June worked with the detective overseeing April’s case. They met at the house to discuss how to bring her sister to trial.
“Do you know of any secret fund or place she could be hiding?” The detective asked Evelyn who carefully answered after much thought.
“April always had a mind of her own.” She said, “No one could tell what ran through that mind or what assets she got while in power.”
“She kicked me to the curbs as soon as she became the CEO of Rivera and Lontoc companies. Prior to that, she only owned the properties assigned to her by me from the Rivera Shares.”
June shared a look with the detective. “If April is as smart as I imagined, she will have some secret stash and property somewhere,” June explained. “Seeing she is on the run, it would be her first port of call.”
The detective agreed. “We will look into the properties acquired by her or the companies while she was CEO.” He stood up, and June joined him on her feet. “I will reach out to you if we find anything more.”
June shook hands with the Detective. “Thanks for coming. I will also keep you updated if anything turns up.” June escorted the detective out of the house and returned afterwards.
“I didn’t think she would survive this long,” Lucy stated, awed by the information she received. “April Lontoc is one slippery, smart criminal.”
June agreed. Her sister was giving them a run for their money. However, this time around, June was desperate to have the final laugh. The universe had finally given her an edge over her sister and it will be stupid to fail after everything that’s landed her way.
Not to mention the numerous people who looked up to her for justice against her sister, whenever she saw Lucy, Joel, Sharon, Sheila, and even her mother, she was reminded why she could not fail to bring that tyrant to book.
Today, June planned to get the flash drive. Sheila had included the flash location which held everything she needed to bring April to book in her letter. All she had to do was go pick it up.
A task she was bent on achieving today.
“Please take care of yourself,” Evelyn said, unable to hide her emotions. “Make sure that the men are with you at all times.”
June wore a confident smile. “Trust me, mother,” She joked, “No one can kill me. I have nine lives!” They shared a laugh and she made her way to the car.
Soon enough, June was headed to the centre of the City. She followed the directions and pulled up in front of a depilated hair salon by the rural side of town.
June wondered if she had gotten to the wrong location as she inspected the place. Meanwhile, Evelyn was home when she heard the clank of the gates opening.
Her eyes brightened and she headed to the window with hopes that her daughter was back and was met with a convoy of black Lexus cars with tinted glasses. She rushed out of the house just in time to see Lucy rushing through the gates.
She turned around on her way to work to pick up a document she had forgotten.
“Who are you?” Evelyn asked when they stepped out of the car, each in a black suit. “What is your mission here?”
Lucy stood beside Evelyn, watching the situation as she tried to reach June.
A man came out of the car, wearing a white dress-up shirt and pants. He wore sunglasses that shielded his eyes and had an aura of a king around him. Lucy watched in confusion as she tried to figure out where she’d seen the face.
The crowd of suited men that could pass for bodyguards with their rugged looks and wires split in half, giving him room to walk towards them. The young man took off his glasses as soon as he stood before them.
“L-Liam Fernando?” Lucy stuttered, unable to believe her eyes.
“I see we have met.” He faced Mrs Evelyn who looked like a fish out of water. “I believe you are Mrs Rivera.” He gave a curt bow. “I am Liam Fernando. Nice to finally meet you, Mother.”
Evelyn looked around and words failed her. “Ah-yes! Do you want to come in”
“I’m afraid not,” Liam stated. “I am in a bit of a hurry. Where is the little Rivera?”
“June?” Evelyn blinked.
“Yes, I must meet her immediately.”
“The lady went out,” Lucy said and the atmosphere went a few degrees lower.
“Where is she?” Liam looked like he was ready for war, and Lucy feared for her boss.
“She had to pick up something. She will be back in no time.” She managed to say but Liam was not satisfied.
“Do you know the way?” He spoke with urgency in his tone.
Lucy nodded without thinking.
“Get into the car.” Liam pointed to three men. “Remain here until I return,” He ordered his men. “If anyone tries to do anything silly, deal with them.”
Evelyn was stunned at the nature of his order. “Is something wrong? Is my daughter in danger?”
Liam turned to Mrs Evelyn. “Little Rivera is fine. I heard there’s been a lot of killings around here lately. I’d like to protect my mother-in-law and my fiance.”
“F-Fiance?” Evelyn was dumbfounded.
However, Liam didn’t bother to expound his words. Instead, he gave a curt bow and walked into his car with Lucy seated beside him. “Let’s go.”
“Did you just say, Fiance?” Lucy asked as they pulled up from the house. “Did my Lady get engaged in North City and forgot to tell us or did you just lie to Mother?”
Liam kept his lips pursed.
“It was a distraction, right? You were trying to distract Mother right?” She goaded. “Why would you lie to mother? Unless there is something you are not telling me? Is My lady’s life in danger? Is there-”
Liam moved dangerously close to Lucy. She suddenly kept quiet. Her heartbeat increased at the stunning young man whose face was mere inches from hers.
“One more word.” He said, moving closer with ocean eyes. “One more word and I will put that lips to better use.”
Lucy – !!!
The journey forward was quiet and peaceful. Liam was on his phone when a text came in. His jaws clenched and he turned to his driver. “Move faster!”
Meanwhile, June entered the salon and sat beside an old woman who came for a haircut. An older-looking auntie carried on her job like it was nature to her.
June felt confused. The letter said to ask of Mrs Dora and she had a notion it was the auntie who diligently carried on her job. It also seemed like there was a no-talking rule in her salon which hindered June from speaking until it was her turn.
“What do you want?” The older woman asked in a rackety voice.
June cleared her throat and wore a smile. “I am looking for a certain, Mrs. Dora.”
The woman was taken aback by her words. Her general countenance changed and she looked around as though checking if she was being watched.
“I was sent here by a certain Miss to get a box kept under her care-” June continued when the woman didn’t speak. “Could you please point me to her?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. Please leave my salon.” June was caught off guard by the hostility in her tone. “I don’t attend to things like this.”
June could tell she was lying. “Please. I need your assistance.” She pulled a picture from her bag. It was a picture of Sheila and Sharon at a much younger age. “Sheila is currently in a life machine, brain dead and Sharon is in prison for something she knows nothing about.”
“This is the only chance I have at getting justice for Sharon. It was Sheila’s last wish to bring the truth to light.” June appealed to the woman. “I don’t know what relationship you had with the twins, but please, help me.”
The woman felt stuck in the middle. Her eyes flickered between June and the door, watchful and sceptical. “The package is in the first drawer to the right.” She said and June did a double take.
“What?”
“I want no part in whatever Sheila got herself into,” She pulled June to the seat, acting like she was getting a regular haircut. “There are some men who have been around so you better be careful.”
June froze at the woman’s words.
“This is as much I can do for them. Take the darn bag and never come here again.” June reached for the second drawer and there was a brown bag inside.
She pulled it out and made to open it but the woman refused. “Not here, woman! Are you trying to get me killed?!” She whisper-yelled.
“No… I just-”
“There you go. All done.” The woman stepped in front of June, allowing her to open the bag and take the phone inside. “You should be careful.”
June nodded, unable to understand the woman’s fears.
“Leave and never come back.”