for traitors and thieves. It was stipulated in their handbook of operations. The penalty of such remained unchanged.
Death.
“Please! They deceived me! They deceived me!”
“How much were you paid to steal from me?” Liam asked, eyes on his pistol. “How much did you sell your loyalty?”
“Please! Please! Pleas-”
A gunshot wound appeared between the man’s eyes. Liam’s gun oozed smoke from the silencer. He had shot the bullet that sent the man lying on the floor, lifeless and very much dead.
“So noisy.” Liam tutted and cleaned up his gun. “Take out the trash.”