June sat in her room, thinking of the previous day’s events.
After the murder attempt on Liam’s life, she had been relegated to the confines of her quarters while they ‘got to the root’ of things. She wasn’t complaining though. Staying back in the house had given her time to do some groundwork on the new project design.
She was making substantial progress with her work and other than the fact she was curious to know the situation of things with the attempted murder, she was living fine. June jolted from her seat at the sound of some cars driving into the compound.
One thing she loved about her room was the view of her window. She could stay up in her quarters and watch people go about their duties in the estate. Something she found useful when she felt burnt out from the creative process of her work.
She watched Liam step out of his luxury car with a frown. It seemed they were yet to ‘get to the root’ of things. She watched him enter the house before returning to her seat.
While the men searched the estate for the woman who tried to kill her boss, she thought of the woman herself. Something about her eyes seemed too familiar. June couldn’t shake off the feeling that she had seen her somewhere or at some point in her life.
The only problem was, she couldn’t figure out where and under what circumstances she met with that woman. Nevertheless, she had a gut feeling about the woman who singlehandedly shook the Fernando estate and disappeared into thin air.
If there was one thing she knew about Liam Fernando from her little time with him, he never took no for an answer. Ever since the assassination attempt, he never relented in searching for the woman, going as far as placing a bounty on her head.
Anyone who found the strange woman in the estate would be given twenty million. Did she also mention how stupendously rich he was to give away that sum without batting his eyelids?
June had a long way to go. Stepping into North City and living in such a lavish estate told her there was a large ground to cover if she wanted to live a comfortable life in North City standards.
She returned to her seat, amped to continue her job when her phone rang. It was a video call from Lucy. June accepted the call with a smile.
“Hey there!”
“Hi!!!” Lucy waved excitedly. “Mother wants to say hi too!”
In a second, the phone was passed across to Evelyn who wore a beautiful smile upon seeing her daughter on screen. “Child! How are you doing?”
June felt warm fuzzy feelings attack her heart as she spoke kindly to her mother. “I’ve been fine. Working tirelessly and missing you all.” She said, purposely leaving out the tension experienced from the assassination attempt of her new boss.
“Don’t work too hard, child! Take some break and eat well too!” Evelyn chided lovingly. “You should explore and have fun too! It’s a new environment.”
June nodded dutifully. “I will. I promise to have the best time over here, Mother.” She joked.
“That’s good.” Evelyn played along.
“How are things over there, mother? I hope you are enjoying the new house?”
“Of course! I must thank you again for it, child.” Evelyn cooed. “I have the best time setting up the house and making it a home. You’d be surprised by the time you return.”
“I trust you,” June said with a smile. “Do you mind giving me a tour?”
Evelyn shook her head. “That would take away the element of surprise. Besides, I want to see your face when you see it too.”
June raised her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, now I really can’t wait to get back.”
Lucy collected the phone. “Take your time. There’s still a lot to cover, the house is nowhere near what Mother have in mind.”
June smiled. “Thank you for helping out. You are the best neighbour ever.”
“Let mother be the judge of that,” Lucy said with a smile. “How has work been on your end? Do you need some assistance?”
June shook her head. “I think I should handle this one alone. The area is nothing like I imagined. It would have been a disaster if I didn’t come here myself.”
“You don’t say,” Lucy said, “Speaking of disasters, I have news for you.”
“Hit me.” June’s attention was suddenly piqued.
“It’s a media circus over here.” She said with a smile. “Karma is finally getting our enemies.” She cleared her throat, “April has been declared wanted by the South City police department.”
June was shocked. “W-what?” She stuttered, “What do you mean?”
“She was discovered to be a fraud, and the prime suspect of a murder case.” June’s jaws dropped open. “Remember Colton?”
Of course, she remembered him! How could she forget the ones who almost sent her mother to a mental hospital?
“He was murdered in cold blood and April is tagged the prime suspect. She has not been sighted since the incident and the police claim to have substantial proof that points her as the killer.”
“They were in a relationship. Why would she kill him?” June pondered out loud.
“It’s a mystery to us all. But if she was innocent, why hide? There’s got to be a way to prove her innocence and given her track records, I wouldn’t be shocked if she killed him.”
June felt like something was wrong. “What would be her motive for killing him? April is smart and slippery. I doubt she would do such a job and get caught.”
Lucy pondered June’s words for a minute. Looking back at the accused modus operandi, she couldn’t agree more. Hence, her worry increased. “Do you think she is being framed?”
“The question is by who and why?” June said, pretty much in deep thought.
“I would get the private investigator on the case and see where it leads,” Lucy said and June nodded.
“Keep it discreet.” She instructed and Lucy nodded.
“The South City Resort project has been cancelled,” Lucy informed June with a smile. “The government found that the design used to award the contract to Lontoc Constructions was stolen. The public rage is at its peak with the scandal involving April sleeping with the minister.”
“They released a statement a few minutes ago, apologising to the public and concerned participants for the situation.” She explained, “They also reached out to us. They want to see you and send in compensation.”
June smirked at the turn of events. “We don’t need anything from them.” She stated. “As long as the stolen designs are recovered from the company, we are good.”
“The government and public are on our side. Lontoc Construction has been ordered to produce every stolen design or face the wrath of the law.” Lucy said in excitement. “Given that the CEO is dead, I believe they will face the wrath of the law.”
“Did I mention how we are suddenly the most sought-after Architectural company in South City? The team is swarmed with work and everything is busy here following the scandal rocking Lontoc and Pheonix Constructions.”
June smiled at her words. “I’ll tie up things quickly and help with the demand.”
“Oh no. Please take your time. Everything is under control.” Lucy assured. “And if we need more hands, I could always contract a few experts or hire new workers. We are growing beautifully.”
June nodded with a smile. Although she didn’t say it, she was proud of Lucy. Gone was the hurt and broken girl she met several months ago. Indeed, time and chance happen to them all.
On the other hand, April was in hiding. After discovering Colton’s dead body, she hid in the old wine cellar of the house and didn’t leave there for three days. Her phone was turned off and she was hungry.
The police had searched the house and sealed it off. She grew thinner and dirtier as she camped in the infested old wine cellar. She wanted to leave but feared the outside world.
She overheard some policemen speaking the previous day and realised she was the prime suspect of Colton’s death. Something along the lines of how she wanted to take back Lontoc Construction and Rivera stores.
They couldn’t be farther from the truth but given the fact she had gone to war with him over the South City Project and other things, including the fact her DNA was found on his body. She couldn’t risk getting caught.
All through her hiding, she thought of a way of survival. Mrs Beatrice abandoned her and she couldn’t think of anyone who would be willing to help her out of the tight position.
Day and night, she thought about how to get out of the cellar, get her money and escape from the cruel realities of South City. One cold night, a thought finally hit her.
Who was the one person that benefitted the most from her situation at the moment? A light bulb went off in her head and a smile made its way to her face.
That night, she bit the bullet and escaped the cellar.