“You’re alive!” Lucy cried, unable to believe it. She rushed towards June and held her palm. “Are you alright? Do you feel pain anywhere?”
Lucy’s voice was hurried and full of affection. “Water..” She croaked, meanwhile, Liam beeped the doctors and soon the ward was filled with medical professionals who checked on June.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” The medical director asked.
“Two,” June replied.
“How about now?”
“Five.”
Liam, Lucy and the others watched tensely as the doctor carried out his evaluation process. “It’s a miracle.” He said after a few minutes.
“I’ve never seen such a smooth recovery in my forty-five years of practice.” He spoke with awe. “You must have done something right in your previous lifetime, Miss.”
June couldn’t be bothered with his words. “Where is Rafael?” She asked, “I need to see him. What happened to him? And mother? Where is she?”
Lucy was alarmed at her friend’s question. She looked over to Liam, begging for assistance. She couldn’t inform June of Rafael’s state, not to talk of her mother who laid unconscious in another room.
They just got her back. It was too risky!
“They are all fine,” Liam said with a soft tone. “Mother left the hospital a few hours ago. She’s been around you all this while. We only managed to get her to rest.”
June noticed some materials around her room and the unmistakable scent of her mother’s presence. They weren’t lying to her. “How long have I been out for? What about Sharon? Did they pass judgment yet?”
With every question, June felt her mind grow overwhelmed. Memories from her stay with Zeus, Rafael and the others filled her mind, straining her body.
“You need to calm down.” Lucy said with panic-riddled eyes, “Doctors, do something.”
They needn’t say another word as the nurse injected a shot that calmed June’s nerves and sent her into a deep sleep. Meanwhile, in an unknown location, in the dead of the night, April was getting dressed for bed when three knocks came from the door.
Lydia Cordel stepped into the room just in time to see her throw a shirt over her body. “Too late am I?” She said with a suggestive look. “I hope to see those porcelain skin without these clothes getting in the way, Mario.”
April flinched at the sound of the name. She was not used to being addressed in such a manner. “Mrs. Cordel.” She bowed her head respectfully. “Thank you for your hospitality. I am indebted to you.”
“Nonsense! Call me Lydia,” The middle-aged woman said, “You saved my life. I owed it to get you out of that stinking cell.”
April stood stiff while Lydia made herself comfortable on the bed.
“I have been thinking.” She began. “Since you are a wanted criminal here in South City without a penny to your name, won’t it be best to ally with me?”
“My darling husband rules over the North City underworld. I was hoping you could join me over there.” She tutted, “I happen to need a right hand, someone who could help me out and keep me company while he goes on his various missions.”
April stared her right in the eye. “I owe you my freedom.” She said squarely and Lydia seemed pleased.
“That settles it then. We leave tomorrow at dusk.” Lydia stood up and stepped closer to April. “But first….” She trailed a finger through April’s face. “We need to make something clear,”
“You, my love,” she breathed into April’s ear. “Will belong to me.” She placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, leaving April stunned. “Body, spirit and soul.” She mused. “You must give me your word, Mario.”
April was frozen on the spot. “What is it going to be?” Lydia littered kisses on the sensitive part of her neck. “Do you agree?”
“Do you want me to stop?”
By now, Lydia groped down April’s body, teasing, taunting, testing. April hated every moment of it. She never knew Lydia was into women. Didn’t she have a husband?
However, April was not stupid to shut her down. She knew remaining in South City was a recipe for disaster. She had no money or connections. This was her best bet at becoming something remarkable.
While in prison, she heard stories of Lydia’s husband. He was a known tyrant in the underworld with many enemies who were glad to come after Lydia once she entered prison.
April let out a faux moan, hoping to seal the deal. Lydia was pleasantly surprised. “I knew there was something about you, Mario.”
April hated that name. Almost as much as she hated her sister. But that would have to do – For now. The next several minutes were spent with the women having their way with each other.
By the end of their exercise, Lydia was pleasantly satisfied and April found herself a woman with a plan. Everything would work itself in due time.
The next day, April was dressed in a man’s outfit, given a new identity as Mario Castello, Lydia’s distant male cousin. Soon enough, they boarded a private plane and touched down in North City.
June spent the next few days recuperating. When it was certain that they were hiding something from her, she decided to go on her little hunt for information.
Lucy was sleeping by the side of her bed in the dead of the night when June decided to step out of her room. She slowly pulled the covers off her body and tiptoed out of the bed.
On getting to the door, she opened it carefully and smiled when it opened soundlessly. “Where are you off to?” the voice of a bodyguard who stood outside the door nearly threw her off her feet.
June scratched her head with a tensed smile, “Oh.. hey,”
“Do you need something, Ma’am?” The suited man asked with respect in his eyes, “Do I need to call the doctor? Food?” While the man spoke, Lucy stirred awake, just in time to see June’s empty bed.
“June!” She jolted off her seat, eyes searching until she caught the ruckus by the door. “Oh goodness! I’m so sorry! I didn’t realise I was asleep. Do you need something, you shouldn’t be on your feet!”
June was attacked by a caring Lucy who guided her safely to the bed, leaving no room for her to register her discontent. She felt stronger and the more she remained cupped inside her room, the more she itched to go out and breathe in some fresh air.
“I want to go home,” She said upon getting to the bed. “I feel better, Lucy. I want to see my mother. Or at least have a video chat with her-”
“I already told you,” Lucy said, “Your phone got lost after the incident. I could have called Mother but my phone screen is a mess. As soon as it is repaired, you will speak to her.”
Lucy gave half-truths. Although her phone was bad, that was not the reason for Mrs. Evelyn’s situation. The doctors assured Mrs Evelyn would be awake by the end of the day and they planned to schedule a meeting as soon as she came around.
Just then, one of the bodyguards walked into the hospital room with his phone in hand. “The boss wants to speak to you.” He handed the phone over and it was Liam.
“Yes?”
“Do not leave her side.” His breathing was unsteady, and Lucy’s brows narrowed.
“Is there a problem?” She probed. When he didn’t speak, she pressed on. “Talk to me.”
“April Lontoc escaped prison.”